The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and several Wisconsin Badgers are hoping to hear their name called, with projections varying across the board.
Heading into the draft, the top prospects from Wisconsin this offseason are edge rusher Mason Reiger, wide receiver Vinny Anthony, tight end Lance Mason, safety Austin Brown, and offensive lineman Riley Mahlman.
Reiger is a surefire draft pick and expected to go sometime on Day 3 in the draft. ESPN’s Jordan Reid ranks him as the No. 121 player
in the class, while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has him at No. 197. Here’s what Brugler wrote about him.
“A one-year starter at Wisconsin, Reiger aligned as a wide edge rusher in defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s four-man front,” Brugler said. “While at Louisville, he started out as Yaya Diaby’s backup before injuries took their toll. He didn’t practice for 18 months (December 2023 through June 2025) and was advised to medically retire. But he resuscitated his football career after transferring to Madison, averaging 3.8 pressures per game in 2025 (second most in the Big Ten).
“Reiger doesn’t have much of a resume because of injury setbacks, but his 2025 film showed NFL-quality talent. With his linear twitch, he thrives using weaponized hands and various speed-flash moves to break down blockers. He is currently an immature finisher with too many “almost” sacks on his tape. Against the run, he gives outstanding effort, although he struggles to consistently lock out and control edges.“
In addition, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein sees him as a fifth-round projection in this class.
Vinny Anthony, on the other hand, is ranked the No. 229 player in the class by ESPN’s Jordan Reid, while Brugler has him at No. 277. Here’s what Brugler wrote about him in The Beast.
“A two-and-a-half-year starter at Wisconsin, Anthony lined up outside (83.4 percent of snaps in his career) in offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ scheme. He didn’t punch up the stat sheet with impressive numbers over the past four years, but much more of that blame belongs to the offense and quarterback play more than Anthony himself. He did score a touchdown three different ways in 2025 (rushing, receiving, kickoff return).
“Anthony is an urgent athlete and savvy route runner. He posted the second-fastest three-cone (6.86) among all positions at the NFL combine but still chose to run it again at his pro day (6.68), which sums up his competitiveness. Despite his toughness, his inconsistencies come through contact, both in his routes and at catch windows.”
Zierlein sees him as an undrafted free agent in this class.
Looking at Lance Mason, ESPN’s Jordan Reid has him as the No. 245 player in the class, while Brugler has him outside the Top 300. He’s also seen as an undrafted free agent by Zierlein, who had the following to say about Mason:
“Mason transferred from Missouri State to Wisconsin for his final college season and put together a solid showing with the Badgers. He lacks desired size and strength to play in-line and could be under consideration for H-back duties. He will need to improve his route-running and contested-catch consistency on the next level. Mason is not where he needs to be as a blocker, but he does have some decent reps to hang his hat on. He should get an opportunity in an NFL camp.”
Following those three, in the undrafted free agent projections, land Austin Brown (ranked No. 349 by Reid) and Riley Mahlman (ranked No. 374) by Reid.
All five of those players will be waiting to hear their name called this weekend, be it in the draft or afterwards as a free agent.
