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Huskers in the NFL: Rookie edition

Huskers in the NFL: Rookie edition
Posted at 3:35 PM, Aug 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-08 16:35:22-04

The Huskers currently have 31 former players on NFL rosters, including four from the 2015 season. Those names include Andy Janovich, Maliek Collins, Vincent Valentine, and Alex Lewis.

While teams have yet to strap up the pads for a preseason game, training camp is underway which means roster spots are starting to fill out. Here's an update on the Huskers taken in the 2016 NFL Draft: 

Andy Janovich

Janovich, a former fullback for the Huskers, was drafted in the sixth round by the Denver Broncos. Nebraska Head Coach Mike Riley has said many times that Janovich's ability to perform on special teams will prove that he is a viable asset on any NFL team. 

It seems Janovich has impressed early on in camp with the Broncos as he is slated as the No. 1 overall fullback on Denver's early depth chart. Janovich is the only rookie listed on the first team for the Broncos.

Maliek Collins

The former defensive tackle for Nebraska was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys. Collins suffered an early setback after breaking his foot in May.

The prognosis was a 10-week recovery time, so he should see some action as the preseason unfolds. Collins signed his four-year deal with a $881,152 signing bonus in July. 

Vincent Valentine

The second Husker defensive lineman drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft was Valentine, who was taken just 29 picks after Collins by the New England Patriots.

Many were surprised by how high Valentine was taken in the draft, but it sounds like he is making a little bit of noise in the New England training camp, racking up a sack Saturday

Alex Lewis

Lewis, a former Husker offensive lineman, was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round. According to the Cecil Whig, Lewis had a chance to show what he was made of in training camp when he stepped in with the first team offensive line after Ronnie Stanley went out with an injury.

The Cecil Whig also reported that Lewis has been taking snaps at both guard and tackle for the Ravens. 

For continuing coverage of Huskers in the NFL, follow @OSIsports on Twitter, check back with OmahaSportsInsider.com and tune into KMTV and AM 590 ESPN Omaha. 

 

Contact the writer:

Twitter: @TylerMartinOSI

Email: Tyler.Martin@KMTV.com