From Dane Brugler's The Beast Draft Guide:
TE - Jake Ferguson - Ranked #10 - 5th round.
STRENGTHS: Averaged-sized target ... strong hands to snatch-and-secure, holding on after big hits ... appears unfazed when required to finish in traffic ... athletic feet to square off routes or post up in zone coverage ... feels defenders around him and comfortable working the middle of the field ... displays the run balance to challenge would-be tacklers after the catch ... competitive blocker, especially in the run game, and usually gets the job done ... the Wisconsin coaches say he isn’t afraid to address the team and be a vocal leader ... consistently productive and set a school-record with a catch in 47 consecutive games (every game of his career) ... finished his career third all-time in receiving yards by a tight end in school history (10 yards behind Troy Fumagalli).
WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal bulk or growth potential for the position ... shorter arms and his catch radius is ordinary ... doesn’t have the speed to threaten the seam or deep half of the field (145 career catches and his longest catch was 36 yards) ... struggles to uncover vs. man and his routes lack deception ... lacks the lower body sand to consistently anchor in pass protection ... his blocking technique needs further schooling ... struggled with focus penalties as a senior, including six false start flags ... ho-hum receiving production with only 11.2 yards per reception and zero career 100-yard receiving games ... hasn’t played on special teams since his freshman season at Wisconsin ... durability isn’t a concern, although he did undergo surgery for a torn UCL in his left thumb prior to the 2019 season.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Ferguson was primarily an inline tight end in head coach Paul Chryst’s offense. The grandson of Wisconsin legendary head coach Barry Alvarez, he was a model of consistency for the Badgers, catching 30-plus passes in four consecutive seasons (only draftable tight end in this class who can stay that). Ferguson has natural tracking skills and works well with bodies around him, registering only one drop on 61 targets in 2021. However, he is a one- speed runner and doesn’t have burst out of his breaks or a pull-away gear to scare defenses as a pass-catcher. He has the mentality needed for blocking duties, but his average play strength and technique will be more pronounced in the NFL. Overall, Ferguson doesn’t have much style, but he has substance because of his above average ball skills and competitiveness as a blocker. He has the upside to be an NFL team’s No. 2 tight end.
OG - Logan Bruss - Ranked #12 - 4th/5th round
STRENGTHS: Wide-based blocker with sturdy anchor strength ... violent player with large, strong hands, which helps him win early ... strikes with repeatable placement ... his grip strength boosts his block strain without attracting holding calls (zero holding penalties in his college career) ... smooth as a pass blocker with the body control to maintain his position post-contact ... comfortable on the move to hit his second level and outside marks ... his head stays on a swivel to slide with twists and stunts ... his competitive demeanor is consistent from snap-to-snap ... offers starting experience at both tackle and guard.
WEAKNESSES: Mediocre athleticism, length and upper body strength ... struggles to recover when he doesn’t win early ... guilty of over-setting and allowing his pads to rise, especially in space ... shifty rushers stress his pass blocking technique ... not a consistent people-mover in the run game, struggling to steer defenders where he wants ... his consistency as a finisher needs to be better ... battled numerous minor injuries over his career and was hampered by issues as a senior, including a left leg injury during camp (August 2021), shoulder stinger (October 2021), and a foot injury that bothered him over the final month of the season (November 2021).
SUMMARY: A four-year starter at Wisconsin, Bruss lined up at right tackle as a senior in head coach Paul Chryst’s offense. He bounced between right tackle and right guard over his career and showed steady improvement each season, taking himself from free agent status to future draft pick. Bruss, who didn’t allow a sack the last two seasons, stays controlled and centered in his movements. He plays with a workman-like attitude with his hands, but his upper body strength is average and he doesn’t have the athletic traits to easily recover when he misfires. Overall, Bruss lacks explosiveness and will likely move inside to protect his edge vs. NFL speed, but he has the body control and striking skills to execute his blocks. He projects as a backup guard in the NFL who can kick out and play tackle in an emergency.
DL - Matt Henningsen - Ranked #25 - Preferred Free Agent
SUMMARY: Matt Henningsen earned First Team All-State honors on both the offensive and defensive lines at Menomonee Falls High. A two-star recruit, he received offers from several MAC and FCS programs, but his dream was to attend Wisconsin (like his parents and three older brothers) and he accepted a walk-on spot. He earned a scholarship a few weeks into the 2018 season and was a valuable part of the defensive line the last four years, playing end in the Badgers’ 3-4 base scheme. Henningsen, who was a member of Bruce Feldman’s Freak List, moves well laterally and uses his length to pry open gaps, but he is unpolished as a pass rusher and needs to play with better control once engaged. Scouts and coaches praise his intelligence (NFL scout: “This kid is like Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting.”). Overall, Henningsen’s on-field impact leaves you wanting more, but his blend of size, athleticism and acumen is an easy sell in the later rounds or as a priority free agent
LB - Leo Chenal - Ranked #6 - 2nd/3rd round
STRENGTHS: Fast eyes to read his keys and play ahead of climbing blocks ... blocking schemes set off alarm bells in his head ... comes to balance as a tackler and springs towards the ball carrier like a rattlesnake ... his discipline and thump at contact make missed tackles infrequent ... lived in the backfield with his downhill play speed (led Big Ten in tackles for loss in 2021) ... motor is always cranked to chase down plays anywhere on the field ... keeps himself centered mid-pursuit to smoothly change directions and close with a burst ... physically strapped together with a powerful build ... doesn’t stay blocked for long or run out of energy ... above-average contact balance to fight through bodies and squeeze gaps at the line of scrimmage ... has a knack for sifting and dipping under blocks ... benches 420 pounds and cleans 385 pounds (earned a spot on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List) ... competes with a gritty, blue-collar attitude and doesn’t have a passive bone in his body ... was a regular on punt coverage the last two seasons ... highly productive junior season and was one of only two FBS players with at least 115 tackles and 18.0 tackles for loss.
WEAKNESSES: Unproven covering seam speed ... doesn’t have the recovery athleticism to make up after a hesitation or false step in coverage ... late to anticipate and drive on routes in front of him ... needs to improve his feel for passing lanes (only two career pass break-ups, including none in 2021) ... at times his aggressive nature will lead to wrong lane choice or early arrival, surrendering his leverage ... his hands are physical as a pass rusher, but his set-up and rush attack can be more fundamentally sound.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Wisconsin, Chenal was an inside linebacker in defensive coordinator Jim Leonard’s 3-4 base scheme. He embraced the Badgers’ “Death Row” moniker at linebacker and had an All-American junior season, finishing No. 7 in the FBS in tackles per game (10.4) and No. 2 in tackles for loss per game (1.6). Chenal has outstanding eyes, aggressive flow and feel for run-blocking development, which allows him to play ahead of climbing blocks and pile up tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Though he has the range to hold up in coverage, his questionable fluidity and ball skills are a cause for concern. Overall, Chenal has room to grow as both a cover man and blitzer, but he has exceptional run instincts with above average key-and-diagnose skills and contact balance downhill. He compares favorably to Jordyn Brooks as a prospect.
LB - Jack Sanborn - Ranked #23 - 6th/7th round
STRENGTHS: Aggressive run filler and competes with an attacking mindset ... strikes low and hard as a tackler, creating immediate stopping power ... instinctive working between the tackles, using his hands to combat or slip blocks ... diagnoses play speed well and trusts his vision ... moves with functional quickness to work laterally or drop in zone coverage ... tracks the eyes of the quarterback to constrict passing lanes ... excellent timing as a blitzer, and Wisconsin would line him up on the edge ... well-respected team captain, and NFL coaches will love his energetic motor ... was a regular on punt coverage ... durable and started all 34 games the past three seasons, twice leading the team in tackles.
WEAKNESSES: Barrel-chested body type with lean lower body and shorter arms ... average athletically, and will lose run fits at times because of wasted steps ... not a rangy player, and his speed is pedestrian ... will arrive too hot and create bad angles for himself (had multiple missed tackles on 2021 Michigan and Notre Dame tapes) ... needs to load more ammo into his hands to be more efficient disengaging blocks ... can be late to read the mesh at times ... lacks twitch in his change of direction with hints of stiffness that limit him in man coverage ... struggled to find the football in coverage on his senior tape (zero pass breakups).
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Sanborn was an inside linebacker in defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 base scheme. He handled both middle and weakside responsibilities during his time in Madison and filled up the stat sheet the past three seasons, combining for 223 tackles and 29.0 tackles for loss. Sanborn is a physical run-filler and effective blitzer with the downhill instincts and square pads to make plays between the tackles. Though he sets the tempo with his contact-driven mentality, he needs to improve his stack-and-shed efficiency to stay on the field in the pros. Overall, Sanborn is a crafty downhill force player, but he lacks explosive range and might be relegated to early downs because of his average athleticism in coverage. He has the diagnose skills and competitive toughness to carve out a backup role in the NFL.
These player were rated below PFA (Preferred Free Agent) and had no scouting report.
WR - Danny Davis - Ranked #63.
WR - Kendric Pryor - #102
TE - John Chenal - #31 (Fullbacks are included with TE's)
OG - Josh Seltzner - #46
CB - Faion Hicks - #53
CB - Caesar Williams - #97
S - Scott Nelson - #35
S - Collin Wilder - #94
K - Collin Larsh - #19
TE - Jake Ferguson - Ranked #10 - 5th round.
STRENGTHS: Averaged-sized target ... strong hands to snatch-and-secure, holding on after big hits ... appears unfazed when required to finish in traffic ... athletic feet to square off routes or post up in zone coverage ... feels defenders around him and comfortable working the middle of the field ... displays the run balance to challenge would-be tacklers after the catch ... competitive blocker, especially in the run game, and usually gets the job done ... the Wisconsin coaches say he isn’t afraid to address the team and be a vocal leader ... consistently productive and set a school-record with a catch in 47 consecutive games (every game of his career) ... finished his career third all-time in receiving yards by a tight end in school history (10 yards behind Troy Fumagalli).
WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal bulk or growth potential for the position ... shorter arms and his catch radius is ordinary ... doesn’t have the speed to threaten the seam or deep half of the field (145 career catches and his longest catch was 36 yards) ... struggles to uncover vs. man and his routes lack deception ... lacks the lower body sand to consistently anchor in pass protection ... his blocking technique needs further schooling ... struggled with focus penalties as a senior, including six false start flags ... ho-hum receiving production with only 11.2 yards per reception and zero career 100-yard receiving games ... hasn’t played on special teams since his freshman season at Wisconsin ... durability isn’t a concern, although he did undergo surgery for a torn UCL in his left thumb prior to the 2019 season.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Ferguson was primarily an inline tight end in head coach Paul Chryst’s offense. The grandson of Wisconsin legendary head coach Barry Alvarez, he was a model of consistency for the Badgers, catching 30-plus passes in four consecutive seasons (only draftable tight end in this class who can stay that). Ferguson has natural tracking skills and works well with bodies around him, registering only one drop on 61 targets in 2021. However, he is a one- speed runner and doesn’t have burst out of his breaks or a pull-away gear to scare defenses as a pass-catcher. He has the mentality needed for blocking duties, but his average play strength and technique will be more pronounced in the NFL. Overall, Ferguson doesn’t have much style, but he has substance because of his above average ball skills and competitiveness as a blocker. He has the upside to be an NFL team’s No. 2 tight end.
OG - Logan Bruss - Ranked #12 - 4th/5th round
STRENGTHS: Wide-based blocker with sturdy anchor strength ... violent player with large, strong hands, which helps him win early ... strikes with repeatable placement ... his grip strength boosts his block strain without attracting holding calls (zero holding penalties in his college career) ... smooth as a pass blocker with the body control to maintain his position post-contact ... comfortable on the move to hit his second level and outside marks ... his head stays on a swivel to slide with twists and stunts ... his competitive demeanor is consistent from snap-to-snap ... offers starting experience at both tackle and guard.
WEAKNESSES: Mediocre athleticism, length and upper body strength ... struggles to recover when he doesn’t win early ... guilty of over-setting and allowing his pads to rise, especially in space ... shifty rushers stress his pass blocking technique ... not a consistent people-mover in the run game, struggling to steer defenders where he wants ... his consistency as a finisher needs to be better ... battled numerous minor injuries over his career and was hampered by issues as a senior, including a left leg injury during camp (August 2021), shoulder stinger (October 2021), and a foot injury that bothered him over the final month of the season (November 2021).
SUMMARY: A four-year starter at Wisconsin, Bruss lined up at right tackle as a senior in head coach Paul Chryst’s offense. He bounced between right tackle and right guard over his career and showed steady improvement each season, taking himself from free agent status to future draft pick. Bruss, who didn’t allow a sack the last two seasons, stays controlled and centered in his movements. He plays with a workman-like attitude with his hands, but his upper body strength is average and he doesn’t have the athletic traits to easily recover when he misfires. Overall, Bruss lacks explosiveness and will likely move inside to protect his edge vs. NFL speed, but he has the body control and striking skills to execute his blocks. He projects as a backup guard in the NFL who can kick out and play tackle in an emergency.
DL - Matt Henningsen - Ranked #25 - Preferred Free Agent
SUMMARY: Matt Henningsen earned First Team All-State honors on both the offensive and defensive lines at Menomonee Falls High. A two-star recruit, he received offers from several MAC and FCS programs, but his dream was to attend Wisconsin (like his parents and three older brothers) and he accepted a walk-on spot. He earned a scholarship a few weeks into the 2018 season and was a valuable part of the defensive line the last four years, playing end in the Badgers’ 3-4 base scheme. Henningsen, who was a member of Bruce Feldman’s Freak List, moves well laterally and uses his length to pry open gaps, but he is unpolished as a pass rusher and needs to play with better control once engaged. Scouts and coaches praise his intelligence (NFL scout: “This kid is like Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting.”). Overall, Henningsen’s on-field impact leaves you wanting more, but his blend of size, athleticism and acumen is an easy sell in the later rounds or as a priority free agent
LB - Leo Chenal - Ranked #6 - 2nd/3rd round
STRENGTHS: Fast eyes to read his keys and play ahead of climbing blocks ... blocking schemes set off alarm bells in his head ... comes to balance as a tackler and springs towards the ball carrier like a rattlesnake ... his discipline and thump at contact make missed tackles infrequent ... lived in the backfield with his downhill play speed (led Big Ten in tackles for loss in 2021) ... motor is always cranked to chase down plays anywhere on the field ... keeps himself centered mid-pursuit to smoothly change directions and close with a burst ... physically strapped together with a powerful build ... doesn’t stay blocked for long or run out of energy ... above-average contact balance to fight through bodies and squeeze gaps at the line of scrimmage ... has a knack for sifting and dipping under blocks ... benches 420 pounds and cleans 385 pounds (earned a spot on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List) ... competes with a gritty, blue-collar attitude and doesn’t have a passive bone in his body ... was a regular on punt coverage the last two seasons ... highly productive junior season and was one of only two FBS players with at least 115 tackles and 18.0 tackles for loss.
WEAKNESSES: Unproven covering seam speed ... doesn’t have the recovery athleticism to make up after a hesitation or false step in coverage ... late to anticipate and drive on routes in front of him ... needs to improve his feel for passing lanes (only two career pass break-ups, including none in 2021) ... at times his aggressive nature will lead to wrong lane choice or early arrival, surrendering his leverage ... his hands are physical as a pass rusher, but his set-up and rush attack can be more fundamentally sound.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Wisconsin, Chenal was an inside linebacker in defensive coordinator Jim Leonard’s 3-4 base scheme. He embraced the Badgers’ “Death Row” moniker at linebacker and had an All-American junior season, finishing No. 7 in the FBS in tackles per game (10.4) and No. 2 in tackles for loss per game (1.6). Chenal has outstanding eyes, aggressive flow and feel for run-blocking development, which allows him to play ahead of climbing blocks and pile up tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Though he has the range to hold up in coverage, his questionable fluidity and ball skills are a cause for concern. Overall, Chenal has room to grow as both a cover man and blitzer, but he has exceptional run instincts with above average key-and-diagnose skills and contact balance downhill. He compares favorably to Jordyn Brooks as a prospect.
LB - Jack Sanborn - Ranked #23 - 6th/7th round
STRENGTHS: Aggressive run filler and competes with an attacking mindset ... strikes low and hard as a tackler, creating immediate stopping power ... instinctive working between the tackles, using his hands to combat or slip blocks ... diagnoses play speed well and trusts his vision ... moves with functional quickness to work laterally or drop in zone coverage ... tracks the eyes of the quarterback to constrict passing lanes ... excellent timing as a blitzer, and Wisconsin would line him up on the edge ... well-respected team captain, and NFL coaches will love his energetic motor ... was a regular on punt coverage ... durable and started all 34 games the past three seasons, twice leading the team in tackles.
WEAKNESSES: Barrel-chested body type with lean lower body and shorter arms ... average athletically, and will lose run fits at times because of wasted steps ... not a rangy player, and his speed is pedestrian ... will arrive too hot and create bad angles for himself (had multiple missed tackles on 2021 Michigan and Notre Dame tapes) ... needs to load more ammo into his hands to be more efficient disengaging blocks ... can be late to read the mesh at times ... lacks twitch in his change of direction with hints of stiffness that limit him in man coverage ... struggled to find the football in coverage on his senior tape (zero pass breakups).
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Sanborn was an inside linebacker in defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 base scheme. He handled both middle and weakside responsibilities during his time in Madison and filled up the stat sheet the past three seasons, combining for 223 tackles and 29.0 tackles for loss. Sanborn is a physical run-filler and effective blitzer with the downhill instincts and square pads to make plays between the tackles. Though he sets the tempo with his contact-driven mentality, he needs to improve his stack-and-shed efficiency to stay on the field in the pros. Overall, Sanborn is a crafty downhill force player, but he lacks explosive range and might be relegated to early downs because of his average athleticism in coverage. He has the diagnose skills and competitive toughness to carve out a backup role in the NFL.
These player were rated below PFA (Preferred Free Agent) and had no scouting report.
WR - Danny Davis - Ranked #63.
WR - Kendric Pryor - #102
TE - John Chenal - #31 (Fullbacks are included with TE's)
OG - Josh Seltzner - #46
CB - Faion Hicks - #53
CB - Caesar Williams - #97
S - Scott Nelson - #35
S - Collin Wilder - #94
K - Collin Larsh - #19
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