Nebraska football players with best chance of being drafted

And while Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said he expects NU to have lots of first- and second-round picks in the future, the Huskers may have just one in 2024 — or perhaps none at all.

Nebraska’s best chance for a pick appears to be defensive back Omar Brown, who started his career at Northern Iowa, transferred to NU before the 2022 season, and found his stride under Rhule early in the 2023 season. Brown finished with 51 tackles, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Various mock drafts have projected the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder as a sixth-round pick to the Lions or a seventh-round pick to the Colts or Texans. Rhule said Brown has cornerback skills in a safety’s frame.

“Omar’s really smart, he’s athletic, he’s got a good feel for the game,” Rhule said. “And he has, in the last year, learned that your approach off the field affects your production on the field.”

Brown overhauled his mental approach after getting benched, Rhule said, early last season. And he made sure to graduate with his degree, a question that came up, Rhule said, when Brown practiced at the 2024 Shrine Bowl.

Rhule said he expected “five or six” more players to potentially sign free-agent deals.

Started 18 games — seven in 2021, 11 in 2023 — after developing over five seasons. A foreign exchange student from Germany, Nouili played at Norris High School, spent a year at Colorado State, and transferred to NU. An agile interior lineman, Nouili sat out the 2022 season after a positive drug test.

Started his final three seasons at cornerback, earning a reputation as a sure tackler and solid coverage man. At 6-1, 185, he could play corner, slot corner or safety — which he played in high school. He had 18 career pass breakups but just one interception.

Transformed from a Lincoln North Star walk-on to an All-Big Ten third-teamer by his senior year, when he had 7½ tackles for loss and five sacks as a blitzer. At 6-1, 225, Reimer will have to make his early hay on special teams, much like JoJo Domann did two years ago with the Colts.

Had 15 total tackles before 2023, when he had a career-high 40 stops and put himself in position for a free-agent look. NFL teams like traits; Sanford can run and hit, and may be an asset on special teams.

Transferred to NU, battled injuries and dealt with the inconsistent health and performance of the quarterbacks throwing to them. Washington (6-2, 190) will have to complete rehab of a knee injury. Kemp (5-9, 181) may have to catch on in a return role.

Not projected to be taken in the draft but may get picked up late in the seventh round or become a coveted option as a free agent. Ortiz was among the few invited to a special NFL Combine event just for specialists.