Tag: Tanor Bortolini

Indianapolis Colts officially sign former Wisconsin offensive lineman to rookie deal

Indianapolis Colts officially sign former Wisconsin offensive lineman to rookie deal

The Indianapolis Colts officially signed former Wisconsin offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini Monday, per NBCSports.

Bortolini will join the Colts on a standard four-year rookie deal worth $4.799 million with a signing bonus of $799,868. The Colts selected Bortolini with the No. 117 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The former Badger entered this year’s draft after a productive collegiate career playing across the offensive line at UW. He finished with 27 starts over four years — 13 at center, 13 at left/right guard and one at tight end. The versatile lineman started all 12 games at center for the 2023 Badgers under new offensive coordinator Phil Longo, and allowed only one sack in 477 chances according to PFF.

He joins a Colts team in need of a resurgent season after a 9-8 2023 campaign.

Bortolini was the third former Badger to be selected in this year’s draft alongside running backs Braelon Allen and Isaac Guerendo (via Louisville). Maema Njongmeta, Peter Bowden, Hayden Rucci and Tanner Mordecai all signed with NFL teams following the draft. 

Contract details for Colts fourth-round pick OL Tanor Bortolini

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that they signed fourth-round pick Tanor Bortolini. Over the Cap has the contract details.

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that they officially signed fourth-round pick Tanor Bortolini. Over the Cap now has the details on what Bortolini’s rookie deal will look like.

Bortolini earned a standard four-year rookie contract that totals $4.799 million with a signing bonus of $799,868.

Bortolini will receive the full signing bonus up front, but from a salary cap perspective, that $799,868 can be pro-rated over the life of the contract. Or, in short, the cap hit in 2024 from that bonus is just $194,967.

That pro-rated signing bonus amount plus a base salary of $795,000 makes up Bortolini’s cap hit for this season, which totals $989,967.

Moving forward, beyond 2024, a $194,967 cap hit from the pro-rated signing bonus will be on the Colts’ books all four years of the contract, along with Bortolini’s base salary increasing each year as well.

In 2025, Bortolini’s base salary will be $960,000. In 2026 it increases to $1.075 million, and then $1.190 million in 2027.

Here is a look at what Bortolini’s cap hit will be each season:

2024: $989,967
2025: $1.154 million
2026: $1.269 million
2027: $1.384 million

The addition of Bortolini to the Colts’ offensive line brings added interior versatility with him able to play both guard positions as well as center.

With the Colts returning all five starters from a unit in 2023 that ranked top 10 in pass rush rate and yards per carry, Bortolini likely provides depth and helps elevate the competition early on.

However, looking ahead to 2025 when both Ryan Kelly and Will Fries are set to be free agents, he could take on a much larger role as a starter.

“To me, with Wisconsin, you know you’re getting,” said area scout Tyler Hughes, “smart, tough, reliable offensive lineman. He’s a guy that started at four different positions for them. (He) He played guard last year, then once (Joe) Tippman left, he bumped inside to center.

“The best thing about him, I’m sure you guys saw his personality, he’s outgoing, a jokester, but his nickname is ‘Badger,’ and that’s kind of the staple of their program. So when you get the nickname Badger, he represents the program extremely well and what we want in our locker room.”

Colts officially sign fourth round pick OL Tanor Bortolini

The Indianapolis Colts announced that they’ve officially signed fourth-round pick OL Tanor Bortolini. Here’s what you need to know.

The Indianapolis Colts made it official, announcing that they’ve signed fourth round pick and offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini.

The contract specifics for Bortolini have not yet been released, but for an idea, Aaron Wilson reported that third-round pick Matt Goncalves’ four-year rookie deal is worth $5.839 million with a signing bonus of $1.066 million.

Bortolini put together one of the more impressive performances at the NFL Combine, and not just among the offensive line group, but of all prospects. He posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.78, which included a 4.94-second 40, along with elite broad, vertical, and agility testing.

Bortolini brings interior versatility to the Colts’ offensive line, able to play either guard position or center. Over the last two seasons, he allowed 17 pressures and two sacks. This past year, he ranked 28th among 200-plus centers in pass-blocking efficiency and 70th in PFF’s run-blocking grade.

Along with Bortolini’s athleticism and versatility, the Colts really like his fit within the locker room.

“To me, with Wisconsin, you know you’re getting,” said area scout Tyler Hughes, “smart, tough, reliable offensive lineman. He’s a guy that started at four different positions for them. (He) He played guard last year, then once (Joe) Tippman left, he bumped inside to center. The best thing about him, I’m sure you guys saw his personality, he’s outgoing, a jokester, but his nickname is ‘Badger,’ and that’s kind of the staple of their program. So when you get the nickname Badger, he represents the program extremely well and what we want in our locker room.”

With Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, and Will Fries all returning for the 2024 season, in the short-term, Bortolini likely provides improved depth and increases the competition along the interior. Looking ahead to 2025, he could potentially see a much larger role, with both Kelly and Fries set to be free agents.

Second-round pick Adonai Mitchell and fourth-round pick Anthony Gould are the only draft picks for the Colts who remain unsigned.

Colts OL Tanor Bortolini named a Day 3 rookie who could compete for starting snaps

Chad Reuter of NFL .com named Colts’ fourth round pick Tanor Bortolini as one of 15 Day 3 draft picks who could compete for starting snaps as a rookie.

Chad Reuter of NFL.com hand-picked 15 Day 3 selections from this year’s draft that he believes could be in line to start as rookies. At the top of that list was the Colts’ fourth-round pick, Tanor Bortolini.

Here is what Reuter had to say:

“Bortolini was a center for the Badgers in 2023, but the Colts identified his position as guard when the pick was announced. He started at least one game at every O-line spot except left tackle during his college career, so he knows his way around multiple positions. Bortolini could wind up the heir apparent to center Ryan Kelly, who is due to become a free agent after the 2024 season, but as a rookie Bortolini could compete at right guard with Will Fries, who’s also in the final year of his deal.”

If an injury were to happen. Bortolini has the ability to step in at any one of the three interior offensive line positions, playing 658 snaps at guard while at Wisconsin and 1,058 at center.

The Colts are returning their entire starting five along the offensive line from last season. This was a unit that ranked 10th in yards per rush and had the ninth-lowest pressure rate surrendered.

However, as Reuter mentions, if there is one spot along the interior where perhaps Bortolini could make a push, it’s at right guard, competing with Will Fries.

Fries, a 2021 seventh-round pick, allowed four sacks and 30 pressures last season. He ranked 20th out of 50 eligible guards in pass-blocking efficiency and 29th out of 54 guards in PFF’s run-blocking grade.

With that said, Fries should absolutely be considered the favorite start over Bortolini come Week 1. His experience alone, both in the NFL and in Shane Steichen’s offense, should give him a big leg up in any potential competition that ensues.

Along with Bortolini, the Colts also have Wesley French, Danny Pinter, and Josh Sills as other interior options–although the addition of Borotlini certainly does increase the level of competition inside.

Next offseason, both Fries and center Ryan Kelly are set to be free agents, which could lead to a much larger role for Bortolini at that time.

Rounding out the top-five on Reuter’s list were cornerback Decamerion Richardson with the Raiders, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders with the Panthers, linebacker Cedric Gray with the Titans, and wide receiver Troy Franklin with the Broncos.

Wisconsin football ranks second in most players at significant NFL position group

Wisconsin football ranks second in most players at significant NFL position group

Wisconsin football is second among NCAA Division I college football programs with the most active offensive lineman in the NFL.

With 11 active linemen in the pros, the Badgers are tied for second in the nation with Oklahoma, LSU and Notre Dame. Only Michigan produced more active athletes with 14.

Following the Indianapolis Colts’ decision to draft former Badger Tanor Bortolini with the No. 117 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, Wisconsin further solidified itself as one of the nation’s best in molding collegiate offensive linemen into future professionals.

In addition to Bortolini, Buffalo Bills’ offensive guard David Edwards, Jacksonville Jaguars’ tackle Cole Van Lanen, New York Jets’ center Joe Tippman and Pittsburgh Steelers’ lineman Tyler Beach represent the Badgers in the NFL’s AFC. 

Detroit Lions offensive guard Kevin Zeitler and New Orleans’ Saints tackle Ryan Ramczyk are representatives for the NFC. The Los Angeles Rams’ duo of Rob Havenstein and Logan Bruss, alongside Washington Commanders’ center Tyler Biadasz and guard Michael Deiter, are UW’s final four OL alumni in the NFC. 

2023 Hall of Fame inductee Joe Thomas, former Dallas Cowboy Travis Frederick and Super Bowl champion Mark Tauscher are some of the most famous offensive lineman to play at UW.

Colts selecting Tanor Bortolini named one of the best 4th-round picks by ESPN

Field Yates of ESPN named the Colts selection of offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini one of his best picks in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.

ESPN’s Field Yates recently went through and identified what he thought were the best selections in each round of the 2024 NFL draft. In the fourth round, the Colts took offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini, who was picked by Yates as one of those top selections.

Bortolini was the second Colts’ draft pick to appear on Yates’ list, with the selection of Laiatu Latu in the first round being chosen as well.

Before making his picks, Yates does mention at the beginning of the article that the selections he made doesn’t mean that these were the best players taken in each round, but factoring in fit, value, and what the player will bring to the team helped determine what he thought the best picks were.

Here is what Yates had to say about the Colts taking Bortolini at pick 117th overall:

“I had a third-round grade on Bortolini, especially after a really good combine performance that emphasized his ability to redirect — an essential trait for an interior offensive lineman. Bortolini has versatility, not just in regard to the position he can play (guard or center) but also the scheme. He held his own last season at Wisconsin as the team moved far away from its power-running game that had been a longtime hallmark of the program. Bortolini can help open lanes for running back Jonathan Taylor and buy quarterback Anthony Richardson time in the pocket.”

Bortolini was one of the most athletic interior offensive linemen in this draft class, grabbing the attention of many with his performance at the NFL Combine. He played nearly 2,000 snaps at Wisconsin, over half of which came at center, but he can play both guard spots as well.

The Colts return one of the best offensive line units in football from the 2023 season, ranking in the top 10 in both yards per carry by running backs and in pressure rate allowed.

Starting at guard will be Quenton Nelson and Will Fries, along with Ryan Kelly at center. The 2024 season is going to be a developmental year for Bortolini as he provides depth off the bench.

However, while everyone wants immediate impact in the draft, it is also about planning ahead, and as we look beyond the 2024 season, as of now, both Fries and Kelly are set to be free agents.

Highlights of Colts 4th-round pick IOL Tanor Bortolini

Dive into some highlights of Wisconsin interior OL Tanor Bortolini, the Colts fourth round selection.

With their fourth-round selection at pick 117th overall, the Indianapolis Colts selected Wisconsin interior offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini.

Bortolini put together one of the best overall performances at the NFL Combine in late February and is versatile, with the ability to play all three interior positions.

The Colts already have a very strong foundation set across the offensive line, with their five starters from the 2023 season returning. This was also one of the better units in football, ranking 10th in yards per carry and ninth in pressure rate allowed.

However, the draft is also about planning ahead, and the addition of Bortolini is a move that’s more so about 2025 and beyond. If we take a peek ahead to next offseason, both center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries are set to be free agents.

Naturally, much of the focus this offseason has been on putting more playmakers around Anthony Richardson, but as GM Chris Ballard told reporters recently, success starts in the trenches:

“One,” said GM Chris Ballard when meeting with reporters in his pre-draft press conference, “when you’ve got a young quarterback, you’ve got to protect him. That’s one which I think we did a pretty good job last year, and we’ll continue to do well. Tony (Sparano Jr.) has done well with that group. We’ve got a talented group of O-linemen. You want to continue to add playmakers around him.”

Here are some highlights of the Colts’ fourth-round selection:

What draft experts said about Colts’ 4th-round pick Tanor Bortolini

For a closer look at what Tanor Bortolini can bring to the Colts, here are what three draft experts had to say.

The offensive line may not have been one of the Colts’ biggest perceived needs entering the draft, but in a loaded class, GM Chris Ballard spent two picks on that unit, including Wisconsin interior lineman Tanor Bortolini in the fourth round.

Bortolini played almost 2,000 career snaps for the Badgers, with 1,058 coming at center and over 600 at guard.

Last season, Bortolini allowed just one sack and 11 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Among centers, he would rank 28th in pass-blocking efficiency and 70th in run-blocking grade.

Behind an already established interior offensive line, Bortolini will add to the depth of that unit in 2024 but could potentially take on a larger role in 2025, with both Ryan Kelly and Will Fries set to be free agents.

For more on Bortolini’s game, here is what several draft experts had to say in their pre-draft scouting reports:

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com

“Bortolini offers center/guard flexibility with good mass and below-average length. He’s well-schooled from a technique standpoint and will fit his blocks with hand placement and footwork to put him in position to succeed. He has decent strength but won’t root out single blocks and could have issues dealing with a two-gapping NFL nose tackle. He’s fluid on the move as a pulling center and has played in every run-blocking scheme. He’s fundamentally sound in pass protection but is inconsistent sliding and catching rushers in the A-gap. He’s solid in most areas and could become a backup with two-position flexibility in the future.”

Ian Cummings – Pro Football Network

“It may serve Bortolini well to spend time as a primary depth piece early on, but already, he’s a scheme-versatile run blocker with outside zone, counter, and gap flexibility. In time, he can become an impact two-phase starter with the range and tenacity to be a game-changer.”

Damian Parson – The Draft Network

“Overall, Bortolini projects as a developmental starting-level interior offensive lineman. He is an ideal fit for zone-oriented running offenses. Bortolini can play both center and guard at the next level. “

Wisconsin Badgers RB Braelon Allen selected by New York Jets in 2024 NFL draft

Former Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen has his NFL home:

Former Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft with the No. 134 pick by the New York Jets.

The star running back entered the draft after rushing for 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns during his three-year college career. Those marks have him ranked No. 9 on Wisconsin’s all-time rushing yards leaderboard.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 spring transfer portal window tracker

He joins a Jets team that struggled in 2023 after Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles’ injury. Breece Hall returns to lead the backfield, though there could be an available opportunity for Allen to get immediate carries.

Allen was the 10th running back selected in the draft. He was also the third former Badger taken, following Tanor Bortolini to the Colts and Isaac Guerendo to the 49ers. The rest of the Wisconsin players in the draft are expected to be signed as undrafted free agents.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Instant reactions to Colts selecting Wisconsin IOL Tanor Bortolini

Here are the instant reactions to the Colts selecting Wisconsin interior offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini in the fourth-round.

After the Colts selected Wisconsin interior offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini, here are some instant reactions to that pick:

– Bortolini crushed the NFL Combine, posting an elite Relative Athletic Score of 9.77 that included a 4.94-second 40-yard dash. He was one of the top-performing interior linemen at that event. Ballard loves drafting top athletes and Bortolini certainly fits that mold.

– Bortolini brings versatility to the Colts’ interior offensive line. While the majority of his snaps at Wisconsin came at center, he has guard experience as well. At the NFL level, he will be able to play all three interior spots.

– The Colts interior offensive line is in very good shape for 2024, with Nelson, Fries, and Kelly, but as we take a peak ahead to the 2025 offseason, as of now, both Fries and Kelly are slated to be free agents.

– Last season, Bortolini allowed one sack and 11 pressures. He ranked 28th in pass-blocking efficiency and 70th in PFF’s run-blocking grade out of 200 eligible centers.

– During Chris Ballard’s pre-draft press conference, while several questions were about putting playmakers around Anthony Richardson, Ballard kept brining it all back to importance of offensive line play. Success starts in the trenches, and in a very good offensive line class, the Colts invested two of their first four picks on the trenches.

– Bortolini was the 139th-ranked prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board.