2018 CFL draft

[jerrym]

Let's see if CFL.ca's predictions of who to watch at the Ontario Combine are any closer to the mark than those of the Eastern Combine where they went 0/5. Here are their predictions.

https://www.cfl.ca/2018/03/08/5-play...nal-combine-2/

[OV Argo]

Let's see if CFL.ca's predictions of who to watch at the Ontario Combine are any closer to the mark than those of the Eastern Combine where they went 0/5. Here are their predictions.

https://www.cfl.ca/2018/03/08/5-play...nal-combine-2/

Well - they got one guy right - Western receiver Harry McMaster - who impressed me in the Mustangs play-off run last year - smooth, sure handed receiver; but his set of testing #s at the Combine are not that good in terms of indicating a lot of athleticism; he might be in tough to impress CFL scouts that much, unless they take notice of his route running, hands and other receiver finesse skills. Might be a good sleeper pick that could be got in the later rounds - the Bombers need help at receiver - and sometimes lesser rated players can pull through as very good players when they get a shot. Dave Stala was a 6th round CFL draft pick - and went on to produce 1000 yard CFL receiving seasons in a good career.

[jerrym]

Well - they got one guy right - Western receiver Harry McMaster - who impressed me in the Mustangs play-off run last year - smooth, sure handed receiver; but his set of testing #s at the Combine are not that good in terms of indicating a lot of athleticism; he might be in tough to impress CFL scouts that much, unless they take notice of his route running, hands and other receiver finesse skills. Might be a good sleeper pick that could be got in the later rounds - the Bombers need help at receiver - and sometimes lesser rated players can pull through as very good players when they get a shot. Dave Stala was a 6th round CFL draft pick - and went on to produce 1000 yard CFL receiving seasons in a good career.

Well 1/6 is some kind of improvement. The other five are LBs Eric Mezzalira and Paul Kozachuk, DBs Jacob Firiotte and Jordan Beaulieu, and OL Sam MacMillan.

Kozachuk finished first among linebackers and sixth overall in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.71 seconds. He ranked third overall in the vertical jump with an impressive 37 inches. The Varsity Blue finished fifth in bench with 18 reps of 225 lbs.

Mustang Beaulieu was the fastest of the day, clocking in at 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 4.09 in shuttle for first overall in both. The defensive back was second in the three-cone drill at 7.18 seconds and fourth in the vertical jump with 34.5 inches.

Linebacker Mezzalira finished second in the bench press with 21 reps. The McMaster Marauder was also second among linebackers in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.84 seconds.

Defensive back Firlotte finished in the top 10 in the vertical jump, with a leap of 32.5. The Queen’s Gael finished seventh in the broad jump at 9’9.75”

Six-foot-one McMaster also received an invite. The wide receiver from Western ran a 4.84 40-yard dash, with an 8’11.25” broad jump, and shone in the one-on-ones and individual drills.

University of Toronto Sam MacMillan finished second among offensive linemen in shuttle at 5.19 seconds and in the broad jump at 7’10.5”.

https://www.cfl.ca/2018/03/09/six-se...onal-showcase/

[doubleblue]

Well - they got one guy right - Western receiver Harry McMaster - who impressed me in the Mustangs play-off run last year - smooth, sure handed receiver; but his set of testing #s at the Combine are not that good in terms of indicating a lot of athleticism; he might be in tough to impress CFL scouts that much, unless they take notice of his route running, hands and other receiver finesse skills. Might be a good sleeper pick that could be got in the later rounds - the Bombers need help at receiver - and sometimes lesser rated players can pull through as very good players when they get a shot. Dave Stala was a 6th round CFL draft pick - and went on to produce 1000 yard CFL receiving seasons in a good career.

Yah I agree on your observations on McMaster. His 4.84 time in the 40 will probably knock him down to the mid to later rounds, but the Stala comparison might be a good one.

[jerrym]

Another parent-born here National, Mark Chapman, is moving up the draft list. I think the league needs to redefine National.

Mark Chapman had all 32 NFL and three CFL teams at his Central Michigan pro day and the receiver could be one of the top picks in this year’s draft.
The Alouettes, Ticats and Riders sent scouts to watch Chapman work out in Mount Pleasant, MI. Chapman was timed in the 4.50-4.60 range in the 40, short shuttle 4.30, three-cone 7.07, 60-yard shuttle 11.64, leapt 35.5 inches on the vertical, 10-foot, six-inch broad jump and pumped out 14 reps of 225 pounds on the bench. ...

“Productive, good route runner who separates on film,” one CFL scout said. “He has the potential to be the best receiver in the 2018 class.”
“Chapman plays fast on film and keeps his top end speed throughout games,” another personnel man added.
Chapman led Central Michigan University with 59 receptions and 875 yards while reaching the end zone five times in 13 games during his senior season. The six-foot, 180-pound pass catcher caught eight balls for 168 yards and three touchdowns against Kansas in the best game of his collegiate career to date which was a 45-27 victory. ...

Proven performance in NCAA Division I helps improve a draft grade and Chapman has 147 receptions for 2,035 yards and 10 touchdowns over four seasons with the Chippewa’s. It’s worth noting he was a high school star too, earning Michigan’s Player of the Year honours in 2012 as a dual-threat quarterback.

http://3downnation.com/2018/03/17/ne...-draft-boards/

[OV Argo]

Another parent-born here National, Mark Chapman, is moving up the draft list. I think the league needs to redefine National.



http://3downnation.com/2018/03/17/ne...-draft-boards/

Pretty good set of testing #s + good NCAA production = i bet he is the top receiver draft pick upcoming, with maybe Simoinse to challenge.

The redefine "National" debate can go on - Singleton is a good recent example. I have zero problem with any of these Canadian connection guys being declared NIs now - from a league that has continued to move to allow more import players on rosters to where they are now the majority. Not good / don't agree / total B$, etc. etc. Change the rosters to much more Canadian content - guys who were born & raised in Canada or played their minor/college ball here - they should be the majority in the CFL IMO - and then they could do away with guys like Chapman or Singleton qualifying as NIs. Not going to happen though.

[jerrym]

Marshall Ferguson's Mock Draft 1.0 tweet is shown below. By clicking on the accompanying url one can see his first three rounds predictions with comments on each player.

Here it is, @TSN_Marsh Mock Draft 1.0

To see his FULL 3 ROUND RESULTS, head over here➡️ https://t.co/IGN4xQaPp8 #CFLDraft pic.twitter.com/h09Mf73GvC

— CFL (@CFL) March 15, 2018

[OV Argo]

Marshall Ferguson's Mock Draft 1.0 tweet is shown below. By clicking on the accompanying url one can see his first three rounds predictions with comments on each player.

Why on earth would the Argos use their 1st pick on receiver Cibasu ??? - they already have Coombs who has started, plus a bunch of other NI receivers in Noel, Jones, Ralph & Williams - all who have made the roster and played. Unless they figure Cibasu is a can't miss prospect and another Paul Masotti ?

O-line - either depth or a potential starter = much bigger need and a big, deep crop to chose from there.

Some Ferguson's mock picks there are very questionable, and some of his comments i find laughable - but it is the CFL draft we're talking - and anything including WTF type picks are possible.

[paulwoods13]

Pretty good set of testing #s + good NCAA production = i bet he is the top receiver draft pick upcoming, with maybe Simoinse to challenge.

The redefine "National" debate can go on - Singleton is a good recent example. I have zero problem with any of these Canadian connection guys being declared NIs now - from a league that has continued to move to allow more import players on rosters to where they are now the majority. Not good / don't agree / total B$, etc. etc. Change the rosters to much more Canadian content - guys who were born & raised in Canada or played their minor/college ball here - they should be the majority in the CFL IMO - and then they could do away with guys like Chapman or Singleton qualifying as NIs. Not going to happen though.

You decry the reduced number of NAT starters and the fact a majority of roster players are INTs, yet you are OK with guys who are not Canadian taking jobs away from actual Canadians. Where's the logic?

[OV Argo]

You decry the reduced number of NAT starters and the fact a majority of roster players are INTs, yet you are OK with guys who are not Canadian taking jobs away from actual Canadians. Where's the logic?

Those new "Nationals" at least have some sort of Canadian connection to qualify; as opposed to Billy Bob who couldn't find Canada on a map but is sure to be favored to be recruited and given a CFL shot by the typcial GOB - not sure how this is hard to grasp. Make the large majority of CFL rosters "actual Canadians" and then they could do away with the reach Nationals.

The GOBs / BOGs are the clowns who have taken away CFL jobs from "actual Canadians" by changing rosters to allow more Americans (and if you include PRs now - which hugely favor Americans) - and make them the majority of the "radical" (sic) CFL.

[doubleblue]

Marshall Ferguson's Mock Draft 1.0 tweet is shown below. By clicking on the accompanying url one can see his first three rounds predictions with comments on each player.

I hope Popp doesn't take SB/WR Ciraco over OG Ryan Hunter 6'4 320 at the 9th pick. Tough to find a Canadian receiver who is a difference maker and worthy of a 1st round pick, and if there is one you can bet he will be in the NFL. Half to 60% of your starting Canadians will be offensive linemen, so it just makes sense to try and find the best available. Argos still paying for taking Brian Jones over Lauzon-Segin two years ago. Woods (poor scouting) over Spooner last year was another goof IMO. Maybe the word on Hunter and Nebraska Tackle Knevel is they will be signed in the NFL as FA's. But it is a good year for O-Linemen and there will still be some good ones at #9 IMO.

[doubleblue]

Pretty good set of testing #s + good NCAA production = i bet he is the top receiver draft pick upcoming, with maybe Simoinse to challenge.

The redefine "National" debate can go on - Singleton is a good recent example. I have zero problem with any of these Canadian connection guys being declared NIs now - from a league that has continued to move to allow more import players on rosters to where they are now the majority. Not good / don't agree / total B$, etc. etc. Change the rosters to much more Canadian content - guys who were born & raised in Canada or played their minor/college ball here - they should be the majority in the CFL IMO - and then they could do away with guys like Chapman or Singleton qualifying as NIs. Not going to happen though.

I don't have a problem with guys like Singleton and Chapman playing in the League as Nationals if they are Canadian citizens. The rules maintain that each team has to field 21 Nationals. But Teams can't sign the all the best Nationals because approximately about 20 or two per team are in the NFL. So if there a few players down in the States with Canadian roots who are better than the Canadian Canadians than I say giddy up. Sign them up. Better is better.

[OV Argo]

I hope Popp doesn't take SB/WR Ciraco over OG Ryan Hunter 6'4 320 at the 9th pick. Tough to find a Canadian receiver who is a difference maker and worthy of a 1st round pick, and if there is one you can bet he will be in the NFL. Half to 60% of your starting Canadians will be offensive linemen, so it just makes sense to try and find the best available. Argos still paying for taking Brian Jones over Lauzon-Segin two years ago. Woods (poor scouting) over Spooner last year was another goof IMO. Maybe the word on Hunter and Nebraska Tackle Knevel is they will be signed in the NFL as FA's. But it is a good year for O-Linemen and there will still be some good ones at #9 IMO.

None of the NCAA O-linemen (Knevel, Rutherford, Godber, Hunter) that are in the top 10 rankings for this CFL draft is considered a top NFL draft prospect - at least from reading NFL draft prospect rankings (i've seen the first 3 in various rankings - at around #50 for their position); so they are probably long-shots to be even post-draft NFL FA signings. And the CFL teams will know either way before their draft. Knevel has maybe the best shot just based on size/wing-span. Rutherford & Hunter not showing for the CFL Combine is dumb on their part IMO. - maybe they're afraid to be exposed as weak in testing #s or one-on-ones ? Some very good CIS O-linemen up this draft, so unless Popp feels film on one of those NCAA Canucks is so impressive they are viewed as blue-chippers, I'd prefer they take one of the CIS all-star O-linemen - like Pickett (Guelph - experienced guard) or David Brown (Western - not going to the Combine, but i think i read that he was injured in the Vanier ? - recovery an issue?) - Brown is an all-star OT so he might pan-out there or be converted to OG.

Have to disagree on impact Canadian receivers though - there are potentially plenty of them IMO; they have been put on little use mode by recent CFL copy-cat thinking that prefers mostly imports in a typical CFL 5 pack; Sinopoli is arguably one of the best receivers in the league now - in terms of hands, smarts, toughness, YAC ability - 3 straight 1000 yard seasons - and the guy was a QB in college ball ?! Brian Jones or Llevi Noel could be impact CFL receivers - I would bet. So could maybe Vandervvort or Nate Behar or Mitch Picton from last year's dract, IMO. If you'd rather see Khalil Paden or Fuller or Hazelton types get more opportunity = keep watching. ;o)

[doubleblue]

None of the NCAA O-linemen (Knevel, Rutherford, Godber, Hunter) that are in the top 10 rankings for this CFL draft is considered a top NFL draft prospect - at least from reading NFL draft prospect rankings (i've seen the first 3 in various rankings - at around #50 for their position); so they are probably long-shots to be even post-draft NFL FA signings. And the CFL teams will know either way before their draft. Knevel has maybe the best shot just based on size/wing-span. Rutherford & Hunter not showing for the CFL Combine is dumb on their part IMO. - maybe they're afraid to be exposed as weak in testing #s or one-on-ones ? Some very good CIS O-linemen up this draft, so unless Popp feels film on one of those NCAA Canucks is so impressive they are viewed as blue-chippers, I'd prefer they take one of the CIS all-star O-linemen - like Pickett (Guelph - experienced guard) or David Brown (Western - not going to the Combine, but i think i read that he was injured in the Vanier ? - recovery an issue?) - Brown is an all-star OT so he might pan-out there or be converted to OG.

Have to disagree on impact Canadian receivers though - there are potentially plenty of them IMO; they have been put on little use mode by recent CFL copy-cat thinking that prefers mostly imports in a typical CFL 5 pack; Sinopoli is arguably one of the best receivers in the league now - in terms of hands, smarts, toughness, YAC ability - 3 straight 1000 yard seasons - and the guy was a QB in college ball ?! Brian Jones or Llevi Noel could be impact CFL receivers - I would bet. So could maybe Vandervvort or Nate Behar or Mitch Picton from last year's dract, IMO. If you'd rather see Khalil Paden or Fuller or Hazelton types get more opportunity = keep watching. ;o)

Brad Sinopoli was a 4th round pick as a QB and has turned into a very good receiver. Many QB's can make that transition as for most cases they are good athletes. Probably Calgary had that in the back of their minds when they drafted him. Noel, who I am high on, was a 4th round pick. Brian Jones was #1 however and that was my point. Why waste a 1st round pick on a Canadian receiver when most of them can be found later in the draft or as a FA like Ralph. I would think a team would take a player #1 projecting him to be one of your (at least) 7 Canadian starters. Then you have to have a player of somewhat equal ability to back up. Who comes in for Sinopoli?
There have been a few top end Canadian receivers over the years who I would have taken #1 (Tommy Kane comes to mind) but it would be a wasted pick IMO as they end up in the NFL. But a guy like Kane would probably be your #1 receiver if somehow available. I believe you know how its works. The #1 and 2 receivers on a team eg(Green & Posey last year) draw the defenses top defenders making it possible for the 3, 4 & 5 receivers to find more open space. That where your Coombs, Noel, Ralph, Williams and Jones can be effective and sometimes like a Sinopoli move up to your top two. But it is much easier to find 3 or 4 Canadian OLinemen and back ups, 2 fairly good DL's and 2 Safety's as well as a Canadian 3rd or 4th receiver for your 7 or 8 Canadian starters. But If you have a Cornish, Messam or a Harris their replacement will be an Import if any injury in long term. That just the way it is.

I was as frustrated as anybody last year when Fuller was starting and one of the young Canadians (in my eyes) probably could have done as well. Especially when Ricky Ray was getting hit a lot because of a weakness a RG. But obviously the Coaching Staff didn't feel the young receivers were ready to get thrown to the wolves. Physically they may be ready, but upstairs they're not. Sometimes a young players confidence can be shattered if thrown into the mix before he's ready. It's a BIG jump from the CIS to the CFL I don't care what anybody says.

[OV Argo]

Brad Sinopoli was a 4th round pick as a QB and has turned into a very good receiver. Many QB's can make that transition as for most cases they are good athletes. Probably Calgary had that in the back of their minds when they drafted him. Noel, who I am high on, was a 4th round pick. Brian Jones was #1 however and that was my point. Why waste a 1st round pick on a Canadian receiver when most of them can be found later in the draft or as a FA like Ralph. I would think a team would take a player #1 projecting him to be one of your (at least) 7 Canadian starters. Then you have to have a player of somewhat equal ability to back up. Who comes in for Sinopoli?
There have been a few top end Canadian receivers over the years who I would have taken #1 (Tommy Kane comes to mind) but it would be a wasted pick IMO as they end up in the NFL. But a guy like Kane would probably be your #1 receiver if somehow available. I believe you know how its works. The #1 and 2 receivers on a team eg(Green & Posey last year) draw the defenses top defenders making it possible for the 3, 4 & 5 receivers to find more open space. That where your Coombs, Noel, Ralph, Williams and Jones can be effective and sometimes like a Sinopoli move up to your top two. But it is much easier to find 3 or 4 Canadian OLinemen and back ups, 2 fairly good DL's and 2 Safety's as well as a Canadian 3rd or 4th receiver for your 7 or 8 Canadian starters. But If you have a Cornish, Messam or a Harris their replacement will be an Import if any injury in long term. That just the way it is.

I was as frustrated as anybody last year when Fuller was starting and one of the young Canadians (in my eyes) probably could have done as well. Especially when Ricky Ray was getting hit a lot because of a weakness a RG. But obviously the Coaching Staff didn't feel the young receivers were ready to get thrown to the wolves. Physically they may be ready, but upstairs they're not. Sometimes a young players confidence can be shattered if thrown into the mix before he's ready. It's a BIG jump from the CIS to the CFL I don't care what anybody says.

???

Your evaluation of top end Canadian receiver talent i find ... never mind / doesn't match mine.

Paul Masotti, Dave Sapunjis, Jock Climie, Andy Fantuz as examples - were all way better receiver talents than Tommy Kane - hands down/ no contest; and they are all wayyyyy better than a lot of current CFL import receivers that occupy 3rd thru 4 spots on current team 5 packs.

You draft a top notch Canadian receiver (like the names above) with a 1st or 2nd round pick because they have a shot to be impact players/starters and better than mediocre import receivers who get favored for playing time. And there are still pretty good Canadian receivers to be found in the later rounds - Dave Stala or Andre Talbot come to mind.


And again - Ottawa won the GC just the season before the Argos did - and the RedBlacks started / played 10 to 12 NIs down the stretch, into the play-offs and the GC. They didn't adopt this OMG how can we do that attitude that season, for whatever reason.

[jerrym]

The rarest of all draft picks, a Canadian QB, is reflected in the fact that their are only two Canadian QBs at the National, 2016 Hec Creighton winner Noah Picton of the University of Regina and Christian Strong, who played at Seton Hill University. Although born in Canada, the 6'4", 215 lb Strong lived in the US until 12 and played Pop Warner football there starting at age eight, but then lived and played high school Canadian football in Brampton from 13 to 17 before heading to the US for university. How much of a chance will either of them get in the CFL?

Through four years with the Div II Griffins — he redshirted his freshman year — Strong showed that he could put up numbers.
From 2015 through 2017, he completed 671 of 1,176 passes for 8,656 yards, throwing 56 touchdowns against 39 interceptions. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is a small one, but Strong points to former Edinboro QB and current Ottawa REDBLACKS starter, Trevor Harris, as a notable alumni, as proof that the leap can be made.
“It gave me the opportunity, the school took a chance on me and gave me a great scholarship and I made the best of it,” Strong said of his time at Seton Hill.
“We had struggling years (the team went 0-11 in 2017). There were ups and downs, there was adversity, but it helped mold me into the person I am today. Being a three-year starter there, I got a ton of reps and I couldn’t ask for anything else. ...


“We were the No. 1 passing offence in 2016 in all of Division II, so it was a fun time."

https://www.cfl.ca/2018/03/20/oleary...mpete-combine/

[jerrym]

The following article from September 2017 summarizes 5'9" 180 lb Picton's accomplishments to that point and discusses his viewpoint on the CFL and Canadian QBs. In 2017 he passed for 2,491 yards with a 68.8% completion rate.

Picton very quietly and respectfully tore the league apart [in 2016]. His 3,186 passing yards were a USports single-season record. His 224 completions were a Canada West single-season record and he added a conference-leading 25 touchdown passes. His pass attempts (323) and completion percentage (69.3) were single-season records at the U of R.
The reigning Hec Creighton winner has two more years to play for the Rams. He opened his fourth year on Friday night throwing for 335 yards and two touchdowns on 23-35 passing in the Rams’ 36-20 win over UBC.
It’s strange, then, if you’re unfamiliar with the script, to hear the reigning national player of the year speak of a glass ceiling waiting for him after he graduates with a finance degree.

“From my perspective it is disappointing because I feel like there are a lot of great Canadian kids who can play in the CFL and I think there are a lot of great Canadians who haven’t gotten a fair shot at it,” he says.
“You see some of these guys that come up and I’ve watched a lot of university football through the years. I’ve seen the Kyle Quinlans in recent memory, Jordan Heather, some of those guys could make a CFL roster for sure, but they weren’t given a fair chance.
“I think that is disappointing because that’s writing guys off and having that stigma around Canadians, it’s too bad. You want to see guys in your league do the best they can and play as long as they can and when you think they deserve a shot and when you think they can play it’s disheartening to see them kind of turned away.”

https://www.cfl.ca/2017/09/02/long-r...ready-takeoff/

[Shatto]

There is always a debate on whether to draft for a specific need or draft best player available. I lean towards the latter but that is often complicated, in that the best available may also receive NFL attention.
IMO, perhaps it would be wise to withhold judgement until we see the results of the National combine, where often a dark horse often emerges.
One player who did impress me in the Ontario combine was OL Sam MacMillan. He is a little undersized but he has time to build some extra bulk.

[OV Argo]

[QUOTE=jerrym;124193]The rarest of all draft picks, a Canadian QB, is reflected in the fact that their are only two Canadian QBs at the National, 2016 Hec Creighton winner Noah Picton of the University of Regina and Christian Strong, who played at Seton Hill University. Although born in Canada, the 6'4", 215 lb Strong lived in the US until 12 and played Pop Warner football there starting at age eight, but then lived and played high school Canadian football in Brampton from 13 to 17 before heading to the US for university. How much of a chance will either of them get in the CFL?

Picton was at the CFL Combine last year - they need to look at him again?; his 5-9 size means he has little hope of a real CFL try-out; he could be brought into a CFL TC as an extra arm for camp.

Meanwhile - Laval QB Hugo Richard is not going to the CFL Combine (he was at the east Regional) ??? Richard was CIS rookie of the year; a 2 time CIS all-star, and a Vanier winning QB; his career passing stats are outstanding (one of the top all-time completion %s); he has pro QB size (6-2, 220), and has shown some pretty decent mobility/running in college ball.

Richard NOT going to this CFL Combine is IMO glaring proof that the GOBs still don't really care for Canadian QBs (even with all the B$ talk about Bridge or Buckley as examples); what would their excuse be for writing off Richard's outstanding resume, and only 2 QB invited (one of them a repeat from last year) ??? They do like to use the Combine to look for good special teams prospects though.

[cfl-cis fan]

Who are the Canadian stars attending the CFL combine on behalf of the league that the young USport athletes can relate to and be inspired!