Where Are Badgers Landing in NFL Mock Drafts?
The NFL draft is rapidly approaching, with round one set to kick off on April 25th in Detroit. In last year's draft, three Badgers heard their name called and this year looks to be pretty similar. So let's see where some of these players have been mocked.
Sporting News
3rd Round - 87th overall: Braelon Allen, RB - Dallas Cowboys
5th Round - 141st overall: Tanor Bortolini, C - Carolina Panthers
Undrafted: Maema Njongmeta, LB
Braelon Allen's highest projection from our lists, he goes to the Cowboys at 87th overall. It's crazy to think they gave Ezekiel Elliott a $90million contract just a few years ago. Tanor Bortolini goes to the depraved Panthers and Maema Njongmeta goes undrafted. Njongmeta is a borderline 7th round pick, so it wouldn't be completely shocking if he gets a call though either.
Pro Football Network
4th Round - 115th overall: Braelon Allen, RB - Cincinnati Bengals
5th Round - 145th overall: Tanor Bortolini, C - Denver Broncos
Undrafted: Maema Njongmeta, LB
Braelon Allen goes later here, but with Joe Mixon out of the picture he gets a real shot at contributing right away. Bortolini heads to Denver where he can team up on the offensive line with UW-Whitewater legend Quinn Meinerz.
NFL.com
3rd Round - 69th overall: Tanor Bortolini, C - Los Angeles Chargers
4th Round - 104th overall: Braelon Allen, RB - Arizona Cardinals
Undrafted: Maema Njongmeta, LB
In his highest mock by far, Bortolini goes in the 3rd round to the Chargers in NFL.com's projection. Would Jim Harbaugh dare to draft a Badger?
ESPN
4th Round - 101st overall: Braelon Allen, RB - Carolina Panthers
4th Round - 109th overall: Tanor Bortolini, C - Atlanta Falcons
Undrafted: Maema Njongmeta, LB
Allen and Bortolini both go in the 4th round here to the Panthers and Falcons respectively. Allen could find some work in Carolina's backfield, but it'll be a long climb up for that whole roster. Njongmeta is still predicted to go undrafted.
You likely won't see any of these players gracing the stage in round one in Detroit come late April but remember, it's not about how you start but how you finish.