2024 CFL Draft

[TecnoGenius]

Interesting draft...
[...]
WR, RB off the bat was unexpected, but both are going to contribute immediately on ST, and could be good depth for development.

Wacky draft!  WR+RB at 13/14... pretty sure no one here had that on their bingo card.  Well, maybe a couple said we may go WR as BPA early on: so they were right.  But was CLERCIUS BPA at the time?

Maybe we just wanted to make the TSN panel look foolish, as none could predict our nuttiness!

But after the 13/14 we settled into much what was predicted: a DL and a possibly-exciting hoggie.  3 hoggie picks overall (4th a flyer) restocks the cupboard so I can breathe a sigh of relief we haven't abandoned our look-to-the-future ways.

The RB is a complete mystery though.  Unless they've already spied him as the FB we so desperately need.  A FB who is a legit RB too could be very valuable in our system.  We may even be able to find a way to roster all 3 NAT "RB's" we now have.  But if we made this guy our first pick as a RB-only, then Johnny may have to watch his six in TC... Or he'll get on the "Brady dev path" and be an apprentice for 2 seasons.

[TecnoGenius]

Their is no need to go 3 imports on the Oline.  Dobson/Eli will Duke it out for LG and when Neufeld retires the loser might take his place.

Actually, it's a good and novel thought.  Why not go 3 IMP OL?  It always bugs me when we start 9 or 8 NATs.  Almost no other team does this.

IF we get some great IMP OL scouting done for this TC, maybe we do find not just a legit RT, but an inside IMP guy as well.  That's a big IF though, as we haven't scouted a legit IMP in forever.  Seems we're better at finding NAT OL talent than IMP.

Why rush a new NAT DP OL in, in year 1?  And if Dobson/Eli can't make the grade either (I'd say 50/50 right now), then doing the ol' Bond routine could be an ELC way to save our bacon... How many hoggies did we bring up from the USA for TC??

As for the new "road-grader" pick... he might be intriguing as the 6th/TE, swinging across into the opposite A-gap to road-grade for Brady, like Yoshi used to do.

But as of right now, I'm pretty baffled as to what the final O pieces will look like (OL, TE, FB).  I guess it'll be hard to tell until week 1 rolls around in a few weeks.

[ModAdmin]

Key dates to watch as we approach the 2024 season...

May 8 - Rookie Camp opens at the stadium.

May 12 - Main Training Camp opens at the stadium.

May 14 - Rosters reduced to 75 players.

June 1 - Training Camp ends.

From everything I've seen, the Rookie and Main Training Camps are open to the public.

[VictorRomano]

The RB is a complete mystery though.  Unless they've already spied him as the FB we so desperately need.  A FB who is a legit RB too could be very valuable in our system.  We may even be able to find a way to roster all 3 NAT "RB's" we now have.  But if we made this guy our first pick as a RB-only, then Johnny may have to watch his six in TC... Or he'll get on the "Brady dev path" and be an apprentice for 2 seasons.

I was listening to the 3DownNation draft simulcast and analysis and they panel said they don't expect him to ever become an every-down starter because he doesn't have the vision of an elite RB, but he's a genetic freak and will likely be able to translate that into a decade-long career in the CFL as an ST specialist with some spot duty at RB due to injury or a blocking FB in SY in max protect from time to time.

[BomberFan73]

Special teams was not our usual strength lastyear, and the club must have targeted that area to upgrade.

[Blue In BC]

Their is no need to go 3 imports on the Oline.  Dobson/Eli will Duke it out for LG and when Neufeld retires the loser might take his place.

That's not exactly what I said. It's a depth question and readiness. We always retain import OL on the PR. If we have an injury or more, it might be necessary to use an import as the # 6 OL if he's ahead of a 2024 draft choice.

While that's unlikely, we also don't know how good Eli or Dobson will be in 2024.  However it's an option now due to starting more than 7 Canadians if we choose or need.

[theaardvark]

Wacky draft!  WR+RB at 13/14... pretty sure no one here had that on their bingo card.  Well, maybe a couple said we may go WR as BPA early on: so they were right.  But was CLERCIUS BPA at the time?

Maybe we just wanted to make the TSN panel look foolish, as none could predict our nuttiness!

But after the 13/14 we settled into much what was predicted: a DL and a possibly-exciting hoggie.  3 hoggie picks overall (4th a flyer) restocks the cupboard so I can breathe a sigh of relief we haven't abandoned our look-to-the-future ways.

The RB is a complete mystery though.  Unless they've already spied him as the FB we so desperately need.  A FB who is a legit RB too could be very valuable in our system.  We may even be able to find a way to roster all 3 NAT "RB's" we now have.  But if we made this guy our first pick as a RB-only, then Johnny may have to watch his six in TC... Or he'll get on the "Brady dev path" and be an apprentice for 2 seasons.

Pretty sure Baker suggested Clercius as our first pick when we were about to pick.  It might be the reason we dropped down, that no one was suspected of picking him, and he would have been our 8th pick anyway.  It sounds like he is an OShea prototypical guy, plays teams, is a Sheed like blocker, but can still produce when needed.  With 8 Nat starters already, I think he fits in great. 

With us moving on from Johnson at FB, we needed someone to replace him.  He has BO20 to learn from, and maybe adjust his upright running style, but in the meantime, he plays teams, and might just fit perfectly into the Miller mould, he is almost identical in size and is apparently a physical specimen.

I was thinking they'd go DE or OL early, lots of beef out there, but looking at the entire draft, and not just one or two picks, I think they addressed the situation very well, prioritizing ST play that was not the best facet of our game last year. 

[theaardvark]

That's not exactly what I said. It's a depth question and readiness. We always retain import OL on the PR. If we have an injury or more, it might be necessary to use an import as the # 6 OL if he's ahead of a 2024 draft choice.

While that's unlikely, we also don't know how good Eli or Dobson will be in 2024.  However it's an option now due to starting more than 7 Canadians if we choose or need.

Pretty sure we do know.  If there was any doubt, moves would have been made.  Both Eli and Dobson have proven over the time they've been here that they can play at a high level, if Costello thought they couldn't easily step in and compete for Gray's starting spot, Gray wold be back.

We've tried backup/PR American Oline at OG.  Remember the Bond experiment?  We bring in American OT's, not OG's.  And those skill sets do not always easily translate.  So you can't just slap a PR OT into a starting OG spot.

Remember, Eli was a highly rated NFL prospect until he moved away from football for family reasons, and Dobson got to 2 NFL camps before coming north... these are not scrapheap players, they are legit talent.  That Eli can also back up at C is an even bigger plus.

With 4(3) Oline drafted this year, the potential for a 7th Oline on the AR as well as a PR spot or 2 is there as well.  Which doesn't leave much room for American Oline...

[Blue In BC]

Pretty sure we do know.  If there was any doubt, moves would have been made.  Both Eli and Dobson have proven over the time they've been here that they can play at a high level, if Costello thought they couldn't easily step in and compete for Gray's starting spot, Gray wold be back.

We've tried backup/PR American Oline at OG.  Remember the Bond experiment?  We bring in American OT's, not OG's.  And those skill sets do not always easily translate.  So you can't just slap a PR OT into a starting OG spot.

Remember, Eli was a highly rated NFL prospect until he moved away from football for family reasons, and Dobson got to 2 NFL camps before coming north... these are not scrapheap players, they are legit talent.  That Eli can also back up at C is an even bigger plus.

With 4(3) Oline drafted this year, the potential for a 7th Oline on the AR as well as a PR spot or 2 is there as well.  Which doesn't leave much room for American Oline...

Both Eli and Dobson were behind Gray, so our sample size is small. We have had import guards and centers in the past, so it's an option not a necessity.

It might be more of a question as to how soon or how ready Wallace is to be either the 7th or 6th OL ( if there is an injury ).

[theaardvark]

Both Eli and Dobson were behind Gray, so our sample size is small. We have had import guards and centers in the past, so it's an option not a necessity.

It might be more of a question as to how soon or how ready Wallace is to be either the 7th or 6th OL ( if there is an injury ).

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.

[Blue In BC]

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.

Yes, Wallace will likely be the 7th OL or 6th OL if we have an injury. I don't know much about him or the other OL drafted but wouldn't expect any of the others to be more than PR in 2024.

As I said, we haven't always had 8 or 9 potential Canadian starters, so it gives us another option. An import may be projected as an OT in 2025 and he might be more ready than Wallace as an example.

I don't think that will happen but it is a new option that we haven't had before the last couple of seasons.

We had Machino on the PR and IMO he was never an OT option. By default he was an emergency plan at guard. Now he's no longer with the team.

[theaardvark]

Yes, Wallace will likely be the 7th OL or 6th OL if we have an injury. I don't know much about him or the other OL drafted but wouldn't expect any of the others to be more than PR in 2024.

As I said, we haven't always had 8 or 9 potential Canadian starters, so it gives us another option. An import may be projected as an OT in 2025 and he might be more ready than Wallace as an example.

I don't think that will happen but it is a new option that we haven't had before the last couple of seasons.

We had Machino on the PR and IMO he was never an OT option. By default he was an emergency plan at guard. Now he's no longer with the team.

A 3 Imp oline would take injury to 2 starters.  Kolankowski, Neufeld, Dobson and Eli have the inner oline covered three ways from centre, and it would take 2 of them getting injured to require an emergency Imp insertion.  And even then, we won't have an Imp OG on the roster, and would probably go with one of the DP's, whoever's more ready. 

[Blue In BC]

A 3 Imp oline would take injury to 2 starters.  Kolankowski, Neufeld, Dobson and Eli have the inner oline covered three ways from centre, and it would take 2 of them getting injured to require an emergency Imp insertion.  And even then, we won't have an Imp OG on the roster, and would probably go with one of the DP's, whoever's more ready. 

Which part are you not getting that Wallace might not the best option to be the 6th OL? He'll be the 7th OL to start the season. However, an import might be needed to be a 6h OL at either OT or guard.

Our current ratio would allow that if what I suggested happens. In 2023 Gray might have been the in game injury at OT. We've lost that option in game. So this is a new situation.

Not the preferable one and I hope Wallace is game ready if the need occurs.

[theaardvark]

OT injury means a 4 NAT oline, not a 2 NAT oline..

We have NAT injury OT backup in Neufeld.  We will probably dress 5 Nat oline (Neuf, Dobson, Eli, Kola, and a draft pick) and 2 Imp oline (Stanley and whoever wins the RT battle). Injury insode, Eli/Dobson covers.  OT injury, Neuf moves out, and Eli/Dobson covers. 2 guy go down in game, DP comes in.  3 guys go down, Jake changes jerseys.

With Imp OT makes the roster, and which sticks on the PR is a TC issue.  Which DP makes the roster, and which ones end up on teh PR, again, TC battle. 

And there is always the potential that Gray could be called up.

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. 

[Blue In BC]

OT injury means a 4 NAT oline, not a 2 NAT oline..

We have NAT injury OT backup in Neufeld.  We will probably dress 5 Nat oline (Neuf, Dobson, Eli, Kola, and a draft pick) and 2 Imp oline (Stanley and whoever wins the RT battle). Injury insode, Eli/Dobson covers.  OT injury, Neuf moves out, and Eli/Dobson covers. 2 guy go down in game, DP comes in.  3 guys go down, Jake changes jerseys.

With Imp OT makes the roster, and which sticks on the PR is a TC issue.  Which DP makes the roster, and which ones end up on teh PR, again, TC battle. 

And there is always the potential that Gray could be called up.

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. 

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.