2014 CFL Mock Draft

We'll make each pick through 4 rounds and briefly summarize our rationale behind our picks in rounds 1 and 2.

Round 1-

1. Ottawa REDBLACKS - Pierre Lavertu OL Laval

There wasn't much discussion on this one.  Ottawa needs someone who can start right away.  Marwan Hage retired.  Alex Krausnick-Groh is a borderline CFLer, best suited to long-snapping and spot duty. Lavertu will start at centre for Ottawa immediately.  He's the best player in the draft who likely won't be signing with the NFL in 2014.

2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers- Quinn Smith DL Concordia

Quinn Smith is the hot prospect of the moment.  He is very athletic for an interior DL, and dominated the OL prospects in this draft at the combine, then flipped to the offensive side and did very well.  Would the Bombers view Smith as a future OL or keep him on the defensive side?  

This is a tough pick.  The Bombers really need interior OL, and really need a centre.  Much like the 2012 draft where they picked 3rd and BC swooped in for the 2nd pick, the Bombers are one spot behind where they need to be to pick the player they want and need, now victimized by being the worst team in an expansion year rather than a draft day trade.  

Kyle Walters has been adamant on adding OL to the pipeline in this draft and specifically with this pick.  Is this whole OL thing a bluff if Lavertu is off the board for the Bombers?  The Bombers don't pick again until 20th overall, so if they want a good OL prospect above all else, they will likely need to take one with their first pick.

3. Edmonton Eskimos- David Foucault OL Montreal

The Eskimos OL is the shallowest in the league, and they are lacking high-end guys too.  Simply put, it is a mess.  Hard to see the Eskimos not taking the best OL available at 3rd overall.  They do not pick again until 21st overall.  

4. Montreal Alouettes- Jesse Briggs LB McGill

A bit of an off the board pick, but Jim Popp is not one to hold to the form chart.  Remember Matt Singer?

Briggs has the athletic potential to be one of the most impactful players in this draft class, and Montreal values athletic ability above all else at the draft table.  He should be able to join the Als roster immediately as a special teams player, backup to Marc-O Brouillette and eventual replacement for MOB.  Evan Gill, Devon Bailey, Andrew Lue, Anthony Coombs and Kris Bastien are possibilities here too.

5. BC Lions- Evan Gill DL Manitoba

The Lions have no pressing needs.  Devon Bailey and Anthony Coombs are possible here with BC's NI playmakers likely coming to the end of their prime years.  Gill is much more of a sure thing though.  The Lions will likely want Gill to drop a few of the NFL pounds and regain a little extra quickness.  Don't be surprised if Gill decides to finish his CIS career and review his options with the CFL and NFL heading into the 2015 season, although Gill has a lot to gain by landing at an ideal playing weight and having a couple good CFL seasons to show the NFL, he might be better off at NFL end size (285-290).

6. Toronto Argonauts- Devon Bailey Receiver St. FX

Toronto is in a really good spot to take a high risk, high reward type gamble with this pick.  They could use a linebacker as depth behind Shea Emry, and there are some good options.  Could use a depth DL too.  They should still have good options at 15th overall to add a defender.  The Argos NI playmakers are aging, and Bailey or Coombs seem to be an obvious pick here.  We'll go with Bailey as a slightly safer pick.

7. Calgary Stampeders- Andrew Lue DB/LB Queen's

Calgary has a need for NI depth on the defensive side of the ball.  Lue is the best player available here.

8. Saskatchewan Roughriders- Dylan Ainsworth DL Western 

Ainsworth is a guy who might be able to develop into a good situational pass rusher, at worst he'll bring athleticism to special teams. 

9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats- Matthias Goossen OL Simon Fraser

OL pipeline pick, who might play sooner than later in Hamilton. Anthony Coombs is a possibility here too, but we didn't think Kent Austin would make that kind of outside the box move to consider a NI tailback.

Round 2-

10. Ottawa REDBLACKS- Anthony Coombs RB Manitoba

Probably not the best situation for Coombs to start with, but he should get a chance to play as a running back and/or receiver in Ottawa. Ottawa needs a NI playmaker somewhere, Kris Bastien is a potential pick here too.

11. Hamilton Tiger-Cats- Kris Bastien Receiver Concordia 

Bastien is in the running for best player left at this 11th in this mock, and Hamilton really needs some NI receiver depth behind Fantuz and Giguere.

12. BC Lions-  Beau Landry LB Western

Given who is left on the board, it seems very likely that BC would pick a defensive player here.  Landry is the best available.  OL is a possibility here too.

13. Montreal Alouettes- David Menard DL Montreal 

Menard should be able to platoon with Mike Klassen on the Als DL, potentially even in 2014.  That would help cushion the loss of Shea Emry to the Argos.  

14. BC Lions- Kyle Paterson OL Regina

The 2nd tier of OL in this draft begins with Paterson.  Paterson is raw, but athletic and needs to add a little bulk.  Terry Hart and Jas Dhillon are OL possibilities here too.  All are interior OL.

15. Toronto Argonauts- Jas Dhillon OL UBC 

OL pipeline pick.

16. Calgary Stampeders- Antoine Pruneau DB Montreal 

More depth for Calgary's defense and special teams, Casey Chin, Michael Dadzie, Raye Hartmann and Derek Jones are other potential selections here. 

17. Hamilton Tiger-Cats- Terry Hart OL St. FX

Make more room in the pipeline!

18. Saskatchewan Roughriders-  Casey Chin LB Simon Fraser

Chin should go much higher, but there will be a run on OL in the first couple rounds in a draft light on OL prospects.  Should help replace Newman and Butler on special teams immediately, should develop into a guy who can play a role on defense if not more.

Round 3-

19. Calgary Stampeders- Laurent Duvernay-Tardif OL McGill
20. Winnipeg Blue Bombers- Michael Dadzie DL Regina 

21. Edmonton Eskimos- Derek Jones DB Simon Fraser

22. Montreal Alouettes- Johnny Mark K Calgary 

23. Ottawa REDBLACKS- Adam Thibault DB Laval

24. Calgary Stampeders- Evan Pszczonak Receiver Windsor 

25. Calgary Stampeders- Max Caron LB Concordia 

26. Winnipeg Blue Bombers- Thomas Miles LB Manitoba

27. BC Lions- Raye Hartmann DB St FX 

Round 4-

28. Ottawa REDBLACKS- Tyler Crapigna K McMaster
29. Winnipeg Blue Bombers- Scott MacDonell REC Queens
30. Edmonton Eskimos- Guillaume Bourassa RB Laval
31. Montreal Alouettes-Quinn Everett OL Mount Allison
32. BC Lions- Tore Corrado REC Simon Fraser 
33. Toronto Argonauts- Eric Black DB Saint Mary's
34. Calgary Stampeders- Alexander Fox REC Bishop's
35. Montreal Alouettes- Travis Bent LB Concordia
36. Toronto Argonauts- Nigel Romick DL Saint Mary's

2014 CFL Draft: Blue Bombers Outlook

Ahh...that time of year is here again.  Flowers are blooming, allergies are crippling, the geese are returning and football drafts are on the horizon.  In reality, my yard is still under 6 feet of snow and the city just piled 3 feet of ice boulders in front of my garage, but the drafts are still coming!

This post will commence our 2014 CFL Draft coverage.  It will look at players the Blue Bombers should potentially target.  I've enlisted two friends of mine who follow the game closely within Canada to participate in a 3 man live 4 round mock draft where each "GM" will draft for 3 teams.  The results of that will be posted on this blog.

It is important to point out my bias when it comes to the CFL Draft.  I am firmly in the camp of taking the best player available with early picks. By that I mean, the best football player on the day of the draft.  In the CFL, you can't pick guys based on what they might be in 3-4 seasons. Careers don't last that long, contracts don't last that long.    

Jade Etienne is a prime example of why drafting on potential in the early rounds is a bad idea in the CFL.  Jade Etienne may still develop into a productive CFL receiver, he might even hit 1000 yards in a season or two in his CFL career.  That won't be with the Blue Bombers though.  When selecting a non-OL early, draft a player who can make your roster, contribute and develop along the way while he is a member of your team.  Cory Watson is a good example of this type of player. He saw limited action in his rookie season (2010) as a receiver, but contributed on special teams and developed into starting role and 793 receiving yards in his second season (2011).  Henoc Muamba is another example, make the team as a rookie, contribute and develop into an impact player.

Luckily, drafting for positional need shouldn't be too big of an issue for the Bombers in the 2014 CFL Draft.  They need non-import players at every position on the field.  Here is an overview of the current non-imports on the Blue Bombers roster with number of anticipated starters in parenthesis:

Tailback (0) - Volny

Fullback/Tight End (0) - Pontbriand, Fitzgerald

Receiver (2) - Watson, Kohlert, Feoli-Gudino, Brescacin, Renaud

Offensive Line (3) - Greaves, Morley, Swiston, Pencer, Kowalczuk, Neufeld, Paliwoda


Defensive Line (1*) - Lucas, Thomas

Linebacker (1*) - Stephan, Dubuisson-Lebon

Defensive Back (2*) - Alexander, Newman, Muamba, Bucknor, Sherman, West 

*2nd starting spot on defense is likely to be a rotation between one spot on the DL, at LB/secondary.

Kicker- Hajurllahu
Punter- Renaud

The Bombers currently have 27 NI's under contract with 2013 draftees Kris Robertson (DB) and Stephen Alli (receiver) potentially signing before training camp making that number 29.  In the CFL, you need to dress 20 non-imports, so the Bombers are pretty thin generally, with 7 of the 27 NI's under contract being OL (4 likely to dress). 

Bomber 2014 Draft Picks (as of April 5, 2014)

Round   Overall
1             2
3             20
3             26
4             29
6             47
7             56

The Bombers currently have 6 picks in the 2014 draft.  The first pick is likely to be a OL, who may start (please please!), or may need some development time.  In terms of roster management in 2014, that first pick will be an immediate upgrade to one of the 6 OL spots on gameday, or a guy who sits on IR to develop.

Where do the Bombers need NI depth?  Let's break it down, in order of immediate need.

1.  Offensive line

This one has been beaten to death.  Depth isn't so much what the Bombers need, as much as they need another high end NI to join Chris Greaves.  Morley is coming to the end of his career, Swiston is in danger of topping out at average, Neufeld is coming off a serious injury and playing a position that is likely going to an import, Kowalczuk is a marginal CFL player, Pencer is still a very raw prospect, and who is Paliwoda?  Nobody seems to know.  

The Bombers have depth, they need good CFL players at OL. Specifically, they need a starting centre.  Kyle Walters has all but guaranteed that the 2nd overall pick will be used on an offensive lineman.  Pierre Lavertu (Laval), a centre, looks to be the likely pick, and only Ottawa can throw a wrench into that plan.  If Ottawa selects Lavertu, I expect the Blue Bombers to select Matthias Goossen (Simon Fraser).  David Foucault (Montreal) might have a higher ceiling (one of those guys bound to leave once he becomes useful), but Goossen is ready to play and he can play all of the inside positions well, including centre.

All of the top OL prospects will be gone by pick 20, I wouldn't be shocked if 8 OL are picked by the time the Bombers pick for a 2nd time.

2. Receiver

Our NI's at the skill positions on offence aren't that bad.  Volny won't be confused with Cornish, but he can play a role backing up at tailback, he can block, he can catch, he can run, he can fumble sometimes. Pontbriand is a very good blocking fullback.  Fitzgerald is a prospect. Probably a better fit as an extra receiver/tight end than the fullback/tight end he was envisioned as by Joe Mack, but another guy who should be able to fill a role.

Watson and Kohlert are two pretty solid NI receivers, they will start. Behind them....nothing really.  Feoli-Gudino was a star at Laval, but has barely played in the CFL as a receiver.  Currently, he's a pulled hamstring away from being a CFL starter.  Brescacin was the top CIS receiver in 2012.  Taylor Renaud finished a solid CIS career 21st in receiving yards in 2013.

Watson and Kohlert both missed games in 2013, so if we're planning on starting 2 NI receivers, you can be sure that we'll have at least 3 or 4 NI's playing significant snaps at that position in 2014.  In terms of the upcoming season, the Bombers might end up mining the cuts of other CFL teams for NI receiving depth.   

The 2014 draft class has one great receiving prospect in Devon Bailey (St FX), one good prospect in Kris Bastien (Concordia) and a bunch of guys who are going to need some development time after them.  Arguably the best receiving prospect in this draft is Anthony Coombs (Manitoba), but that will depend on who drafts him and if he makes it as a tailback.  Bailey, Coombs and Bastien are likely to be gone before the Bombers pick again at 20th overall.

Some options for the Bombers in the 3rd and potentially 4th rounds at receiver:

Evan Pszczonak Windsor 6' 180 - Among the top receivers in all the measurables, top vertical among all combine attendees, 42 catches for 646 yards 6 TD's in 7 games in 2013.  Next closest Windsor receiver had 235 yards in 8 games, so he put up those numbers as the only consistent target in the offence.  Looking at his 2013 highlight pack, it's a lot of running by inferior athletes on wheel routes, which doesn't give the best indication of whether the guy has the route running skills to be a receiver in the CFL. Video

Alex Pierzchalski Toronto 6'5 220 - Tested low in terms of speed and agility, average in the jumps, not tremendously productive in CIS (51 for 537 9 TD's in 2013) in a strong passing offence at Varsity.  Big target who tracks the ball well and shows an ability to win some contested deep balls in his 2013 highlight pack.  He doesn't get off his feet and get it at it's highest point, and he tends to catch the ball with his hands down (bad habit!) on short and intermediate routes coming into the field, absorbing the ball into his body rather than attacking it with his hands up, that's a recipe for drops.   Video

Alexander Fox Bishop's 5'8 185- See Pszczonak's description above. Very similar but smaller and less athletic.  Over 1000 yards for Bishop's in 2013 in a not so great QSSF, mostly running by slower DB's. Video

Tore Corrado Simon Fraser 6' 175- Tremendous athlete who is climbing from the regional combine through the main combine.  Shows more varied route running (and kick returning) in his 2013 highlight pack than Pszczonak and Fox, but tends to absorb the passes with his body rather than catching them with his hands, again recipe for drops. Also would have to learn the waggle much like an import after playing BC high school and NCAA D2.  Video

Scott Macdonell Queens 6'5 230- Tested very well at the combine for his size rising through the regional combine to the main combine.  #2 target at Queen's behind Johnny Aprile, 31 catches for 449 4 TD's. Traditional Canadian football slot, big body make the grab and get upfield type, likely to play some tight end in the CFL.  Reminds me a lot of Aaron Hargreaves, whether or not he gets a better shot than Hargreaves to play anything but field WR we'll have to see.   Lazy hands on some passes when he is wide-open, habit he'll have to break to get on a CFL field.  Lots of special teams highlights in his pack too.  Video

Francis Lapointe Sherbrooke 5'11 180- See Pszczonak again.  30 grabs for 291 and 2 TD's in 2013. Video

Macdonell and Pszczonak are just a nose ahead of the rest of this group in my opinion.  Macdonell for the tight end and special teams potential, Pszczonak for pure athleticism combined with production, but they are all very close and all of these guys will get picked between the 3rd and 6th rounds.

Late round special:

Kit Hillis Saskatchewan 5'9 175- Sneaky, sneaky receiver who just gets open and makes plays.  46 catches for 537 and surprisingly only 1 TD.  Doesn't test very well, especially for his size.  Great football player, impactful on special teams too, lined up anywhere and everywhere for the Huskies, comes from a program with a good history of producing CFL receivers. video

3. Defense

Any spot on defense is a need for the Bombers in terms of NI's.  In the 2014 off-season the Bombers lost their top 2 NI defenders.  Henoc Muamba signed with the Indianapolis Colts and Pierre-Luc Labbe retired.  The Bombers have added Donovan Alexander, Matt Bucknor and Graig Newman this off-season to compete for the starting safety spot, and potentially take some snaps at other spots in the secondary.    

As it looks right now, the Bombers will start a NI at safety and need to fill a 2nd NI spot on defense.  It is unlikely that one player will take the bulk of these snaps.  It will likely be a mix of having 1 NI DL/LB/6th DB present on every defensive snap.  This could be difficult to manage and will take some co-ordination among positional coaches when they build defensive packages.  

We are extremely thin at NI LB.  Rene Stephan hasn't been able to stay healthy and on the roster.  Dubisson-Lebon was very good on special teams, but doesn't look like a prospect to play defense, something he didn't even do much of at the CIS level.

We are also very thin at NI DL.  Jake Thomas and Ryan Lucas are serviceable CFL gap holders, but neither one is going to be impactful or play more than 20-25 snaps a game.

I believe it is likely that the Blue Bombers will pick through the bargain bin of cuts from other teams at NI LB and DL, but they will also look to pick up some prospects at the draft.  One injury in either spot, and we have no one, if we aren't in that position all ready at LB.

Defensive players I expect to be picked before the Bombers get back on the conference call: 

Evan Gill DL Manitoba, Quinn Smith DL Concordia, Dylan Ainsworth DL Western, David Menard DL Montreal, Jesse Briggs LB McGill, Beau Landry LB Western, Casey Chin LB Simon Fraser, Andrew Lue DB Queen's, Antoine Pruneau DB Montreal

Let's look at some of the defensive prospects who the Bombers might have a shot at in the 3rd and 4th rounds:

Raye Hartmann St. FX 6'2 190 - Flying up the draft boards with strong regional and main combines.  Hasn't played since 2011.  Big strong DB, more of a corner or half type, will kill on special teams regardless. Video

Max Caron Concordia 6'2 210- Top defensive player in all of CIS in 2011, Caron was once a sure first-round pick in this class, but he's been flying under the radar recently.  Did not test well at the combine, so he could be around at 20.  Weak-side LB type in the CFL, maybe even a safety although he's on the slow side for that spot.

Travis Bent Concordia 6' 240- Another guy who came through a regional combine, Bent is a pure middle linebacker and a vicious tackler at the CIS level as you'll see in his highlight pack (video).  He tested well for a traditional linebacker, does he have the potential to pick up pass coverage well enough to play a role like the one Pierre-Luc Labbe played on passing downs, or is he just a special teamer?

Derek Jones Simon Fraser 6'1 195- Played corner for SFU, in what looks to be a defense that plays primarily cover 2 in American (11 man) football.  Highlight pack shows a good mix of Jones playing zone and man, looks to be a physical DB who can make a play on the ball. Maybe a guy who can develop into a field corner? video

Chris Johnson Toronto 5'11 220- Played weak-side LB at Varsity.  His own highlight pack doesn't really flatter him in pass coverage, but he tested very well at the regional combine and he's one of those special teamers who might develop into something types, otherwise known as a 4th or 5th round CFL pick. video

Adam Thibault Laval 6' 205- Arguably the best athlete in this draft. Had to fight for playing time at Laval, and as a result is inexperienced compared to other players in the draft.  He does have a lot of special teams experience though to go with the 4.4 potential.

Derek Wiggan Queen's 6'1 255- Undersized interior DL prospect in the CFL who mostly played end for Queen's, did not test well at the combine and might drop a bit because of it, likely into the 3rd round or beyond.  Looks much more comfortable at end in his highlight pack, comes straight up out of his stance when he's in a 3 point, if he does that against CFL OL who are as athletic and stronger than him he'll end up on his back side. Video

Michael Dadzie Regina 6'1 230- Guy who tested very well in regional and main combine.  Huge motor, played LB in junior, shifted to DE at the U of R.  A guy who will for sure be able to make a roster on special teams and perhaps develop into a situational pass rusher, potentially an interior guy in a few years too if he can get into the 250's and keep his quickness.

Late round special: 

Matt Webster Queen's 5'11 190- Played strong half, dime and safety at Queen's.  Tested very well at the Toronto regional combine.  Someone will take a flyer on him in the 4th-5th-6th round and see what he turns into. video

4. Longsnapper

A position that doesn't get a lot of time in the roster or draft discussion, but it is important.  Can't get that ball back to the punter reliably, and you have major problems.  Currently the Bombers only longsnapper is Ian Wild following the retirement of Chris Cvetkovic.  Carl Fitzgerald was touted as a guy who could longsnap heading into 2013 training camp, but he quickly showed that he can't do it at the CFL level.  Wild is a starting LB too.  Do we want a starting LB longsnapping full-time? There's a relatively high probability of a starting LB leaving a game with an injury too.  We need some cover at that spot.  With the draft being 7 rounds and limited in depth in this transition year for NCAA players and eligibility for the CFL Draft, I think it is a fair possibility that the Bombers could use a 6th or 7th rounder on a guy who is primarily a longsnapper.

Here are a couple guys who fit the bill:

Kyle Tyo Windsor 6'5 240- He's already got the long hair. video

Thomas Miles Manitoba 6'1 220- Made the main combine as a LB, can longsnap too. video

Stay tuned for our mock draft...