Border crossing: More Canadians who made the NFL cut
NATHAN SHEPHERD Ajax, defensive tackle The New York Jets selected the six-foot-four, 315-pound Shepherd in the third round, No. 72 overall, in this year’s draft out Fort Hays State. The Canadian hasn’t disappointed and is a projected starter.
BRENT URBAN
Mississauga, defensive lineman Injuries have plagued the 2014 fourth-round pick, who missed 39 games over parts of four seasons with Baltimore. But the six-foot-seven, 300-pound Urban opens the season as the Ravens’ starting defensive end.
CHRISTIAN COVINGTON
Vancouver, defensive end The Houston Texans’ six-foottwo, 305-pound defensive lineman looks to come back from last year’s season-ending biceps tear. The son of Canadian Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman Grover Covington is entering his fourth season with Houston.
DAVID ONYEMATA
Winnipeg, defensive end The former Manitoba star is entering his third season with the New Orleans Saints, who selected the six-foot-four, 300pounder in the fourth round, No. 120 overall, in the 2016 NFL draft. He started six games last season, registering 38 tackles and two sacks.
LUKE WILLSON
LaSalle, Ont., tight end Willson signed this off-season with the Detroit Lions after five seasons with Seattle. The sixfoot-five, 254-pound Willson had 89 catches for 1,129 yards with 11 TDs during his tenure with the Seahawks while also earning a Super Bowl.
ANTONY AUCLAIR
Notre-Dame-des-Pins, Que. tight end The former Laval star begins his second season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The six-footsix, 256-pound Auclair had two catches for 25 yards in 2017.
BRETT JONES
Weyburn, Sask., centre He begins his first season with the Minnesota Vikings after being acquired from the New York Giants. The six-foot-two, 312-pound former Calgary Stampeder spent three seasons with the Giants.
T.J. JONES
Winnipeg, receiver The six-foot, 188-pound receiver/kick-returner enters his fifth season with the Lions. The former Notre Dame star appeared in 14 games in 2017, registering a career-high 30 catches for 399 yards and one touchdown.
ELI ANKOU
Ottawa, defensive tackle The six-foot-three, 325-pound former UCLA Bruin had 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks in nine games last season, his first with the Jacksonville Jaguars.