Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca
Every winter I go on and on.. and on for months about how good CFL draft prospects are as they complete their fourth year of university eligibility in U SPORTS, the NCAA, CJFL, or just about anywhere quality football players qualifying for national status can be found.
We go through regional combines, the national showcase, interviews with teams, pro days and then everyone gets drafted and the story is over and done with right?
Wrong.
2018 CFL Draft: View every pick with the CFL Draft Tracker
The CFL Draft is the beginning of each player’s individual football story, not the end.
Due to this, I – along with several of the CFL’s best and brightest – believe it’s important we continue to track CFL drafted players to discover who is making moves to be considered the future of football in Canada.
UP
55th overall – Ottawa REDBLACKS DB Justin Howell – Carleton Ravens
Since the beginning of the season Howell has been one of the better special teams rookies in the CFL. In the draft process you could see the possibility of Howell being a great special teams player and it’s been fun to see him take advantage of a great opportunity in Ottawa.
48th overall – Edmonton Eskimos RB Alex Taylor – Western Mustangs
A bit off the board with this one since Taylor hasn’t played in the CFL since the pre-season for Edmonton but Taylor has only helped himself with an exceptional final season in the Mustangs backfield as they look primed to make a run at back-to-back Vanier Cup victories.
Undrafted – BC Lions OL Andrew Peirson – Gannon Golden Knights
After injuries to Cody Husband and fellow 2018 draftee Peter Godber, Pierson stepped into the centre role and arguably saved the Lions season as Chris Greaves didn’t look prepared to play centre in his emergency relief efforts.
DOWN
1st overall – Hamilton Tiger-Cats REC Mark Chapman – Central Michigan Chippewas
The year has officially come and gone for the Ticats top draft pick who signed with the Alliance of American Football. There was so much excitement about Chapman in Hamilton on draft night and we never got to see it come to fruition in 2018. All that much more upsetting with all the injuries to black and gold receivers.
10th overall – Edmonton Eskimos LB/DB Godfrey Onyeka – Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Onyeka did well to make the dress roster and contribute in Edmonton this year but he didn’t make the splash many expected especially when you consider Onyeka claimed he deserved to be the top pick overall in the draft last spring.
STABLE
43rd overall – Toronto Argonauts LB Sean Harrington – Michigan State Spartans
All he’s done is rip down the field on coverage units and make plays. A smart draft pick for the Argos who look to have locked in a long term contributor.
4th overall – Ottawa REDBLACKS OL Mark Korte – Alberta Golden Bears
He started the year jumping into the starting five and holding the Riders vaunted pass rush to barely any pressure on Trevor Harris, now Korte is a contributor on the East Division champion REDBLACKS line where he backs up second year left guard Evan Johnson. A perfect situation to develop and improve.
SNEAKY GOOD
37th overall – Hamilton Tiger-Cats REC Justin Buren – Simon Fraser Clan
Buren has been under the radar most of the season biding his time on the practice roster and scout teams at practice but in recent weeks has started for the Ticats due to injuries. While he hasn’t produced much, he’s stepped into a difficult situation likely before the organization would have liked him to play and done the job.
21st overall – BC Lions OL David Knevel – Nebraska Cornhuskers
The much talked about NCAA big man was flying up and down draft prospect ranking boards last April before finding his way to Vancouver mid-draft. He has settled into a backup role at right tackle for the Lions and looks to be a good development piece for the next Lions coaching staff.
