Analysis of Other CFL Teams 2016 Drafts

[jerrym]

The first bump in the 2016 occurred when Hamilton traded up to grab Brandon Revenberg in the #3 overall spot, obviously because Austin and his staff really like his skills.

"We really love him. He's very athletic, he's strong, he's got a high compete level, he's aggressive," Austin said. "I think he's going to be a great fit. "When he was available — you don't wait on guys that you want." ...
The Ticats start three Canadians along the offensive line, and Revenberg could provide them with some immediate injury insurance while developing into a future starter at either guard or tackle. Revenberg was a two-time Great Lakes Conference all-star and a three-year starter.
After trading away their first-round pick last season for starting offensive lineman Ryan Bomben, Austin said the team's approach shifted slightly for 2016.
"This draft was a little different for us. We went for the guy that was the best combination of best player, best fit and best need to make sure we have sustainability for success on the offensive line going forward," Austin said.
With their second-round pick at No. 14, Hamilton selected running back Mercer Timmis, a Burlington native who has been mentored by former Ticat Jesse Lumsden. A three-time all-Canadian at the University of Calgary, Timmis gives Hamilton ratio flexibility and a feel-good story: he grew up a Ticat fan watching games at the old Ivor Wynne Stadium.
Hamilton also addressed a need at receiver — they may start two Canadians at that position this season — when they selected speedster Mike Jones from Southern University at No. 18, a pick they acquired when they dealt defensive end Brandon Boudreaux to the Riders in 2014.
The Ticats made yet another deal to move up to No. 21, sending No. 23 and No. 30 to the B.C. Lions and selecting UBC linebacker Terrell Davis. A converted running back, Davis is considered a top-notch athlete who could potentially start in the future — Hamilton has a number of quality Canadian linebackers — but should be able to help on special teams right away.
Having dealt away their fourth-round pick, the Ticats selected defensive back Ellroy Douglas, from Missouri Western State. At 5-foot-11, Douglas could potentially serve as a backup to Canadian corner Courtney Stephen.
With their final two picks, the Ticats took linebacker Mitchell Barnett from UBC in the seventh round and Western receiver Matt Uren 67th overall.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/...for-revenberg/

[jerrym]

Ottawa attempted get immediate help, add depth, especially with regard to its special teams and build for the future.

“We got a lot better,” said Desjardins. “Our O line has a lot more depth, we have some special-teams bodies, which is important, and we have two players for the future — a Boston College D lineman and a receiver from Western Ontario.”
A big factor in the selection of the linebackers was the need to fill out special teams with a certain body type. “The linebacker body types are the best candidates to do all special teams as opposed to if you’re real big or real small, you kind of have more specialized roles,” said Campbell. “I think (special teams co-ordinator) Bob Dyce and (offensive line coach) Bryan Chiu owe us after this draft.”
The Redblacks had an eye on the future in a couple of instances. Boston College defensive lineman Mehdi Abdesmad has signed with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and 6-foot-5 Western University receiver Jamal Kett has a broken leg and isn’t expected to play for the Redblacks this season. “As you get better as a football team, you can take some future guys,” said Campbell. “If we’re standing here next year at this time, we’ll be talking about a guy like (Kett) as like a bonus draft pick. You have to have enough patience and enough big picture — you don’t want to turn down good football players.” ...
Here’s a look at who the Redblacks got in the draft.
1. Jason Lauzon-Seguin, OL, Laval
Said Desjardins of a kid who could slot in at any of centre, guard or tackle: “There were a number of those offensive linemen who were kind of graded in the same ballpark for us and probably for most teams. (Lauzon-Seguin) is a guy with a quiet demeanour in terms of how he goes about his business. He’s very respectful, all those types of things. In terms of him as a player, he’s a guy who we feel will fit in very well.”
2. Mikael Charland, Concordia, DB/LB
Said Desjardins: “He’ll be able to come in and contribute on special teams right away. Maybe he’ll be a starting free safety or maybe even a WILL (linebacker) for us at some point — or at least be able to rotate in there. There were two or three guys in the same cluster, but when we factored in health and other things, he was the guy we felt we had to go with.”
3. Mehdi Abdesmad, DL, Boston College
“It’s a function of what happens with Tennessee,” said Desjardins. “We had him ranked second or third overall. It’s a bit of a risk, but a risk that’s well worth taking. He’s down there now, participating in mini camp. We talked to him and he’s all in relative to if he doesn’t get kept in Tennessee — then he would pursue a CFL opportunity.” The GM said it would probably be September at the earliest before the Redblacks know if they will get him this season.
4. Kevin Jackson, LB, Sam Houston State
“He’s a linebacker body type, a good athlete — a guy we really like and we know he’s going to be able to contribute on (special) teams from the get-go,” said Desjardins.
5. Randy Beardy, OL, Windsor
Said Campbell of the 6-foot-7 lineman: “He played tackle at Windsor. We think he has upside. He’s an athletic guy. We’re looking forward to seeing him develop and seeing what he can do.”
6. Kyle Fraser-Audit, OL, Guelph
Said Desjardins: “He’s played tackle, he’s probably more of a guard. He’s another very athletic guy we really like and we think has a lot of upside. We have some very good depth right now for the future on the offensive line.”
7. Arto Khatchikian, LB, Concordia
Said Campbell: “He’s a four-team special teamer. A lot of those linebacker types are kids who play hard, run around and are good football players. They’ll have a chance on defence, too, but they’ll definitely have an opportunity to compete on special teams. When we say four team special teamers, we mean the big four of big four of kickoff, kickoff return, punt, punt return — and he would fit that mould.”
8. Jamal Kett, WR Western
Said Desjardins: “He just hurt it (a broken leg), I believe, in spring practice. He’s got a big, huge body. He blocks like you really don’t see too much in the CIS. He catches very well, with very good body control. He’s a guy who will be able to come in and probably not start, but he’ll be able to back up on teams, cover kicks, be physical and potentially one day be a receiver. He won’t be around this year, but he’ll be back next year.” Said Campbell: “Some of those big receivers who can block, they’re harder to defend on defence than a stereotypical fullback that’s just a blocker. He fits in that mould — being able to be around the box and be a receiver and also being able to block. If he would have not been hurt, he would have been up the list.”
9. Guillaume Tremblay-Lebel, LB, Laval
Said Desjardins: “He’s another linebacker type who runs well. He has some physicality to him, like Rick said about Khatchikian and those body types, they’ll be able to come in and potentially play on four special teams units.”

http://ottawacitizen.com/sports/foot...needs-in-draft

[jerrym]

Winnipeg may well have had the best draft in terms of talent as it loaded up on linemen to strengthen weak OL.

The Bombers first two selections — Trent Corney, a defensive end out of the University of Virginia and offensive lineman Michael Couture from Simon Fraser University — were both given a lot of attention heading into the draft, with many pundits having them picked long before Winnipeg was scheduled to be on the clock.
Not even Walters thought they’d be there. "You go through all the multiple scenarios," started Walters, who watched as each team got to choose before him, "and the way it kept going, when those two guys were available, we were really excited."
Corney, who played four seasons at Virginia, was one of the more highly touted defensive players to enter this year’s draft, with many believing he would get a shot at the NFL. He did get an invite to the New York Jets mini-camp, but wasn’t extended a contract. "He’s one of those guys that runs around with a reckless abandonment and looks like he plays the game," said Walters. "He’ll provide a nice spark of energy to that defence side of the ball." The selection will add depth to the Bombers D-line, a line that currently has two Canadian starters in DE Jamaal Westerman, who was second in the CFL in sacks last season, and tackle Keith Shologan, a free-agent signing for the Bombers who recorded a career-high seven sacks with the Ottawa Redblacks last year.
As for Couture, the 22-year-old played every position on the offensive line during his four seasons at Simon Fraser University. At 6-foot-4, 276 pounds, Couture is another pivotal depth piece for the Bombers on offence. The Bombers currently have four Canadian offensive linemen on the roster, three of which are starters, including last year’s No. 2 overall selection Sukh Chungh and centre Matthias Goossen, who was chosen with the second pick in 2014. "He’ll push all of the guys that are here," said Walters. "To get another high draft pick on the offensive line, whether he’s playing this year or next year, we’re excited about that."
Also looked at to push for a spot, whether it be now or later down the road, will be the remainder of the draft class. Included in that group was Taylor Loffler, a safety out of UBC, who was picked in the third round, 19th overall; fourth round selection Shayne Gauthier, a linebacker who played at Laval; OL Zach Intzandt from McMaster University who was selected in the fifth round; sixth rounder Rupert Butcher, a DL out of Western University; a local talent in Bisons receiver Alex Vitt, who was selected in the 7th and the Bombers final selection in the eighth round, Frank Renaud, a linebacker out of Windsor. "It’s a well-rounded group of guys," said Walters.
After two seasons at the helm of the Bombers, and a combined record of 12-24, Walters didn’t necessarily need a victory on Tuesday – no one really wins in the Canadian draft as players often take years to develop into starting roles – but he couldn’t exactly afford any more losses.
On the surface, it looks like a win for Winnipeg, as the Bombers added depth to areas that needed to be deeper. Walters won’t celebrate now, however, nor will he know for a couple years about just how much Tuesday will mean to the seasons ahead.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/spo...378896611.html

[OV Argo]

Winnipeg may well have had the best draft in terms of talent as it loaded up on linemen to strengthen weak OL.


http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/spo...378896611.html

Bombers drafted a lot of proven college ball talent, AND addressed a number of positions where Canadians are going to get a shot to play. All their picks have been conference all-star or stat leader type or proven starter type players in college ball.

If Corney shows up - he could team with Westerman at DE and they could possibly go with 2 NI DEs; Couture & Intzandt to address O-line depth and compete for starting jobs; Loffler was a steal in the 3rd round IMO - I'll bet he becomes a starting CFL safety and I hope they give him the shot to compete for that job right away; Gauthier & Renaud have been CIS conference all-star linebackers - Gauthier put up some very good testing #s and is a play-maker of a LB - like to see him get a shot to play MLB there (bet he is better suited there than Hurl who started for them last year); Butcher is a huge DT who impressed at the CFL Combine - will join Shologan and Jake Thomas in the mix at DT; and Alex Vitt is a good sized, athletic (some excellent testing #s at a CFL regional) receiver who led the Bisons in receiving - maybe an excellent late round pick - local guy who I think may surprise and make the team.

Not sure I recall a CFL team with a draft year that saw them able to pick so many proven / all-star like college ball players across the board and at such a wide position range. Time will tell more though.

[jerrym]

Montreal appears to still have some Canadian needs to fill after the draft.

Despite losing veteran offensive tackle Josh Bourke to Toronto as a free agent three months ago, the Als selected Philippe Gagnon — a guard — from the Rouge et Or with their first-round pick. There had been some speculation Montreal might have instead gone for Jason Lauzon-Séguin, Gagnon’s Laval teammate, and an offensive tackle. Nonetheless, the 6-foot-4, 311-pound Gagnon is highly regarded. He’s considered intelligent, and management believes he could be pro ready as a 23-year-old rookie. Gagnon spent four seasons at Laval, helping the Rouge et Or win consecutive Vanier Cup titles in 2012 and ’13. A native of L’Ancienne-Lorette, he was a Quebec Conference all-star last season along with a Canadian Interuniversity Sport second-team all-star in 2014 and ’15. ...
With their second-round choice (11th overall), the Als made another surprising pick, taking McMaster running back Wayne Moore. At the 2014 Vanier Cup, a loss to Université de Montréal at Molson Stadium, Moore gained 111 yards on 11 carries, scoring one touchdown.
With training camp less than three weeks away, the Als have yet to indicate what their thoughts are on replacing Bourke, who was part of an all-Canadian offensive line. They could change their ratio and start an import, or attempt to convert one of their regulars to that spot. Right tackle Jeff Perrett told the Montreal Gazette that management hasn’t contacted him about a possible position switch. They could also move right guard Philip Blake there or see if Jacob Ruby’s ready. Ruby was selected eighth overall in last year’s draft and is inexperienced. That move would potentially be extremely risky.
Two American offensive tackles, Forrestal Hickman and Vincent Brown, completed the season with the Als. Both were activated for the final game, against Saskatchewan, after Montreal was eliminated from playoff contention. ...
The Als’ remaining picks included Sean Jamieson, an offensive lineman from Western (20th overall); George Johnson, a wide receiver from Western (29th overall); A’Dre Fraser, a wide receiver from Guelph (47th overall); Saskatchewan wide receiver Emmett Tims (50th overall); Montreal defensive back Maiko Zepeda (56th overall) and Guelph offensive lineman Matthew Toppan (64th overall).

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/fo...n-in-cfl-draft

[jerrym]

With the first overall draft choice, the Riders were bound to get their #1 choice, but also appeared to do well elsewhere and may have a top kicker in van Gylswyk.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders landed both of the prospects they were targeting in the 2016 CFL draft.
The Riders selected offensive tackle Josiah St. John with the first overall selection on Tuesday. Chris Jones, the Riders’ general manager and head coach, said Tuesday that St. John was ranked first on the team’s draft board. The Riders later selected defensive tackle David Onyemata in the fourth round (35th overall). Onyemata was ranked first by the CFL’s Scouting Bureau and would have been the first overall selection if the Manitoba Bisons product hadn’t been chosen in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. Jones said it was unlikely that Onyemata would ever play for the Riders because of his NFL status. The Riders still felt that Onyemata was worth a fourth-round gamble. ...
The Riders took a chance on Elie Bouka, a defensive back from the Calgary Dinos, with a third-round selection (24th overall). Bouka signed a free-agent contract with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals on April 30 and is expected to attend their training camp. Bouka would be available to the Riders in early September if he’s released and clears NFL waivers.
Murphy was excited about drafting Quinn van Gylswyk, a kicker from the Vanier Cup-champion UBC Thunderbirds, with a third-round selection (26th overall). “He was for sure the best kicker and punter available in the draft,’’ Murphy said. The Riders selected van Gylswyk, the only kicker picked in the draft, because of his versatility. He connected on 20 of 24 field-goal attempts in the 2015 Canada West regular season, averaged 43.6 yards on punts and 53.7 yards on kickoffs while being named a CIS all-star. “He’s a guy who can do all three (jobs) down the stretch for us,’’ Jones said. “What I didn’t want to see was him get picked and then look back and know that we had a chance to get him.’’
The Riders rounded out their seven picks by selecting linebacker Alex Ogbongbemiga (Calgary Colts) in the fifth round, offensive lineman Alex McKay (Manitoba) in the sixth round and receiver Joshua Stanford (Kansas) in the eighth round.

http://leaderpost.com/sports/footbal...2016-cfl-draft

[jerrym]

GM Ed Hervey comments on Eskimos draft choices, which had a focus on speed and athleticism, in this video.

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/05/11/vpgm-ed...016-cfl-draft/

[jerrym]

Scott Mitchell analysis of the Calgary Stampeders (and other teams) is below.

The Stamps mildly surprised some by foregoing the offensive line spot to take linebacker Alex Singleton, who fills an immediate need as a special-teamer and possesses the upside to develop into a ratio-breaking middle linebacker. That potential was too much for the Stamps to ignore. In the second round, they nabbed one of their top targets in Northern Illinois receiver Juwan Brescacin, and then added offensive line depth with Concordia’s Roman Grozman in the fourth round. It may not be the sexiest draft in the world, but the added special-teams depth — they also took a long-snapper in the fifth round — will come in handy later on down the line this season.

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/foot...2016-cfl-draft