Argofans

After noticing the Argos had 12 of their own draft choices on the game roster for the Grey Cup (plus another six draftees on injured or practice roster), I got inspired to take a look at their recent draft history. This really is one of the most important (if under-reported) aspects of the team's success since 2021. Names in bold are the picks I rank highest.

2019
1 1 Shane Richards OL Bust in Toronto (4 yrs), now starting in Edm
2 9 Robbie Smith DL long-term starter, big plays in big games
2 18 Matthew Boateng DB played a few seasons as a backup
3 20 Michael O'Connor QB backup for Tor, Cal and BC, now out of football
3 23 Kurleigh Gittens WR all-star in 22, now in Edm after traded for Ceresna
4 29 Maurice Simba OL
5 38 Jamie Harry DB cut initially, played elsewhere, returned in 23, injured in 24
6 47 Joe Spaziani LS
7 56 Phil Iloki WR
7 62 Eric Starczala OL cut, now playing for Ottawa

2020
1 2 Dejon Brissett WR became starter in 23, TD in 24 GC
1 9 Theren Churchill OL played 1 year, traded, retired
2 11 Jack Cassar LB long-term special-teams ace/captain
3 20 Samuel Acheampong DL played regularly 21-22, traded to Edm
3 28 Dylan Giffen OL developed slowly, started games in 23-24 (incl GC)
5 42 Dion Pellerin RB played a few games on ST
6 48 Samuel Baker WR

2021
1 7 Peter Nicastro OL longterm starter at C, all-star, rookie of the year nom
2 12 Sage Doxtater OL US leagues 21-23, signed in late 24
3 25 Luiji Vilain DL NFL to date
4 30 Tommy Nield WR regular roster player, depth receiver past 4 years
4 33 Trevor Hoyte LB ST 21-23, started a few games at LB, signed with Ham in 24
6 47 Joshua Hagerty DB regular on special teams in 21-22, now with Edm
6 52 Benjamin St-Juste DB NFL to date

2022
1 6 Gregor MacKellar OL started as a rookie, now a backup
2 10 Deionte Knight DL limited action as a rookie, rotation player in 23, now with Ham
2 15 Daniel Adeboboye RB special-teams ace in 22-23, now rotation RB
3 26 Enoch Penney-Laryea DL dressed for a few games, also saw some action with Ham
4 35 Braydon Noll OL dressed for a few games, now backup in Sask
5 44 Daniel Kwamou LB roster player in 23-24 but mostly on IR
6 53 Eric Sutton DB roster player in 22-23, now out of football
7 62 Chase Arseneau TE
8 71 Michael Pezzuto DE

2023
2 16 Jared Wayne WR NFL to date
3 27 Adam Guillemette LS immediately became long snapper
4 36 Spencer Nichols RB dressed for a few games, now out of football
5 45 Edouard Paradis OL retired during 24 camp
6 47 Richard Burton WR
6 54 Ife Onyemenam LB
7 63 Brendan Murphy DB
8 72 Anthony Vandal OL last pick in draft became starter midway through 2024

2024
1 5 Kevin Mital WR saw considerable action in 2nd half of 24, GC TD
3 24 Tyson Hergott DL dressed for many games in 24, mostly played ST
3 25 John Bosse OL dressed/started one game in final wk of 24
3 27 Tyshon Blackburn DB played regularly in 24, mostly on ST but some defence
5 39 Jerrell Cummings DB
5 45 Ifenna Onyeka DL
6 48 Anim Dankwah OL
6 54 Justin Sambu DL cut, now with Cal
8 72 Daniel Shin OL went back to school, signed for 25?

The Argos have done a good job in the draft to help build a solid team all-around. Sort of followed the Stamps model under Huff where they maintain most of their picks, plus acquire others to have lots of picks = better chance for success; can cover lots of different positions.

Could always do better though; and I get that hindsight helps, but you can also look at CFL drafts to see all the misses and blown chances to pick very good football players, along with dumb picks - goes for all teams. And very interestin' how 2 Argo O-line draft picks from back in 2019 became starters for other teams this past season (Richards - EE; Starczala - Ottawa) - so shows how strong the Argos drafting has been at that position group ?

Some very good D talent this coming draft IMO - I hope the Argos go there - cause they seem very well stocked at the traditional Canadians get to play, position groups of O-Line (Doxtater signed (?); Shin, an all-star C, from last draft coming to camp (?) ) & receiver (still some hope former top pick Jared Wayne shows up ?) Some good U Sports RBs too, so should be able to get one in the later rounds to compete with or back-up Dan A. Let's see ... any other positions that this coming draft features a lot of top notch talent and where the Argos could use TC competition ? ... nope, can't think of one ...

OV Argo wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 1:23 pmAnd very interestin' how 2 Argo O-line draft picks from back in 2019 became starters for other teams this past season (Richards - EE; Starczala - Ottawa) - so shows how strong the Argos drafting has been at that position group ?

Richards becoming a starter boggles my mind. He was a turnstile here, at least when he played tackle. Maybe the trick was to get him into the interior. Good on him for developing his skills to the point where he should earn a few more contracts. I have no idea what to make of Starczala -- I basically forgot all about him until this year. Drafted in 2019, dressed (according to Wikipedia) for three games with Ottawa in 2023, and then started some games for them this year. Maybe he's developed into a longterm starter, but I guess time will tell.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 2:03 pm

OV Argo wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 1:23 pmAnd very interestin' how 2 Argo O-line draft picks from back in 2019 became starters for other teams this past season (Richards - EE; Starczala - Ottawa) - so shows how strong the Argos drafting has been at that position group ?

Richards becoming a starter boggles my mind. He was a turnstile here, at least when he played tackle. Maybe the trick was to get him into the interior. Good on him for developing his skills to the point where he should earn a few more contracts. I have no idea what to make of Starczala -- I basically forgot all about him until this year. Drafted in 2019, dressed (according to Wikipedia) for three games with Ottawa in 2023, and then started some games for them this year. Maybe he's developed into a longterm starter, but I guess time will tell.

Starczala took over starting C from former RedBlacks top draft Hogan-Saindon part-way in the season; not sure if it was injury related at first, but I don't really think so and maybe a shake-up switch; he remained starting C for the rest of the season, including in the play-off game where that pop-gun RedBlacks offence with all Canadians starting on the O-line and a spread, 6 pack look offence did all sorts of damage to the Argos' D.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 2:03 pm

OV Argo wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 1:23 pmAnd very interestin' how 2 Argo O-line draft picks from back in 2019 became starters for other teams this past season (Richards - EE; Starczala - Ottawa) - so shows how strong the Argos drafting has been at that position group ?

Richards becoming a starter boggles my mind. He was a turnstile here, at least when he played tackle. Maybe the trick was to get him into the interior. Good on him for developing his skills to the point where he should earn a few more contracts. I have no idea what to make of Starczala -- I basically forgot all about him until this year. Drafted in 2019, dressed (according to Wikipedia) for three games with Ottawa in 2023, and then started some games for them this year. Maybe he's developed into a longterm starter, but I guess time will tell.

Maybe Richards just progressed in over-all O-Line skills & smarts or maybe the switch to the interior did the trick.

Ryan Hunter was considered a turnstile in his NFL start/chance with the Chiefs and got cut right after (? - they later re-signed him ?); football is a tough, what have you done lately for me business; but smart coaching staffs recognize real talent and will stick with it to develop, while some other coaching staffs seem to trot out their favorite guys over & over after their play is sub-par to $hitty.

Richards had four years to show what he could do in Toronto. I don't think mgmt could be accused of lacking patience with him.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 3:43 pm Richards had four years to show what he could do in Toronto. I don't think mgmt could be accused of lacking patience with him.

I thought that Richards was a useful depth piece for the Argos but couldn't nail down a full-time starting spot which is why they ultimately moved on from him.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 3:43 pm Richards had four years to show what he could do in Toronto. I don't think mgmt could be accused of lacking patience with him.

Yep; and this can be the case often - a change of scenery and different coaches doing the evaluating. Not like the Argos were hurting with their O-line - Richards was in tough to play behind other good talent.

Interesting that a last overall draft pick in Vandal ends up starting for a GC winning offence; but a 1st overall pick in Richards can't stick with the team. Shows that drafting is not some easy science; also maybe that top U Sports talent is sometimes under-rated by the GOB club who are all ga ga often over drafting Canadians with any US college ball resume.

ArgoRavi wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 3:56 pm

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 3:43 pm Richards had four years to show what he could do in Toronto. I don't think mgmt could be accused of lacking patience with him.

I thought that Richards was a useful depth piece for the Argos but couldn't nail down a full-time starting spot which is why they ultimately moved on from him.

He was. Paul just doesn't seem to like him. LOL.

AngeloV wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 7:01 pm

ArgoRavi wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 3:56 pm

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 3:43 pm Richards had four years to show what he could do in Toronto. I don't think mgmt could be accused of lacking patience with him.

I thought that Richards was a useful depth piece for the Argos but couldn't nail down a full-time starting spot which is why they ultimately moved on from him.

He was. Paul just doesn't seem to like him. LOL.

I'd watch his game film with you any time. He was borderline atrocious far too often.