[lawrence-newsletter]
With sports still on hold mock draft season is in full swing around the sports media world.
Most mock drafts posted by NFL analysts and media members run through the first round of the draft, or a bit further, and predict which direction each team will go with their selections. These mock drafts vary a lot, and often do not incorporate trades into the draft position for each team and thought process behind each pick.
So, in order to do something a little bit different, here is the BadgersWire NFL Mock Draft 1.0, a mock only focusing on the recently departed Wisconsin Badgers by looking at their most likely landing spots, possible draft position and best fits for their skill sets.
Running Back Jonathan Taylor
Most likely landing spot: Miami Dolphins at No. 26
Projected draft position: Late first or early to mid second round
Best fits: New Orleans Saints at No. 24, Kansas City Chiefs at No. 32 or the Buffalo Bills at No. 54
There has been much debate about how to rank the top running backs in this year’s class. Recently, several NFL analysts have expressed their concerns with Taylor’s ball security and mileage and, as a result, have moved him down on their draft boards behind guys like J.K. Dobbins, D’Andre Swift and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. To me, the former Badger is hands down the most complete running back in the draft and, were he to find himself on the Chiefs, Saints or Bills come week one, has the potential to make a significant impact as a day-one starter. It is important to note, though, that whatever team drafts Taylor should have a developed pass-catching back to use on third downs when Taylor does need a breather.
Overall, Taylor’s strengths outweigh his weakness (yes, ball security is my one red flag) and he should be the first running back off the board come draft day.
(Taylor in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes, that offense and Head Coach Andy Reid’s history with running backs? Talk about a fit)
Linebacker Zack Baun
Most likely landing spot: Baltimore Ravens at No. 28
Projected draft position: Late first or early second round
Best fits: Baltimore at No. 28, Green Bay Packers at No. 30, Kansas City Chiefs at No. 32, Miami Dolphins at No. 39 or the Houston Texans at No. 40
Almost every draft analyst loves Baun’s NFL potential and has him slated to be selected at the end of the first round or early in the second round. His specific draft position is a lot harder to predict given the amount of teams that need to upgrade at EDGE and the value that Baun will bring to a defense. I think his most likely landing spot and best fit is with the Baltimore Ravens at No. 28 as they have a need at the position and would be adding the former Badger to an already-loaded defensive front and stacked roster without many offensive needs.
No matter which team selects the Milwaukee product, though, his pass-rushing skills will provide solid production off the edge from day one while his versatility and athleticism will make him a valuable asset in pass coverage as well.
Center Tyler Biadasz
Most likely landing spot: Seattle Seahawks at No. 101
Projected draft position: Early to mid third round
Best fits: Denver Broncos at No. 95, Kansas City Chiefs at No. 96, Cleveland Browns at No. 97 or Seattle at No. 101
Biadasz has an impressive collegiate track record as he was a centerpiece for the Badgers’ exceptional offensive lines in 2017 and 2018 that helped Taylor break records running the football. He also proved to be durable throughout his career at Wisconsin as he is entering the draft having started in 41 consecutive contests, though draft analysts have written that offseason hip surgery did affect his production a bit during the 2019-20 season. Regardless, the former Badger center will be a day one starter for whatever team selects him and his abilities would be put to great use by teams in need of interior offensive linemen including the Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs and Browns.
Wide Receiver Quintez Cephus
Most likely landing spot: Philadelphia Eagles
Projected draft position: fifth round
Best fits: New York Giants at No. 150, Philadelphia at No. 168, Tennessee Titans at No. 174 or the Green Bay Packers at No. 175
Cephus is the biggest sleeper of the Badgers who are entering this year’s draft. Despite Wisconsin not being known to produce NFL-caliber players on the outside, Ohio State cornerback and projected top-5 pick Jeff Okudah called him the best wide receiver he faced during his time in college (compared to receivers including Clemson’s Tee Higgins, Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson and Penn State’s K.J. Hamler).
OSU CB Jeff Okudah says Wisconsin's Quintez Cephus was the best WR he faced in college.#NFLCombine
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) February 28, 2020
Cephus’ big red flag is missing the 2018 season with a legal issue, though he did return in 2019 and produce the best season we’ve seen from a Badger wide receiver in years. His best fits are with any team in need of a sure-handed wide receiver with experience and success against some of the nation’s top cornerbacks.
To me, the Eagles fit this bill perfectly and would be wise to select Cephus with one of their late-round selections.
Linebacker Chris Orr
Most likely landing spot: any team in need of a rotational/developmental linebacker prospect
Projected draft position: un-drafted
Orr is not projected to be selected in April’s draft though he should find himself signed as an un-drafted free agent and receive an opportunity to make an NFL roster come August.
Orr’s experience and skill set remind me of T.J. Edwards when he was coming out of Wisconsin a few years ago. Edwards went on after the draft to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, make the week one roster, crack the starting lineup during his rookie season and now is currently in line to start at middle linebacker for the team this season. Maybe a similar path will become available for Orr were he to go un-drafted later this month.
The NFL Draft is slated to begin on April 23 and run until April 25 in an entirely online format.