Canadians on 2016 NFL Draft radar

Photo: Tevaun Smith at the 2011 International Bowl (credit: USA Football).

The 2016 NFL Draft begins on Thursday April 28 and continues throughout the weekend.

Here is some of the Canadian content that has a chance to be drafted or signed as a priority free agent.

David Onyemata, DL – Manitoba Bisons

Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba via Lagos, Nigeria

• Onyemata drew quite a crowd in Winnipeg during his pro-day & is the best bet on this list to hear his name called on draft day
  • 33-reps at 225 lbs. bench-press, 33-inch vert., 9-foot 11-inch broad jump, 5.06 40-time
• He’s projected to be a day 3 draftee and could go anywhere from rounds 4 to 7
• The Nigerian-Canadian is regarded as a top sleeper – he’s only been playing football a few years
  • If you have yet to, read his remarkable football journey here
• NFL.com profile

Mehdi Abdesmad, DL – Boston College

Hometown: Montreal, Quebec

• Abdesmad became the first Quebec product to earn an invite to the NFL Combine & was the only Canadian in attendance in 2016
• He bounced back from a 2014 knee-injury, playing 11 games as a senior (49 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks)
• Projected as a late round NFL pick or a priority free agent
• This Vieux Montreal alum played for Canada at the 2009 IFAF U19 World Championship in Canton, Ohio
• Also appeared in the inaugural 2010 International Bowl on the IFAF World Team
• NFL.com profile

Tevaun Smith, WR – Iowa

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

• Smith’s 4.3 40-yard dash speed will garner some NFL interest as it would have put him 3^rd at the NFL Combine
  • At his pro day he also ran sub-4 shuttle & 6.56 three-cone drill
• Projected as a priority free agent
• Prior to attending Iowa, Smith played at the International Bowl twice (2011, 2012) for the IFAF World Team
  • Earned MVP honors in 2011, after 79-yard kickoff return TD
    • The score marked the first TD given up by the U.S. at the U19 level
  • Also played for Ontario East at the 2010 Football Canada Cup in Wolfville, NS

Arjen Colquhoun, DB, Michigan State
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario

• Versatile DB that can play both CB and S
• Played in 14 games (11 starts) for Michigan St. in 2015; 45 tackles, 10 pass break-ups & 2 interceptions
• Tested well at MSU pro-day (4.57 40-yd dash; 4.16 shuttle; 37-inch vert.; 10-foot, 1-inch broad jump)

Trent Corney, DE/LB, Virginia

Hometown: Brockville, Ontario

• Weighing in at six-foot-three & 215-pounds, Corney has off the charts physical ability
  • Put up a 4.69 40-yard dash at the Regional Combine in Houston
  • At his school’s pro day, he ran a ~4.5 40-yard time, 34 reps at 225 lbs. on the bench, 38-inch vertical, & 10-foot, six-inch broad jump
• This past season he recorded 36 tackles (19 solo & 17 assisted), 9 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and two sacks

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