Onyemata selected by Saints, NFL opportunities mount for undrafted free agents

At the conclusion of the 2016 NFL Draft (Thursday April 28 – Saturday April 30), a number of Canadians were scooped up by NFL clubs and will be given an opportunity to make an NFL roster.

On Saturday afternoon, the New Orleans Saints traded up to select Nigeria native and Manitoba Bisons product, David Onyemata in the 4th round, 120th overall. With the selection, Onyemata became the first Bison to be selected in the NFL Draft. Israel Idonije, the other Bison to have played in the NFL, was never drafted but was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003, and played with the Browns (2003), Bears (2004-2012, 2014), Lions (2013), and Giants (2014), before his retirement in 2014.

Undrafted free agent signings:

• Trevaun Smith, WR, Iowa – Indianapolis Colts
• Mehdi Abdesmad, DL, Boston College – Tennessee Titans
• Elie Bouka, DB, Calgary – Arizona Cardinals
• Arjen Colquhoun, DB, Michigan St. – Dallas Cowboys

Mini-camp invites

A number of players have accepted invitations to one or more NFL team’s mini-camps with the hopes of being invited to a team’s main training camp. Just as they did a year ago, the NY Giants lead the way.

• Brett Blaszko, WR, Calgary – NY Giants
• Doug Corby, WR, Queen’s – NY Giants
• Trent Corney, DL, Virginia – NY Jets
• Terrell Davis, LB, UBC – NY Giants
• Philippe Gagnon, OL, Laval – NY Giants
• Mike Jones, WR – Washington
• DJ Lamala, LB, Manitoba – NY Giants
• Taylor Loffler, DB, UBC – NY Giants
• Brandon Revenberg, OL, Grand Valley State – NY Giants
• Mercer Timmis, RB, Calgary – NY Giants
• Charles Vaillancourt, OL, Laval – NY Giants & Oakland Raiders
• Quinn van Gylswyk, K/P, UBC – NY Giants

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