We think of the NFL's international expansion as a means to line pockets and create fanbases on every corner of the map. Aside from the early-morning wake-ups and extra weekday games, though, there are downstream effects yet to impact the league.
With enough exposure, time, and resources, an influx of international talent could change the game.
The occasional prospect from Africa or Australia is nothing new. But a bigger talent pool will raise the bar and shrink the margins on prospects entering the league. Amid the NFL Combine and pro day circuit, we thought the best athletes in the draft were set in stone.
We were wrong.
International prospects to watch this April
On Friday, Bruce Feldman shared a photo of Uar Bernard, a Nigerian defensive tackle, posting some of the most freakish numbers in recent memory.
This is the biggest freak athlete in this year’s NFL draft. I’d never heard of him till two days ago. He’s from a small village in Nigeria. He is 6-4 1/2, 306 lbs and jumps 10-10. Some folks in the NFL think he’ll go on Day 3 of the draft. Free story: https://t.co/tgiQdpjikh pic.twitter.com/aFgq5FUjNV
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 3, 2026
"This is the biggest freak athlete in this year’s NFL draft," Feldman posted. "I’d never heard of him till two days ago. He’s from a small village in Nigeria. He is 6-4 1/2, 306 lbs and jumps 10-10. Some folks in the NFL think he’ll go on Day 3 of the draft."
Dane Brugler confirmed his testing numbers, reporting that he ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash with a 39-inch vertical, 10'10" broad jump, and 31 reps on the bench press.
Simply put, those numbers are phenomenal. Running a sub-4.70 40-yard dash at over 300 pounds is nearly unheard of, last done by Tank Johnson in 2004 (via MockDraftable). That kind of speed lends itself to versatility, and it's easy to project someone with that much dynamism into a pass-rushing role.
Even so, 31 reps and above-average size is more than enough trust on early downs. With that said, it's hard to put much stock into anyone's profile with so little film and obvious level-of-competition concerns.
The same can be said for edge rusher Joshua Weru, a Kenyan edge rusher who is even more explosive (4.45-second 40; 1.59-second split) than Bernard. At 6'4" and 244 pounds, it feels more likely that he is syphoned into a rotational role at the next level.
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The upside, though, remains tantalizing.
At the end of the 2026 NFL Draft, there's enough reason to give these guys a shot. The hit rates are already low, and this is a unique opportunity to find a true ball of clay. This kind of athleticism with any real production is often enough to get mid-Day 3 capital. Getting it at a discount makes it an even more tempting opportunity.
Furthermore, the league is on their side. As international prospects have become more common, the NFL has acted to welcome them to the professional ranks. Teams can carry a 17th player on their practice squad if they were born outside of the United States and Canada (along with a couple of other requirements that both prospects meet).
While they may not get drafted, athleticism alone should be enough to earn both of them spots on practice squads this season. With enough time to develop, it's only a matter of time before Bernard, Weru, and other international prospects threaten to make a mark on the NFL.
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