During the 2024 NFL Draft two Badgers, Braelon Allen and Tanor Bortolini, were selected in the fourth round. Only time will tell how they'll perform in the league and whether or not they'll cement their names as Badger legends in the NFL. So let's take a look at the five greatest Badger draft picks in NFL history.
Center Mike Webster grew up in Rhinelander, Wisconsin on a huge farm. And because of his farm chores, didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school. He excelled at Wisconsin however, and was selected in the fifth round of the 1974 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Webster went on to win four Super Bowls, nine Pro Bowl awards and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
T.J. initially joined the Badgers as a freshman playing tight end. But after a redshirt season and a knee injury, he hadn't played a single snap in over two years. So he switched to the defensive side of the ball and the rest is history. He was selected in the first round of the 2017 draft after registering 11.5 sacks in his last season in Madison. Watt is entering his eighth year in the NFL, and is already a former Defensive Player of the Year and a surefire Hall of Famer when he retires.
Russell Wilson transferred from NC State to play his final year of collegiate ball at Wisconsin. He was then selected in the third round of the 2012 draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Oddly enough, he is now a part of the Steelers like our previous players on the list, but before that had a storied career with the Seahawks. He is a nine time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl Champion and a Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Watt originally committed to Central Michigan as a two-star tight end recruit. After only eight total receptions, he decided to walk-on for the Badgers at defensive end. After two great seasons he left early for the NFL and was selected in the first round of the 2011 Draft by the Houston Texans. Watt would go on to win three Defensive Player of the Year awards as well as a Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2017. Watt is a first ballot Hall of Famer without debate.
At number one, despite a professional record of 48-128 with zero playoff wins, Joe Thomas is second to none when it comes to Badgers in the NFL. He is a 10-time Pro Bowler, the consecutive snaps played record holder, a Hall of Famer, and arguably the greatest tackle to ever play. Joe Thomas will always be a Badger legend and many fans' favorite draft day memory, as Thomas famously spent the day just fishing with his dad.