With the NFL signings of Canadian players mostly completed, the CFL Draft Day picture is becoming clearer as to who will be drafted early and who will be drafted later relative to their prospect ranking. Ed Tait discusses how the NFL signings might impact Bomber draft choices, which will of course also affect other teams' draft choices, including the Argos.

Some of the best Canadian talent was gobbled up on the weekend – the top three prospects according to the final CFL Scouting Bureau were either drafted or signed as priority free agents – but Walters was staring at the names on his draft board and still seeing some talented and intriguing names. ...
The top-ranked player in the CFL Draft, Mississippi State offensive lineman Justin Senior, was the lone Canadian drafted after being selected in the sixth round by the Seattle Seahawks. ...

Not long after the NFL Draft ended, the Houston Texans signed UCLA defensive tackle Eli Ankou, ranked second; third-ranked University of Manitoba Bisons guard Geoff Gray agreed to a new deal with the Green Bay Packers, while Laval slotback/tight end Antony Auclair, ranked seventh, was gobbled up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Those three, as priority free agents, will get long looks by their NFL clubs at main training camps this summer and could either crack the lineup or stick around on the practice roster.
A number of CFL Draft prospects have also earned invitations to NFL mini-camps, but they will remain longshots to actually stick around for main training camp. ....

A look at some of the Canadian Football League Draft prospects who have signed or drawn interest in the NFL and how it might impact the Bombers:
DRAFTED

  • OL Justin Senior, Mississippi State

Selected by Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round, 210th overall.
CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: 1
What it means to the Bombers: No surprise whatsoever he was drafted. He’s been atop the CFL rankings for a year, but the NFL interest meant he was likely never really on the Bombers radar screen.
PRIORITY FREE AGENTS

  • DL Eli Ankou, UCLA

Signed by Houston Texans
CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: 2
What it means to the Bombers: Defensive tackle is an area the club is likely targeting, but Ankou weighed in at 331 pounds for his pro day. He’d have to shed some weight if he comes north to the CFL, but is a risky pick early in the draft.
  • OL Geoff Gray, Manitoba

Signed by Green Bay Packers
CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: 3
What it means to the Bombers: His showing at his pro day increased interest in the NFL. The three-year deal the Winnipeg product signed with the Pack and his athleticism means CFL teams might not see him for awhile, if ever.
  • SB/TE Antony Auclair, Laval

Signed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: 7
What it means to the Bombers: He’s a massive receiver at 6-5, 254 pounds – perfect for playing the tight end in the NFL, but posing an interesting question for CFL teams: does he have the speed to play slotback or would he be better suited to play fullback?

MINI-CAMP INVITES

The Bombers believe most, if not all, of the mini-camp invitees will find their way to CFL training camps in late May.
  • LB Christophe Mulumba, Maine; Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: 6
  • DE Kwaku Boateng, Wilfrid Laurier; Chicago Bears
    CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: 12
  • LB Jordan Herdman, Simon Fraser; Kansas City Chiefs
    CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: NR
  • REC Alex Morrison, UBC; New York Giants
    CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: NR
  • K Felix Menard-Briere, Montreal; New York Giants
http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/05/0...oming-clearer/