The Wisconsin Badgers didn't have a single player drafted in the NFL Draft but then had a record-setting 12 rookies signed to NFL deals as UDFAs. That's a huge number to keep track of, and as a UDFA, you know the odds are stacked against you to make a roster. Yet, every year there are always some that do on almost every single team.
Thus, the question is this: out of those 12 Wisconsin Badgers, which include Ricardo Hallman, Ben Barten, Parker Petersen, Vinny Anthony II, Mason Reiger, Jackson Acker, Nyzier Fourqurean, Darryl Peterson III, Lance Mason, Jay'Viar Suggs, Austin Brown, and Riley Mahlman, who are the most likely to make a 53-man roster?
Well, the list is really down to 10 now, as Mason Reiger and Jackson Acker have already been cut, Reiger due to injury and Acker lost the fullback battle in Buffalo. Here are three likely candidates from the final 10.
1. Vinny Anthony II - Atlanta Falcons
Anthony is the clear No. 1 for making the 53-man roster. There has really only been one negative sign that he may not make the roster, but that could also be reading too much into what a coach says (read that article here). He's versatile and popping up on the offense in every single preseason game.
In the final preseason game, he had a 52-yard kick return and three catches for 21 yards on four targets. He also had the highest snap count of all the Falcons wide receivers in that game at 27. It certainly seems like the Falcons want to keep him, and one Falcons expert has already predicted Anthony to make the final 53.
2. Darryl Peterson III - Los Angeles Rams
Peterson walked away with the game ball in the final Los Angeles Rams preseason game. He had two big sacks, with the final one being a strip sack to seal the win for the Rams. He's been a huge long shot to make the roster, but the last couple of preseason games have put him on the map. This final one was incredibly impressive, and the Rams even played him a whopping 42 snaps.
Even if the Rams cut him, it seems as if he is at least destined for a practice squad, if not another NFL roster that could use the depth along the defensive line and off the edge.
3. Nyzier Fourqurean - Los Angeles Rams
Fourqurean came out of nowhere for the NFL world. Badger fans knew his game, but since he couldn't play last year thanks to a ridiculous NCAA verdict, he had to find his way into the NFL the hard way. He's been proving doubters wrong for years now, and this preseason he did it again. He's truly on the bubble and has had a great preseason.
The Rams even did something today that may have sealed a spot for him. He was in a competition with Al'zillion Hamilton for a defensive back spot. Hamilton was just cut ahead of the 53-man roster announcement. Fourqurean truly could make the cut, but even if he doesn't, he's shown he belongs in the NFL.
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