How the results of the draft affect former Badgers in the NFL

Much has been written about the five former Badgers that made it to the NFL last week–Jonathan Taylor, Zack Baun, Tyler Biadasz…

D’Cota Dixon and Dare Ogunbowale (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Minicamp
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back D’Cota Dixon (38) works out at AdventHealth Training Center. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Both Dixon and Ogunbowale, important depth and special teams options for the Buccaneers, saw players at their position get drafted last week.

For Dixon, he was No. 2 on the depth chart at strong safety before the draft but the team decided to select Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr. in the second round.

For Ogunbowale, he was getting touches out of the backfield in 2019 with the inconsistency of starter Ronald Jones II. The Bucs, though, decided to use their third-round pick on Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, in essence moving the former Badger to third on the depth chart.

Both Wisconsin products will most likely have a significant role on special teams for the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers but any chance of starting the season as a starter was lost with the direction Tampa Bay went during last week’s draft.

Edwards | Deiter | Jacobs | Dixon & Ogunbowale | Fumagalli | Nelson | Zeitler