CFL Mock Draft 1.0

The Calgary Sun's Scott Mitchell is doing what many will do over the next few weeks and that is take a stab at the first round of the CFL draft and deciding who will go where.  Here is what he thinks.

CFL MOCK DRAFT 1.0
ROUND 1

1:1 Saskatchewan Roughriders — OL Charles Vaillancourt, Laval

First of all, it’s not even February, so take everything you’re reading with a couple grains of salt. The one thing you can count on is uncertainty and it starts right at the top where Chris Jones and John Murphy will look at every single option. With Canadian depth needed, there’s a good chance they strongly entertain trading the pick for a package, especially since the consensus top player available is Manitoba DL David Onyemata, who looks like he’ll have NFL options. If they keep the pick, look for them to stay in the trenches. It’s been John Murphy’s M.O.

1:2 Montreal Alouettes — DL Mehdi Abdesmad, Boston College

Here’s the thing: Each and every year, more and more Canadian prospects are getting NFL looks. Last year, the New York Giants left no stone unturned by inviting seven players that ended up being taken in the 2015 CFL Draft to their mini camp in early May, but it was just a look-see. It could get to the point where just about every prospect in the top 20 has NFL aspirations, real or otherwise, that CFL GMs will have to consider. Abdesmad could be in that boat, but he’s a local kid at an Alouettes ratio spot from a really good Eagles defence.

1:3 BC Lions — WR Tevaun Smith, Iowa

The Lions could go a number of ways and they’re in a good spot to draft an offensive lineman that they deem to be safe — they took UNLV OL Brett Boyko in the second round last year, but he spent a year on the Philadelphia Eagles practice roster and was recently re-signed to another futures contract — but they need to find playmakers for QB Jonathon Jennings and Smith is the clear-cut top receiver in the draft and the top player in December’s CFL scouting bureau rankings.

1:4 Toronto Argonauts — OL Josiah St. John, Oklahoma

They have 2015 first rounder Sean McEwen in their back pocket, but he’s investing his time in the NFL right now. With a number of American receiving options and 2014 first rounder Anthony Coombs ready to take on a bigger role, the Argos could go back to the offensive line or maybe even look at one of the top defensive backs available.

1:5 Hamilton Tiger-Cats — OL Dillon Guy, Buffalo

After loading up on linebacker/special-teams types last year, the Ticats need to find some offensive line depth. Guy pulled out of last year’s draft to return to Buffalo for a medical-redshirt fifth season, and the fact he’s from Hamilton only increases the allure.

1:6 Calgary Stampeders — RB Mercer Timmis, Calgary

Jon Cornish is retired. Jerome Messam is a free agent. As of today, running back is a huge need for the Stampeders, both for 2016 and down the road. While no one would expect Timmis to step in and start from Day 1, he’d at least give them another Canadian option alongside fellow Dinos alum Matt Walter. Offensive line or defensive back could also be options at this point in the draft.

1:7 Ottawa RedBlacks — DB Arjen Colquhoun, Michigan State

A big defensive back at 6-foot-1 and 202 lb., Colquhoun would continue to build Canadian depth on a defence that started Montreal product Antoine Pruneau at strong-side linebacker last season. As the draft process unfolds, however, it’s likely more offensive linemen will be in the mix in this range.

1:8 Edmonton Eskimos — OL Philippe Gagnon, Laval

Speaking of offensive linemen, Gagnon is one of three highly-regarded Laval road graders — shocking, I know — alongside Vaillancourt and Jason Lauzon-Seguin. Every draft since 2011 has seen at least three offensive linemen go in the first round. Some think Gagnon isn’t very far behind Vaillancourt.

*Note: Manitoba DL David Onyemata is the consensus top-ranked prospect, but with significant NFL interest, there seems to be little chance, as of late January, that he’s selected in the first round of the CFL Draft.

**Note No. 2: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers forfeited the second-overall pick by taking DB/LB Garrett Waggoner in last year’s supplemental draft.

(Calgary Sun)