Argo draft record

[Shatto]

In the past, I have been somewhat critical of the team's draft record. However, after reviewing the starting N.I. players of our last game, I was surprised to discover that all players, were either drafted by the Argos or signed as free agents(direct from college):
Keeping 2nd rd 05
Van Zeyl 1st rd 10
Black 6th rd 08
Laing 2nd rd 12
Holmes 1st rd 11
Watt 3rd rd 10
Drurie F.A. 07
Lee F.A. 12
Plus Gabriel (2nd rd 13) who often played, in place of Black

Considering that both Keeping and Van Zeyl made all-Canadian this year, it appears that the team has done a fairly decent job of draft selection.

[ArgoRavi]

Van Zeyl was actually drafted by Montreal but the Argos were wise to scoop him up way back in '08 IIRC. I believe that this was one of the first moves made when Don Matthews came back for his brief stint that year.

Adam Rita and Greg Mohns made some poor draft decisions but drafting Keeping and Black and signing Durie and Van Zeyl were all very good moves. Jim Barker has improved the draft record subsequently although the jury is still out on a few players.

[AngeloV]

They have done a good job. Their methods of drafting players that might be NFL bound were constantly criticized after Greenwood went south, but to be honest, it's rare that a drafted player contributes in a major way in his first couple of seasons (obviously with a few exceptions). I think lack of patience is always a big thing on fan forums, so this should be no surprise.

[Shatto]

Thanks for the correction ArgoRavi. Van Zeyl is a good example of why it is so difficult to judge the draft selections too early--as you correctly noted, he was drafted by Montreal and when with that team, was on their practice roster and it wasn't till half way through his second season with the Argos that he actually dressed. Now four years later he is all-Canadian Evaluating athletic ability might be reasonably easy but predicting a player's potential is far harder.

[paulwoods13]

I agree the draft record has improved significantly in the past four years compared to the decade that preceded it. We are getting a lot of players who stick around for a while, and a few are developing into starters. Would be great to get a legit star out of the draft (a la Fantuz) but there aren't tons of those around.

[ArgoRavi]

Thanks for the correction ArgoRavi. Van Zeyl is a good example of why it is so difficult to judge the draft selections too early--as you correctly noted, he was drafted by Montreal and when with that team, was on their practice roster and it wasn't till half way through his second season with the Argos that he actually dressed. Now four years later he is all-Canadian Evaluating athletic ability might be reasonably easy but predicting a player's potential is far harder.

The other interesting thing with Van Zeyl is that he was a defensive lineman in university. Likewise, Keeping was a tight end in university. The Argos have done a fine job of developing both of these players into all-star offensive linemen and I suspect that Steve McAdoo deserves a fair bit of credit for that.

[OV Argo]

I agree the draft record has improved significantly in the past four years compared to the decade that preceded it. We are getting a lot of players who stick around for a while, and a few are developing into starters. Would be great to get a legit star out of the draft (a la Fantuz) but there aren't tons of those around.

Interesting to see the play of 2 rookie draft picks - Brett Jones (16th overall) & Mike Edem - who got to start right away this season; both top level players in the league at their positions.

Also interesting perhaps - that 3 of the top 10 picks in last year's draft - Gaydosh (Panthers injury list), Mulumba (playing for the Packers) and Charles (playing for the Bills) - made NFL rosters. A fair number of Canadians playing in the NFL now - like another Argo draft pick Luke Willson on the very good Seahawks team along with Jon Ryan (an all-time great Canadian punter IMO - 50+ yard season average ! as a Bomber and now a top NFL punter)

Looking forward to seeing what Matt Sewell can do in Argo TC, and maybe Gabriel becomes a top safety in the league (like Edem did as a rookie), or maybe that Greenwood shows up; and hoping for some smart picks this coming draft. Hold on to all picks and maybe try to trade for a couple more !

[gilthethrill]

Making things harder to predict this upcoming draft is the fact the NFL draft will be held after the CFL draft. Thanks NFL.

[OV Argo]

Argo 2012 5th rounder Luke Willson caught a TD pass for the Seahawks last game; at least they only used a 5th round pick on him, so maybe a worthwhile gamble (was he going to get a real shot to play every down offence for the Argos - a tight end = next to no real use in the current CFL, but he is fast so maybe a slotback?)

Don't believe there are many blue chipper type NFL prospects up in this coming CFL draft, so maybe a good thing for Argo and CFL drafting.

We'll see who the Argos lose to Ottawa - which could impact draft thinking - which should be IMO geared towards potential impact players in areas of need - like Laing or Gabriel could be as defensive starters for years maybe? Then - dreaming - Greenwood shows up to win the MLB job (or Tonye-Tonye emerges there), and they draft a top notch DE to platoon with an improving (hopefully) vet in David Lee = the Argos could be going with at least 4 NI starters on D, instead of the pre-determined CFL "thinking" of only 1 or 2 NIs need apply to play on D.

[ArgoGabe22]

There is talk of Bo Lokombo being an NFL pick. Brent Urban also might get drafted but they have already been selected by BC and CGY respectively. I believe scouts are eyeing Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who may go to the Shrine game.

[AngeloV]

We'll see who the Argos lose to Ottawa - which could impact draft thinking - which should be IMO geared towards potential impact players in areas of need - like Laing or Gabriel could be as defensive starters for years maybe? Then - dreaming - Greenwood shows up to win the MLB job (or Tonye-Tonye emerges there), and they draft a top notch DE to platoon with an improving (hopefully) vet in David Lee = the Argos could be going with at least 4 NI starters on D, instead of the pre-determined CFL "thinking" of only 1 or 2 NIs need apply to play on D.

Anyone else like the movie Groundhog day?

[OV Argo]

There is talk of Bo Lokombo being an NFL pick. Brent Urban also might get drafted but they have already been selected by BC and CGY respectively. I believe scouts are eyeing Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who may go to the Shrine game.

I'll bet Lokombo gets an NFL shot; and correction - Urban was drafted by Hamilton - the Ticats took him and Linden Gaydosh (injured in Panthers TC and on their IR i believe) last year - 2 very big and potential top notch CFL DTs in the same draft - be nice if one of them shows up in the CFL. The Ticats also have former draft pick Michael Atkinson (3rd rounder in 2012 - Boise State) somewhere on their roster but I don't think he has played yet; and - Brian Bulcke was very good at DT for them last season. It would be interesting to see what would happen if all 4 of the above mentioned DTs showed up in Ticat TC.

It has been reported that Duvernay-Tardif has already drawn some NFL interest; probably a good bet to be the CIS East representative at the US Shrine game; not sure who the West guy will be? - that announcement should be fairly soon?

[Argocister]

Duvernay-Tardif is going to the Shrine game along with DT from Manitoba Bisons Evan Gill . congrats to both!

Shrine Game ‏@Shrine_Game 4h

Evan Gill of Manitoba @umbisons has accepted an invitation to play in the 2014 East-West Shrine Game.

Shrine Game ‏@Shrine_Game 3h

Laurent Duvernay- Tardif of McGill University @McGillAthletics has accepted an invitation to play in the 2014 East-West Shrine Game.

[doubleblue]

There is talk of Bo Lokombo being an NFL pick. Brent Urban also might get drafted but they have already been selected by BC and CGY respectively. I believe scouts are eyeing Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who may go to the Shrine game.

It appears that these three guys will either be drafted or signed a free agents by NFL teams. Now we are finding out there are a couple of good starting Div I players who are eligible to be non-imports in this year's CFL draft. OG John Urschel 6''3 290 at Penn State and WR TJ Jones 6'0 190 at Notre Dame. Both are projected to be drafted in the NFL as are Urban and Lokombo. They would be worth a later round (3rd or 4th) CFL pick as they may become available down the road.

[ArgoGabe22]

I'm betting John Urschel has no interest in the CFL.

[doubleblue]

I'm betting John Urschel has no interest in the CFL.

Well maybe if he is a high draft pick like Orlando Franklin he will spend some years in the NFL and be set for life. However, most of the imports in the CFL have been drafted or were considered to be the same calibre even though they weren't drafted by the NFL. That draft has been scaled back from 12 rounds or more a while back. But be that as it may, if Urschel goes in the later rounds and doesn't become a starter in two or three years, he will be looking for work supplanted by a rookie like he is this year. That's how the CFL recruits most of their imports now. Once let go by the NFL their bargaining power goes way down. But as a non-import Urschel could probably still command a decent salary in the CFL after spending two or three yeas in the NFL. But maybe he goes in the top rounds and you are right, we will never see him back up here.

[ArgoGabe22]

Well maybe if he is a high draft pick like Orlando Franklin he will spend some years in the NFL and be set for life. However, most of the imports in the CFL have been drafted or were considered to be the same calibre even though they weren't drafted by the NFL. That draft has been scaled back from 12 rounds or more a while back. But be that as it may, if Urschel goes in the later rounds and doesn't become a starter in two or three years, he will be looking for work supplanted by a rookie like he is this year. That's how the CFL recruits most of their imports now. Once let go by the NFL their bargaining power goes way down. But as a non-import Urschel could probably still command a decent salary in the CFL after spending two or three yeas in the NFL. But maybe he goes in the top rounds and you are right, we will never see him back up here.

Even if his NFL career is over, I still think he will get a top paying job somewhere not football related. He won the academic Heisman and even NFL scouts aren't sure if he's fully committed to football. He's a smart guy and I just think if he's 25-26 with his NFL shot over then he'll be ready to move on.

You never know though, Brett Jones was supposed to go to medical school but got drafted by the Stamps and won ROY.

[doubleblue]

Even if his NFL career is over, I still think he will get a top paying job somewhere not football related. He won the academic Heisman and even NFL scouts aren't sure if he's fully committed to football. He's a smart guy and I just think if he's 25-26 with his NFL shot over then he'll be ready to move on.

You never know though, Brett Jones was supposed to go to medical school but got drafted by the Stamps and won ROY.

Ok good find. I didn't know that about him. That may drop his draft somewhat. But difficult to see him get a non football job that would have a base salary starting over at 400,000 minimum.

[OV Argo]

Only 3 Argo picks in the first 5 rounds of last year's draft; hopefully they hang on to more this year. Even in a supposed weak draft year (due to rule changes - few if any NCAA NIs available this year) - usually some solid football players or decent prospects to be found in the mid to later rounds.