2016 NFL Draft: Which Canadians have the best shot? (VIDEO)

With the 2016 NFL Draft set to begin on Thursday and run straight through until Saturday, CanadaFootballChat.com gives you some insight as to who which Canadian prospects have the best chance of hearing their named called over the course of the weekend:

David Onyemata NFL

1) DAVID ONYEMATA – DL – 6’3, 300 (WINNIPEG, MB):

Gaining momentum, media sources reported Onyemata was brought in by the Kansas CityChiefs on a visit prior to the NFL Draft early last week.

As per the team’s policy, the Chiefs do not publicly confirm players coming for those visits.

Additonally, the Boston Herald reported that the New England Patriots are interested in Onyemata.

David Onyemata 1

Last month, the 6’3, 300 pound defensive lineman made history in Winnipeg last month as he was the first Manitoba Bison to host an Pro Day and 17 NFL teams as well as 1 CFL team were in attendance.  His testing results were as follows:

Vertical Jump: 33”
Broad Jump: 9’11”
Bench Press: 33 reps
40 Yard Dash (1): 5.09
40 Yard Dash (2): 5.06
3-Cone: 7.25 secs
Pro Agility (5-10-5) shuttle: 4.65 secs

David Onyemata CIS award

Recently, Onyemata capped his fourth season with the Bisons by winning the JP Metras Award (CIS Outstanding Lineman of the Year) and being selected as both a CIS First-Team All-Canadian and CWUAA All-Star.

 

 

Mehdi Abdesmad

2) MEHDI ABDESMAD –  DE – 6’7, 297 (MONTREAL,QC):

Back in February, Abdesmad turned in an impressive performance at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.  During the Combine, 10 NFL teams had meetings iwth the 6’7, 297 pound defensive end from Montreal, Quebec.

His test results were as follows: 5.10 seconds in 40 yard dash, 25 reps on 225 lbs bench press, 29.5 inch vertical jump, 108 inch broad jump, 7.55 seconds in the cone drill and 4.62 second 20 yard shuttle.

NFL.com’s Lance Zeirlein gave an analysis prior to the combine of the Montreal defensive end: “Abdesmad is an intriguing prospect due to his size and impact tackle production. He’s big and strong enough… While his knees have been an issue in the past, he looked unaffected this season and could become a rotational tackle/end for a 3-­4 team.”

Media reports have indicated that Abdesmad could get drafted anywhere from rounds four through seven this weekend in the NFL Draft.

NCAA Football: Boston College at Southern California

 

This past winter, Adbesmad was ranked fourth in the CFL Scouting Bureau’s rankings.This past season, he capped off his career with NCAA Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team, Boston College Eagles. He helped the Eagles defence to league the FBS in yards allowed (3,053) . Moreover, Abdesmad registered 49 total tackles including 35 solo, 15 tackles for a loss and recorded 5.5 sacks in 12 games during the 2015 season.

Abdesmad appeared in 39 games during his time at Boston College finishing with 98 total tackles (58 solo), 21.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks.

For his part, the 2015 season was a silver lining after a couple of seasons of disappointment.  Abdesmad’s season ended prematurely in 2014 as he tore his left patellar tendon in the team’s loss to Florida State earlier in the season.  In four games that season with the Eagles, Abdesmad ranked third on the team for sacks (2.0).  Up until his injury, he registered 17 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss.

He also missed the bulk of the 2013 season with a knee injury.

MEHDI-ABDESMADa

 

Previous to the Eagles, Abdesmad played with CEGEP Division 1 team, Vieux-Montreal Spartiates. During his time with the Spartiates, Abdesmad was honoured with Division 1 Defensive MVP Award in 2010 as well as an All-Star selection. He led the Spartiates to a 2009 Bol D’Or championship and got the team to the finals in 2010.

Abdesmad also represented Canada on international fronts.  The Quebec defensive tackle participated in the Team World versus Team USA 2010 game that was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Moreover, Abdesmad led Team Canada to a silver-medal finish at the 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championships in Canton, Ohio.

Sean McEwen

3) SEAN MCEWAN – OL – 6’3, 297 (CALGARY, AB):

This past December, McEwan found out he was eligible for the 2016 NFL Draft.

Also eligible last year, the 6’3, 297 pound offensive lineman from Calgary, Alberta was one of several Canadian prospects that attended a New York Giants mini-camp last spring but a contract did not materialize.

In 2015, McEwan was drafted third by the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL Draft. However, the offensive lineman returned back to the CIS and completed his fifth and final season this past fall with the Calgary Dinos.

After participating in this past January’s East-West Shrine Game, the NFL re-emerged as an option once again for McEwan.

During his time with the Dinos, he was named a CWUAA All-Star.

Previous to the Dinos, he has also suited up for the Notre Dame Pride of the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association (CSHSAA).

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