Canadians Konga, Taylor look to hear their names called on final day of NFL draft

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But Mesidor became the first Canadian-born defensive player to be selected in the first round. At least one Canadian has been taken in the draft since 2011.

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The six-foot-four, 298-pound Konga earned second-team All-ACC honours last season at Louisville. He had 29 tackles (13 solo, five for loss), 1.5 sacks and a team-high six pass breakups in 12 regular-season starts.

Konga appeared in 23 games over two seasons at Louisville (2024-2025). He recorded 49 total tackles (eight for loss), four sacks and six passes batted down.

Konga began his NCAA career at Rutgers in 2020. He redshirted his first season and played little in 2021 but found his way into the rotation in 2022 and 2023.

Konga raised eyebrows at Louisville’s pro day, covering the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds and recording a 37-inch vertical leap, 10-foot, two-inch broad jump, 20 reps in the 225-pound bench press, 4.59-second shuttle, and 7.03-second three-cone drill. Pro scouts also like his arm length (over 33 inches).

The six-foot-seven, 312-pound Taylor was named a team captain last season at Boston College, a career first. The Canadian has been a versatile performer the last three seasons for the Eagles, playing left tackle (17 starts), left guard (10), right guard (eight) and right tackle (one).

He was a second-team All-ACC and second team AP All-ACC selection in 2025.

Taylor began his U.S. college career at Virginia (2021-2022). He worked his way into the starting lineup in ’21 at tackle before starting all 11 games in 2022.

Taylor transferred to Boston College before the 2023 season and stepped in at left tackle, starting all 13 games and earning Honourable Mention All-ACC honours.

Taylor participated in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., in January before being invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis in February. His arms measured 33 7/8-inch arms at the combine and he ran the 40-yard dash in 5.19 seconds.

Taylor also recorded a 31-inch vertical jump and nine-foot broad jump.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2026.

The Canadian Press