It’s expected to be a “heavy” first round in the 2015 Canadian Football League Draft (check out the draft order here) with many linemen flying off the board early in what is said to be one of the deepest drafts in many years.
There are potential star players available at every position, and yes—that includes quarterback. Let’s get you set with a speed-learning course on Tuesday night’s CFL pick-fest.
ELITE TALENT:
Alex Mateas, OL, UConn: No CFL franchise can ever have enough offensive linemen on its roster or in the developmental pipeline, and lucky for teams this draft is replete with talented hogs. Mateas originally accepted a scholarship to Penn State before transferring to the University of Connecticut, where he started all 12 games for the Huskies in each 2013 and 2014. The eye in the sky doesn’t lie about Mateas—his game tape might be second to none in this offensive-line class.
Danny Groulx, Sukh Chungh, Sean McEwen and Jacob Ruby should all go in the first round as well.
Lemar Durant, REC, Simon Fraser: Quiet in nature, Durant lets his play and production on the field speak loud. He recorded 175 catches for an impressive 2,392 yards and 26 touchdowns in 23 games with the Clan. The six-foot-two, 232-lb. Durant possesses a rare blend of size and speed—4.55 40-yard time—for a Canadian receiver. He’s also a stud athlete who scored 60-plus points twice during his high-school basketball playing days.
Receiver Nic Demski and running back Shaquille Murray-Lawrence are other intriguing options for teams coveting Canadian playmakers.
Chris Ackie, LB/DB, Laurier: Ackie is a dynamic, versatile defender. Some teams view him as a linebacker while others see him playing defensive back—likely safety—in the CFL. He was the star of the 2015 CFL Combine and teams unanimously believe he’s the best defensive player available. Ackie could be the 2015 version of Antoine Pruneau, the Montreal Carabins prospect who went fourth overall in 2014 to the Ottawa Redblacks and went on two start 11 games at strong-side linebacker.
Linebacker Byron Archambault and cover man Tevaughn Campbell are a couple other defenders who could get selected early on.
WHOSE STOCK IS RISING?:
Karl Lavoie, OL, Laval: Laval is known for producing offensive linemen, but one Rouge et Or grad has quietly surged up draft boards. Lavoie didn’t attend the CFL Combine in March because of a quad injury suffered while training, but he worked out for scouts in Montreal at the 2015 CIS East-West Bowl and impressed. He has experience playing every position up front, which is a plus, and Lavoie’s film is said by scouts to be very strong.
WHOSE STOCK IS FALLING?:
Daryl Waud, DL, Western: Throughout the 2014 CIS season, Waud was considered the top defensive prospect eligible for the 2015 CFL Draft. However, after scouts studied his tape they didn’t see the dominating player they expected. Couple that with a rather average showing at the CFL Combine and the big Western University defensive lineman is sliding, possibly out of the first round.
POSITIONS OF STRENGTH:
Offensive line: There is a great top tier of road graders and pass protectors available—a number of them will be selected in the first round. On top of the names mentioned above, there’s a solid second group of nimble big men like James Bodanis, David Beard, Quinn Lawlor and Aaron Picton.
Receiver: Durant and Demski have received lots of hype in this class, but Addison Richards, Jake Harty and Matthew Norzil provide intriguing options in the middle rounds.
Linebacker: Instant-impact special teams players are available in this LB class who could develop into defensive contributors down the road. Some teams view Ackie as a linebacker, but whether or not you include him at the position, Byron Archambault, Nick Shortill, Adam Konar, Adrian Clarke, Blair Smith, Ron Omara and Auston Johnson are a few names to know in a deep group.
POSITIONS OF WEAKNESS:
Defensive line: It’s an underwhelming bunch along the defensive front. Waud and Maxx Forde are likely the only players viewed as possible starters in the future and after that it’s largely rotational or role players available.
CFL BLOODLINES:
A handful of players likely to be drafted have direct CFL bloodlines. Christian Covington, Maxx Forde, Adam Konar, Rory Connop and Auston Johnson all have fathers who played in the three-down league.
CANADIAN QB:
When you hear “Canadian quarterback” and “the CFL” mentioned in the same sentence it seems to set off a debate. All passionate discussion aside, a born-and-bred Canuck from this draft could actually get a chance to develop at QB in the CFL.
Despite a solid NFL Combine, Brandon Bridge went unselected in the three-day NFL Draft that started Apr. 30. Although that’s disappointing it might have actually boosted his CFL stock. Scouts believe the man known as “Air Canada” has a skillset tailor-made for the Canadian game.
“In terms of athleticism, arm strength and his style of play, Bridge suits our league,” one CFL talent evaluator said. “The marketing of it would be crazy for really anyone who takes him, if it goes well. I think every team would be willing to draft him, as long as the price is right.”
NFL INTEREST:
One of the hardest tasks CFL front offices have to go through with the CFL Draft is getting out their crystal balls and attempting to predict what might happen with Canadians who have been drafted by NFL teams or signed as undrafted free agents. Defensive lineman Christian Covington (a sixth-round pick by the Texans), offensive lineman Brett Boyko (who signed a UDFA deal with the Eagles) and running back Tyler Varga (who inked a contract with the Colts), fall into that category this year.
All three players will get picked in the CFL Draft, but certainly not as high as they would’ve based on pure talent alone. So as the Canadian talent-grab rolls along teams will have to decide where might be the ideal spot might to take Covington, Boyko or Varga instead of a player they know will be in a CFL training camp later this spring.
It’s quite possible—Danny Watkins, Stefan Charles, Austin Pasztor and David Foucault are prime recent examples—that teams could pick a player who has signed an NFL contract and not see them for a year or more down the line, if ever.