The NFL preseason schedule concluded this weekend, leading into the final stretch of the offseason until games start September 7. The two-week period until Lions vs Chiefs open the season is one full of roster cuts and final moves before each team advances with a 53-man group.
Numerous Wisconsin Badgers are firmly on NFL rosters entering the season. But many remain on the roster bubble. If those don’t make the 53-player cut, a practice squad is the next hope to stick around during the season.
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Two former Badgers, both unestablished in the NFL up to this point, have made headlines all preseason as two players to drastically improve their stock entering the year. Those players are Steelers OLB Nick Herbig and Jaguars OT Cole Van Lanen.
ProFootballFocus put together an All-Preseason team and included both Herbig and Van Lanen in the group:
Nick Herbig was the top rookie performer this Preseason🚀
PFF’s 2023 All-Preseason Team⬇️https://t.co/ceXWb7xywi
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 28, 2023
Herbig registered four sacks and six quarterback pressures in 44 pass-rushing snaps according to the service. Meanwhile, Van Lanen has been one of PFF’s top-graded OTs during the entire period.
Herbig is a lock to make the Steelers’ roster after his play after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Van Lanen figured to be a bubble player, though his play in the preseason may have locked up his roster spot.