Canadian offensive lineman Isaiah Adams has been selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 71st overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The native of Ajax, Ont. was the team’s fifth pick in this year’s draft and the first Canadian selected. He is expected to be in the mix to start at guard as a rookie, protecting franchise pivot Kyler Murray.
Adams has spent the last two seasons at the University of Illinois after beginning his collegiate career at Wilfrid Laurier University. He started at left tackle for the Golden Hawks as a true freshman in 2019, before transferring to Garden City Community College during the pandemic and later jumping to the NCAA.
Since joining the Fighting Illini, the Canadian blocker has started 25 consecutive games. He was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2022 as the left guard and helped pave the way for fellow countryman Chase Brown in the run game. He bumped to right tackle in 2023 and was an All-Big Ten honourable mention, finishing his career with 42 total pressures allowed on 992 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
The six-foot-four, 315-pound blocker attended the prestigious Senior Bowl all-star game and the 2024 NFL Combine, where he clocked an official 5.22-second forty-yard dash with a 1.80-second ten-yard split. The Canadian standout also ran a 7.77-second three-cone and 4.73-second short shuttle, while leaping 24.5 inches in the vertical and eight feet, six inches in the broad, and putting up 22 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Adams is the top-ranked prospect in the 2024 CFL Draft but is not expected to be selected due to his substantial NFL opportunity. He is one of as many as seven Canadians who could hear their name called in the 2024 NFL Draft, which will wrap up on Saturday.
