Tag: Jason Erdmann

Former Badgers to keep an eye on during post-draft free agency

Wisconsin has a long history of having former players not hear their name called during the draft, receive an opportunity in post-draft…

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.

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.

Chris Orr Performs well at Wisconsin’s 2020 Pro Day

Wisconsin held its annual pro day on Wednesday as 11 former Badgers competed in front of NFL teams.

Wisconsin held its annual pro day on March 11th as 11 former Badgers participated as they continue to try and improve there NFL draft stock.

In particular, Wednesday was an important day for Chis Orr as he wasn’t invited to the NFL scouting combine in February. Wisconsin’s pro day served as his combine as he competed in the events that he would have if he was in Indianapolis.

With this being Orr’s first chance of demonstrating his on field abilities in front of NFL teams made it important that he turned in a good performance as he continues to work to hear his name called during the NFL draft.

The biggest drill for Orr that he needed to ace was the 40-yard dash as there are questions on how his speed will translate to the next level and if he can hold up. Orr was able to post a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, which was the same time Zack Baun posted in Indianapolis at the scouting combine.

Outside of Orr running a solid 40-yard dash time he also posted a 4.08 second in the 20-yard shuttle and a 6.99 second in the 3-cone drill. He also put up 20 reps on the bench press too.

Outside of Orr needing to have a successful pro day it was another chance for Quintez Cephus to improve upon his 40-yard dash time that he ran in Indianapolis. After running a 4.73 40-yard dash he ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash on Wednesday. Outside of catching passes in front of NFL teams that was the only other drill Cephus took part in.

Jonathan Taylor didn’t compete in any of the drills as he stood by what he did at the scouting combine.

Other Badgers to participate in Wisconsin’s pro day were Connor Allen, Jason Erdmann, Zach Hintze, Tyler Johnson, David Pfaff, and Travis Wiltjer.

Erdmann ran a 5.5-second 40-yard dash and put up 21 reps on the bench press. Johnson ran a 4.85-second 40-yard dash time, a 4.15 in the 20-yard shuttle, and 6.93 seconds in the 3-cone drill.

 

Wisconsin to Host NFL Pro Day March 11th

Eleven former Wisconsin players will partake in the Badgers pro day on March 11th

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst likes to break down a season into four phases. The first phase is winter conditioning, the second phase is spring football, third phase is fall camp, and the fourth phase is the season.

When it comes to the NFL Draft one could break it into four phases too. Phase one would be the college football all-star games, phase two would be the scouting combine, phase three would be the combination of pro days and private workouts, and phase four being the NFL Draft.

For the former Wisconsin players they are currently in phase three as the Badgers will have a total of 11 players competing at the Badgers pro day on Wednesday, March 11th.

The players are punter Connor Allen, outside linebacker Zack Baun, center Tyler Biadasz, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, offensive lineman Jason Erdmann, kicker Zach Hintze, outside linebacker Tyler Johnson, inside linebacker Chris Orr, defensive end David Pfaff, running back Jonathan Taylor, and inside linebacker Travis Wiltjer. Drew Rakers a long snapper from UW-Platteville will also partake in the Badger pro day.

Baun, Biadasz, Cephus, and Taylor were all invited to the NFL scouting combine in February and the four may not compete in all of the drills tomorrow as they may be happy with what they did in Indianapolis.

Cephus will likely run the 40-yard dash again as he posted a 4.73 second time. If he can improve upon his time he’ll likely ease concerns from NFL scouts when it comes to his speed.

The pro day will be particularly important for Orr as he wasn’t invited to the combine and wasn’t invited to play in any of the college all-star games.

Outside of the workouts, he goes on leading up to the draft this will be one of the first times Orr will have a chance to demonstrate what he can do in front of NFL teams. In particular, for Orr, he’ll need to run a good 40-yard dash time.

The NFL Draft will be held in Las Vegas starting April 23rd to April 25th.

Wisconsin Football Season Review: Offensive Line

Reviewing the play of Wisconsin’s offensive line over the 2019 season.

Wisconsin finished its fifth season under head coach Paul Chryst as Chryst improved his overall record to 52-16 and has a posted a 34-10 record in conference games. After not winning the Big Ten West Division title in 2018 the Badgers were back in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game as the West representative for the fourth time in the last six years since the Big Ten went to its current format.

In this Badgers Wire feature we will examine the play of Wisconsin’s offensive line from the 2019 season and take a sneak into what the 2020 season may have in store for the position:

Wisconsin entering the 2019 season had to replace four starters along their offensive line as the only starter to return was center Tyler Biadasz.

Wisconsin ended up starting seven different offensive line combinations over the course of the season, which includes six different starting combinations over their first eight games.

The Badgers officially settled on an offensive line combination starting with the Illinois game that included from left to right Cole Van Lanen, David Moorman, Tyler Biadasz, Jason Erdmann, and Logan Bruss.

That combination started five games for the Badgers over the season. Despite the constant shuffling to begin the year the Badgers offensive line still was able to exert their dominance as they helped clear the way for Wisconsin to average 233.1 yards on the ground and for Wisconsin’s offense to average 433.2 yards of total offense.

The one player for Wisconsin to start every single game this season was Biadasz at center. Biadasz has started 41 career games for the Badgers and over his time at Wisconsin emerged as one of the top centers in college football.

Biadasz was able to accomplish a first for an offensive lineman at Wisconsin, which was winning the Rimington Award, which is given each year to the nation’s top center.

Although Wisconsin’s offensive line was consistent for the most part this season the Badgers worst performance came against Ohio State in the regular season. Against the Buckeyes, they allowed a season high five sacks as Ohio State was also able to hold the Badgers to a season low 191 yards of total offense.

But in the rematch with Ohio State, they only allowed two sacks and registered 432 yards of total offense on 71 plays.

2020 Wisconsin Offensive Line

Wisconsin for a second consecutive year saw one of their offensive linemen declare early for the NFL Draft as Biadasz decided to forego his senior year. Biadasz will be difficult to replace due to his consistency at the center position making spring football an important first step in finding his replacement for the 2020 season. The Badgers also lose Erdmann and Moorman at the guard positions as the two started 12 and eight games respectively last season. Josh Seltzner and Kayden Lyles who both started four games last year will likely get the first crack at starting at the guard position. Lyles will also likely get a look at center too. Spring football will also allow for offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Joe Rudolph to play with a variety of different offensive line combinations. Based on those combinations will give Badger fans a better idea of who might be starting on the interior once fall camp does open up.