2023 CFL draft

[Pigskin]

Again this year the Bombers will be selecting late in most of the rounds. Picks 8/15/26/35/53/62/and 71.

Edmonton and Ottawa should be able to load up on some good players.

Ottawa: Picks 1/10/17/19/25/37 in the first 5 rounds.

Edmonton: Picks 2/12/18/20/23/28/38 also in the first 5 rounds.

Edmonton and Calgary both will forfeit there 2nd. round picks. 

[TecnoGenius]

Edmonton and Calgary both will forfeit there 2nd. round picks. 

Why?

[CrazyCanuck89]

Why?

Supplemental draft.  Pelley and Ryham.

[Pigskin]

Supplemental draft.  Pelley and Ryham.

TJ Rayam?

[Pigskin]

A couple of pretty good DLs could be available at #8. 

[theaardvark]

Why?

https://www.cfl.ca/2022/05/05/elks-take-dl-j-min-pelley-stamps-take-t-j-rayam-in-supplemental-draft/

[CrazyCanuck89]

TJ Rayam?

Yes I spelled hid name wrong.

[pjrocksmb]

What's are our needs to address in the draft? Or do we just take best available?

I always like drafting prospects for the OL

[Blue In BC]

What's are our needs to address in the draft? Or do we just take best available?

I always like drafting prospects for the OL

Always an interesting question. The draft is after free agency. So we'll know who we lost and / or who we gained.

Based on our current roster I'd think we'd want to look for choices on the DL with a DE type in particular for our 1st choice. After that we probably go with best available. Some players will return to college for a final season so we can consider succession planning for 2024. LB/DB and OL are always important to have in the pipeline.

Realistically not many players drafted in 2023 will initially make anything more than the PR barring injury. A few 2022 draft choices might be fighting for 1 -3 more time on the AR.

[theaardvark]

Always an interesting question. The draft is after free agency. So we'll know who we lose and / or who we gain.

Based on our current roster I'd think we'd want to look for choices on the DL with a DE type in particular for our 1st choice. After that we probably go with best available. Some players will return to college for a final season so we can consider succession planning for 2024. LB/DB and OL are always important to have in the pipeline.

Realistically not many players drafted in 2023 will initially make anything more than the PR barring injury. A few 2022 draft choices might be fighting for 1 -3 more time on the AR.

Never a bad thing to look at deficiencies, but best player on the board is so much better.  And "best player" is not just most talented, but one that also fits your dynamic best. 

I have no doubt we will take a variety of spots, one OL at least, one DL at least, but I can see taking Rec's, DB's and LBs as well, in no particular order except taking O'Shea type guys.  Raw talent and measureables are one thing, but heart is more important in the Bomber culture. 

[Jesse]

It?s always best player available.

The hard part is addressing ?best? across position groups. I certainly think we need more OL in the pipeline though.

[Pigskin]

Unless we can resign Kongbo, I am sticking with DL. JT95 is getting up there. Lawson, looked good early but faded late in the season. Adamson has great size and could be the answer?? There are also a couple of good LBs in the draft. 

[blueandgoldguy]

I don't mind the Bombers drafting late in each round.  Early first round picks don't necessarily pan out any better than late first round picks..or picks made in other early rounds for that matter.  Trying to keep as many picks as possible is the key imo.

[CrazyCanuck89]

What's are our needs to address in the draft? Or do we just take best available?

I always like drafting prospects for the OL

You guys could use a Canadian defensive end.  Many teams now are using Canadian defensive ends in their rotation.  You guys haven't had one since Kongbo.

It could be Thomas's last year, you already have his replacement in #99 and Adamson will be in camp.  It wouldn't hurt to have another DT on the practice roster.

Ford leaving hurts.  In his one start, he showed he can be a Cornerback in this league.  Maybe look at the kid from Guleph, who is 6'3.

[Jesse]

You guys could use a Canadian defensive end.  Many teams now are using Canadian defensive ends in their rotation.  You guys haven't had one since Kongbo.

It could be Thomas's last year, you already have his replacement in #99 and Adamson will be in camp.  It wouldn't hurt to have another DT on the practice roster.

Ford leaving hurts.  In his one start, he showed he can be a Cornerback in this league.  Maybe look at the kid from Guleph, who is 6'3.

I expect Ford back at some point, but a DE would be nice to have.

[pjrocksmb]

Great input everyone thanks, agree on defensive line

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

You guys could use a Canadian defensive end.  Many teams now are using Canadian defensive ends in their rotation.  You guys haven't had one since Kongbo.

It could be Thomas's last year, you already have his replacement in #99 and Adamson will be in camp.  It wouldn't hurt to have another DT on the practice roster.

Ford leaving hurts.  In his one start, he showed he can be a Cornerback in this league.  Maybe look at the kid from Guleph, who is 6'3.

Please identify the team you identify with so we can gauge your level of sincerity and guard against treacherous acts of sabotage.  Certainly welcome opinions of other team's fans on this forum, it's just better to know where they are coming from.

[Blue In BC]

In the current top 20 draft list, who are probably going to get NFL tryout offers and / or who is likely to stick?

[GOLDMEMBER]

I would not be surprised if stick to bolstering the lines on both sides with early picks unless an alien talent slides to us where it is a no brainer.

[kkc60]

I think Dline and LB depending what happens with Briggs. DB and RB too as Augustine is in a contract year and we have let go of a few canadian DBs

[TecnoGenius]

Please identify the team you identify with so we can gauge your level of sincerity and guard against treacherous acts of sabotage.  Certainly welcome opinions of other team's fans on this forum, it's just better to know where they are coming from.

Haha, I tried that a couple weeks ago.  From his handle I would guess it's BC.

It's ok, he seems genuine, and (once again) welcome to the forum!  At least he was honest, saying "you" instead of "we".  And his ideas haven't been bad in any way.

[CrazyCanuck89]

Please identify the team you identify with so we can gauge your level of sincerity and guard against treacherous acts of sabotage.  Certainly welcome opinions of other team's fans on this forum, it's just better to know where they are coming from.

I'm a Ti-Cats fan.  I post on every teams forum.  What I said is true though. 

Bombers draft needs from most important to least

1. Defensive End depth
2. Halfback depth
3. Cornerback depth
4. Defensive tackle depth
5. MLB and WLB  depth
6. Reciever depth
7. SLB depth
8. Safety depth
9. Oline depth

I didn't include QB or DHB, because usually teams don't draft for those positions.

[CrazyCanuck89]

If I had too mock a guy to the Bombers, maybe a Reese Martin.  Perfect for the three technique position.

[Sec223]

Interesting no one mentioned drafting a kicker.

[Jesse]

Interesting no one mentioned drafting a kicker.

That's what got us into this mess! lol.

But for realisies. Seems out of character for the Bombers to try and replace Legs. This will be a big year for him to see if he continues on his development path.

And you don't draft a replacement. If we wanted to replace him, we'd be bringing in Americans or Globals.

[DM83]

Hey Crazy Canuck,

Great submission.
So, the Bombers, like every other team needs a Canadian at all positions, except kicker and QB.  Thanks for the insight. What an insightful comment! 

Do you copy and paste on all other teams websites, but just change the name of the team? Lol!

[CrazyCanuck89]

Hey Crazy Canuck,

Great submission.
So, the Bombers, like every other team needs a Canadian at all positions, except kicker and QB.  Thanks for the insight. What an insightful comment! 

Do you copy and paste on all other teams websites, but just change the name of the team? Lol!

Sure draft a kicker and take a shot at a Canadian QB.  Your weakest position does seem to be Canadian defensive end.  I don't see you guys taking an Olinemen early, with Dobson and Eli as your backups.

[Pigskin]

I think Ford will return to the bombers early into the season. I am still thinking DE would a great first round pick. LB would definitely be high on my wishing.

[M.O.A.B.]

https://3downnation.com/2023/02/24/northern-illinois-receiver-cole-tucker-added-to-2023-cfl-draft/

His mother is from Brandon MB

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I think Ford will return to the bombers early into the season. I am still thinking DE would a great first round pick. LB would definitely be high on my wishing.

Doubt we'll see Ford this season. The earliest would be September sometime but I think that's wishful thinking.

[pjrocksmb]

Don't need to draft a kicker we have a decent one already

[kkc60]

Don't need to draft a kicker we have a decent one already

absolutely no reason to not take a kicker. there are 8 rounds in the draft. kickers usually don?t go until the 3rd round or later. by that point it should be bpa. none of these draft picks will be day one starters but instead be developmental pieces or competition for depth roles. we don?t ?need? a LB, OL, Safety, Receiver or RB either, if having an experienced player means we don?t need to draft one. So should we take all corners, DL and fullbacks?

[dd]

We d be fools not to draft a kicker in the later rounds. I have zero confidence in the one we have, zero. And I know I?m not alone on this.

[Pete]

No use in drafting a kicker just for the sake of saying we did. I doubt if taking a kicker in the later rounds is going to provide any competition for Legghio

[Blue In BC]

We d be fools not to draft a kicker in the later rounds. I have zero confidence in the one we have, zero. And I know I?m not alone on this.

Your position is clear. But I think overall you are in the minority. Doesn't make you either wrong or right, but nevertheless, the minority.

[pjrocksmb]

We d be fools not to draft a kicker in the later rounds. I have zero confidence in the one we have, zero. And I know I?m not alone on this.

You have zero confidence (not we).

Your position is clear. But I think overall you are in the minority. Doesn't make you either wrong or right, but nevertheless, the minority.

Yup

[TecnoGenius]

I have confidence in Leggs.  Ever since the LDC.  I have confidence he'll do at least slightly better than last season.  And that's all I really expect.  As long as he keeps trending up, we'll be ok.  Our O has and will morph into more of a scoring O than a just-get-the-FG-with-Meddy O.

We should have considered that final GC O series 3-down territory until we made the 20.  If we had had that mindset we could have run BO20 2 more times instead of that failed quick pass to Demski on 2nd and 5.

That's just the way it'll have to be as we let Leggs improve.  Keep in mind Leggs could easily be as good as Lirim H-lots-of-letters in a few years.

[pjrocksmb]

I have confidence in Leggs.  Ever since the LDC.  I have confidence he'll do at least slightly better than last season.  And that's all I really expect.  As long as he keeps trending up, we'll be ok.  Our O has and will morph into more of a scoring O than a just-get-the-FG-with-Meddy O.

We should have considered that final GC O series 3-down territory until we made the 20.  If we had had that mindset we could have run BO20 2 more times instead of that failed quick pass to Demski on 2nd and 5.

That's just the way it'll have to be as we let Leggs improve.  Keep in mind Leggs could easily be as good as Lirim H-lots-of-letters in a few years.

Agreed

[TBURGESS]

Leggs

Stats:

7th best FG kicker by %, .1 yard better than 8th.

1 FG >= 50 yards, tied with 2 other kickers for 8th.

Missed 5 Converts, worst in the league.

Game Winning FG's 2, Ott/Skn

Game Losing misses 2, Mtl/Tor in the freakin GC.

Ya Buts:

We didn't need him to win most games.

He punted well.

He's not the only reason we lost.

[ModAdmin]

Liegghio doesn't get a free pass onto the team in 2023 and I'm sure he gets that.  We need to bring in some competition and it is not good enough to say Liegghio "will be okay".  I hope he does well this season and I hope he can improve on his performance but let's not get complacent thinking the job is his without looking at anyone else.  His stats are not acceptable right now.

[Pigskin]

He is a good punter. His kickoffs are short compared to most kickers. The 5 missed converts needs to improve. The missed FG against Montreal was flat out a terrible kick. The blocked FG in the GC, looked like the OL didn't block well enough. He does need to improve his leg strength. I like the fact that he is physical and can make the odd tackle when required.

[Blue In BC]

Liegghio doesn't get a free pass onto the team in 2023 and I'm sure he gets that.  We need to bring in some competition and it is not good enough to say Liegghio "will be okay".  I hope he does well this season and I hope he can improve on his performance but let's not get complacent thinking the job is his without looking at anyone else.  His stats are not acceptable right now.

I don't think anybody thinks he gets a free pass but finding a qualified kicker is not easy. Add in the ratio and roster size elements are part of the equation. By all means bring in competition. OTOH it's not unreasonable to think a player can progress at ANY position.

I'm still in the camp that suggests looking for a global kicker to compete. It's less of a ratio issue potentially whether we have two kickers on the AR or one. Obviously we drafted several globals but none of those showed up in 2022.

[theaardvark]

I don't think anybody thinks he gets a free pass but finding a qualified kicker is not easy. Add in the ratio and roster size elements are part of the equation. By all means bring in competition. OTOH it's not unreasonable to think a player can progress at ANY position.

I'm still in the camp that suggests looking for a global kicker to compete. It's less of a ratio issue potentially whether we have two kickers on the AR or one. Obviously we drafted several globals but none of those showed up in 2022.

IF we didn't have Hansen and Mauro taking up our GLB positions, and we could use one of those for a GLB kicker (P or K), then you are correct.  But those two are covering what normally would be DI spots, so having a P as a DI makes more sense than a GLB, unless you either find a way to reclassify Hansen, or cut Mauro. 

Last year, before Hansen came back, getting a GLB P was the plan, they just never showed up.  Now, if we are having separate p and K, a DI makes sense.

[pjrocksmb]

I don't think anybody thinks he gets a free pass but finding a qualified kicker is not easy. Add in the ratio and roster size elements are part of the equation. By all means bring in competition. OTOH it's not unreasonable to think a player can progress at ANY position.

I'm still in the camp that suggests looking for a global kicker to compete. It's less of a ratio issue potentially whether we have two kickers on the AR or one. Obviously we drafted several globals but none of those showed up in 2022.

Great points man.  Yup bring in an American.

Liegghio doesn't get a free pass onto the team in 2023 and I'm sure he gets that.  We need to bring in some competition and it is not good enough to say Liegghio "will be okay".  I hope he does well this season and I hope he can improve on his performance but let's not get complacent thinking the job is his without looking at anyone else.  His stats are not acceptable right now.

I'm willing to say Leggs will be ok.  He will continue to grow, continue to have a few struggles but will show because he can do both job reasonably well, he is a good asset to this club.  Competition will both push him and perhaps he might learn a thing or two from them.  I'm looking to him to be our kicker for a decade if he can pull it allp together this year not worried about a few bumps along the way.

I don't think anyone is suggesting a free pass for him or anyone for that matter.  Gotta come to camp in shape and earn your spot. 

His stats overall are reasonable considering he is doing all the kicking.  Yes there are aspects of his game that need work but there are also other areas where he is already good.  I believe you are slightly overstating the negative here.  I'm likely being slightly optimistic lol.

He is a good punter. His kickoffs are short compared to most kickers. The 5 missed converts needs to improve. The missed FG against Montreal was flat out a terrible kick. The blocked FG in the GC, looked like the OL didn't block well enough. He does need to improve his leg strength. I like the fact that he is physical and can make the odd tackle when required.

Good points, agree all.  A good punter with a strong leg with the right passport is gold.  If he can straighten out a few FGs and singles he will be a solid part of this organization for years to come. 

[dd]

Leggs

Stats:

7th best FG kicker by %, .1 yard better than 8th.

1 FG >= 50 yards, tied with 2 other kickers for 8th.

Missed 5 Converts, worst in the league.

Game Winning FG's 2, Ott/Skn

Game Losing misses 2, Mtl/Tor in the freakin GC.

Ya Buts:

We didn't need him to win most games.

He punted well.

He's not the only reason we lost.

Thanks for bringing some FACTS to this discussion.

Missed most converts in the league and is 7th best kicker statistically in a 9 team league. Yup, he?s a keeper all right!! What a complete joke. Good thing we signed Lawler and have the leagues best receiving corps as our offense will cover up for our pathetic kicking game.

[pjrocksmb]

Thanks for bringing some FACTS to this discussion.

Missed most converts in the league and is 7th best kicker statistically in a 9 team league. Yup, he?s a keeper all right!! What a complete joke. Good thing we signed Lawler and have the leagues best receiving corps as our offense will cover up for our pathetic kicking game.

While Leggs struggling next year is one potential outcome,  I believe you are strongly overstating the negative.  Disagree our kicking game is pathetic.  Punting is good and great at times.  Kickoffs fair to average.  FGs fair, singles poor.  Overall C+ in my opinion.  We shall see what the next chapter brings.  I have hope.  You are entitled to your take.

[Blue In BC]

While Leggs struggling next year is one potential outcome,  I believe you are strongly overstating the negative.  Disagree our kicking game is pathetic.  Punting is good and great at times.  Kickoffs fair to average.  FGs fair, singles poor.  Overall C+ in my opinion.  We shall see what the next chapter brings.  I have hope.  You are entitled to your take.

Well people can " prove " almost anything with facts. Weather, field position, bad snaps, length of FG's and when during the season the kicks were missed. Length of kicks by other kickers etc.

Every kicker missed some kicks in 2022. 16 other missed converts in the CFL. In fact Castillo missed 3 and had a lower success % rate than Liegghio. Lauther missed 2 of 25.

Paredes had 40 of his 60 FG attempts at 39 yards of less ( nearly double Liegghio's. ).

Bombers scored more TD's by a long shot. Not sure how many of any kickers efforts were tipped, influenced by weather or bad snaps.

Bombers finished 15 - 3 and played in the Grey Cup.

We'll see what 2023 brings.

[dd]

2023 will bring an offense that is unbelieveable , will put up serious points, and will hide a so-so, unreliable kicking game. If a game does come down to a field goal, we lose that game.

[pjrocksmb]

Well people can " prove " almost anything with facts. Weather, field position, bad snaps, length of FG's and when during the season the kicks were missed. Length of kicks by other kickers etc.

Every kicker missed some kicks in 2022. 16 other missed converts in the CFL. In fact Castillo missed 3 and had a lower success % rate than Liegghio. Lauther missed 2 of 25.

Paredes had 40 of his 60 FG attempts at 39 yards of less ( nearly double Liegghio's. ).

Bombers scored more TD's by a long shot. Not sure how many of any kickers efforts were tipped, influenced by weather or bad snaps.

Bombers finished 15 - 3 and played in the Grey Cup.

We'll see what 2023 brings.

Make some good point.  Would be interesting to see more advanced analytics applied to kickers to include the factors you mention.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Well people can " prove " almost anything with facts. Weather, field position, bad snaps, length of FG's and when during the season the kicks were missed. Length of kicks by other kickers etc.

Every kicker missed some kicks in 2022. 16 other missed converts in the CFL. In fact Castillo missed 3 and had a lower success % rate than Liegghio. Lauther missed 2 of 25.

Paredes had 40 of his 60 FG attempts at 39 yards of less ( nearly double Liegghio's. ).

Bombers scored more TD's by a long shot. Not sure how many of any kickers efforts were tipped, influenced by weather or bad snaps.

Bombers finished 15 - 3 and played in the Grey Cup.

We'll see what 2023 brings.

Leggs is pretty fortunate to have landed in the right spot at the right time, this offence is not as reliant on the FG kicker to put up double digit pts. and win games as it was with Medlock.  Leggs becomes a secondary player and it's best for him if he can avoid making headlines.

[TecnoGenius]

Missed most converts in the league and is 7th best kicker statistically in a 9 team league. Yup, he?s a keeper all right!! What a complete joke. Good thing we signed Lawler and have the leagues best receiving corps as our offense will cover up for our pathetic kicking game.

But that's clearly part of the plan.  We lost the key puzzle piece Meddy and the CFL has a dearth of great kickers so what are you gonna do?  We recover a DI spot and field a do-it-all NAT.  What else would you have KW do?  There really is nobody else loose at the moment, and certainly not NATs.  Who pray tell do you sign?  You gonna make a splash lose-a-big-name trade for one before week 1?  There's none I'd even want.

And yes, the O will have to cover for the weaker FG game.  And that's fine.  Let's be like that NFL team in the playoffs (Bengals?) that considered every snap on the good side of 50 to be 4 down territory.  Let's just go 3 down ball until we get to the 20, then we consider a FG.

2nd and 5 it's not a sure thing we get 5, but our great O can try bloody hard to make sure that on 2nd and 5 with 2 more downs we can get 5.

And if PATs are still sucking, let's just go for 2 nearly every single time.  Do the math.  I'm sure with a PAT-bad kicker the numbers favor that approach.

IF Leggs doesn't improve over 2022, THEN you pull the trigger.  I think he will improve: as you all point out, his numbers are so bad he'd have to be pathetic to not get better.  You all forgot how he looked even worse in 2021!!!  I say he'll improve and we'll still win games.

[Blue In BC]

But that's clearly part of the plan.  We lost the key puzzle piece Meddy and the CFL has a dearth of great kickers so what are you gonna do?  We recover a DI spot and field a do-it-all NAT.  What else would you have KW do?  There really is nobody else loose at the moment, and certainly not NATs.  Who pray tell do you sign?  You gonna make a splash lose-a-big-name trade for one before week 1?  There's none I'd even want.

And yes, the O will have to cover for the weaker FG game.  And that's fine.  Let's be like that NFL team in the playoffs (Bengals?) that considered every snap on the good side of 50 to be 4 down territory.  Let's just go 3 down ball until we get to the 20, then we consider a FG.

2nd and 5 it's not a sure thing we get 5, but our great O can try bloody hard to make sure that on 2nd and 5 with 2 more downs we can get 5.

And if PATs are still sucking, let's just go for 2 nearly every single time.  Do the math.  I'm sure with a PAT-bad kicker the numbers favor that approach.

IF Leggs doesn't improve over 2022, THEN you pull the trigger.  I think he will improve: as you all point out, his numbers are so bad he'd have to be pathetic to not get better.  You all forgot how he looked even worse in 2021!!!  I say he'll improve and we'll still win games.

He's a potential free agent going into 2024. If he doesn't improve we may choose to not re-sign him or he chooses to move elsewhere on his own.

OTOH if he improves significantly we'll want to extend him and he may choose to move elsewhere.

I can hear it now from some posters asking why we didn't extend him earlier. Some will be those slagging him now.

[Tiger]

What do you guys think of drafting DL Lwal Uguak, Texas Christian if available.

[Pigskin]

What do you guys think of drafting DL Lwal Uguak, Texas Christian if available.

Like it.

[dd]

But that's clearly part of the plan.  We lost the key puzzle piece Meddy and the CFL has a dearth of great kickers so what are you gonna do?  We recover a DI spot and field a do-it-all NAT.  What else would you have KW do?  There really is nobody else loose at the moment, and certainly not NATs.  Who pray tell do you sign?  You gonna make a splash lose-a-big-name trade for one before week 1?  There's none I'd even want.

And yes, the O will have to cover for the weaker FG game.  And that's fine.  Let's be like that NFL team in the playoffs (Bengals?) that considered every snap on the good side of 50 to be 4 down territory.  Let's just go 3 down ball until we get to the 20, then we consider a FG.

2nd and 5 it's not a sure thing we get 5, but our great O can try bloody hard to make sure that on 2nd and 5 with 2 more downs we can get 5.

And if PATs are still sucking, let's just go for 2 nearly every single time.  Do the math.  I'm sure with a PAT-bad kicker the numbers favor that approach.

IF Leggs doesn't improve over 2022, THEN you pull the trigger.  I think he will improve: as you all point out, his numbers are so bad he'd have to be pathetic to not get better.  You all forgot how he looked even worse in 2021!!!  I say he'll improve and we'll still win games.

We could have made it a priority to resign Castillo instead of letting him walk and we d have another grey cup ring to show for it. Going out on a limp with him as Plan A burnt us big time

[Pigskin]

NFL combine on right now. Testing DL.

[DM83]

Isn't that limb?  (Sorry I encountered a bakers cyst a couple months ago, and am still having complications.  ...Eight weeks later)

I want us to get a new kicker.