Jim Barker rejoining the Argos?

[OV Argo]

There's very few (if any?) CFL teams that nail drafts with an A grade year after year; Argos did a nice to excellent job for some recent years (2022 was not a good Argo draft though IMO) and maybe Magri & Russell were key cooks there (?)

The Argos' first seven picks in 2022 all played in the CFL, and I believe six of them were still on rosters this year. MacKellar has started at times for two clubs. That said, they could have selected Sam Emilus, Tyson Philpot or either Ford brother instead of MacKellar, which is a major bust in hindsight. Could have had Tyrell Ford instead of Knight. Could have had Ryder Varga instead of Penney-Laryea. Could have had Kiondre Smith instead of Braydon Noll. Could have had Jayden Dalke instead of Kwamou or Sutton. So all things considered, I can't disagree that it was not a good draft -- it yielded some roster/marginal guys instead of three or four eventual starters/stars who were available (all at "skill" positions, which may or may not be coincidental. I assume Barker was in the room for the 2022 picks.

I can't forget Jim Barker opining back in Jesse Lumsden's draft year that he should be looked at as a fullback in the CFL - a guy who was super productive as a tailback in college ball, with great speed & size and who went on to put up one the most explosive CFL seasons at tailback in recent CFL history. This type of GOB lack of respect for top Canadian talent cannot be accepted, IMO; maybe Jim has learned some lessons recently - hope so.

[shatto]

The Ojo situation is a mystery. He had a great U Sport career, had an outstanding combine and by all reports interviewed extremely well. So what happened? IMO they made a mistake in not drafting Findlay. But people are correct, it will take a couple of years to truly evaluate that draft. But at the moment the 2025 draft doesn't appear to be good.

[OV Argo]

The Ojo situation is a mystery. He had a great U Sport career, had an outstanding combine and by all reports interviewed extremely well. So what happened? IMO they made a mistake in not drafting Findlay. But people are correct, it will take a couple of years to truly evaluate that draft. But at the moment the 2025 draft doesn't appear to be good.

Findlay is IMO poised to become a great CFL safety; and BC got him at #16 - a pick, curiously, obtained from the Argos (don't recall the deal there?)

Ojo getting zero playing time at DE, in a position of need last season = WTF ? Maybe he needed the year to "develop" ?

[argolio]

The Ojo situation is a mystery. He had a great U Sport career, had an outstanding combine and by all reports interviewed extremely well. So what happened?

They saw his rate of development in team meetings and practices and probably weren't comfortable giving him significant reps on D. At least he contributed on special teams.

Sucks that the time between the CFL draft and training camp is almost zero, so teams don't have time to work on fitness and nutrition, and coach players up individually. There is no transition time from draft to camp unlike in the NFL.

[paulwoods13]

The way personnel were deployed this year, I have my doubts that Ojo (or Varga, and to some extent even Blackburn) got many practice reps on defence. In past years almost every roster player, even the primarily-ST guys, was used on either offence or defence on occasion. Not this past year. There might have been many reasons for that. It will be interesting to see if Miller reverts to the old approach.

[ArgoRavi]

The Ojo situation is a mystery. He had a great U Sport career, had an outstanding combine and by all reports interviewed extremely well. So what happened?

They saw his rate of development in team meetings and practices and probably weren't comfortable giving him significant reps on D. At least he contributed on special teams.

Sucks that the time between the CFL draft and training camp is almost zero, so teams don't have time to work on fitness and nutrition, and coach players up individually. There is no transition time from draft to camp unlike in the NFL.

Ojo didn't show up for training camp until late because he was attending NFL mini-camps so that probably didn't help his cause.