Where will University of Wisconsin football players potentially get taken in the 2024 NFL draft?
Three Wisconsin football players (Joe Tippmann, Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig) were taken in the 2023 NFL draft, marking the seventh straight year that three or more Badgers were selected in the annual event.
That streak is going to be put to the test this year with only two likely UW candidates for selection: Running back Braelon Allen and offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini.
Allen, the native of Fond du Lac and famously still just 20 years old, ran for more than 100 yards in 20 games at Wisconsin and racked up 3,494 rushing yards in his career, good for No. 9 on UW's all-time rushing list.
Bortolini, from Kewaunee, will continue the trend of UW players getting drafted into the NFL, and he may have improved his stock considerably after an impressive showing in the NFL scouting combine testing. He started games at guard, center and tackle during his career at UW.
The last time UW had just two players taken was 2016, when Joe Schobert and Derek Watt were selected in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively. Wisconsin has not had fewer than two players taken since Joe Thomas was the lone Badger off the board in 2007, and he was taken with the third overall pick.
Neither of this year's top UW candidates will get taken in the first round, but what about Day 2 of the draft? Of the national writers who produced a full seven-round mock draft, here's where the two Badgers ended up:
Braelon Allen (Actual: Fourth round, No. 134 to Jets)
Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News: Third round (No. 87) to Dallas Cowboys
Chad Reuter of NFL.com: Third round (No. 88) to Green Bay Packers
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports: Fourth round (No. 111) to New York Jets
Dane Brugler of The Athletic: Fourth round (No. 112) to Las Vegas Raiders
Jordan Reid of ESPN: Fourth round (No. 130) to Baltimore Ravens
Pro Football Focus: Sixth round (No. 184) to Miami Dolphins
Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network: Sixth round (No. 186) to Arizona Cardinals
It's high variance for Allen, although interesting clustered in different spots throughout the draft, starting in the third round where the Packers could be a potential suitor. Green Bay goes into the draft needing at least one running back, and maybe more, even with the return of AJ Dillon and the arrival of Josh Jacobs. Would they consider the hometown kid? Could Dallas snatch Allen away one pick ahead of the Packers?
Tanor Bortolini (Actual: Fourth round, No. 117 to Colts)
Pro Football Network: Third round (No. 81) to Seattle Seahawks
CBS Sports: Fourth round (No. 104) to Arizona Cardinals
The Athletic: Fourth round (No. 117) to Indianapolis Colts
NFL.com: Fourth round (No. 124) to San Francisco 49ers
ESPN: Fourth round (No. 124) to San Francisco 49ers
Sporting News: Fifth round (No. 141) to Carolina Panthers
PFF: Fifth round (No. 161) to Philadelphia Eagles
Most mock drafts don't think Bortolini gets taken on Day 2, but he'll be borderline, and it stands to reason a lineman with his versatility will be an attractive option for teams regardless of immediate need, especially after how he performed at the NFL scouting combine.
Isaac Guerendo (Actual: Fourth round, No. 129 to 49ers)
Sporting News: Fifth round (No. 147) to Denver Broncos
The Athletic: Fifth round (No. 153) to Jacksonville Jaguars
CBS Sports: Fifth round (No. 154) to Los Angeles Rams
PFF: Fifth round (No. 172) to Philadelphia Eagles
EPSN: Fifth round (No. 176) to San Francisco 49ers
NFL.com: Sixth round (No. 205) to Detroit Lions
Pro Football Network: Seventh round (No. 246) to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Guerendo spent most of his career at Wisconsin before a chance to break out with Louisville in his final year of eligibility in 2023. He also performed well at the combine and has always been notorious for his unique combination of size and blazing speed. Most mock drafts feel he's a fit in the fifth round.
Several players could be undrafted free agents or even sneak into a late round
If a third Badgers player were selected in the draft, it wouldn't be the first NFL draft surprise. Some candidates to at least become undrafted free agents after the draft is over:
Linebacker Maema Njongmeta attended the NFL scouting combine.
Cornerback Jason Maitre was Wisconsin's No. 1 nickel corner in 2023.
Tight end Hayden Rucci announced after the season that he was heading for the NFL.
Quarterback Tanner Mordecai spent one season at UW after transferring from SMU and threw for more than 2,000 yards and nine touchdowns despite being limited to just 10 games by an injury, and he had a strong showing at the UW pro day.
Long snapper Peter Bowden was regarded as one of the best in the country at his position.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where will Wisconsin football players be taken in 2024 NFL draft?
