Jaime Stein
CFL.ca
As the groundhog symbolizes the end of winter, the Canadian Draft is that point in the year where we can finally begin to turn our focus towards training camp and the start of the season.
The hype surrounding this year’s draft appears to be greater than in years past. For the first time, the CFL has created a Scouting Bureau to help provide guidance on who will be the top picks come Saturday. Several prognosticators have offered up mock drafts and the experts from Vancouver to Montreal have weighed in with their top choices.
Here is a preview of who to look out for on May 2nd…
- VIDEO: 2009 CFL DRAFT PREVIEW
Alberta’s Simeon Rottier was the consensus #1 ranked player heading into E-Camp, but following his performance, there have been some mixed reviews about where he stands heading into the draft.
Hamilton has the first and third picks overall and it remains a possibility that the Ticats will select Rottier first overall. In the offseason, Hamilton added a pair of offensive tackles in Alexandre Gauthier and Dan Goodspeed. The addition of both offensive linemen will allow Rottier time to grow within the team’s system and avoid the pressures of having to step in too early.
Toronto has the second pick in the draft and Laval’s Etienne Légaré would be a nice fit for the Double Blue. Toronto could use some depth at defensive tackle to back up and eventually replace current starter Adriano Belli. Presently, Adrian Davis is the only other non-import defensive tackle on the roster.
Jamall Lee ‘won the day’ at E-Camp and many scouts feel he should be placed ahead of Rottier on the CFL’s scouting bureau’s upcoming list. However, the chances of Hamilton or Toronto drafting a running back are low. Despite being signed by Carolina earlier this week, Lee will likely find himself in black and orange come training camp. The BC Lions hold the fourth, fifth and sixth picks and can afford to take a chance on him. Plus, the Lions have a history of drafting players who have a large upside in the medium to long term – Lee would be a big asset to the BC roster down the road.
Acadia’s Matt Carter had an impressive E-Camp and has subsequently vaulted up the list for many scouts. Expect him to be the first receiver selected in the ’09 draft.
Team’s hoping to nab an offensive lineman in the early rounds will have their sights set on Calgary’s Dylan Steenbergen, a young but athletic lineman; or Windsor’s Matt Morencie, who will surely be shifted to an inside position along the line come training camp.
The top NCAA prospect is Central Michigan’s Eric Fraser. He will not be available to whoever selects him, as he has one final season remaining in college ball. Expect linebacker Tristan Black from Wayne State and receiver Matt Lambros from Liberty to have their names called early.
A few players who have increased their stock following E-Camp include Queen’s Dee Sterling. The defensive end showed great strength during one-on-one drills. Toronto’s Matt Morris exhibited athleticism and hustle and Bishop’s James Yurichuk shot up the list of linebacking prospects because of his tenacity.
A few other names that have received little fanfare, but might make intriguing picks include Jim Allin from Queen’s, Darcy Brown from Saint Mary’s, Brad Crawford from Guelph and Spencer Armstrong from Air Force.
One thing to keep in mind with the Canadian Draft is that teams will not always select the best player available. General Managers have to weigh the possibility of a player returning to college for another season or the possibility of playing south of the border in addition to the needs of his team. But that’s what makes the CFL’s Canadian Draft fun and it all begins live on TSN on Saturday, May 2nd at 11am ET.
Jaime Stein is the Canadian Football League’s Manager of Digital Media and the former play-by-play voice of the Toronto Argonauts.
