The 2024 NFL Draft saw another infusion of Canadian talent into the big-money ranks of the pro football league down south. Four were drafted across the entry event, while another four were added to rosters as free agents after the picks were made.

Those players were Giovanni Manu, who attended Pitt Meadows, B.C. and was born in Tonga, Qwan’Tez Stiggers from the CFL, Tanner McLachlan out of Lethbridge, Alberta, North Vancouver’s Theo Benedet, Kyle Hergel of Toronto, and Anim Dankwah of Brampton, Ontario. Top of the class, though, was Theo Johnson and Isaiah Johnson.

Johnson went 71st overall as one of the top offensive guards in the class. A tight end who can play like a wide receiver, but with a much bigger frame than most, Johnson was taken 107th overall. The two were taken by the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, which wouldn’t seem to immediately put them in Super Bowl contention.

Tanner McLachlan to the Cincinnati Bengals

Taken in the sixth round, Tanner McLachlan was picked by the Cincinnati Bengals out of Arizona. In the CFL Central Scouting ranks, the tight end landed as the third-best prospect who was eligible for the CFL Draft. Born in Lethbridge, he’d been a feature of football in the US for a few years.

He began in Southern Utah before playing for Arizona over the last two years. In that time, he amassed 18 starts from 25 games, putting up 984 yards and six touchdowns from 79 receptions. Seemingly the Bengals have bolstered their offensive line with a 6’5’’, 244 lbs blocker as well as a guy who can win in the pass game.

McLachlan could be that additional, sneaky weapon who can assist the already potent Bengals offense. That big question for the team, though, is if Joe Burrow will be able to stay fit. Cleary assuming that he’ll be ready to go, as of June 24, sports betting markets have the Bengals at +1200 to win Super Bowl LIX. This puts Cincinnati on par with the Detroit Lions and only behind the Baltimore Ravens (+1000) and the San Francisco 49ers alongside the reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, at +550. Key, which McLachlan may play a part in, will be protecting Burrow. The offensive line was mostly healthy but ended with a middling PFF grade.

Giovanni Manu to the Detroit Lions

Making history as the first player to be drafted from the University of British Columbia, Tonga-born Giovanni Manu finds himself in an equally opportunistic situation as McLachlan. A mainstay for the Thunderbirds over the last two years, he was a Second-Team All-Canadian in 2022 and 2023, first at left guard and then as a tackle.

The versatile 6’7’’, 352 lbs offensive lineman caught the eye of the Detroit Lions for his mobility, which was showcased on what was a larger field that most prospects would be accustomed to. Importantly, he joins a unit that graded as one of, if not the very best, in the NFL in 2023.

Last season, the Lions shocked the NFL by surging to the playoffs and coming so close to making it to the Super Bowl. In early power rankings, they invariably land in the top five. The clear area of need was the secondary, and the Detroit front office did very well to address the need in both the draft and free agency.

Anim Dankwah to the Philadelphia Eagles

Missing out in the draft but doing enough to draw the eye of the Philadelphia Eagles, Anim Dankwah joined the team as an undrafted free agent. He had previously clocked in as the 11th highest-ranking prospect by CFL Central Scouting and now gets his shot in the NFL having started in 33 of 40 games for Howard University.

In both of the last two seasons, the offensive lineman made the cut for the First Team All-Mid Easter Athletic Conference. The Ghanaian-born Canadian will be a hefty unit to add to the Eagles’ highly-rated offensive line, standing 6’8’’ and 353 lbs. He also did the 40-yard dash in 5.44 seconds with a 7’04’’ broad jump.

The Eagles could add the largest offensive lineman of the 2024 NFL Combine to their ranks this season, which would seemingly help to cycle the team past the Super Bowl hangover suffered in 2023. The pressure’s off, there’s been plenty of movement in the free agency, but Philly’s weirdly way out at +1600 to take the crown.

Dankwah, Manu, and McLachlan have bounced out of Canada and immediately onto NFL teams with a shot at the league’s top prize. While others of the group of eight may make a surprise run at the Super Bowl, these three Canadians enter the year with the best chance of doing so.