Wisconsin could foreseeably have zero players drafted in the upcoming NFL Draft. All the eligible players for the Badgers were listed pretty much right away as UDFA potential. Yet, two Wisconsin players are surging, and now it's very possible that both OLB Mason Reiger and Vinny Anthony II will find their names called during the draft.
Reiger has been popping up in all sorts of NFL Mock Drafts since his standout performance in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Anthony showed his game off in the Senior Bowl (mostly in the workouts), and now he's popped up in his first mock draft.
Vinny Anthony II is mocked to the New York Jets in a special teams fit
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The Draft Network has Anthony drafted in the sixth round by the New York Jets, citing the case for the Jets to grab him, "The Jets' need at wide receiver isn't as big as it once was following their midseason acquisitions of John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell. Still, a late-round dart throw can't hurt. Wisconsin's Vinny Anthony II made a few eye-popping plays in Mobile, plus he has special teams upside."
While you don't love to see the "late-round dart throw" attached to his name, you'd love for there to be a little more hype around Anthony. The rest of what author Justin Melo says is key. Anthony is not only a great receiver who has NFL upside, but he's also capable and excellent in the special teams department.
The Seattle Seahawks have shown the NFL world that investing in special teams players helps win Super Bowls. They traded for Rashid Shaheed mid-season, have a top-paid punter, kicker, and specialists that don't let other returns get loose. Anthony may prove some value as a returner in the special teams game, like Shaheed.
Anthony and Reiger will still have opportunities to show their stuff at the NFL Combine (pending an invite), but until then, both are still considered low picks or going undrafted.