In preparation of the 2014 CFL draft which will be held on Tuesday May 13, I have prepared my first mock draft.
ROUND 1
1. Ottawa RedBlacks — David Foucault, OL, Montreal
RedBlacks will be going for an OL with the 1st Pick. It will be between Foucault and Lavertu but I think Faucalt is just too good of a prospect to pass up.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — Pierre Lavertu, OL, Laval
Bombers are in need of a centre so Lavertu or Goosen would be a good pick at #2.
3. Edmonton Eskimos — Quinn Smith, DL, Concordia
I believe Ted Laurent will walk via free agency when he returns from NFL workouts so Smith will be a perfect replacement. Jones is a defensive minded coach so watch out for a more defensive draft but the Eskimos also did have the worst offensive line in 2013. Goosen would be the OL choice at #3.
4. Montreal Alouettes — Adam Thibault, DB, Laval
Good French-Canadian prospect. Could be the next Ettiene Boulay or Mathieu Proulx.
5. B.C. Lions — Dylan Ainsworth, DL, Western
I’m taking a bit of a chance here with the Lions going DL. Ainsworth’s stock has risen and the Lions have good Canadian depth elsewhere.
6. Toronto Argonauts — Evan Gill, DT, Manitoba
Argos need more Canadian depth on the Defensive Line. Argos already have Clayon Laing but he could move to DE with Gill at DT. It will be interesting to see what new DC, Tim Burke wants.
7. Calgary Stampeders — Andrew Lue, DB, Queens
Tall 6-2 DB could be what Calgary is looking for. Lost S Eric Fraser to Ottawa Expansion Draft.
8. Saskatchewan Roughriders (from Hamilton) — Beau Landry, LB, Western
Pretty much a clone to the departed Craig Butler.
9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (from Saskatchewan) — Devon Bailey, WR, St.Francis Xavier
Local GTA product. If he falls to #9, look for Hamilton to snap him up. I think Giguere’s days may be coming to an end, quite overrated in my opinion.
ROUND 2
10. Ottawa RedBlacks — Matthias Goosen, OL, Simon Fraser
Ottawa took a chance and lost Hage to retirement. He may be the centre for the future with a long career ahead of him.
11. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (from Saskatchewan, via Winnipeg) — OL Terry Hart, St. Francis-Xavier
Tiger-Cats lost Hage to reitirment and Dyakowski is still recovering from his injury. As the best OL available, it’s a no brainier to selct Hart
12. B.C. Lions (via Edmonton) — Casey Chin, LB, Simon Fraser
Stats machine at SF & local product. Smart pick by the Leos. Chin can also long snap.
13. Montreal Alouettes — David Menard, DL, Montreal
I always assume the Als will go Quebec heavy with their draft choices. Anwar Stewart has finally retired and there is always a need at DL. Already have Messam and Lumbala, will pass on Coombs.
14. B.C. Lions — Kris Bastien, WR, Concordia
Lots of depth at receiver but at this point the Lions may be taking the best player available and Bastien had a good combine. With Harris, it’s unlikely Coombs will go to BC.
15. Toronto Argonauts — Anthony Coombs, RB, Manitoba
Will teams draft a Canadian running back in the 1st round? I’m not convinced and I hope that he’ll fall down to 15 for the Argos to select. Jeff Johnson just retired after a long career, Kackert is coming back from a serious injury and Coombs will probably be a better option than Woodson, who the Argos already have as a non-import RB. Bombers won’t select in the 2nd Round and won’t pick him at third, unless there is a trade made.
16. Calgary Stampeders — Derek Wiggan, DL, Queens
Have the Stamps given up on Corey Mace? He’s always out injured and can’t be relied on. Could provide depth behind Junior Turner.
17. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — Max Caron, LB, Concordia
Hamilton is just taking the best player available. Lost Simoni Lawrence to the Vikings and Plesius hasn’t done much at LB so Caron can provide some competition and be a regular on special teams.
18. Saskatchewan Roughriders — Kit Hillis, WR, Saskatchewan
Local receiver to provide depth behind Getzlaf, Bagg, McHenry.