Five takeaways from last night’s first round and what they mean for Wisconsin’s NFL hopefuls

There were a lot of reaction-worthy picks during the first round of the NFL Draft last night including the Green Bay Packers drafting…

There were a lot of reaction-worthy picks during the first round of the NFL Draft last night including the Green Bay Packers drafting quarterback Jordan Love to back up Aaron Rodgers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trading up to select arguably the draft’s best offensive tackle at No. 13 to protect Tom Brady.

What didn’t happen last night, as we all know, was a former Wisconsin Badger getting selected. However, despite the fact that there is no fit to analyze just yet, last night’s first round did have an effect on where we can expect the Badger standouts to land during day 2 tonight.

Here are five takeaways from last night’s action and what they mean for the former Badgers looking forward to tonight and tomorrow.

1. The Miami Dolphins used their three first round picks on quarterback, offensive tackle and cornerback, still leaving holes open at running back and linebacker.

Jonathan Taylor and Zack Baun were in the discussion for the Dolphins at No. 26 but Brian Flores‘ team opted to go with a cornerback in that slot. The Dolphins now pick at No. 39 and No. 56 on Day 2, both slots where either Baun or Taylor could be available and would fill massive holes for the team.

2. The Saints used their first round pick on a center.

Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz was never thought to be on the same level as the Saints’ first round pick Cesar Ruiz. Regardless, seeing a center go in the first round is good news for Biadasz as now he is within the top-5 remaining players at his position.

Going into yesterday Biadasz was viewed as a long shot to be selected in the second or third round. But now, after Ruiz was selected by New Orleans, expect to see Biadasz’s name get called when the third round comes along.

3. Taylor still has a shot to be the fourth running back off the board

The Kansas City Chiefs used the No. 32 overall pick on LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a talented dual-threat back who excels in the receiving game.

This pick left Taylor, J.K. Dobbins and D’Andre Swift all on the board for round two, a slightly surprising development given how many teams needed a running back at the end of the first round.

What this pick also did is show how teams in today’s NFL love running backs that can excel as a threat in the receiving game. We know that Taylor dramatically improved his receiving game through his three years in college, though it still isn’t the best aspect of his game.

Now, when you look at Taylor’s receiving game compared to Dobbins and Swift he falls in as a clear third-best in that ranking.

The former Badger is no doubt the most complete and talented running back on the board, but given teams’ love for running backs that do some of their best work in the receiving game it is definitely possible that Taylor is the fourth total running back taken off the board in this year’s draft.

4. The amount of top-end NFL talent coming out of Ohio State is insane

Everybody knows the model of recruiting excellence that is Ohio State. What is more and more surprising every year, though, is how many of their players become top-end NFL talent.

Just last night the Buckeyes had three players drafted including two of the top-3. This all not mentioning how the No. 1 pick, Joe Burrow, was a Buckeye but transferred when Dwayne Haskins–a current NFL quarterback–was given the starting job.

The Badgers top NFL prospects on the other hand, during a year where the Badgers’ NFL crop is better than usual, are still waiting to hear their names called as we get ready for day 2 of the draft.

What the Ryan Day and the Buckeye program is able to do in recruiting and player development is one of the more impressive feats in college football (and makes it even more impressive what Paul Chryst is able to do with the talent in his state and on his roster).

5. I’m still holding out hope that linebacker Chris Orr will be drafted

Last night’s first round saw four middle linebackers get selected in Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, LSU’s Patrick Queen, Texas Tech’s Jordyn Brooks and Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray.

This now leaves between 10 and 13 better middle linebacker prospects on the board than Orr, who I think has been grossly undervalued during the draft process.

Wisconsin has had a great recent history at middle linebacker and given how many at the position are going off the board thus far, I see Orr having a good chance to get selected in the sixth or seventh round.

Other notes

-The run on wide receivers will continue into the second round and was an expected one, as this is probably the best wide receiver year in a decade. Quintez Cephus‘ stock won’t be changed by the receivers flying off the board

-My best-case scenario of Taylor to the Bills and Baun to the Ravens is alive and well

-Interesting but not necessarily significant: Sports Illustrated lists Taylor as the No. 7 available prospect heading into round two and Baun as No. 13

-I can’t believe Alex Hornibrook made it onto the broadcast for the first round of an NFL draft

Where Taylor and Baun land in USA Today’s 2nd-round mock draft

To the surprise of many neither running back Jonathan Taylor or linebacker Zack Baun had their name called during the first round of the…

To the surprise of many neither running back Jonathan Taylor or linebacker Zack Baun had their name called during the first round of the NFL Draft last night.

The former Badgers weren’t considered “locks” to be selected on night one but there was a great chance for one of the two to become the first first-round pick out of Wisconsin since Ryan Ramczyk went No. 32 in 2017.

Aside from the fact that neither of the two Badger standouts did not hear their name called, what was most surprising last night was the Kansas City Chiefs opting to take a running back in LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire instead of Taylor at No. 32, and both the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens choosing to take a linebacker not named Zack Baun at No. 27 and 28 respectively.

While many would expect Taylor and Baun to be in prime position to come off the board early tonight when round two gets underway, some outlets are a little more bullish on the Badgers’ draft standings.

This morning USA Today Sports released a mock draft for tonight’s second round and, despite all of the pre-draft love for the two Badgers, have them continuing to slide to the middle and end of the second round.

Specifically, the mock draft has Taylor being selected at No. 45 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baun at No. 55 to the Baltimore Ravens.

Taylor’s selection at No. 45 would make him the third running back off the board after Edwards-Helaire went No. 32 and D’Andre Swift, who the mock draft has going No. 33 to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Baun’s selection at No. 55 would actually land him on team many saw him going to during round one in the Baltimore Ravens.

Putting aside the number at which the players are selected, Taylor and Baun falling to the Buccaneers and the Ravens respectively would represent a best-case scenario for the two standouts.

Taylor playing on the now-Tom Brady led offense behind an improved offensive line would equal ridiculous production in his early years.

Baun, then, playing on the stacked Raven defense with the already-established names they have in Baltimore in addition to the team’s first round selection in linebacker Patrick Queen would mean success and lots of it for the Wisconsin native as he begins his NFL career.

The second and third rounds of the NFL Draft begin tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN, NFL Network and ABC.

15 players Giants could target in Round 2 of 2020 NFL Draft

Here’s a look at 15 prospects the New York Giants could target at various positions in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The New York Giants selected offensive tackle Andrew Thomas in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft, but now is where the real work begins.

The Giants have just one early second-round pick and then one late third-round pick, so they’re going to need a quality player in Round 2.

The good news? There’s a lot to pick from. Here’s a look at 15 potential targets.

Matt Hennessy, C, Temple

The Giants need a center and they need one now, even with Spencer Pulley under contract and free agent Jon Halapio aiming for a June return.

Selecting Hennessy or any other offensive lineman would be the second consecutive pick lacking flash, but that’s not what the Giants need right now. What they need is to establish a quality offensive line long-term, and the addition of Hennessy would go a long way in doing that.

Not to mention, the kid is a huge Giants fans.

“I remember going to those games just as Eli was starting to take over. Remember the Super Bowls. Those were two of my best childhood memories. It was fifth and eighth grade,” Hennessy told ESPN. “Went to the stadium both times for the celebration after. Got all the gear. Got to see the [Lombardi] trophy and everything.”

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Previewing day two of the NFL draft for Badger hopefuls

A look at where former Badgers Zack Baun and Jonathan Taylor could land on day two of the NFL draft

The first 32 picks of the 2020 NFL draft came and went for Badger hopefuls, and in the end Wisconsin did not have a first round selection for the third straight season. Despite the day one disappointment, it should not take long for a pair of Badgers to fly off the board on day two.

If I had told you before tonight that the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs had gone with a running back at 32, there would be a solid chance that you would think it was Badger legend Jonathan Taylor that had snuck into the first round. In one of the more surprising selections of the first round, the Chiefs took the first running back off the board with the final pick of the round. It was not the fact that the Super Bowl champions took a running back that shocked many, but rather who they took. Instead of Taylor, Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, or Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins, the Chiefs went with former LSU Tiger Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Running backs falling due to concerns about longevity and other skills positions being particularly deep this year was no surprise, although the LSU product being the first back off the board was certainly a shocker.

Wisconsin ‘backer Zack Baun will also have to wait until day two to hear his name called. A plethora of teams addressed defense in the late 20’s, which was the area where Baun had a chance to go on day one, although the first-team all Big Ten performer did not hear his name.

In looking ahead to day two, Baun seems to be the more likely Badger to be selected first. The New York Giants picking at 36 overall (fourth pick of the round) are a team that certainly has needs all over a unit that finished in the bottom eight last season in total defense. The Wisconsin native has been linked to the Giants in multiple mock drafts on USA TODAY’s DraftWire over the course of the past few weeks. If Baun slips past 36, the Miami Dolphins at 39 seems like another possible destination. The Dolphins used their three first round picks on QB Tua Tagovailoa, OT in Austin Jackson, and CB Noah Igbinoghene. The front of the defense will be something that Coach Brian Flores and company will be looking to sure up on day two. It would certainly be surprising to see Baun slip past 39. This is the NFL Draft, however, so always expect the unexpected.

For Taylor, the path now seems extremely uncertain. With Edwards-Helaire being the surprise first back off the board, that now leaves the consensus top three backs in the class still on the board. The Chicago Bears are still looking for a workhorse back, and have two second round selections at 43 and 50 overall respectively. The Los Angeles Chargers at 52 provide arguably the most sensible fit with former Wisconsin Badger and Chargers running back Melvin Gordon now a Denver Bronco. Do not be surprised to see LA transition from one Badger workhorse to another. If Taylor is still on the board at 56, do not rule out the Dolphins, a team in desperate need of a franchise back, who secured an extra second rounder by way of New Orleans.

Despite the disappointment for Baun and Taylor as two players who had chances to be first round picks, day two is revving up to be an extremely exciting one for the pair of former Badgers.

Packers take LB Zack Baun in final Matt Miller mock draft

Matt Miller’s final mock draft at Bleacher Report has the Packers taking Wisconsin LB Zack Baun at No. 30 overall.

A review and breakdown of predictions for the Green Bay Packers in final mock drafts from a few of the most prominent draft analysts in the business:

The mock draft: Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

The pick: LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin

The reasoning: “Wisconsin’s Zack Baun is a do-it-all linebacker with pass-rushing skills and experience as well as the body type and athleticism to play as a stack linebacker against the run or in coverage. Pairing with the already athletic Packers defensive front, Baun will bring all kinds of heat from the middle of the field.”

Our breakdown: Baun is both intriguing and terrifying as a potential first-round pick for the Packers. He’s a slippery, active edge rusher with experience dropping into coverage and playing in space, presenting an opportunity to transition into a hybrid off-ball/edge rusher position at the next level. The Packers need an off-ball linebacker, and teams are always looking for disruptive rushers. It’s possible Baun could play a Clay Matthews-like role, serving as an off-ball linebacker on early downs before transitioning into more of an attacking role on passing downs. It’s an appealing projection for a really good football player. But it’s also a scary one. Baun doesn’t have elite size or athleticism, and he’d be transitioning to a brand new and physically demanding position. Also, as an off-ball linebacker, he’d be doing far less of what he’s best at – rushing the quarterback. Baun is a smart, tough player who could provide value at two important spots in the defensive front, but he comes with extra risk. The Packers would need a solid plan and complete trust in his versatility to make him the pick at No. 30.

The player info

Height: 6-2
Weight: 238
40-yard dash: 4.65
Vertical leap: 32.5″
Broad jump: 115″
Three-cone: 7.0
Short shuttle: 4.31
Bench press: 24
RAS: 7.85

Our draft profile: Zack Baun

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Highlights:

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The Big Ten NFL draft betting guide

Previewing the NFL draft from a Vegas perspective

[lawrence-newsletter]Not only is the 2020 NFL draft the singular event that sports fans have been looking forward to in these uncertain times, but it also presents gamblers the chance to bet on live sports. Well, at least live draft picks. Close enough.

At BetMGM, full NFL draft props and lines are being offered in hundreds of different variations. Here is a Big Ten focused look at wagers you can place on the first round of the NFL draft.

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated April 22, 2020 at 9 p.m. ET.

The first overall pick is a lock in the eyes of Vegas. LSU QB Joe Burrow is a -10000 favorite to be the first pick in the NFL draft. That means you would have to risk $1000 for the chance to win $10.

BetMGM also offers a prop for predicting the outcome of the first three picks. The favorite sees Burrow at one, Ohio State DE Chase Young at two, and Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah at three. The line on those three to be the first three picks in order is set at +165, meaning a $10 dollar bet would net $16.50 in profit. Barring the Detroit Lions trading the third overall pick, that seems like the likely scenario.

The over/under for Big Ten players selected in the first round is set at 5.5 (-164). There seem to be three absolute locks in Okudah, Young, and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, and a number of Big Ten players who could see themselves sneak into the first round including Zack Baun and Jonathan Taylor.

Surprisingly, Taylor is not favored to be the first running back off the board. That honor goes to Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, who is a -200 favorite to be the first RB taken. The over/under on Taylor’s draft position is set at 36.5, meaning you would wager on him being selected at 37 or higher or 36 or under. Taylor is at a +275 underdog to be drafted in the first round, meaning a $10 dollar wager on the Wisconsin star to be a first round pick would net a bettor $27.50.

“Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.”

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

7 top LBs the Ravens could target in the 2020 NFL Draft

If the Ravens want to upgrade their linebacker corps in the NFL Draft, these are some of the top prospects they could have their eye on.

The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2020 NFL Draft with inside linebacker being one of their top needs. With no clearcut starters on the roster and a lack of overall depth at the position, Baltimore is surely going to look to the draft as the remedy. But in a draft that is sneaky deep and at a position that isn’t as valuable as a decade ago, the Ravens could find quality starters all over the place.

In the modern NFL, there are some positions that seem to have been devalued. Think about running back on offense and how what used to be one of the most valuable positions has turned into a weight around the salary cap for several teams. On defense, the same could be said for the linebacker.

Once the captain of the defense, the transition to a more pass-happy league has seen the value of the position take quite a knock. But that doesn’t mean the position is unimportant. Linebacker has long been proudly associated with the Ravens, after the deeds of Ray Lewis and C.J. Mosley. The Ravens recently added Jake Ryan to their linebacking corps but his signing is not likely to affect the team’s draft plans.

If Baltimore chooses to make linebacker a top priority, here are the seven top prospects they could be looking at.

Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

It’s probably something of a misnomer to class Simmons as solely a linebacker. The former Clemson Tiger is one of the more versatile defensive players in the entire draft class after a career in a hybrid safety-linebacker-cornerback role.

Simmons was incredible in 2019, with 107 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. This was in addition to 13 passes defended and three interceptions. Frankly, the guy was an absolute menace and made offensive coordinators’ lives miserable.

There is a slight issue that his versatility may affect his draft stock, with teams not sure where exactly he should be used in the NFL. But a creative defensive coordinator, and one who values versatility, will hope to get their hands on Simmons and turn him into a dominant playmaker. If that team is the Ravens, they’ll probably have to make a move up in the draft to get him as he’s unlikely to be there at No. 28.

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A Badger-centric preview for tonight’s first round of the NFL Draft

Tonight, as we all well know, is the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. On the latest episode of Locked on Badgers Asher Low…

Tonight, as we all well know, is the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

On the latest episode of Locked on Badgers Asher Low, Ben Stevens and I previewed the draft for the Big Ten players set to be taken early.

Two of the talked-about Big Ten players are former Badgers Jonathan Taylor and Zack Baun, and are the two Wisconsin names to watch tonight in round one.

Baun should be taken in the range of the New England Patriots at 23rd overall and the Miami Dolphins at 39th overall.

The most likely landing spots for the linebacker tonight include Seattle at No. 27, Baltimore at No. 28, Green Bay at No. 30, Kansas City at No. 32. If those teams are to pass on Baun, expect him to be selected within the first ten picks of day two.

Taylor, on the other hand, is a bit more of a longshot to be selected tonight.

The only teams towards the end of the first round that Taylor has a chance at being selected by are New Orleans at No. 24, Miami at No. 26 and Kansas City at No. 32.

The most likely scenario for Taylor is waiting until day two where teams like Miami and Buffalo would be unlikely to pass on him with their second round picks.

Other former Badgers Tyler Biadasz and Quintez Cephus will most-definitely be waiting until days two and three to hear their names called by NFL teams.

The draft begins tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network.

Locked On Badgers Podcast: Big Ten/Badgers NFL Draft preview

The Locked On Badgers Podcast is a daily Wisconsin basketball and football podcast bringing you short-form, daily coverage of Badgers sports Monday through Friday. On today’s episode, Asher is joined by BadgersWire staff writer Ben Kenney and Locked …

You can listen to Locked On Badgers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and wherever else you find your podcasts, Monday through Friday.

Wisconsin’s first round draft picks since 2000

Wisconsin may not be the first school that comes to mind when you think of first round picks in the NFL Draft as even the program’s…

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Wisconsin may not be the first school that comes to mind when you think of first round picks in the NFL Draft as even the program’s best NFL product in its history, Russell Wilson, was not a first round selection.

Nevertheless, the Wisconsin football program has had its share of first round selections since 2000, headlined by names including J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt, Melvin Gordon and Ryan Ramczyk, and this year the Badgers have two players–Jonathan Taylor and Zack Baun–projected to have a chance at joining that group.

Here is every Badger to be selected in the first round since 2000.

Ron Dayne (11th overall in 2000)

US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive — Wisconsin Badgers running back Ron Dayne (33) in action against Michigan at Camp Randall Stadium. Michigan defeated Wisconsin 21-16. Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Before Taylor arrived in Madison, Ron Dayne was known as the best running back in program history.

The New Jersey native finished his (four year) college career with 7125 yards, 71 touchdowns and a Heisman trophy.

His professional career was not nearly as decorated.

Dayne was taken by the New York Giants where he only played for four years and never cracked the 1000 yard mark. His best year in New York was by far his rookie season during which he carried the ball 228 times for 770 yards and five touchdowns, production not close to that from his days at Wisconsin.

The former Badger went on to play for the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans before he retired at age 29 with 3722 career yards and 28 rushing touchdowns.

(Though completely unrelated it’s hard to not take note of No. 54’s blatant hold on the Michigan defender in the picture above).

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