The National Football League (NFL) has more players from more countries than ever before. In recent years, the league has pushed to see more engagement from international markets, hosting games in Germany and Mexico, among other countries. NFL executives did this to help the sport expand into other cultures and, hopefully, lead to athletes from different countries choosing American football. Canada has seen a rise in NFL players, and today, we will look at five Canadian players to keep an eye on in 2024.
Jevon Holland
The Dolphins took former Oregon Duck Jevon Holland in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL draft, and he has become a mainstay in the Miami secondary. In 2022, Holland started all 17 games, registering 96 tackles at the safety position, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions. The best online sportsbook regularly featured Dolphins games, as they were one of the most exciting teams in the league in 2022.
The Dolphins took a significant step forward in 2023, and Holland is one of the main contributors. On a defense that features Jalen Ramsey and Bradley Chubb, Holland has arguably been the best player on that side of the ball. PFF has graded Holland as the best safety in football for much of the season, thanks to his abilities in coverage.
Chase Claypool
For better or worse, Claypool is the most notable Canadian player in the league. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been a good thing recently. Drafted by Pittsburgh in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL draft, Claypool had a strong rookie season, catching 62 passes for 873 yards and nine touchdowns. The Canadian averaged over 14 yards per reception on a Steelers team that won its first 11 games and finished the season as its second-leading receiver.
Since then, it has been rocky for the former Notre Dame wideout. He had a similar production in 2021 but needed to take a step forward like his teammate Diontae Johnson. Unfortunately, the most recognizable moment of his sophomore season came when he celebrated a first down as the Steelers were rushed to the line of scrimmage to spike the ball late in the 4th quarter. A teammate grabbed the ball from him, and the delay cost Pittsburgh several valuable seconds, and moments like this became a pattern. He struggled in 2022, landing in Chicago via trade, where he caught just five passes before being traded again, this time to Miami. He’ll be on a team next year, but his highly productive days are likely over.
Source: Alberto Bobbera via Unsplash
Alex Singleton
Singleton spent nearly half a decade as a little-known linebacker out of Montana State. The Canadian went undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft and spent time with Seattle, New England, and Minnesota’s practice squad between 2015 and 2016. Following this, the Calgary Stampeders took him with the 6th overall pick of the 2016 Canadian Football League draft. He spent three seasons in the CFL, including a dominant 2017 season that saw the linebacker record 125 tackles and four sacks.
He finally got another NFL shot in 2019, landing with the Eagles as a special teamer. In 2020, an injury allowed Singleton to become a defensive starter and took full advantage, starting the final 11 games and logging 120 tackles in a breakout season. He also added two sacks and an interception to those numbers. He only upped the ante in 2021, registering 137 tackles and becoming a defensive captain before signing with the Broncos in free agency. His 2022 season was the best yet, logging a career-high 163 tackles and six tackles for loss.
Joshua Palmer
Palmer, one of the higher-drafted Canadian players in the NFL, has been a mainstay in the Chargers’ offense since arriving in Los Angeles. A third-round selection out of Tennessee, Palmer immediately carved out a role for himself as WR3 and has stayed there ever since. Palmer had a breakout season in 2022, finishing the season as WR2 in Keenan Allen’s absence, catching 72 passes for 769 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2023, he was more effective when healthy, averaging 16 yards per reception after just over 10 in his first two seasons. Before landing on the injured reserve with a knee injury, Palmer averaged 84 yards per game across his previous four appearances, including a career-high 133 yards on October 22 in Kansas City.
Source: Sandro Schuh via Unsplash
Benjamin St-Juste
Born in Montreal, Benjamin St-Juste went to high school at Montreal Cegep du Vieux before playing college ball at both Michigan and Minnesota. The Washington Commanders took the big cornerback in the third round of the NFL Draft in 2021, but he struggled during his rookie season. However, he rebounded in training camp and has started every game he has been healthy for since 2022 as the slot corner.
What Canadians Are in the Pipeline?
Several Canadian football players are looking for their shot in the NFL 2024. Ohio quarterback Kurtis Courke is the #1 overall CFL prospect entering next year and could have a shot to land on an NFL roster. Offensive lineman Gabe Wallace is another prospect who could draw the attention of NFL scouts. Keep an eye on those names as more Canadians look to make their mark on the NFL.