Sixteen former Huskies are opening the season on NFL rosters, and four players from UW’s defense last season are expected to start as rookies for their pro teams.
The Browns’ Danny Shelton, the Panthers’ Shaq Thompson and the Chiefs’ Marcus Peters — all first-round picks this year — are generating some buzz as rookie-of-the-year-candidates.
Second-round pick Hau’oli Kikaha is also expected to start Week 1 for the Saints at outside linebacker. John Timu, an undrafted free agent, made the Bears’ 53-man roster and heads into the season as a backup linebacker.