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Wisconsin Badgers in the NFL: 26 former Badgers make an NFL roster

An overview of the 26 former Wisconsin players who made an initial 53-man roster in the NFL after a major day of roster moves.

Matt Belz

In this story:

Tuesday marked an important day on the NFL calendar, as teams across the league had to trim their rosters to 53 players. 

In a day full of roster moves, trades, and injury designations, 26 Wisconsin alumni have officially made an NFL roster as of Wednesday afternoon. 

Here is an overview of which former Badgers will be playing on Sundays this season after a pivotal day in the NFL, and which players will be hoping to land a practice squad opportunity. 

Badgers on an NFL roster in 2022

  • J.J. Watt (DL) - Arizona Cardinals
  • Kevin Zeitler (OG) - Baltimore Ravens
  • Jack Sanborn (LB) - Chicago Bears

The lone undrafted free agent from Wisconsin to make an NFL roster this year is linebacker Jack Sanborn. He put together a great camp and made a bunch of plays in the team's preseason. Vince Biegel tore his achilles with the Baltimore Ravens and did not make the team due to the injury. 

  • Tyler Biadasz (C) - Dallas Cowboys
  • Jake Ferguson (TE) - Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Biadasz is a likely starter for the Cowboys at center this season, while Jake Ferguson turned heads in training camp and is probably the team's No. 2 tight end. Both players should be key parts of the Dallas offense this season. 

  • Melvin Gordon (RB) - Denver Broncos
  • Russell Wilson (QB) - Denver Broncos
  • Matt Henningsen (DL) - Denver Broncos

While Melvin Gordon and Russell Wilson were essentially locked to make the roster, Matt Henningsen not only made the team but is trending towards potentially having a role along the defensive line based on some of the moves that the Broncos made on Tuesday. Faion Hicks was later signed to the Broncos practice squad, giving him a chance to make the roster later this season. 

  • Quintez Cephus (WR) - Detroit Lions
  • Dare Ogunbowale (RB) - Houston Texans
  • Jonathan Taylor (RB) - Indianapolis Colts
  • Cole Van Lanen (OL) - Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Kendric Pryor (WR) - Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Leo Chenal (LB) - Kansas City Chiefs

After being traded by the Packers for a late-round pick, Cole Van Lanen made the Jaguars roster this week. Third-round pick Leo Chenal also made the Chiefs and is trending towards playing this season in some capacity. Pryor was cut by the Bengals but was claimed on waivers by the Jaguars on Wednesday. 

  • David Edwards (OL) - Los Angeles Rams
  • Rob Havenstein (OL) - Los Angeles Rams
  • Alec Ingold (FB) - Miami Dolphins
  • Andrew Van Ginkel (LB) - Miami Dolphins
  • Michael Dieter (OL) - Miami Dolphins
  • Zack Baun (LB) - New Orleans Saints
  • Ryan Ramczyk (OL) - New Orleans Saints

All of the above players were expected to make a roster this season, but unfortunately, Logan Bruss did not make the Rams roster after being placed on the injured reserve with a knee injury. 

  • T.J. Edwards (LB) - Philadelphia Eagles
  • T.J. Watt (OLB/DE) - Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Isaiahh Loudermilk (DL) - Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Derek Watt (FB) - Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Rachad Wildgoose (CB) - Washington Commanders

After being cut by the New York Jets on Tuesday, cornerback Rachad Wildgoose was claimed off waivers by the Commanders on Wednesday. Washington also signed former Wisconsin wide receiver Alex Erickson to the practice squad as well. 

Former Badgers who are currently free agents

  • Scott Nelson (S)
  • Danny Davis (WR)
  • Troy Fumagalli (TE)
  • Corey Clement (RB)
  • Josh Seltzner (OL)
  • Caesar Williams (CB)
  • Ryan Connelly (LB)
  • Beau Benzschawel (OL)
  • Vince Biegel (LB) -- torn achilles

Here is a collection of notable tweets about some of the Badgers who did, or did not, make a roster today:

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Matt Belz
MATT BELZ

Title: Publisher, Beat Writer for AllBadgers.com, a Sports Illustrated Channel Hello, my name is Matt Belz, and I am the site manager at All Badgers. I previously wrote for multiple years at Buckeyes 5th Quarter and have been the leading publisher here since March of 2022.  When I am not covering the Wisconsin Badgers football and men's basketball teams, I enjoy being outside and spending time with family and friends.  You can follow everything I write about on several different platforms. First and foremost on our site...AllBadgers.com You can follow me personally on Twitter at @savedbythebelz or check out our Facebook page at Wisconsin FanNation on Sports Illustrated.

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