Fines and the 2025 Draft

[Pigskin]

I was happy with our first 3 picks of 2024. Clercius, Ike, and Wallace. This year I would be happy with either DB Jackson Findlay or LB Devin Veresuk with an early pick.

[Blue In BC]

I was happy with our first 3 picks of 2024. Clercius, Ike, and Wallace. This year I would be happy with either DB Jackson Findlay or LB Devin Veresuk with an early pick.

Those two look to be very good players and may be taken very early in round 1. Yes, I'd also be happy to get either with our 1st pick. From a positional point of view I think a DB has more value as a potential starter down the road and fit into the ratio.  Both could be ST players in year 1 it would appear.

[theaardvark]

Best Player Available should always be the mantra, but right after that is a consideration about how long we can keep them here.

Could we have seen that keeping Tyrell would depend on whether Tre made it as a QB and signed a long term CFL deal?  Probably not at the top of the radar.  But knowing that a LaBatte or Chungh would eventually "go home" is a lot easier call.  I don't want a draft pick who is going to work for 2 years on an ELC getting his game up to snuff, and then leave to go home or to a higher bidder.

Identifying players that fit with our team and work ethic, that want to be part of what we offer, I think that criteria moves them up a few picks in the draft, or down a few picks if they do not have it.

Not saying we go off the board for an Oak Park RB just because of the history.  But, if there was one, I'd move him up a round, for sure.

[Pete]

To me our first pick has to be a potential starter if not this year then next. Regardless of position.
Leave the positional needs for 2nd round or later.
We need a olineman but if whats available is going to be a project then pass

[Blue In BC]

Best Player Available should always be the mantra, but right after that is a consideration about how long we can keep them here.

Could we have seen that keeping Tyrell would depend on whether Tre made it as a QB and signed a long term CFL deal?  Probably not at the top of the radar.  But knowing that a LaBatte or Chungh would eventually "go home" is a lot easier call.  I don't want a draft pick who is going to work for 2 years on an ELC getting his game up to snuff, and then leave to go home or to a higher bidder.

Identifying players that fit with our team and work ethic, that want to be part of what we offer, I think that criteria moves them up a few picks in the draft, or down a few picks if they do not have it.

Not saying we go off the board for an Oak Park RB just because of the history.  But, if there was one, I'd move him up a round, for sure.

I think it comes down to money more than anything. Going home only works if the money works and if that team has a need at that position to spend SMS.

[theaardvark]

I think it comes down to money more than anything. Going home only works if the money works and if that team has a need at that position to spend SMS.

All things being equal, home wins out.

Of course, the villain team has to have a need, and the money has to be right, and guys like Jake are here over closer to home because of the team (and there being no Schooners yet).

But a guy like LaBatte, who spends enough of his time farming that being closer to home matters, could take less money to go home. Or a guy like Biggie, who has established his post game career here, would take less to stay.

Its not a deciding factor, for sure, but it should be a consideration.
 

[Jesse]

I think it comes down to money more than anything. Going home only works if the money works and if that team has a need at that position to spend SMS.

I'm gonna agree with this.

You have to just pick the best player you can (who you think will play in the CFL). You don't know what your team will look like in three years or what the specific player's priorities will be. No sense in worrying about it and letting affect your draft board.

[TecnoGenius]

To me our first pick has to be a potential starter if not this year then next. Regardless of position.
Leave the positional needs for 2nd round or later.
We need a olineman but if whats available is going to be a project then pass

Like Wallace?  Heck many of our medium-to-best OL drafts in the last while were "projects".  Our usual is to hope for a year-2 start, or maybe even a year-3 start.

Some end up being legit year-1 starters, but I'm not sure how many were drafted as such.  I think Chungh was.  Maybe Gray?

But IIRC guys like Desjar and Couture were considered "projects" and not starting in year 1.  Then Desjar turns into one of the best OL we ever drafted!

Goes to show you never know.  But if at all possible I'm taking a top OL in this draft.