The 2002 National Football League Draft answered questions for some former Northwestern players, but it left others scrambling for free-agent contracts Sunday.

Three NU players were selected in the seven-round draft, including Napoleon Harris, who was chosen in the first round by the Oakland Raiders. The Cleveland Browns took linebacker Kevin Bentley with the third pick of the fourth round, and the Miami Dolphins took wide receiver Sam Simmons with the 35th pick of the fifth round.

Four additional players – Zak Kustok, Leon Brockmeier, Mike Souza and Salem Simon – signed with teams as free agents. Several others are waiting to hear from NFL teams.

Running back Damien Anderson could not be contacted late Sunday night. According to former teammate Billy Silva, Anderson was weighing offers from several teams Sunday.

Punter J.J. Standring had not received an offer by Sunday evening.

Draft hopeful Silva also did not sign on Sunday. The middle linebacker is still recovering from a torn posterior cruciate ligament, suffered in a game against Bowling Green in November.

“My agent told me that no teams want to take a chance on me,” Silva said. “They’re going to wait a while.”

Silva will be medically cleared to play by July when players report to training camp. He is hopeful he will receive an offer when he is able to play.

Bentley, his fellow linebacker, is headed to minicamp Thursday – along with all other signed or drafted players.

“It’s great,” Bentley said from his home in North Hills, Calif., where he watched the draft. “You’ve worked your whole life to accomplish this. I’m excited to get an opportunity to play and do something I’ve wanted to do in terms of helping my family.”

Bentley, who was projected as a second- to fifth-round choice, was picked 101st overall.

“I thought I was going to go a little earlier than I did,” said Bentley, who had mentioned before the weekend that the Browns and the Chicago Bears were showing particular interest in him.

Bentley was one of three linebackers Cleveland selected in the draft – the others were Ben Taylor of Virginia Tech and Florida middle linebacker Andra Davis. The three players, along with free agent Earl Holmes, should battle for the middle linebacker slot vacated when Wali Rainer was traded Saturday.

Bentley will continue to attend classes. He has two courses left to get his diploma and plans to graduate with his class in June.

Simmons, who was the 170th player selected, wasn’t surprised to be chosen by the Dolphins. Miami had told the wide receiver they would take him if he was still available for their fifth-round selection.

When the Dolphins called with the 168th selection on the clock, they didn’t exactly come out and tell Simmons they would take him. And he wasn’t exactly willing to be patient.

“I was like, ‘I’ve been ready since the third round,'” Simmons said.

Simmons will join Miami primarily as a return specialist. He said he might be able to come in and play immediately on special teams either as a returner or on coverage.

“Whatever I have to do to make this team, I’m going to do it,” Simmons said. “I’m not nervous at all. Nerves do nothing but hurt you right now. I want to go out there and show I can compete on this level.”

The Dolphins have a history of drafting former Wildcats – they have taken five NU players, three since 1997.

Simmons will be joined in Miami by quarterback Kustok, who was picked up by the Dolphins as a free agent.

“Me and him, we could have that NU connection down there,” Simmons said. “He’s a quarterback, I’m a receiver. We can work on it together. I hope it lasts a while.”

Kustok was signed Sunday afternoon after the final round of the draft had concluded.

Brockmeier, an offensive tackle, was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brockmeier decided the Steelers were the best fit after receiving offers from the Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Colts inked Souza, an offensive lineman, to a free-agent contract after the draft. Indianapolis will try Souza at multiple positions, including center, guard, tackle and long snapper.

Defensive tackle Salem Simon was signed by the Baltimore Ravens, according to Souza. Simon was unavailable for comment.