While over 20 Wisconsin Badgers football players declared for the 2026 NFL draft, there are only a handful who will hear their names called.
Every major media outlet has published numerous versions of its mock drafts, but now it’s time to see how things actually play out.
Mock drafts are never perfect, but they’re a great way for Badgers fans to see which players are the most likely to be selected in this year’s edition of the NFL draft.
In total, there are four players who have the best chances of being drafted, by far. This is one of the Badgers’ weaker draft classes, but these players should at least give Wisconsin some more alumni that they sent to the NFL.
EDGE Mason Reiger
Reiger, all things considered, should be the first Badger off the board. He’s been projected to go in the fifth round, and rightfully so. After beginning his career in Louisville, the Illinois native had a dominant senior season that saw him set numerous career highs in Madison.
Safety Austin Brown
Brown’s name hasn’t appeared in a ton of mock drafts, but the fellow Illinois native could be Wisconsin’s only other defensive name selected. At 6-foot-1, 213 pounds, Brown was a four-year Wisconsin Badgers safety who totaled 129 career tackles with a pair of sacks and forced fumble being the cherry on top.
WR Vinny Anthony II
There are a pair of offensive playmakers who could, and likely should be selected. Anthony was the most dominant receiver for Wisconsin these past two seasons, and he’s going to be hard to replace. While he had a down year in 2025, hopefully, scouts realize it was on poor quarterback play and not regression from the 6-foot wideout.
TE Lance Mason
People are going to take notice whenever a tight end leads a team in receiving yards, and Mason did just that during his lone season with the Badgers. Neither he nor Anthony is going to be a day one draft pick, but they both provide tremendous upside. Mason finished with 1,198 career receiving yards, which is 36 more than Anthony, but the Texas native had seven more receiving touchdowns, which is a rather large gap.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Four Wisconsin football players who should be drafted
Reporting by Jordon Lawrenz, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
