The Wisconsin Badgers didn't send anyone to the NFL out of the draft this season. It was a low point as a program, but that certainly doesn't mean there will be zero NFL players from their senior class. In fact, they may end up with a handful of players on Week 1 rosters that were UDFAs after the NFL Draft.
In fact, the Badgers had 11 players end up being signed to UDFA deals. Here's a full list:
Nyzier Fourqurean - Los Angeles Rams
Lance Mason - Seattle Seahawks
Jackson Acker - Buffalo Bills
Austin Brown - Indianapolis Colts
Mason Reiger - Miami Dolphins
Vinny Anthony II - Atlanta Falcons
Darrell Peterson III - Los Angeles Rams
Ben Barten - New York Giants
Riley Mahlman - Atlanta Falcons
Parker Petersen - Carolina Panthers
Jay'viar Suggs - New Orleans Saints
That's one of the more impressive UDFA lists across all of college football. However, not all of them will make NFL rosters when teams break camp at the end of the summer. Even a handful would be a big deal. So, let's break it down by most likely to longshots.
The most likely players to land on a Week 1 NFL roster
There are four that land on the "most likely" lists. Vinny Anthony II, Mason Reiger, Jackson Acker, and Austin Brown. There are reasons for each, so let's break those down.
Mason Reiger was the most likely Wisconsin Badger to be drafted. He was right on the cusp of being drafted, but ended up slipping out of the draft. He's made early impressions in Miami, and one beat reporter already has him as the most likely Dolphin UDFA to make the team.
Vinny Anthony II is already being projected by USA Today to be in a featured role on the depth chart next season for the Atlanta Falcons. His ability to return kicks/punts will allow him to make this roster.
Jackson Acker plays a niche position, and if fullbacks were in more demand, he would have been drafted. The Bills need a fullback and gave him a pretty good guarantee as a UDFA, which signals the team plans to keep him.
Austin Brown is the final player to be "most likely." Once again, following the money, the Colts will give Brown every opportunity to make the team. He had one of the top guaranteed UDFA contracts in the NFL.
The "maybes" to land on a Week 1 NFL roster
There's a whole group of people who feel like 50/50 shots based on team need and NFL ability. The four players I think find themselves in this category are Nyzier Fourqurean, Lance Mason, Darrell Peterson III, and Riley Mahlman. All four could end up on rosters or on practice squads or don't make a team at all. More info needs to come out after OTAs.
The long shots to land on a Week 1 NFL roster
Finally, there's a group that really needs to prove their worth and earn a shot. Rooting for all three of these guys, but it's hard to see it happening: Ben Barten, Jay'viar Suggs, and Parker Peterson.
Add us as a preferred source on Google