It’s that time again. Combine season is well underway and the draft is nearing as the weather warms. With that it’s time for the first mock draft of 2019, a speculative look at who could land where come the CFL Draft on May 2.
For me mock drafts are more about a conversation of style, fit and need than a blood thirsty want to get an exact location and spot picked correct. It’s much more art than science — the teams know more about the personalities and background than we ever could without knowing the athletes, which makes mock-drafting a complete shot in the dark, but this is our starting point from which we can refine as we educate ourselves over the next month and a half.
ROUND 1
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1. TORONTO
SHANE RICHARDS
OL | OKLAHOMA STATE
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| Corey Chamblin and Jim Popp are building a bully in the big smoke. Expect a career high number of rushing attempts for James Wilder Jr. in 2019. Why not add some Canadian depth along the line to match the Argos’ international size at tackle? |
2. HAMILTON
JUSTIN McINNIS
REC | ARKANSAS STATE
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| The Ticats can’t go wrong with the speed-size combo of McInnis, who might be able to make Hamilton fans forget about the name Mark Chapman. |
3. EDMONTON
MATHIEU BETTS
DL | LAVAL
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| This might be a little high but I believe Edmonton would be wise to give new defensive coordinator Phillip Lolley the draft’s most explosive player and hope that his below-status-quo frame keeps him out of the NFL just enough to wear the green and gold. |
4. WINNIPEG (VIA BC)
ALEX FONTANA
OL | KANSAS
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| The loss of Sukh Chungh to BC in free agency and retirement of Matthias Goossen means the Bombers need some fresh blood up front. Why not the swing interior lineman from Kansas? |
5. WINNIPEG
BRAYDEN LENIUS DICKEY
REC | NEW MEXICO
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| If you can’t get Derel Walker in free agency you have to find length, athleticism and ball skills somewhere else. Pair Lenius Dickey with Rashaun Simonise in Winnipeg and you have a raw but extremely talented duo to go with Drew Wolitarsky at field side wide receiver. |
6. SASKATCHEWAN
ROBBIE SMITH
DL | LAURIER
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| Scouts will not allow another Laurier defensive end to drop like Kwaku Boateng did. Smith deserves to go before double digits — not 100 per cent sure where but Regina could be a nice fit to learn from veteran Charleston Hughes. |
7. OTTAWA
KYLE SAXELID
OL | UNLV
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| The REDBLACKS have committed to their offensive line’s national depth with Mark Korte and Evan Johnson becoming rocks of their future. Without Trevor Harris’ quick release they need to protect Jennings/Davis and run the ball. Insert Saxelid. |
8. CALGARY
ZACH WILKINSON
OL | NORTHERN COLORADO
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| You have Bo Levi Mitchell back under contract. Now invest in protecting him and don’t allow an injury here or there to put your most prized possession at risk. |
ROUND 2
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1 (9). TORONTO
JONATHAN KONGBO
DL | TENNESSEE
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| Dealing from a position of power after adding Tobi Antigha and Shawn Lemon, the Argos can afford to draft Kongbo and wait for his season ending ACL from 2018 to heal. |
2 (10). HAMILTON (VIA MTL)
MALEEK IRONS
RB | OHIO
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| Mercer Timmis moved down the QEW to Toronto in free agency, leaving the Ticats with Alex Green, Cameron Marshall and Sean Thomas-Erlington as those likely to get playing time. A nice fit for Irons, who conveniently played at Ohio with Oakville, Ont. native and quarterback Nathan Rourke. |
3 (11). HAMILTON
NATE ANDERSON
DL | MISSOURI
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| The Ticats have committed to their defensive line national depth and new defensive coordinator Mark Washington could create some flexibility with Anderson alongside Justin Vaughn, Justin Capicciotti, Connor McGough and Ted Laurent. |
4 (12). EDMONTON
MALCOLM LEE
DB | UBC
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| The Eskimos need an upgrade at national field corner. It was exploited too much last year and Lee’s length could fit the role perfectly. |
5 (13). MONTREAL (VIA BC)
HERGY MAYALA
REC | UCONN
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| Speed and smooth hands to help Antonio Pipkin find some type of consistency in 2019. |
6 (14). WINNIPEG
BRADY OLIVEIRA
RB | NORTH DAKOTA
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| This is lazy of me. He’s from Winnipeg and is a damn good player. I seem to give the Bombers a running back every year but it just makes too much sense not to happen. |
7 (15). SASKATCHEWAN
MATT BOATENG
DB | FRESNO STATE
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| Think undersized Elie Bouka. Boateng wants to be a corner. That likely won’t happen in Saskatchewan but if he makes plays they’ll let him play anywhere and everywhere. |
8 (16). MONTREAL (VIA OTT)
ALEXANDRE SAVARD
REC | LAVAL
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| This would be a home run on the marketing side to see Savard join a roster featuring Hugo Richard amongst other RSEQ alumni. A healthy makeup for never getting a chance to showcase Antony Auclair. |
9 (17). CALGARY
FRASER SOPIK
LB | WESTERN
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| This is probably too early but Sopik just makes plays and Calgary seems to draft players who just make good things happen regardless of size, speed or perception of fit. |
