CFL
CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — With the 2015 CFL Draft gone in a flash, some of the off-season’s most exciting storylines have emerged. This year’s draft was full of surprises, risers and fallers and will bring plenty of intrigue across CFL teams just two weeks away from the start of training camps. Most importantly, nine CFL rosters are beginning to take shape as the season approaches.
While CFL.ca has you covered with all the draft coverage you need and more, we’re Checking Down for the latest news and notes from each CFL team.
BC Lions
- Fans and CFL Draft insiders weren’t the only ones surprised by the BC Lions’ selection of Ese Mrabure-Ajufo fifth overall. In an interview with TSN Radio, Mrabure-Ajufo said the move ‘came right out of left field’.
- According to Ullrich, first-year head coach Jeff Tedford had a major say in the team’s draft day direction, reportedly helping convince Wally Buono that taking Mrabure-Ajufo in the first round was the right move. Ullrich also reported that football analytics had a say in the Lions’ draft decisions for the first time.
Edmonton Eskimos
- As the Edmonton Journal‘s Chris O’Leary writes, recent draft pick and receiver Andrew Johnson’s path to becoming an Edmonton Eskimo had many twists and turns. The former star high school quarterback is returning home at a different position.
- The Eskimos got plenty of value in highly-touted O-line prospect Danny Groulx in the first round, but did they go a little off the board with their second round pick? As the Edmonton Sun‘s Gerry Moddejonge writes, David Beard was just hoping to get drafted let alone go to his hometown team in the second round.
- The Eskimos continued to reshape their roster ahead of this month’s training camp, releasing receiver AJ Guyton and adding some muscle to their O-line with the addition of former first round pick Tyson Pencer.
Calgary Stampeders
- John Hufnagel said he was surprised that star SFU receiver Lemar Durant fell to the bottom of the second round, but ‘surprised’ doesn’t even begin to describe Lemar Durant’s emotions on draft day. Considered by draft guru Duane Forde the best receiver prospect in the draft since Andy Fantuz, many were shocked by his descent in the draft — and no one more than himself.
Durant was active on social media on draft night:
This is one of the most shocking things I have ever been through
— Lemar Durant (@Lemarvelous23) May 13, 2015
- There’s a new CFL Mr. Irrelevant after Tuesday night’s draft and it just happens to be the second quarterback taken, Calgary’s Andrew Buckley. It’s a title that the Calgary Sun‘s Scott Mitchell says Buckley, just happy to get drafted, really doesn’t mind. The Hec Creighton spent time in Stamps’ camp last year and could again return to school in 2015.
- It’s early to argue over who had the best draft on Tuesday, but the Stampeders look to be an early favourite after getting value in rounds two to three.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Balancing the ratio was a topic of concern entering the Riders’ off-season, but even after trading national slotback Cory Watson the Riders have plenty of options in 2015, according to Rob Vanstone of the StarPhoenix.
- In one of the deepest drafts for offensive linemen in recent memory, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were one of two teams (Hamilton being the other) that didn’t select a single O-lineman on Tuesday. The Regina Leader-Post‘s Murray McCormick talked to Riders GM Brandon Taman about the Riders’ draft strategy.
- After being drafted sixth overall by the Riders, Manitoba native Nic Demski is switching sides — and as the Winnipeg Sun‘s Paul Friesen writes, he’s excited to be headed to Saskatchewan.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Jordan Yantz sat through what felt like an eternity while going undrafted in Tuesday night’s draft, but after getting a call from the Bombers soon after he’s excited to be Winnipeg-bound. The Nanaimo Daily News‘ Scott McKenzie has more.
- After allowing a franchise-worst 70 sacks last season, the Bombers looked to bring an attitude change to their offensive line. With the addition of national Dominic Picard and now second overall pick Sukh Chungh, they seem to be doing just that. The Winnipeg Sun‘s Kirk Penton has more on what Chungh brings to the Bomber O-line.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- According to the Hamilton Spectator‘s Drew Edwards, Ticats offensive lineman Joel Reinders is retiring from professional football and will now go from protecting quarterbacks to protecting citizens as he pursues a career as a police officer.
- After hearing all week about how the Ticats might trade up in the draft, the Ticats moved their first round pick afterall — just not to move up or down. Kent Austin comments on the Ticats’ first three rounds after the team traded its first round pick to get offensive lineman Ryan Bomben before selecting Montreal linebacker Byron Archambault in the second round.
Toronto Argonauts
- The Argos caught some off guard with the selection of Sean McEwen at third overall (with Laval OL Danny Groulx still on the board and McEwen potentially returning to school), but the Toronto Sun‘s Frank Zicarelli writes that it’s the right move for an Argo team not looking for a quick fix but instead building for the future.
- Granted full access to the Argo ‘War Room’ on draft night, TSN‘s Mike Hogan offers his behind-the-scenes look at the Double Blue during the 2015 CFL Draft.
- Taking a page out of their 2012 Grey Cup-winning formula, the Toronto Argonauts have signed linebacker Brandon Isaac. The hard-hitting veteran was at the team’s Florida mini-camp from May 2-4 and adds some playmaking ability to the Argo defence.
- Argos receiver Mike Bradwell announced his retirement on Thursday, ending a six-year career spent entirely with his home-town team. The move leaves the Argos a little thin when it comes to national receivers.
Ottawa REDBLACKS
- After announcing his own selection, offensive lineman Alex Mateas is set to become a cornerstone on the REDBLACKS’ offensive line for years to come. He’s an Ottawa native and one of the most pro-ready players in the draft, making his selection a no-brainer for GM Marcel Desjardins.
- With training camp coming in hot, the REDBLACKS spent part of Wednesday and Thursday after the draft trimming down their roster. Receiver Eric Fraser was among those released on Thursday, while kicker Brett Maher was let go on Wednesday. Also out of the fold is John Delahunt, who announced his retirement.
Montreal Alouettes
- The Alouettes threw a couple of changeups during Tuesday’s CFL Draft, trading for an extra first round pick and turning heads with the selection of Chris Ackie fourth overall. In the end, writes Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette, the Als wound up getting exactly who they wanted and both players are excited to become Alouettes.
- A new era of Canadian quarterbacks in the CFL is underway, starting with the Alouettes’ fourth-round selection of highly-touted national quarterback Brandon Bridge. Bridge, the first of two QBs selected in Tuesday’s draft, says he’s eager to work under the watchful eye of the CFL’s all-time leading passer.
