Brits have made quite the impact on the NFL in recent years, from running back Jay Ajayi winning a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles to Aden Durde establishing himself in the coaching ranks with the Atlanta Falcons and now the Dallas Cowboys. The 2021 season will be no different and with the London games returning on October 10, the light will be shone once more on inspiring young British talent to get into the game, will we see the next Ajayi inspired from the 2021 match-ups?
Efe Obada
Team Buffalo Bills
Position Defensive Line
The story so far
Efe Obada has gone from strength to strength since being discovered by the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 having played in just five amateur games with the London Warriors. Obada enjoyed stints with Dallas, Kansas City and Atlanta before playing the last three seasons in Carolina, recording 47 tackles, 7 ½ sacks, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries. Efe enjoyed his best season in 2020, registering 5 ½ sacks while taking down legends such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan.
Eye on 2021
After signing a one-year deal with Buffalo in 2021, Efe has the chance to be an impact player across the defensive line. And he has a shot at winning a Super Bowl given that the Bills are shaping up as one of the best teams in the league. Star QB Josh Allen is noticing Efe on the practice field, describing our Brit as "a big sucker who sticks out like a sore thumb because he is so massive."
Christian Wade
Team Buffalo Bills
Position Running Back
The story so far
After a stellar Premiership Rugby career, Christian Wade turned his attention to the NFL in 2019 and has spent the past two seasons on Buffalo's practice squad. He made a dynamic impression during his first preseason, scoring on a 65-yard run against Indianapolis the first time he touched the football. A week later, Wade ripped off a 48-yard catch and run against Carolina, his pace, determination and desire to run with the ball are all factors as to why Wade is proving to be an asset to his Buffalo teammates.
Eye on 2021
With preseason games returning in 2021, the explosive Wade has the chance to catch the eyes of his coaches and win a spot on Buffalo's 53-man roster. There is certainly scope for a much more NFL-experienced Wade to break into the running back rotation in Buffalo as the Bills ranked just 20th in rushing a year ago. A big season beckons.
Jamie Gillan
Team Cleveland Browns
Position Punter
The story so far
The former schoolboy rugby player from Inverness has quickly established himself as one of the better punters in the NFL. The Scottish Hammer has averaged a whopping 45.1 yards per kick over his first two seasons with the Browns and has dropped 42 kicks inside the opponent's 20-yard line. On that kind of form, Gillan can look forward to a very long NFL career.
Eye on 2021
Gillan has shown tremendous consistency in two seasons in Cleveland and there is no reason to believe a dip is coming. His form and reliability has been excellent and his Browns are now firmly in the mix as contenders to reach the Super Bowl out of the AFC.
Jack Crawford
Team Arizona Cardinals
Position Defensive Line
The story so far
While others get more headlines from time to time, Jack Crawford is arguably Britain's greatest-ever export to the NFL. After starring in college at Penn State, Crawford was a fifth-round draft choice of the Oakland Raiders in 2012. He has played nine seasons with the Raiders, Cowboys, Falcons and Titans; recording 148 tackles, 18 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. He is now embarking on a 10th year in the league after signing with the Arizona Cardinals during training camp.
Eye on 2021
Jack Crawford is back in the NFL after inking a one-year deal with a genuine playoff contender in the Cardinals. The 32-year-old Londoner will be part of a dangerous pass-rushing rotation that features stars such as J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones. With great attention paid to that pairing, Crawford could be set for a big year on a defense that appears to be on the rise under the guidance of coordinator Vance Joseph.
Jermaine Eluemunor
Team Miami Dolphins
Position Guard
The story so far
After watching on TV as the Miami Dolphins played the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in 2007, 'The Big Show' as he affectionately calls himself, began playing locally with the London Blitz. After taking the leap and moving to the USA to playi division 1 college football at Texas A&M, Eluemunor was a fifth-round draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens, making the PFWA All-Rookie team in 2017, after a hugely successful year at the Ravens Eluemunor joined the Patriots on a one year deal before joining the Dolphins where he looks to be set for a huge season. So far in his career Eluemunor has played in 39 games over four seasons with Baltimore and New England, will Miami be the place where he cements himself in NFL legend
Eye on 2021
Fittingly, Eluemunor will now suit up for the very team that got him interested in American football in the first place as he signed with the Miami Dolphins in June. With the Dolphins looking to build on 10 wins from 2020, Eluemunor is set to take on a key role up front as the offensive line looks to protect second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
