The Wisconsin Badgers just set a new record for themselves by going seven straight drafts without a first-round pick selected. They haven't had a first-round pick since 2017, and they didn't have anyone selected in the first round of this year's draft either. Not that this was a surprise for Wisconsin fans, as the most draft-eligible Badgers are probably going on day three in the 4th round.
The second round of the NFL Draft starts tonight at 6 p.m. CT.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) April 25, 2025
Last night, the #Badgers went without a first-round draft pick for the seventh straight draft. That's the longest in the modern NFL draft era, dating back to the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
Wisconsin hits program-low with seven-year first-round NFL Draft drought
This isn't the record any fan wants to have, but it showcases two realities. First, for a while, the program was able to secure good fits and create strong teams, but not first-round talent. Second, it highlights the current state of affairs with Luke Fickell.
It ultimately hurts if the team is not winning and is not producing talent, not just in the sense that it's an eye roll and frustrating, but also in the sense that it's a genuine concern for the overall program outlook. A great example is how it hurts in recruiting, as most players want to go to the league.
Wisconsin isn't the only school struggling to get first-round draft picks selected. They aren't even the worst in the Big Ten. Indiana is sitting at 32 years, Rutgers is at 16, and Nebraska is at 14. Although this doesn't make it better, it's certainly a good reminder that it could be worse.
The last first-round pick for the Wisconsin Badgers came in 2017 when the Badgers actually had two first-round picks. At pick number 30 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, TJ Watt was chosen, and then a couple of picks later, barely slipping into the first round, was Ryan Ramczyk at pick 32 for the New Orleans Saints.
The shocking part of this drought, though, is that Ramczyk just retired from the NFL. It's been long enough that the last Wisconsin first-round draft pick selected is now a retired NFL player. Yikes. The good news is that Watt is still going strong, but still, it's time to get the program set back right and get first-rounders flying out of Wisconsin again.