NFL may draft record 5-6 Canadians, analyst says
There's a “good chance” a record number of Canadians will be selected in the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1. So says Dane Brugler, national NFL writer for TheAthletic.com and one of the most reliable draft analysts.
The record for Canadian born-or-raised players selected in any one NFL Draft is four — in 2014. Brugler predicts at least five will be selected this year, and a sixth has a shot.
Slot cornerback Jevon Holland is likeliest to be drafted first, Brugler said. Holland was born in Coquitlam and raised there for the first eight years of his life before his father John (Robert) Holland — a defensive back from 1990-97 with Edmonton, Saskatchewan and the B.C. Lions — retired from the CFL and relocated his family to the Oakland, Calif., area.
If Holland tests well “as expected” in speed and athleticism drills at Oregon's pro day on April 2, then “I think he's got a good shot at being drafted somewhere on Day 2,” Brugler said.
University of Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer of Brampton, Ont., is likeliest to be drafted early on Day 3, in Round 4, Brugler said.
Oklahoma State University's Chuba Hubbard is from the east Edmonton suburb of Sherwood Park. He didn't make Brugler's Top 10 running backs in this draft class, but would have made a Top 15.
“He's a Day 3 guy. There's a lot to like about his speed. That acceleration of his is really special.”
Hubbard led the NCAA's top division in rushing in 2019 with 2,094 yards, and he scored 21 touchdowns. Injuries plagued him this past fall, and he opted out of playing in the Cowboys' final two games, declaring early for the NFL Draft.
Despite the disappointing season, Brugler said game tape showed that Hubbard bettered himself in his three years of college play.
Montreal native Benjamin St-Juste concluded his college career at the University of Minnesota, after transferring from Michigan. An exceedingly tall but athletic cornerback, St-Juste turned heads all week leading up to January's post-season college all-star game, the Senior Bowl.
“He definitely helped himself,” Brugler said. “Things just kind of fizzled out for him at Michigan. Then he goes to Minnesota and actually led the Golden Gophers in passes defended in 2019.
“Above all, what stands out the most about him is just his size. He's almost 6-foot-3½, 200 pounds, 32-inch arms, over an 80-inch wingspan. You just don't see many corners like that. You can count on one hand the number of NFL corners that are over 6-3, have above 80-inch wingspan and who are going to run. And he can run.” Draftable?
“Yeah, I think he's draftable. Somewhere on Day 3 he's going to hear his name called.”
Alaric Jackson was born in Windsor, Ont., but grew up mostly across the Detroit River in the Motor City's west end. He became a four-year starter at left offensive tackle at the University of Iowa.
“It's a really good year for offensive tackles,” Brugler said. “For me he's somewhere in the Top 20. He didn't make my Top 12.”
That's five Canadians. A sixth, Amen Ogbongbemiga, might also be drafted, Brugler said. The linebacker at Oklahoma State is from Calgary.
“He's more of a borderline draft pick. Not a lock to be drafted by any means. But there's plenty to like about him.”