Badgers in the NFL: Free Agency Update

It’s now two months into NFL free agency, and while the frenzy of signings has calmed considerably, there were still a handful of Badgers that inked deals over the past few weeks.

• Corey Clement, RB: The former Super Bowl LII hero for the Philadelphia Eagles is staying in the NFC East, after signing a deal with the New York Giants last weekend. Clement was invited to tryout at the Giants’ rookie minicamp and apparently showed enough to earn a contract for the 2021 season. Entering his fifth year in the NFL, Clement has battled some injuries the past two seasons (13 missed games), but still adds value as a special teams player and has been a solid receiving back when given the opportunity.

• Dare Ogunbowale, RB: After starting the final two games of the 2020 season for the Jaguars and rushing for 121 yards, Ogunbowale is returning to Jacksonville. The former walk-on at Wisconsin will have to earn a spot on the 53-man roster in the fall, but his special teams prowess should at least keep him in the mix throughout the preseason.

• Olive Sagapolu, DT: The Falcons signed Sagapolu to a one-year deal this past weekend. Like Clement, Sagapolu was invited to tryout at the Falcons’ rookie minicamp and impressed the coaching staff enough to earn a contract. Entering his third season in the league, Sagapolu has exclusively been a practice squad player, having spent time with both the Packers and Lions over the past two seasons.

• Beau Benzschawel, C: The third-year center was claimed off waivers by the Washington Football Team, after the Texans released him in April. Benzschawel has mostly been a practice squad player during his short time in the league (three career games played), but his ability to play both center and guard could prove to be valuable in his pursuit of a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster.