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Everything you need to know ahead of the 2021 CFL Draft

TUESDAY, MAY 4 AT 7 P.M. ET. ON TSN and CFL.ca’s Draft Tracker

TORONTO — The CFL Draft kicks off Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on TSN1 and TSN3 (TSN4 will join at 7:30 p.m. ET) as all nine CFL teams zero in on the country’s top amateur talent.

TSN will have the first two hours of the draft and after that, turn your attention to CFL.ca’s Official Draft Tracker and CFL Social (@CFL) to follow along with the subsequent rounds.

This year’s draft will look a little different than those of years past. Instead of the draft order being determined by the standings from the previous season, this year’s order will feature a “snake” format. That means that after teams pick in the first round, with the order determined by random draw, they will then pick in reverse order in the second round, and that pattern will continue.

Another difference is the Draft will be six rounds long instead of the traditional eight. This is in recognition of the fact that 2021 CFL training camps will feature a “double cohort” of Canadian rookies, with a group from each of the 2020 and 2021 CFL Drafts.

After going all the way to the 107th Grey Cup and finishing with a franchise-best record of 15-3, co-GMs of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Shawn Burke and Drew Allemang, have plenty to be excited about. But what will the duo decide to do with the first overall pick?

In his second and final Mock Draft, CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson sees the Tabbies grabbing defensive end Daniel Joseph out of NC State. But without long-time centre Mike Filer (he is currently a free agent) perhaps the team will try to get an offensive lineman instead to fill that void. Only time will tell.

A pair of West Division teams are next in line with Saskatchewan holding the second overall pick followed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with the third.

BC (fourth), Edmonton (fifth), Ottawa (sixth), Toronto (seventh), Calgary (eighth) and Hamilton (ninth) make up the rest of the first-round picks. Hamilton’s ninth overall pick was the final piece of the Johnny Manziel trade with the Montreal Alouettes. Because of this, the Alouettes won’t be on the clock until the first pick of the second round.

All eyes will be on the top Canadian prospects on Tuesday night as they hope to continue their football journey into the professional ranks.

CFL.ca is your source for all the latest news and analysis surrounding Tuesday’s draft, including a live draft tracker and reactions from the players:

 
CFL Draft Tracker: View entire selection order
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will own the first overall pick in the 2021 CFL Draft. Where does everyone else pick?
Scouting and Analysis
 
Mock 2.0: Who will Hamilton take first?
With the CFL Draft a week away, CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson checks in with his second and final Mock Draft.
 
The Waggle, Ep. 259: CFL Draft preview w/ Marshall Ferguson
CFL Draft expert Marshall Ferguson joins Donnovan on The Waggle this week to help preview the upcoming CFL Draft on May 4th.
 
Josh Palmer tops spring CFL Scouting Bureau Rankings
The CFL Scouting Bureau has released the third and final edition of the Top 20 prospects eligible for the draft on Monday.
 
O'Leary: Weighing the Ticats' options with the No. 1 pick
In a strange and challenging draft year, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats hold the first pick and have total flexibility with it, CFL.ca senior writer Chris O’Leary says.
Prospect Profiles
 
Bandy 'Overjoyed and grateful' for chance to play pro football
Growing up, Logan Bandy spent his summers at McMahon Stadium, and after a decorated collegiate career with the University of Calgary, he will be one of the top offensive line options in the 2021 CFL Draft.
 
Deane Leonard keeping his eyes on goal of playing in the CFL
Just like his father did, DB Deane Leonard is keeping his eyes locked to his goal of playing in the CFL.
 
O'Leary: Rams' Kyle Borsa races to his CFL dream
After a two-year hiatus from football, Kyle Borsa dominated the National Combine. CFL.ca senior writer Chris O’Leary says the Rams’ RB is CFL-ready.
 
O'Leary: Late draft addition Jake Burt seeks a CFL home
From getting a shot with hometown New England Patriots to being a late addition to the CFL Draft, tight end Jake Burt is excited to reconnect to his Canadian roots, should a team select him on Tuesday.
 
O'Leary: Terrell Jana on 4 life-changing years at UVA
Over the last four years at the University of Virginia, Vancouver, BC’s Terrell Jana knew he’d grow as a football player. What he learned off the field will stick with him for life, he tells CFL.ca senior writer Chris O’Leary.
 
Terrell Jana excited for next chapter of football journey
With the CFL Draft on the horizon, receiver Terrell Jana is excited to turn the pages in the next chapter of his football career.
 
Saskatchewan's Lokombo excited to be in position to continue pro football dream
Nelson Lokombo found his love for football from watching his older brothers play, and now, he has the chance to join Boseko in the pro ranks through the 2021 CFL Draft.
 
Chance of being drafted 'surreal' for Maine's Stevens
Deshawn Stevens is one of the most productive linebackers in the 2021 CFL Draft, and despite his intention to return to school this year, he’ll have no shortage of suitors on May 4.
 
Dobson excited by prospect of being selected in CFL Draft
On the latest episode of The Waggle presented by Sport Clips, Donnovan Bennett speaks with Texas State offensive lineman Liam Dobson about his transfer from Maine, the growth of talent in Ottawa, and the possibility of going pro.
 
Lokombo, Bandy gearing up for 2021 CFL Draft process
Following the release of the Winter Scouting Bureau Rankings, Nelson Lokombo and Logan Bandy spoke to the media ahead of their respective 2021 CFL Draft journeys.
Insights and Opinion
 
Steinberg's MMQB: 2021 CFL Draft order taking shape
As CFL.ca’s MMQB Pat Steinberg writes, with just one day until the CFL Draft, the draft order is starting to take shape.
 
Ferguson: The 2021 Draft comes with its challenges
With a lack of a 2020 U SPORTS season, CFL scouts will have to rely on 2019 game film for a lot of their evaluations on Canadian talent ahead of the 2021 CFL Draft. That will be a big challenge, CFL.ca’s draft expert Marshall Ferguson writes.
 
Cauz: A deep dive into the Argos' draft process
With the 2021 CFL Draft inching closer, CFL.ca’s Matt Cauz takes a deep dive on how the Argos will navigate making the best decisions in a challenging year.
 
Nye: Does the snake draft level the selection field?
As he looks at the snake format of this year’s CFL National Draft, CFL.ca’s Jamie Nye looks back to see how that format would have affected drafts in years past.
 
Nye: Examining Draft needs for every CFL team
With the 2021 CFL Draft under a week away, CFL.ca’s Jamie Nye takes a look at a draft need for every team across the league.
 
Steinberg's MMQB: 3 questions ahead of the 2021 CFL Draft
With the CFL Draft set for May 4, Pat Steinberg has three questions that are front of mind for him in his Monday Morning Quarterback column. He also pays tribute to the recently retired C.J. Gable, who had some excellent years in Edmonton as well as Hamilton.
Stock Assessments
 
Stock Assessment: Some intriguing receivers & DBs
CFL.ca Draft expert Marshall Ferguson examines how the recent Combine impacted receivers and defensive backs for the better, worse and in between.
 
Stock Assessment: Is Hubbard the mystery of the Draft?
CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson takes a look at the running backs and linebackers available ahead of the CFL Draft in this Stock Assessment.
 
Stock Assessment: Cole Nelson on the rise
With the CFL Draft only weeks away, CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson takes a stock assessment of some of the draft-eligible offensive and defensive linemen.
Historical Look
 
Miller, Arakgi underscore the importance of special teams on draft day
Special teams will always be a focal point for CFL teams on draft day so ahead of May 4, CFL.ca is taking a look at the top special teams tacklers of all time.
 
The Art of the Steal: 14 hidden draft gems
The art of drafting well in the CFL comes from being able to look beyond the first round to find exceptional talent. Chris Getzlaf, Brad Sinopoli, Dan Comiskey, Dave Ridgway and Luc Brodeur-Jourdain highlight a list of franchise-changing Draft steals.
 
Success and Longevity Through the Draft: A team by team analysis
Which CFL teams have had the most success acquiring, developing, and securing talent long-term through the draft? CFL.ca analyzes original draft content on each team in the league.
 
Despite low success rate, RBs in the draft offer plenty of allure
Drafting a running back could be a risk but it could be a risk that has a high reward, as CFL.ca dives into.