First, here is the defense on the All-Badger NFL Team. Remember that my criteria was performance at the professional level since 1970. Generally speaking, I looked at quality of play as well as duration spent in the league. I did not get into position specifics, so you may for instance see more than one center on the OL or 3 CBs in the backfield (presuming that if all the players were on one Badger team, the positions would be switched to get the most talented players on the field).
Also note that I didn't know what to do with Dale Hackbart, who played mainly in the 60's, but did creep into the 70s. I know he played QB for the Badgers, but I don't recall where he played as a pro. One person I talked to thought he played DB. (Sorry, but it was before my time). So, I didn't know where to include him.
Defensive Line
Tim Krumrie: Cincinnati Bengals, 1983-94.
Don Davey: Green Bay Packers, 1991-94, Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995-1998.
Darryl Sims: Pittsburgh Steelers, 1985-86, Cleveland Browns, 1987-88.
Bill Gregory: Dallas Cowboys, 1971-77, Seattle Seahawks, 1978-80.
Honorable Mention
Tom Burke: Arizona Cardinals: 1999-present.
Jason Maniecki: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1996-1998.
Mark Shumate: Green Bay Packers, 1985.
Tarek Saleh: Carolina Panthers, 1997-1998, Cleveland Browns, 1999 (since moved to FB).
Scott Bergold: St. Louis Cardinals, 1985-86.
BADGERMANIAC: A bunch of pluggers here. I hated to go with Sims considering what a disappointment he was, but I just didn't like the other choices. Actually, I think Shumate and/or Bergold actually played on offense in the pros.
Linebacker
Rick Graf: Miami Dolphins, 1987-90, Houston Oilers, 1991-92, Washington Redskins, 1993.
Michael Reid: Atlanta Falcons, 1987-92.
Dave Ahrens: St. Louis Cardinals, 1981-84, Baltimore Colts, 1985-87, Detroit Lions, 1988, Miami Dophins, 1989, Seattle Seahawks, 1990.
Honorable Mention
Chad Cascadden: New York Jets, 1995-1999.
Ken Criter: Denver Broncos, 1969-74.
Tim Jordan: New England Patriots, 1987-89.
Pete Monty: New York Giants, 1997-present.
Donnell Thompson: Pittsburgh Steelers, 2000-present.
BADGERMANIAC: Graf and Ahrens were essentially journeymen although quite different in many ways. Graf was a second round draft choice and never lived up to his potential. Meanwhile Ahrens was never very highly thought of, yet always seemed to be a solid veteran. Cascadden was also been a surprise as a solid special teams player and third down LB before being forced to retire.
Defensive Backs
Troy Vincent: Miami Dolphins, 1992-95, Philadelphis Eagles, 1996-present.
Nate Odomes: Buffalo Bills 1987-93, Seattle Seahawks, 1994-95.
Richard Johnson: Houston Oilers, 1985-92.
Lawrence Johnson: Cleveland Browns, 1979-84, Buffalo Bills, 1984-87.
Honorable Mention
Ken Stills: Green Bay Packers, 1985-89.
Rafael Robinson: Seattle Seahawks, 1992-95.
Steve Wagner: Green Bay Packers, 1976-79, Philadelphia Eagles, 1980-81.
Donny Brady: Baltimore Ravens, 1996-1998.
Bobby Myers: Tennessee Titans, 2000-present.
Jamar Fletcher: Miami Dolphins, 2001-present.
BADGERMANIAC: Far and away the deepest defensive position in terms of ex-Badgers. Vincent and Odomes were/are pro-bowl quality players. The Johnson boys were never great, but they were solid as evidenced by their duration in the league. Richard was one of the best kick blockers in the NFL. Robinson of course played mainly RB for the Don Morton teams. Brady has surprised by gaining a starting role, but I don't expect him to last very long. Fletcher and Myers are newcomers and have yet to stake out their claim yet, though down the road they could move up on the list.
Punter
Kevin Stemke: Green Bay Packers, 2001-present.
BADGERMANIAC: Not much competition as you can see. Stemke has a shot to stick with the Packers, though it is going to be close.
Now, here is the offense:
Quarterback
Randy Wright: Green Bay Packers, 1984-1988.
Honorable Mention
Neill Graff: New England Patriots, 1974-75, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1976-77.
BADGERMANIAC: Not much to choose from here. Wright was a starting QB for bad teams. I was surprised that he didn't hang around longer as a back up.
Running Back
Terrell Fletcher: San Diego Chargers, 1995-present.
Ron Dayne: New York Giants, 2000-present.
Honorable Mention
Larry Canada: Denver Broncos, 1978-9, '81
Gary Ellerson: Green Bay Packers, 1985-86, Detroit Lions, 1987.
Ira Matthews: Los Angeles Raiders, 1979-81.
Cecil Martin: Philadelphia Eagles, 1999-present.
BADGERMANIAC: Surprisingly to some, not much to pick from here either. Fletcher is a solid third down back while Dayne had a so-so rookie year (though still at a level above most of the other candidates). Canada was a decent blocking fullback for a few years. Matthews was nothing but a kick returner, albeit a good one. Matthews remains one of my favorite all-time Badgers. Cecil Martin looks to be a Canada clone in many respects.
Wide Receiver
Al Toon: New York Jets, 1985-1992.
Donald Hayes: Carolina Panters, 1998-present.
Honorable Mention
Tony Simmons: New England Patriots, 1998-present.
Lee DeRamus: New Orleans Saints, 1995-96.
Chris Chambers: Miami Dolphins, 2001-present.
BADGERMANIAC: Toon is a runaway choice here, arguably the best skill position Badger NFL player ever. Donald Hayes has been more productive than Simmons as a pro despite being drafted behind him. DeRamus did very little since his broken leg. Chambers very well may be the #2 guy on this list in a few years.
Offensive Line
Mike Webster: Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-88, Kansas City Chiefs, 1989-90.
Paul Gruber: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1988-2000.
Dennis Lick: Chicago Bears, 1976-81.
Jeff Dellenbach: Miami Dolphins, 1985-94, New England Patriots, 1995, Green Bay Packers, 1996-2000.
Dan Turk: Pittsburgh Steelers, 1985-86, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1987-88, Los Angeles Raiders, 1989-96, Washington Redskins, 1997-1998.
Honorable Mention
Ray Snell: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1980-83, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1984-85, Detroit Lions, 1985.
Chuck Belin: St. Louis Rams, 1993-1996.
Cory Raymer: Washington Redskins, 1995-present.
Joe Panos: Philadelphia Eagles, 1994-97, Buffalo Bills, present.
Ken Bowman: Green Bay Packers, 1964-73
Mike Verstegen: New Orleans Saints, 1995-1999.
Jerry Wunsch: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1997-present.
Terry Stieve: New Orleans Saints, 1976-77, St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-84.
Aaron Gibson: Detroit Lions, 1999-present.
Chris McIntosh: Seattle Seahawks, 2000-present.
Mark Tauscher: Green Bay Packers, 2000-present.
Bill Ferrario: Green Bay Packers, 2001-present.
Casey Rabach: Baltimore Ravens, 2001-present.
BADGERMANIAC: As you would think, this was by far the most talented position on the field in terms of ex-Badgers. The five "first-teamers" all have had long and distinguished careers. Webster and Gruber lead the way as no-brainers. Webster is in the Hall of Fame (best Badger ever??) while Gruber would have been a perennial all-pro if on a better team. Lick was a solid OL for the Bears before having injuries cut short his career. Dellenbach and Turk have been unspectacular though versatile and durable NFL pros. On the honorable mention list, there are a bundle of guys who could push Turk and Dellenbach. My money is on McIntosh. Stieve could very well have made the top list as he was a solid NFL player.In terms of peak performance, Bowman certainly belongs in the Top 5, though by the time the 70's rolled around, he had already peaked.
Tight End
Stu Voight: Minnesota Vikings, 1970-80.
Honorable Mention
Ron Egloff: Denver Broncos, 1977-83, San Diego Chargers,1984.
Michael Roan: Tennessee Oilers, 1995-present.
Larry Mialik: Atlanta Falcons, 1972-74.
BADGERMANIAC: Not a tough call here. Voight was an upper echelon TE for a top notch caliber team. I couldn't even remember if Egloff was a TE or a FB. He did stick for 8 years in the league though which is pretty impressive. Roan has shown flashes, but I would be surprised to see him around for too much longer.
Kicker
Jim Bakken: St. Louis Cardinals, 1962-78.
Honorable Mention
John Hall: New York Jets, 1997-present.
BADGERMANIAC: Easy choice here. Hall has surprised me by sticking.