Prominent Canadian Athletes Expected to be Drafted in the 2022 NFL Event

The NFL Draft of 2022 features an impressive lineup of players hailing from Canada. This trend is quite frequent as a number of Canadian athletes find their names called each year.

In February, the PROLINE platform operated by the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corp. took a significant step by becoming the first to launch this kind of market.official NFL sportsbook partner in Canada.

As the draft kicks off on Thursday, the big question is: who will be the first Canadian athlete chosen? Let's examine the latest betting odds:

Top Contenders for First Canadian Draft Pick

Below are the top four candidates who are anticipated to be the first Canadians selected during the 2022 NFL Draft:

TheOntario sports betting The betting market was introduced on April 4, with the available odds sourced from Bookies.com.

Breaking Down Players from Canada

Here’s a concise overview of the potential Canadian college football players who could be drafted from Thursday to Saturday.

• John Metchie, Alabama, WR Had it not been for a torn ACL injury at the season's conclusion, John Metchie (from Brampton, Ontario) might have been a first-round selection. Nevertheless, he is now expected to be chosen on Day 2, after an impressive season at Alabama with 1,150 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. While not the tallest player, Metchie is recognized for his exceptional route-running skills. His injury aside, he remains a strong candidate for a top-75 pick, being one of the more reliable wide receivers in this draft.
• Jesse Luketa, Penn State, LB Entering the 2021 season, Jesse Luketa (from Ottawa) primarily played as an off-ball linebacker for Penn State. However, he transitioned to defensive end out of necessity, which greatly boosted his draft prospects. Although he still fits the 'tweener' label, his athleticism, high work rate, and special teams background should see him selected within the top 150 picks. Luketa's college career spanned four years, during which he logged 151 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss.
• Luiji Vilain, Wake Forest, DE Former Michigan defensive end, Luiji Vilain (from Ottawa), made a strategic choice to transfer to Wake Forest for his final college year. This decision paid off; in 2021, he notched eight sacks and nine tackles for loss. He boasts impressive size and reach for his position, but will need to refine his rushing techniques further. Nonetheless, he's likely to be selected on the final day of the draft.
• Patrice Rene, Rutgerts CB Cornerback Davon Rene (from Ottawa) made the move from North Carolina to Rutgers after appearing in nine games during the 2020 season. Last year marked his sixth season in college football, yet he managed to play only two games due to injury. While he possesses impressive dimensions for a cornerback at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, his unremarkable college visibility could lead to him not being drafted in April. However, he might receive attention as a priority free agent post-draft.

Highest-Drafted Canadians Since 2000

Since the year 2000, a total of 31 Canadians have been drafted into the NFL, and this number is anticipated to increase in 2022. Who have been the leading Canadians selected over recent years? Here's a look at the top ten:

• 2011 – Eagles Offensive Guard Danny Watkins (No. 23): Originally from Kelowna, B.C., Watkins holds the distinction of being the highest Canadian drafted since 2000, going in the first round to the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, he played only 24 games in the NFL before retiring.
• 2019 - Patriots Wide Receiver N’Keal Harry (No. 32): A Toronto native, Harry was the second receiver taken in the 2019 draft. However, his career has not begun well. Over three seasons with the Patriots, he has caught just 57 passes for 598 yards and four touchdowns.
• 2021 – Dolphins Free Safety Jevon Holland (No. 36): Hailing from Coquitlam, B.C., Holland had a successful rookie season with the Dolphins, starting in 13 contests. He registered two interceptions and forced two fumbles, establishing himself as one of the most promising young safeties in the league.
• 2011 – Broncos Right Tackle Orlando Franklin (No. 46): Franklin, who grew up in Toronto, started 89 games in the NFL playing both right tackle and left guard. He contributed as a reliable starter for the Broncos and the Chargers for several seasons, retiring after the 2017 season at the age of 30.
• 2020 – Steelers Wide Receiver Chase Claypool (No. 49): From Abbotsford, B.C., Claypool enjoyed two productive seasons early in his career, racking up a total of 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns with the Steelers. He is projected to start as a receiver for the team in the upcoming 2022 NFL season.
• 2003 – Raiders Tight End Teyo Johnson (No. 63): Johnson, from White Rock, B.C., played three years in the NFL, mostly serving as a blocking tight end. Over his career, he appeared in 30 games with the Raiders and the Cardinals, finishing with 26 receptions for 288 yards and three touchdowns.
• 2005 – Rams Defensive Back O.J. Atogwe (No. 66): Atogwe, a product of Windsor, Ontario, enjoyed a lengthy NFL career, starting 83 games for both the Rams and the Redskins. Primarily playing as a free safety, he amassed 25 interceptions. His best season came in 2007, where he recorded eight interceptions and 75 tackles.
• 2003 – Vikings Wide Receiver Nate Burleson (No. 71): Burleson, from Calgary, had an impressive 11-year career in the NFL, featuring in 135 games with 103 starts. He secured 457 receptions for 5,630 yards and 39 touchdowns, with his standout season in 2004 when he caught 68 passes for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns.
• 2018 – Jets Defensive Tackle Nathan Shepherd (No. 72): Shepherd from Ajax, Ontario, was selected in the third round by the Jets in 2018, emerging as a strong run defender in the league. While he hasn't consistently been a starter, he has been a valuable rotational player for the Jets over recent seasons.
• 2021 – Chargers Wide Receiver Josh Palmer (No. 77): Palmer, from Brampton, had a strong rookie showing with the Chargers, often filling the role of their No. 4 receiver. He recorded 33 receptions for 353 yards and four touchdowns in 2021 and is set to take on a more significant role in the 2022 season.

Fromdeereplanet.com