While the Wisconsin Badgers haven’t seen as much success in the NFL Draft in recent years, they still have quite a few starters across the board in the NFL.
Of course, they’ve been known for their offensive linemen throughout their history, and that hasn’t changed recently either. Wisconsin has had a lineman drafted in each of the past five years, and several have already elevated into starters heading into the 2025 season.
They’re especially rich at the center position, where Joe Tippmann, Tyler Biadasz, and Tanor Bortolini are all projected starters for their respective teams this upcoming season. But, where exactly do they rank amongst the position group in the NFL?
Heading into his third year, Tippmann is already considered a fringe top-10 center in the NFL, being ranked as the No. 11 center by PFF, coming in just behind Hjalte Froholdt of the Arizona Cardinals.
A second-round pick in 2023 for the New York Jets, Tippmann has started each of the past two years and took a big step forward this past season.
“Tippmann took a big step forward in his second NFL season, earning a top-10 PFF overall grade (73.4) among centers,” PFF’s Mason Cameron wrote. He improved his figure by more than 10 points on the grading scale over his rookie campaign, which bodes well for his ability to continue his career progression at just 24 years old.”
Behind him is Biadasz, who ranks as the 15th-best center in the NFL, according to PFF.
“Biadasz, in his first year with the Commanders, started off the 2024 season on a high note. Through the first nine games, his 79.3 PFF pass-blocking grade charted as the second-highest mark at the position. While that momentum faded as the season went on, and as Biadasz dealt with injury and illness, he still managed to finish with solid marks as a run blocker and a pass protector.”
He will enter the second year of his three-year deal with the Washington Commanders, hoping to keep steady as a quality starter at the position.
Bortolini, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, is poised to be a first-year starter this season after Ryan Kelly’s departure to the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.
But, he did start in five games as a rookie, and will look to build off that progress as he progresses into the full-time role.
“With the injuries to Ryan Kelly this past season, it was Bortolini and veteran Danny Pinter who stepped in to shoulder the load. Both are expected to compete for the starting job this summer. Bortolini showed a bit more of a well-rounded game in his first year as a pro, albeit on a limited sample. He produced a 64.0-plus PFF grade as both a run blocker and a pass protector, which may bode well for his chances of taking control of the starting job in 2025.”
Wisconsin has continued to churn out offensive linemen, with Jack Nelson being selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Several have developed into starters, with Tippmann, Biadasz, and Bortolini being the key ones at center.
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