Florida Gators star primed to make the NFL regret not drafting has the perfect landing spot to thrive
The Florida Gators had seven players selected in the NFL Draft with all of them coming on day three. It started with wide receiver Chimere Dike selected 103rd overall by the Tennessee Titans and finished with safety Trikweze Bridges to the Los Angeles Chargers at 256th overall. Seven Gators players being selected is a great […]
The Florida Gators had seven players selected in the NFL Draft with all of them coming on day three. It started with wide receiver Chimere Dike selected 103rd overall by the Tennessee Titans and finished with safety Trikweze Bridges to the Los Angeles Chargers at 256th overall.
Seven Gators players being selected is a great testament to head coach Billy Napier with both his recruiring and developing skills. In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Gators have four players that are currently projected to go in the top 64.
Elijah Badger names top UDFA in NFL Draft
One player for the Gators that didn't see his name come across on draft weekend was wide receiver Elijah Badger. After transferring from Arizona State, Badger had the ability to elevate his profile like his former teammate Ricky Pearsall. Ultimately, that didn't happen, mainly due to injuries.
Luckily for Badger, he got a great landing spot and was Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports' top UDFA.
When you authentically evaluate an entire draft, there are a few prospects you really like who slip through the cracks. It happens to me every year. This year, Badger was that prospect, someone I had a second-round grade on who didn't hear his name called on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Now, I have no clue if there's a lingering injury or if he has character concerns. Maybe those factored in. Maybe what I saw — and what the numbers suggested — were completely off. Only time will tell.
What I do know, Badger led his team in receiving yards in three straight seasons (at Arizona State in 2022 and 2023 and Florida in 2024) and was invited to the combine. In Indianapolis, he ran 4.43 at over 6-1 and 200 pounds with a 10-yard split in the 63rd percentile and vertical in the 48th percentile at his position.
I adored his film. Loved that he played outside on 75% of his snaps in college, where press coverage is more prevalent. Badger caught essentially everything in college, with just eight drops on 271 targets. The cherry on top was how effortlessly efficient he was after the catch, routinely bouncing off tacklers and knifing through the defense on screens or comebacks. Badger was credited with 64 missed tackles forced on 181 career snags in the Pac-12 and SEC.
Beyond the 49ers, no club loves run-after-the-catch capabilities more than the Andy Reid/Patrick Mahomes Chiefs. Given the uncertainty of Rashee Rice in 2025 — coming off an injury and potential NFL suspension incoming — Badger has the refined skill and natural receiving talent to pop on this Chiefs team right away.
Badger is an X-receiver by trade, but the ability to be flexible down the line of scrimmage is an important one. The Chiefs love to maneuver with their receivers everywhere and that flexibility is going to be huge for him.
Badger is still going to have to make the team to be that kind of player, but he went to the perfect landing spot.
Florida Gators in firm contention to land elite cornerback thanks to new coach wowing on recent visit
Billy Napier is in a good spot to secure a top-tier commitment
Florida Gators reward important backup by placing them on scholarship
It’s a great move by the Gators
