BadgerBlitz.com's Wisconsin player draft: Round 3

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 3?

I took a long look at the defensive depth chart but I'm staying on offense for the third round in a row. With Rob Wheelwright off the board, I felt I needed to jump on Jazz Peavy, because I don't have too much confidence in the options behind Wisconsin's projected starters at wide receiver.

I certainly don't think Peavy will be able to equal Alex Erickson's production at the position, but the redshirt sophomore has set himself up for a big 2016 season. With Peavy, I think I'll have a consistent possession wide out with solid hands. He's also less injury prone than Wheelwright, and it wouldn't be shocking if Peavy finished as the top pass catcher for the Badgers this fall.

With a solid playmaker on either side of the ball, I wanted to start focusing on my interior. Jon ran that direction early, snagging up arguably the top two offensive linemen with his first two picks. This left me looking at the third best prospect, or someone who can be moved around if bodies get sparse near the end of the selection process.

I landed on Beau Benzschawel.

I know, you are probably thinking there are plenty of other players and big bodies you could contend are more proven or would be a better selection at this point in the draft. But you are splitting hairs and I really like what I see from Benzschawel.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 308 pounds as a redshirt freshman, Benzschawel found himself playing tackle and guard last season after sitting out his true freshman year. While he at times struggled on the outside of the line, he seemed to begin to find a home during the ladder part of the year in the interior. With another offseason to put on size and to hone his craft, I’m excited to see what the big guy can do.

Coming from his tight end roots in high school, his athleticism is right up there with anyone playing his positions, allowing him to be moved around to fill gaps or to create matchup problems in the run game when used as a pulling guard.

Like the running back situation - though the Badgers have a clear star (or two) - I think they are so rich in quality big bodies that it’s hard to go wrong at this point.

I'm typically not someone who wants to continue a run on any position group, but with Ryan Ramczyk, Michael Deiter and Beau Benzschawel off the board just a few rounds in to the draft, I knew I needed to add an offensive lineman - especially since we've all seen how useful a good running back or two can be if the offensive line in front of them underperforms or is plagued by inexperience.

I picked Jon Dietzen to address that need, even though he has yet to play in a college game for the Badgers. But after watching him play during the team's spring practices, it seemed clear to me that he will be a significant contributor on the offensive line during his career at UW. A redshirt kept him off the field during his first year on campus, though he probably could have helped the offensive line during a tumultuous season. But in the long run getting Dietzen for an extra season seems like it will pay dividends - both for the Badgers and for my roster.

Starting off my team with Clement meant I needed to take certain steps, and putting a mauler like Dietzen in front of him felt like a good bet to me.

Miss a round?

Round 1 | Round 2 |