Pre-Draft and Mock Draft Discussions

[ModAdmin]

Here is Marshall Ferguson's (cfl.ca) Mock 1.0 Draft thoughts prior to the May 2, 2023 Draft Day....

https://www.cfl.ca/2023/04/12/mock-1-0-what-will-ottawa-do-with-the-first-overall-pick/

[dizzycamper]

Having spent some time on this years u sports draft prospects, the first two rounds are excellent choices for the Bombers.... I have Charlie Ringland as the third round pick...

Agree with Marshall Ferguson regarding Jack Kelly, but can't go wrong with Ringland... Hope his combine injury isn't serious.... Also, like Jaxon Ford out of Regina and Lucas Cormier (Mount Allison) here as well as a 3rd rd pick, but, a local kid should get the nod...

[drahgon]

^agreed, mentioned him as well in the CFL combine thread.

Also, see this article on the bombers website:
https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/04/12/that-would-be-a-dream-come-true-charlie-ringland-draft-profile/

[DM83]

Thanks for some info. 

Now let?s create some names and match with teams.
Bombers can always use  pro ready type player.

When do we draft? Nineth?
Ok, what do we need?

Probably potential starters on defense and the offensive line?
Ok a def tackle
A safety
Weak side lb
O line,
in that order

[Blue In BC]

Thanks for some info. 

Now let?s create some names and match with teams.
Bombers can always use  pro ready type player.

When do we draft? Nineth?
Ok, what do we need?

Probably potential starters on defense and the offensive line?
Ok a def tackle
A safety
Weak side lb
O line,
in that order

A lot depends on who is available when we make our picks. There will be a potential list we have ranking our choices. Some choices may be taken earlier than we thought and vice versa. Several players will be looking south to the NFL and those decisions may not be set in stone yet.

I wonder whether the picks we make will be returning to school one more year or expected to compete for actual roster spots in TC.  Most likely those would be PR spots initially.

Bombers have a few older Canadians on the roster so succession planning must be in the minds of management. IMO we have possibly 4 or 5 Canadians that might be playing their final season.

Generally I agree that if good candidates are available when we pick, then we look at defensive players.

[CrazyCanuck89]

A lot depends on who is available when we make our picks. There will be a potential list we have ranking our choices. Some choices may be taken earlier than we thought and vice versa. Several players will be looking south to the NFL and those decisions may not be set in stone yet.

I wonder whether the picks we make will be returning to school one more year or expected to compete for actual roster spots in TC.  Most likely those would be PR spots initially.

Bombers have a few older Canadians on the roster so succession planning must be in the minds of management. IMO we have possibly 4 or 5 Canadians that might be playing their final season.

Generally I agree that if good candidates are available when we pick, then we look at defensive players.

I think you guys have already planned for that.  In a year from now I could see Dobson being your starting RG.  I also think Gray is a better tackle than he is a guard, so maybe RT for him. 

Eli is only 27, maybe LG, RG.  I think he played LT and C in college.

I think you guys should draft a defensive end to play behind Jefferson and Jeffcoat. 

[M.O.A.B.]

I don't think the Bombers have a pressing need for an immediate Canadian player so I'm inclined to think they are going for a future pick on the first round (likely an OL that will be in the NFL camp for next year).

That said, if a high-quality player will become available on their turn, they will jump on it.

[kkc60]

I think Dline depth and then some future replacements for guys like Briggs, Gauthier and Miller (older canadians).

We only have 3 Canadian receivers and 2 Canadian RBs so some depth there could be nice too

[Blue In BC]

I think you guys have already planned for that.  In a year from now I could see Dobson being your starting RG.  I also think Gray is a better tackle than he is a guard, so maybe RT for him. 

Eli is only 27, maybe LG, RG.  I think he played LT and C in college.

I think you guys should draft a defensive end to play behind Jefferson and Jeffcoat. 

It's not ever quite that easy. Gray, Dobson, Neufeld and Kolankowski are all potential free agents in 2024. So are Bryant and Hardrick. 

We don't know what any of those players plan for 2024. SMS, age and ratio considerations all come into play.

At the moment we have 2 Canadian OL as depth with 5 in total and only 3 starting.  It's possible we could plan about 4 starting Canadians in 2024 but we could just as easily continue with the 2 imports at T.

Bottom line is that we need to draft or retain 1 - 2 extra Canadian OL in the pipeline.

Currently we have 2 rookie Canadian OL on the TC roster. They will compete.

[CrazyCanuck89]

It's not ever quite that easy. Gray, Dobson, Neufeld and Kolankowski are all potential free agents in 2024. So are Bryant and Hardrick. 

We don't know what any of those players plan for 2024. SMS, age and ratio considerations all come into play.

At the moment we have 2 Canadian OL as depth with 5 in total and only 3 starting.  It's possible we could plan about 4 starting Canadians in 2024 but we could just as easily continue with the 2 imports at T.

Bottom line is that we need to draft or retain 1 - 2 extra Canadian OL in the pipeline.

Currently we have 2 rookie Canadian OL on the TC roster. They will compete.

Of course you should draft Olinemen, but you might only see 2-3 go in the first two rounds.  Look for one to.develop in rounds 3 and lower.  It's a very weak draft for Olinemen, but strong for DB and DL.

[Pete]

Looking at our current roster, I would also draft a defensive lineman ,preferably at de.  We really missed having Kongbo last year to rotate in. Back ups to the two jeffs and Walker are  probably the weakest link going into training camp this year.
In the second round I could see us going for o line or db depending on who's available. Beyond that its likely we look at someone who can contribute on special teams.

[NewBlue]

I think we are good at OL with Dobson & Eli as Nat backups, plus the other few guys that'll be on PR. Lots of depth there.
As another poster mentioned we only have Orange in depth at WR benind Demski & Wolitarsky. I think that position is a priority for our Nat Depth. Otherwise look at a flexible hybrid type D player who could lineup at multiple spots on D

[TecnoGenius]

I think we are good at OL with Dobson & Eli as Nat backups

I always think "we are good" at NAT OL.  I always think no way we draft another.  But then we always do, or snipe one from somewhere.  Our OL turnover is not insignificant and The Mafia clearly prefers to have tons of depth.  They like dev guys to be in the hopper.

As such, even though it looks like our NAT OL room is stocked, I bet we bring on yet another guy.  Eli & Dobson will now be sophomores, and we always make sure we have a rookie around.

[NewBlue]

I always think "we are good" at NAT OL.  I always think no way we draft another.  But then we always do, or snipe one from somewhere.  Our OL turnover is not insignificant and The Mafia clearly prefers to have tons of depth.  They like dev guys to be in the hopper.

As such, even though it looks like our NAT OL room is stocked, I bet we bring on yet another guy.  Eli & Dobson will now be sophomores, and we always make sure we have a rookie around.

For sure its a good chance we draft a OL, but I just don't think they should with the first couple picks.

[Pigskin]

For sure its a good chance we draft a OL, but I just don't think they should with the first couple picks.

I agree. There are 6 DLs in the top 20 of this draft.