Wisconsin has a long history of having former players not hear their name called during the draft, receive an opportunity in post-draft free agency and then overcome the odds associated with being an undrafted free agent and step into a significant role with their new team.
The most recent examples of this unorthodox path include now-Philadelphia Eagle starting linebacker T.J. Edwards, Oakland Raider starting fullback Alec Ingold, Tampa Bay Buccaneer D’Cota Dixon and Detroit Lion Beau Benzschawel.
These names, if you noticed, are from the 2019 class alone. Specifically, there were five total Badgers to receive a post-draft opportunity last year. Four of them are currently on an NFL roster with two having stepped into starting roles.
Back in 2017 it was a similar story as four former Badgers signed contracts after the draft and three of them were still on an NFL roster last season–most notably Super Bowl champion Corey Clement, Tampa Bay Buccaneer special team captain Dare Ogunbowale and Arizona Cardinal Sojourn Shelton.
Some other notable former Badgers to go undrafted and have long, successful careers in the NFL include Super Bowl champion Jonathan Casillas, current Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard and Hall of Fame quarterback Arnie Herber.
In total, the list at hand is a long one and points towards NFL teams liking enough about the program and coaching at Wisconsin to take a shot on its players that don’t get selected during the draft.
Now looking forward to this week’s draft, who are the former Badgers set to possibly have to wait until after the draft to find a home in the NFL and what role may they find themselves in?
Linebacker Chris Orr
Orr will be the name to watch were he to go undrafted this week. The Texas native found himself in a busy linebacker room during his college career with current NFL starters Ryan Connelly and Edwards ahead of him on the depth chart for his sophomore and junior season.
This past season, though, Orr was an absolute game-wrecker as Paul Chryst’s defensive captain and finished the year with 78 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, 11.5 sacks, five passes defended and two forced fumbles.
Chris Orr, former teammate of current Eagles LB TJ Edwards, is blitz nightmare.
Explosive first step, good change of direction, and strong as hell got him 12.5 sacks in 2019 for the Badgers 😤#Eagles @Chris_Guwap @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/W2hqLp19XG— Thomas R. Petersen 🦅 (@thomasrp93) April 20, 2020
Though he did not receive an invite to the NFL combine, Orr impressed at the Badgers’ pro day with a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, 4.08-second 20-yard shuttle, 6.99-second three-cone drill and 36.5-inch vertical jump. Those numbers would’ve been good at the combine for 13th-best, best, fifth-best and eighth-best respectively out of all linebacker participants.
Orr lucked out that Wisconsin was scheduled to have their pro day before the country shut down amid the ongoing pandemic as without the event his NFL future would be a lot more in doubt.
His talent and senior year production should be enough to hear his name called during the draft this week but if he were to go undrafted, expect him to almost-definitely stick on an NFL roster and find his way onto the field in some capacity during his rookie year.
Offensive lineman Jason Erdmann
Erdmann, like Orr, did not receive a combine invite and was banking on the pro day as an opportunity to get his name onto NFL draft boards.
Unfortunately the Wisconsin native injured himself on his second 40-yard dash attempt after running his first one in 5.5 seconds and was unable to take part in most of the remaining drills.
Erdmann is an extreme long shot to get drafted and will most likely find an opportunity as an undrafted free agent due to his ability to play multiple positions up front and to his experience at the offensive line factory that is the University of Wisconsin.
Kicker Zach Hintze
Hintze was the kickoff specialist for Chryst and the Badgers during the 2019 season and has his name in an NFL discussion due in large part to his 62-yard field goal at the first half buzzer against Purdue in week 11.
The former walk-on has the leg to find his way onto an NFL roster though his lack of college experience may hurt his chances.
Other names to keep an eye on
-Defensive end David Pfaff
-Linebacker Tyler Johnson
-Linebacker Travis Wiltjer
The NFL Draft is set to conclude on Saturday and give way to the post-draft free agency blitz. Though today’s situation will have an effect on the free agency process, expect multiple Badgers to receive a shot at the NFL during this post-draft period.