2024 CFL Draft

[theaardvark]

Probably. I'd rather keep Neufeld at guard than moving him to OT in case of emergency beyond in game situation. We didn't use an import at FB before last season. We didn't start a Canadian at SAM after a few games in 2024.

Yes, Neufeld could move out to OT but would that be the best choice for an extended period? If we have an import OT on the PR, it might be an option if and when we have any injury to a starting Canadian.

Keeping in mind we'll already have 2 new starters on our OL.

Neufeld at OT is an ingame injury replacement only.  Next game, the Int OT on the PR comes in.  That is why you have an Int OT on the PR at all times.  And if he gets put on rollerskates by the D, Neufeld is the emergency in game replacement.

[Blue In BC]

Neufeld at OT is an ingame injury replacement only.  Next game, the Int OT on the PR comes in.  That is why you have an Int OT on the PR at all times.  And if he gets put on rollerskates by the D, Neufeld is the emergency in game replacement.

We'll already be starting a new import OT. Probably Lofton as the front runner at the moment. The point you continue is if it's Neufeld that has more than just an in game injury, we could see an import added to the AR.

While Dobson might start in place of Neufeld ,we lose another in game replacement at OT. I don't know that Wallace will fill that role as the 6th OL. However adding a 2nd import OT might be a better solution.

In 2024 Gray was a 2nd option to slide out to OT. I don't think Eli, Dobson or Wallace will fill that option should it become necessary. I see this as an option should Neufeld suffer more than an in game injury.

Obviously, Wallace could be more game ready than I imagine, but imports are usually closer to game ready than rookie Canadians. Not only that they have experience playing more OT than G.

[TecnoGenius]

The one of Eli or Dobson who isn't starting for Gray will be the sixth man.  One of the DP's will probably be the 7th (my money is on Wallace).  We will have 2 American OT (unless Wallace surprises) on the AR and one on the PR.

Sounds like a full roster with a 3 Nat Oline to me.

IF IF IF Dobson/Eli prove as capable as Gray at LG.  Big IF.  Don't y'all remember the one/couple/few games Dobson or Eli started at guard (garbage season / pre-season) or stepped in as in-game injury replacement?  They looked pretty bad.

So we're counting on those instances being flukes (weak supporting cast, no one cared, etc), OR we're counting on them having dev'd a whack ton.  This is certainly possible, but it's not 100%.

My hunch is week 1 it's Dobson at LG.  If he stinks out the joint (i.e. worse than Gray in his first few starts) then we need plan B, pronto.  It certainly is possible Eli beats out Dobson in TC, but the same problem remains.

IF our NAT aspirations don't pan out, AND we strike gold with some great TC IMP OL, then "pulling a Bond" is certainly a viable possibility given our ratio overage.  What's harder to find at the last second, a very good NAT LG or an IMP LG?  Our pool of NAT OL is now set in stone, the IMP OL pool is very flexible...

This is the one advantage to being (way) over-ratio.

[TecnoGenius]

Looks pretty solid, and in no instance, ever, does it require a 3 Imp oline.  Even though we could with out starting ratio.  Just no reason to.  Its not like a new Int olineman would be dressed over a Nat.  Ever.

They would if the DPs are not game-ready, and both Dobson and Eli disappoint at LG... then there'd be no other option.

[TecnoGenius]

While Dobson might start in place of Neufeld ,we lose another in game replacement at OT. I don't know that Wallace will fill that role as the 6th OL. However adding a 2nd import OT might be a better solution.

Certainly the un-started of Dobson/Eli would be the 6th... BUT if Wallace is dressed anyhow, he could be the 6th for certain schemes/sets.  He might be a stronger option at run-dozing, while Dobson/Eli a stronger option at pass-pro.  They say Wallace not very quick with the hands, and bad with feet, so that would make him a road-grader only and a poor choice to passpro against an agile DE.

Of course that kind of tips the opponent off to our plan that snap... but we can play with it to mix it up enough to keep them guessing.

If it's 4th Q and we're just pounding the gut with Brady anyhow, why not try this kid out?  Heck, maybe put him at LG for some snaps and have Dobson move out to extra edge protection.

Who knows.  But this is all certainly dependent on how well the kid shines right off the bat.  He may need 1-2 years before he can do anything, as is somewhat normal for WPG DP OL (minus Chungh, Gray, Desjar).

[CrazyCanuck89]

Certainly the un-started of Dobson/Eli would be the 6th... BUT if Wallace is dressed anyhow, he could be the 6th for certain schemes/sets.  He might be a stronger option at run-dozing, while Dobson/Eli a stronger option at pass-pro.  They say Wallace not very quick with the hands, and bad with feet, so that would make him a road-grader only and a poor choice to passpro against an agile DE.

Of course that kind of tips the opponent off to our plan that snap... but we can play with it to mix it up enough to keep them guessing.

If it's 4th Q and we're just pounding the gut with Brady anyhow, why not try this kid out?  Heck, maybe put him at LG for some snaps and have Dobson move out to extra edge protection.

Who knows.  But this is all certainly dependent on how well the kid shines right off the bat.  He may need 1-2 years before he can do anything, as is somewhat normal for WPG DP OL (minus Chungh, Gray, Desjar).

If you can dress seven Oline, then do it.

[theaardvark]

They would if the DPs are not game-ready, and both Dobson and Eli disappoint at LG... then there'd be no other option.

If BOTH Dobson and Eli disappoint at LG, then tey call Gray.  But there is no way Costello goes into the season unhappy with replacing Gray with Dobson/Eli.  No way he lets Walters not sign Gray if he isn't 100% sure in Dobson/Eli.  We let Couture go because Kolankowski was ready.  We lose at last one good Olineman a year to pricing out, and have replaced them.

[CrazyCanuck89]

They would if the DPs are not game-ready, and both Dobson and Eli disappoint at LG... then there'd be no other option.

Why would they disappoint at LG.  Eli showed last year, that he should be on the field.

[Blue In BC]

If BOTH Dobson and Eli disappoint at LG, then tey call Gray.  But there is no way Costello goes into the season unhappy with replacing Gray with Dobson/Eli.  No way he lets Walters not sign Gray if he isn't 100% sure in Dobson/Eli.  We let Couture go because Kolankowski was ready.  We lose at last one good Olineman a year to pricing out, and have replaced them.

Not quite. Couture left for a big payday and he's from the Lower Mainland.

[TecnoGenius]

Why would they disappoint at LG.  Eli showed last year, that he should be on the field.

Not sure where you're getting that.  I remember the few times he was in at LG and the forum had some big naysayers (dd and/or TB I think? sorry if wrong).  I was trying to be optimistic but it was clear Eli was no Gray, and Gray was no Desjar!!

Eli was great as 6th or 7th, but I've seen nothing to indicate he's ready for LG.

That said, as usual, he may have dev'd since and may be even better if anointed new LG in TC and practicing with first unit, etc.  We can all be hopeful.

And why are you picking Eli?  My money is on Dobson winning the spot if it comes down to a Dobson/Eli choice.  He looked like the stronger option with Eli left free as the 6th, as well as C injury replacement.  Both feel/look undersized from the stands compared to Gray, no idea if the stats back that up.

Serious question for you others who think Eli is the favorite: why?  Not dissing, just curious as I have the opposite take.

[CrazyCanuck89]

Not sure where you're getting that.  I remember the few times he was in at LG and the forum had some big naysayers (dd and/or TB I think? sorry if wrong).  I was trying to be optimistic but it was clear Eli was no Gray, and Gray was no Desjar!!

Eli was great as 6th or 7th, but I've seen nothing to indicate he's ready for LG.

That said, as usual, he may have dev'd since and may be even better if anointed new LG in TC and practicing with first unit, etc.  We can all be hopeful.

And why are you picking Eli?  My money is on Dobson winning the spot if it comes down to a Dobson/Eli choice.  He looked like the stronger option with Eli left free as the 6th, as well as C injury replacement.  Both feel/look undersized from the stands compared to Gray, no idea if the stats back that up.

Serious question for you others who think Eli is the favorite: why?  Not dissing, just curious as I have the opposite take.

That's because your average fan can't evaluate Oline talent.

[Blue In BC]

Eli was considered a steal when we drafted him. The team signed him to a 3 year deal going into 2023. That says he's in the longer term plans. IIRC Dobson is only signed for 2024. I'm not saying they won't extend / re-sign him for 2025 but it's a TBD.

Dobson may choose to leave ( playing time or SMS ) or we draft more OL in the 2025 draft?

Anyway. IMO that's why the expectation is Eli is the LG going into TC.

[TecnoGenius]

Anyway. IMO that's why the expectation is Eli is the LG going into TC.

I guess that could make sense.  Maybe others have more theories?

However, football is about "this season".  If Dobson is clearly better than Eli then you start Dobson, regardless of his fickle status next season.  It's about winning now.  You don't hamstring your team right now to stave off the pain of off-season player losses.

You could also argue that letting them start and win & get rings makes them eager to stay, a la Neufeld, Yoshi, Stan.

[Blue In BC]

I guess that could make sense.  Maybe others have more theories?

However, football is about "this season".  If Dobson is clearly better than Eli then you start Dobson, regardless of his fickle status next season.  It's about winning now.  You don't hamstring your team right now to stave off the pain of off-season player losses.

You could also argue that letting them start and win & get rings makes them eager to stay, a la Neufeld, Yoshi, Stan.

Sure Dobson could end up starting and win a large new contract going into 2025. OTOH if Eli does win and plays the entire season as the LG, Dobson won't " earn " a large new contract. He may still earn a new contract or he may choose to move elsewhere.

Too early to predict what happens for 2025. The only thing we would seem to know is that Eli will go into TC as the starting LG on the depth chart.

Anything can happen including injuries to multiple players that could impact the outcome.

[TecnoGenius]

Too early to predict what happens for 2025. The only thing we would seem to know is that Eli will go into TC as the starting LG on the depth chart.

You keep saying that... but I don't recall hearing that from anyone within WFC.  Do you have some inside info or something I missed?  Everything I heard from KW et al was "we have in house talent", "we have options" type stuff.