For those who want to see exactly where former Nebraska football players are drafted through all of the weekend’s picks, keep checking back here.
The NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night with the first round and while it doesn’t appear that there are going to be any Nebraska football players taken on the first night, there are a couple of Huskers who absolutely could get selected before everything is said and done this weekend.
Right at the top of the list of players that could go early-ish is Trey Palmer. The former Nebraska football wide receiver had himself the kind of season that made him a one of the best players in the Big Ten, despite only being with the program for one season.
There are a couple of other players that seem to have an outside shot of going somewhat early in the 2023 NFL Draft. Ochaun Mathis has the kind of measurables that might make him someone an NFL team takes a mid-round chance on. The same could be said for tight-end Travis Vokolek. Vokolek had a pretty good final season for the Nebraska football team, even if his numbers were far from eye-popping.
There are also a couple of players that could get a look from NFL teams who aren’t afraid of taking a flyer in the draft, though they seem more likely to be undrafted free agents than anything else. Linebacker Caleb Tannor and defensive lineman Garrett Nelson could undoubtedly end up making an NFL team in the next few days, even if they have to wait until the seven-round extravaganza is over.
No Nebraska football players chosen in the first three rounds
There had been quite a bit of talk that Trey Palmer would at the very least, be a third-round pick for the Huskers. However, Thursday and Friday have now come and gone, and no Nebraska Cornhuskers have come off the board.
The 2023 NFL Draft will pick back up on Saturday at noon.
Nebraska football first pick goes to the Rams
In what had to be considered a bit of an upset it turns out that Ochaun Mathis was the first Husker to go off the board. The defensive lineman, who didn’t have a stellar season in Lincoln but is considered to have the tools to play at the next level was taken in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Rams.
Welcome to LA, @OchaunDevon! pic.twitter.com/KFPQeZWzlC
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 29, 2023
This was the predraft scouting report that was so enticing to the Rams:
"Mathis can extend his arms and keep blockers off his frame thanks to his outstanding length. He’s a disruptive run defender with the quick hands and feet to slip blocks. His burst, bend and change of direction in addition to length will help him develop into an effective pass-rusher"
Mathis was the first defensive end selected by the Rams in the draft. Hopefully that means he’ll be given a legit shot to make the team this fall.
Trey Palmer finally drafted
It took much longer than people thought. I even said there was still a chance the former Nebraska football wide receiver would be able to get a little piece of history today. But finally, in the sixth round, just two picks after Mathis was selected, the Tampa Bay Bucs chose Trey Palmer.
https://twitter.com/theHuskerCorner/status/1652407953519943685
It’s obviously quite late in the draft at this point but we’ll keep an eye out on whether one more Nebraska football player gets drafted.