The Badger Herald

Four Badgers were drafted in this past weekend’s NFL draft, with two more signing on with teams as free agents shortly thereafter. But one of those UW alumni will make a better pro than the rest: kicker Taylor Mehlhaff, a sixth round of the Saints.

It’s tough to judge which Badger will have the best career in the NFL, as they all play different positions. But there are some characteristics and scenarios that set Mehlhaff apart from the rest.

At the collegiate level, few kickers have had the success Mehlhaff had. He left Wisconsin as the team’s all-time leader in extra points made and attempted (145-for-148), and his 295 career points in three years as a starter was the second-most all-time at UW.

Besides, look at the situation he’s walking into. The only kicker currently on the New Orleans roster prior to Mehlhaff’s arrival was 32-year-old Martin Gramatica, a journeyman who has also kicked with the Buccaneers, Colts and Cowboys.

If a kicker’s been a part of that many teams in a nine-year career, chances are he’s not a franchise kicker.

Mehlhaff has a chance to be that guy, someone who can last with the Saints for many years to come. He’s got the leg strength — 123 of his kickoffs at Wisconsin went through the endzone for touchbacks — and his accuracy has always been above average. There’s no reason Mehlhaff shouldn’t challenge Gramatica right away for the kicking job.

It also helps that he’s a character guy, not having to deal with legal issues (cough, Jack Ikegwuonu) before suiting up with the Saints.

Oh, and I heard he and Reggie Bush are BFFs.

The kick is up. Mehlhaff’s good.

Mike Ackerstein:

Jack Ikegwuonu may not see the field at all in 2008, but he’s still the recently drafted Badger most likely to find success in the NFL over the course of his career.

The cornerback’s injury after declaring for the draft certainly hurt his stock a bit (he was drafted in the fourth round with the 131st pick), but it also means he’ll have a year without pressure to learn what goes into being a solid defensive player.

Everyone in Philadelphia knows Ikegwuonu won’t be ready to play this year, and he’ll likely be left alone to learn the Eagles defensive schemes as well as how to act off of the field.

For a player red-flagged for “character issues,” this downtime could prove to be valuable in keeping him in the league for years to come.

In his three seasons at Wisconsin, Ikegwuonu displayed a mix of brilliant plays and boneheaded ones, but its clear he has the potential to be great. All he needs to do is to become more consistent, and that’s something that comes with time and experience.

He’s got the physical tools to be an NFL star — now it’s just waiting for the mental ones to catch up. This season is his chance to do so, and when he does put it all together, watch out, because the man who both Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. at times called “Jake” is going to make his name known.

Jack Ikegwuonu will definitely not be the first Badger drafted in 2008 to see playing time, but he’s the one who will make the most of it.

Jack’s coming back strong, Ikegwuonu for the win.