Jack B. Bedell
CFL.ca
It didn’t take long for CFL trades, draft-eligibility rulings, and post-NFL draft free agent signings to make a mockery of my first mock draft, so I’m back for a crack at version 2.0.
B.C. possibly taking over Hamilton’s pick in the third spot of this weekend’s CFL Canadian draft and former Bishop’s feature back Jamall Lee signing with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers has forced me to re-think things a bit in terms of how the first two rounds will go Saturday.
With the clock already running, here’s a look at how I think the first 16 picks do down:
Round 1
1) Hamilton-With Jamall Lee sliding down the board after signing with Carolina, I think the Ticats go O-line: Simeon Rottier
2) Toronto-Even though I got schooled a bit after last week’s peek at the Argos’ receiving corps, I still think they go with a skilled player in this spot: Matt Carter
3) Hamilton (via Winnipeg)-The Ticats jettisoned two Canadian defensive ends this off-season. I think they pick one up a non-import DL here: Étienne Légaré
4) BC (via Toronto via Edmonton)- This would be a great spot for Winnipeg to climb back into the first round to grab Windsor’s Matt Morencie, but I think the Lions keep the pick and the Windsor native for depth at tackle and centre: Matt Morencie
5) BC-The Lions shuffled their offensive line a bit in the off-season. An offensive lineman would add some depth back to the mix: Steve Myddelton
6) BC (via Saskatchewan)-For their third pick in a row, I think the Lions go to the other side of the ball for a pass rusher: Osie Ukwuoma
7) Montreal-There are no gaping needs on the Alouettes roster coming off a solid season with plenty of young talent across the board. With good non-import talent on the O-line and in the defensive secondary, the Als might go with for a little speed off the edge and some help on kick coverage: Deji Oduwole
8) Calgary-The champs are pretty well-stocked, too. Given no pressing need, I say they use the pick for local talent: Dylan Steenbergen
Round 2
9) Saskatchewan (via Hamilton)-With only two picks in this year’s draft, the Riders may look to restock at LB: James Yurichuk
10) Toronto-Riall Johnson is gone. Maybe the Argos replace him with some local talent: Dee Sterling
11) Edmonton (via Winnipeg)-In the off-season, the Eskimos dispatched a little of their depth on the second and third levels of their defence. Tang Bacheyie would help to put a little speed and aggression back, not to mention some help on special teams: Tang Bacheyie
12) Edmonton-Anthony Lucka might help on the back end and on teams, too: Anthony Lucka
13) BC-While I’m tempted to write in SB Scott McHenry here, I think the Lions stick with defence: Tristan Black
14) Montreal (via Saskatchewan)-You can’t have to much speed in the secondary. I think the Als pick some up here: Jimmy Allin
15) Montreal-The Als struck gold on special teams with Shea Emry, Queen’s Thaine Carter would be the same kind of tackling machine: Thaine Carter
16) Calgary-The champs could use a little help at LB and will take the best LB on the board at this point: Mike Cornell
UP NEXT
Check back next week to see how my draft board fared. I’ll also take a quick look at which teams came out on top after Saturday’s player smorgasbord.
Until then, take care. And happy picking!
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for nearly three decades.
