jerrym
04-04-2016, 08:25 PM
Once again, and in fact to an even greater extent than usual, mock drafts predict that offensive linemen will once again dominate the 2016 draft. A safe prediction, especially this year.
The 2016 CFL Canadian Draft is approaching quickly and there’s a theme starting to emerge.
Getting offensive (linemen)
CFL.ca’s latest mock draft was published last week and it doesn’t take an actuary to pick up on the overwhelming theme. It’s hard to miss that seven of the first nine selections as projected by Justin Dunk are offensive lineman. Whether offensive lineman dominate the first round quite like that come May is yet to be seen, but it’s definitely a telling sign. And it’s a trend that has been building for quite some time:
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN PICKED IN ROUND 1
<tbody style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">
YEAR
OL
2015
6
2014
3
2013
5
2012
4
2011
2
2010
3
2009
2
</tbody>
Even with a dip here and there, you can see that teams have honed in on early offensive lineman picks steadily over the last seven years. Certain teams, like the Calgary Stampeders, have almost made it a rite of passage to select an offensive lineman in the first round. With John Murphy having swapped red and white for green, it’s not a leap at all to think the Riders would follow a similar path with their first overall pick.
So why has this started to become more and more of a trend in recent years? I think there are a few different reasons. First off, this country produces some really good players at the position. Over the last number of years, some of the best linemen in the league have been Canadian. From Chris Best and Josh Bourke to Brett Jones and Scott Flory, this country has pumped out some darn good players at the position.
Because of that, ratio advantages can present themselves. The ability to have Canadian talent at crucial positions like left tackle and centre allows a team to focus its international spots to other slots where there might not be as much Canadian depth, like running back and defensive back.
It’s no coincidence the most consistently high-end teams over the last decade (Montreal, Calgary, Saskatchewan) have made a habit of stacking their lines with national talent. It’s a position where multiple Canadian players can thrive simultaneously allowing for a more diverse mix throughout the rest of the team.
Now, every year isn’t going to be quite this stacked on the top end with offensive line products. Every year is different and 2016 just happens to be extremely strong, thanks in large part to an incredible graduating group from Laval. Most CFL teams have determined just how important it is stock up on offensive linemen at the Canadian Draft.
http://www.cfl.ca/2016/03/28/steinbergs-mmqb-o-linemen-will-dominate-round-1/
The 2016 CFL Canadian Draft is approaching quickly and there’s a theme starting to emerge.
Getting offensive (linemen)
CFL.ca’s latest mock draft was published last week and it doesn’t take an actuary to pick up on the overwhelming theme. It’s hard to miss that seven of the first nine selections as projected by Justin Dunk are offensive lineman. Whether offensive lineman dominate the first round quite like that come May is yet to be seen, but it’s definitely a telling sign. And it’s a trend that has been building for quite some time:
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN PICKED IN ROUND 1
<tbody style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">
YEAR
OL
2015
6
2014
3
2013
5
2012
4
2011
2
2010
3
2009
2
</tbody>
Even with a dip here and there, you can see that teams have honed in on early offensive lineman picks steadily over the last seven years. Certain teams, like the Calgary Stampeders, have almost made it a rite of passage to select an offensive lineman in the first round. With John Murphy having swapped red and white for green, it’s not a leap at all to think the Riders would follow a similar path with their first overall pick.
So why has this started to become more and more of a trend in recent years? I think there are a few different reasons. First off, this country produces some really good players at the position. Over the last number of years, some of the best linemen in the league have been Canadian. From Chris Best and Josh Bourke to Brett Jones and Scott Flory, this country has pumped out some darn good players at the position.
Because of that, ratio advantages can present themselves. The ability to have Canadian talent at crucial positions like left tackle and centre allows a team to focus its international spots to other slots where there might not be as much Canadian depth, like running back and defensive back.
It’s no coincidence the most consistently high-end teams over the last decade (Montreal, Calgary, Saskatchewan) have made a habit of stacking their lines with national talent. It’s a position where multiple Canadian players can thrive simultaneously allowing for a more diverse mix throughout the rest of the team.
Now, every year isn’t going to be quite this stacked on the top end with offensive line products. Every year is different and 2016 just happens to be extremely strong, thanks in large part to an incredible graduating group from Laval. Most CFL teams have determined just how important it is stock up on offensive linemen at the Canadian Draft.
http://www.cfl.ca/2016/03/28/steinbergs-mmqb-o-linemen-will-dominate-round-1/