#cfldraft Preview

DANIELE FRANCESCHI – Argos Admirals Insider

TORONTO – As the 2014 CFL Draft transitions into primetime, a plethora of rule changes will inevitably affect the quality of depth in this year’s draft class.  During the Canadian Football League’s annual pre-draft teleconference, CFL on TSN analyst and draft guru, Duane Forde, expressed his concern regarding the lack of top-quality prospects available at this year’s event.

Player eligibility remains an ongoing issue for the Canadian Football League.  Newly governed eligibility guidelines have reduced the crop of players in this year’s draft.   Beginning in 2014, red-shirt juniors will no longer be eligible to participate, thus eliminating the notion of a “futures prospect”.  Furthermore, all collegiate players selected in the draft will receive the opportunity to immediately join the CFL team that they are drafted by. 

“The way the draft used to work in terms of player eligibility is that all players, Canadian schools or American schools, would become eligible for the draft four years after they first appeared on a university roster,” explained Forde.  “Now, this year, the impact that people talk about most has to do with the guys at U.S. schools.  They now become eligible for the CFL Draft when they complete their college eligibility, so you have no more red-shirt juniors in the draft.  You won’t have the issue of trying to project where guys are going to be a year down the road.  They will be eligible for the CFL Draft the same year that they are eligible for the NFL Draft.”

This is both a blessing and a curse for the Canadian Football League.  In terms of scheduling, the CFL has always played second fiddle to the NFL Draft.  This year, the Canadian Football League will conduct its annual entry draft just three days following the conclusion of the NFL Draft.

As a former 12-year CFL veteran, Duane Forde has and will continue to be an integral part of the CFL’s draft evaluation process.  Despite the lack of high-end players available within this year’s contingent of talent, Forde is confident that the CFL is heading in the right direction with respect to the refinement of the current draft structure.

“I think, for the most part, in all honesty, it’s getting there,” stated Forde.  “I’m a little bit weary of the rule changes this year involving CIS players.  I think they have the right thing in mind but I’m not sure if it’s actually going to be a permanent solution.  I’m not sure that this will be the last tweak you see involving CIS players.” 

Year-in and year-out, offensive line prospects tend to be in very high demand across the CFL.  In 2013, 15 offensive linemen heard their names called on draft day.  In addition, five of those 15 offensive line prospects were selected in the first round of last year’s draft.  The Toronto Argonauts were one of those five teams that used their first round pick on an offensive lineman.  With their eighth overall selection, the Argonauts drafted McMaster Marauders left tackle Matt Sewell.  The six-foot-eight, 335-pound hulking offensive tackle will be joining the Double Blue when training camp officially kicks off later this month.

It appears as though CFL scouts have begun reassessing methods for player evaluation. Teams seem to be placing more emphasis on versatility and raw athletic ability rather than drafting based on a need at a specific position.  This is particularly evident with skill players.  In the top 18 picks of last year’s draft, only two skill position players were selected.  It may very well be a similar outcome this year as there are only two skill players currently ranked within the top 15 of the CFL Scouting Bureau’s pre-draft rankings.

Overall, it is a basic case of supply and demand.  With a limited number of players to choose from, the onus is now being placed upon CFL scouts, general mangers, and coaches to do their due diligence in order to find players that are capable of contributing to their respective franchises.  

Mature, poised prospects tend to come at a premium in the CFL Draft.  As a result of this year’s new rule changes, rounds one and two of the draft become of heightened importance for all nine Canadian Football League clubs.

“Those first two rounds are always going to be very important.  It’s kind of a relative thing because you’re still competing with the other teams,” commented Forde.  “I think there also needs to be an understanding that you may not find quite as many immediate contributors as you would in other years.  With a smaller pool in total, just on that alone, it is not going to as deep a class.  Bottom line, it is still going to be equally important. Those first two rounds are still going to be key.”

Without question, the CFL Draft can present a multitude of challenges for scouts, general mangers, and coaches.  There is an abundance of question marks and red flags associated with various draft eligible players.  At the end of day, when a team is on the clock, an individual’s instincts have a tendency to assume control of the situation.  Essentially, months and months of preparation and mock drafts culminate with an impulsive decision. 

Whether it is based on a “hunch” or “gut feeling”, a decision made on draft day can either make or break the career of a scout, coach, or GM.  Although the scarcity of high calibre talent remains the main concern entering Tuesday night’s draft, you will not find any teams making excuses.  There are good players to be had.  Those teams that have committed themselves to hours of extensive, in-depth research and player evaluation will ultimately reap the benefits of their hard work and perseverance.

“There are still a number of good players,” declared Forde.  “There is still some depth to this (draft) class but not high-end depth, so you’re going to see some guys get picked earlier than they probably would.”

Insider Extra – Defensive Liabilities

Toronto Argonauts general manager, Jim Barker, has garnered the reputation of being a risk taker.  Simply put, he is not afraid to think outside the box and toil in the realm of unpredictability.  It is certainly no secret that the Boatmen have their fair share of issues on the defensive side of the football.  Due to several off-season departures, the Double Blue will once again field a new-look defence in 2014.  CFL on TSN draft expert, Duane Forde, states that with the all uncertainty surrounding Toronto’s defence, it would make the most sense for Barker and his staff to lean towards drafting a versatile defensive prospect.

“That would make sense for the Argos.  I think they’re still in a decent spot in terms of their offensive line.  You can definitely see the holes on the defensive side of the football,” stated Forde.  “Ricky Foley left last year via free agency, David Lee this year, as well as Pat Watkins, and they may need to add some depth on the defensive line behind Cleyon Laing who had a really good rookie year for them last year.  I think that could certainly be a priority for Toronto.”