BadgerBlitz.com's Wisconsin player draft: Round 16

This summer, the Badgers will be divided.

That is, they'll be separated into three imaginary teams, set against each other by a BadgerBlitz.com.com Wisconsin player draft, a daily selection in which separate groups of 23 are assembled.

Over the next four weeks, BadgerBlitz.com reporters Jon McNamara, John Veldhuis and Jessi Schoville will draft Badgers, picking players one-by-one and placing them on their respective teams, trying to assemble the best 11 on offense and defense, plus one reserve.

Then, in late July, we'll decide — based on BadgerBlitz.com.com staff and member feedback — which team would win.

Who will be selected when? How will the teams develop? What reasoning will be used?

And most importantly, do you agree with the picks? Be sure to discuss in the Badgers' Den.

Ready for Round 16?

I stuck with the defensive side of the ball again, taking Joe Ferguson to fill a big need for my team at safety. I decided to wait on this position because there wasn't a lot of experience to pick from now that Michael Caputo and Tanner McEvoy have graduated, although Ferguson has gotten on the field at times as a third safety to help the defense match up against heavy personnel packages.

Ferguson definitely fills a need on my team, but I would imagine he continues to be a role player for the Badgers in 2016. But with two big holes to fill on the back end of the defense, Justin Wilcox is going to need all the help he can get to stabilize those positions, and Ferguson should be able to lend a hand there.

With the majority of my key skill positions being filled out, it was time to look back at my offensive line to find someone to play tackle opposite of Beau Benzschawel. With Jon and John having gone after linemen early and often, I was left with people who probably won’t see a bulk of game time, but are talented nonetheless. The Badgers consistently put out top-notch linemen so I saw this as a position I could hold off on, since the majority are already solid recruits and either are, or will be, successful college football players.

I decided to go with Patrick Kasl. Kasl, a 6-foot-6 and 278-pound prospect with an excellent frame and game to go with it. He finished as a three-star recruit but Wisconsin jumped on him early after a strong camp performance. The fact that Ivy League programs were interested in the future engineering major made him more intriguing to me, as the offensive line is such a cerebral position. If he is going to UW for engineering and Yale wanted him, there’s no doubt the kid lacks smarts and determination.

If Kasl can pack on some pounds and keep progressing like he did at the Nike’s Regional Opening in Chicago, where he was in the top five for offensive linemen, he could end up being a major contributor in the future.

I'm banking on Keelon Brookins, a former four-star recruit, being rejuvenated after moving back to his natural position at safety this spring. Stints at both outside and middle linebacker didn't produce great results, and Brookins may have a chance to surprise some people who may have written him off this fall.

Injuries have been part of Brookins' career, both in high school and at Wisconsin, so the redshirt junior will have to prove he's at full strength. And, more importantly, that he still has the necessary speed to play in the secondary.

Miss a round?

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