December 8, 2016

How two trades changed the makeup of the 2017 Draft order

TORONTO — Toronto, Saskatchewan and Montreal finished at the bottom of the 2016 CFL Standings, but only one has a top-three pick at the CFL Draft in May.

While the Roughriders will pick second overall, the Argos and Alouettes are just now paying for separate off-season trades that sent their first-round picks elsewhere. The result has Winnipeg picking first overall (via Toronto) and BC picking third overall (via Montreal) — both unexpected results considering they were playoff teams in 2016.

Few might have guessed the Bombers were getting the first overall pick when they acquired the Argos’ top selection in the now-infamous Drew Willy trade.

WHO WILL PICK WHERE?: VIEW FULL 2017 CFL DRAFT ORDER

walters

By virtue of their trade with Toronto, Kyle Walters and the Blue Bombers will select first in the 2017 CFL Draft in May.

With Ricky Ray sidelined by injury and the veteran quarterback’s future in jeopardy, Jim Barker and the Argos made the move to acquire the 30-year-old Willy, who they saw as a long-term answer under centre. Willy was headed to Toronto for a first round pick and T.J. Heath while the Argos failed to win another football game, losing seven straight to close out the season.

The deal provided salary cap relief for Winnipeg, a star up-and-coming defensive back in T.J. Heath and, now, the first choice of the top amateur prospects in the country — salt in the wound for an Argos team that, at 5-6, was right in the mix for an East Division title.

For the Lions, signing Vernon Adams Jr. is about to pay off even though he never played a game in orange and black.

Wally Buono traded the 23-year-old prospect shortly after signing him from the team’s negotiation list last spring, picking up a first round pick from the Alouettes. That pick will be the third overall selection in May.


Priority Draft Order (2017): Tor, Ssk, Mtl, Ham, Edm, Wpg, BC, Cgy, Ott


The total impact of either trade hasn’t been determined from anyone’s perspective. If Vernon Adams becomes a star and Drew Willy reinvents himself, the Argos and Als will look back on their dealings in a much different light.

Alternatively, neither could pan out and the Bombers and Lions could have future stars.

Either way, the effects of these trades will linger long into the future.