2026 CFL Draft - Blue Bomber Selections

[theaardvark]

might be my favorite pick of the draft now:

https://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/winnipeg/never-give-up-hard-scrabble-childhood-didn-t-stop-bombers-daniels/article_b2fdf82d-9f0d-4064-9bd5-dad710702757.html

Wow, reading that was very moving.

It almost seems like they traded up as much to show how much they wanted him as they did to get him.

His reaction to the question "what do you think about Western" shows that he has loyalty, and I don't think he's the kind of guy that will play his ELC and then move "home".  He's here until we give up on him.  Which, if he plays anywhere near the way he's reported to, is going to be very unlikely to happen. 

[CrazyCanuck89]

No. This is one of the biggest problems in pro football right now honestly. Rushing young guys on to the field. Him not taking any meaningful reps last year was, imo a smart move. Let him learn the pro game and get comfortable before piling more responsibilities on to him.

Smith at MLB and Shay at Sam is possible. But I doubt we see both starting this year. With the wealth of LB's they currently have I'm not sure either start, I guess it depends on how they want to work the ratio.

I think you mean Smith at SLB snd Shay at MLB or WLB is possible.

[CrazyCanuck89]

100% I'd like to see both or at least 1 get meaningful reps this year. I was just saying that if they don't start, I don't think it's a sign that they are busts. Young players need time to grow/learn etc. Starting after being drafted shouldn't be expected.

They really don't need to grow though.  Both went to NCAA schools,if they were considered Americans, they would have a better chance of starting as rookies oe 2nd year players.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

They really don't need to grow though.  Both went to NCAA schools,if they were considered Americans, they would have a better chance of starting as rookies oe 2nd year players.

The danger is not providing them a quick enough career path to starting, seeing them leave and find stardom on another team, like Cameron Judge did.  Long term Shay should be a much more valuable asset to manage than Tony Jones.

[Tecno]

100% I'd like to see both or at least 1 get meaningful reps this year. I was just saying that if they don't start, I don't think it's a sign that they are busts. Young players need time to grow/learn etc. Starting after being drafted shouldn't be expected.

Not for 1st rounders.  I think 1st rounders should 100% be expected to start in year 1 or year 2.  They aren't as valuable if they take until year 3 because then you have only 1 year to take advantage of their cheap near-ELC wage.  If they light it up in year 3 you get reamed on their re-sign before year 4 (as someone said about Judge).

Look at Kramdi, 2RDP, was already making starts in year 2.  Shay needs to be at least that level.

So me expecting Shay to get many actual game reps (as backup) in year 2 is actually going easy on the kid.  In fact, if we have some dire starter-LBer injury mid-season, it would be great if Shay could start.  See also: Dequoy.

[Tecno]

I'm not knocking Allen but I'd think his role as a starter will be challenged by several players in TC.

As it should be.  Allen is kind of a placeholder at best.  He's no BA or Loffler.  Surely there's a Canadian who could do it just as well.  (Unless Allen ups his game this season, which is a possibility -- he's still pretty new to the team.)