Consensus agrees where Mason Reiger should be drafted in 2026 NFL Draft

Nov 22, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Mason Reiger (22) reacts with teammate Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) to sacking Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (not pictured) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images | Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers are expected to have at least one draftee in the 2026 NFL Draft: edge rusher Mason Reiger.

While others, such as wide receiver Vinny Anthony, safety Austin Brown, tight end Lance Mason, and offensive tackle Riley Mahlman, are hoping to get drafted, Reiger is the only close-to-certainty that should be taken in the draft.

And there’s a consensus on where that should happen.

In his latest seven-round mock draft, ESPN’s Jordan Reid had Reiger going in the fifth round at No. 165 overall to the Buffalo Bills. Similarly, in his seven-round mock draft, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter had Reiger going in the fifth round at No. 159 overall to the Carolina Panthers.

Overall, Reid has Reiger as the No. 121 player in the 2026 class, while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has him at No. 197. In his mock draft on April 15th, Brugler sees Reiger as a sixth-rounder at No. 196 overall to the Minnesota Vikings.

So, it seems expected that Reiger should go on Day 3, with the fifth and sixth rounds seeming like the sweet spots for his landing spot.