CFL Draft 2015, Nic Demski, Pick #6 in Round 1

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OV - 54:40
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David wrote:
OV - 54:40 wrote:Haven`t been checking in here much but surprised to not find mention of SFU receiver Lamar Durant declaring early for the NFL draft (as did Rice DT Christian Covington (son of CFL great Grover) - these 2 guys should be top 3 material perhaps for the CFL draft now....
I have actually followed Durant since he was a standout high school quarterback here on the Lower Mainland. He was an outstanding athlete, then got a scholarship to U of Nevada (Div 1) before transferring up the SFU after some knee injuries down there.

I think he would be an interesting pick for the Leos. Not sure what kind of NFL interest he's going to garner coming from Simon Fraser (or the better question is, can he overcome the stigma of being a CDN from a CDN school if he does get drafted - to unseat a higher ranked draft from a big program down south). Gore is our best non-import receiver (slotback) but he's been somewhat inconsistent, or at least has never really lived up to his vast potential. Poblah, Iannuzzi, Haidara - not sure about any of them at this point. It may have been hard to truly judge last season, given all the issues around the team (no Lulay, new OC, all the injuries and line-up changes). Then there's Tomasiuk and Adekolu waiting in the wings. I wouldn't say we're exactly desperate for National receiving picks. Could we use an upgrade? Sure. But not enough to use at #4 overall for Demski or Durant.


WCJ, I agree it's early to give up on Norman and Thorn. Norman won't be lying on the lab table anymore and that should help him. He puts too much pressure on himself. Valli was the same way, that's why he wanted no part of centre. Reid had the the smarts to play the position and the confidence to work with Dorazio's demands, even though he wasn't as gifted athletically IMO.


DH :cool:

Not sure passing on maybe the best pure player/talent in this draft, and in a position of big need, would make sense. IF Durant does not draw some serious NFL interest (that should be apparent before the CFL draft - and i'll bet he does get an NFL shot) - a 6,2, 230 athletic receiver who runs a 4.4/4.5 range 40 and has put up an outstanding / conference best receiving season in college ball = first round draft material / maybe the best Canadian receiver talent in years and maybe an impact starter from day one; and a local guy to boot who maybe is proud to play at home and shows appreciation for the local team that drafts him by becoming a long career Lion lifer.

A lot of ifs & maybes there perhaps, but receivers are very important in the CFL game, teams deploy lots of them, and a the chance to add a top notch and local talent
who could perhaps be a dominant receiver in the league ... there better be another very outstanding talent, and in a position of big need, to pass on a guy like Durant IMO (and again IF he does NOT seem like an NFL flight risk).
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Justin Dunk's 2015 Mock Draft - Version 1

Posted: January 09, 2015 12:00 PM

Justin Dunk | CFL.ca

Team needs could easily change depending on what happens during free agency and possibly effect the way organizations approach the draft. With that said let's get to some mock drafting!

1. Alex Mateas, OL, UCONN: Ottawa continues to build along the offensive line with a local product
that could play right away.

2. Sukh Chungh, OL, Calgary: It was a tough year for National offensive lineman getting injured in
The Peg. The Bombers need to protect Drew Willy better and Chungh could help.

3. Jacob Ruby, OL, Richmond: Toronto is aging along the offensive line and Ruby would infuse
some much-needed youth.

4. Lemar Durant, REC, Simon Fraser: Durant could easily be a first overall type pick in the CFL Draft.
Prospects like him at the receiver position don’t come around too often.

5. Danny Groulx, OL, Laval: The theme in BC this off-season is about wanting to get more physical
up front. Groulx fits that way of thinking perfectly because he plays with a real mean streak.

6. Daryl Waud, DL, Western: The Riders have solid Canadian depth across the board.
Saskatchewan goes best player available in this situation with Waud having the ability to make an
impact soon.

7. Sean McEwen, OL, Calgary: Edmonton could get an immediate upgrade at centre by taking
McEwan, an all around solid offensive lineman.

8. Karl Lavoie, OL, Laval: Another team that dealt with plenty of Canadian offensive linemen
injuries was Hamilton. Lavoie would bring some fresh blood into the Ticats group up front.

9.Nic Demski, REC, Manitoba: Rumours are floating around that free agent to be Brad Sinopoli
might head back to the city where he played university football in Ottawa. So if that happens,
Demski could help fill that hole.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

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OV - 54:40 wrote: Not sure passing on maybe the best pure player/talent in this draft, and in a position of big need, would make sense. IF Durant does not draw some serious NFL interest (that should be apparent before the CFL draft - and i'll bet he does get an NFL shot) - a 6,2, 230 athletic receiver who runs a 4.4/4.5 range 40 and has put up an outstanding / conference best receiving season in college ball = first round draft material / maybe the best Canadian receiver talent in years and maybe an impact starter from day one; and a local guy to boot who maybe is proud to play at home and shows appreciation for the local team that drafts him by becoming a long career Lion lifer..
Durant declaring early is a curious thing yet maybe a smart move. The NFL motivation seems to be to chase a million-to-one shot at this stage. He had 55 catches for 685 yards and 4 TDs in 8 games last year at SFU. That ranked him 115th in receiving yards in NCAA Div II. By comparison Div II leader Keelan Cole, also a junior, had 75 catches for 1516 yards and 21 TDs in 11 games. This somewhat reminds me of Ryan Grice-Mullen who declared himself draft eligible after a junior year where he was first team All-WAC with 106 receptions for 1372 yards and 13 TDs. He wasn't drafted, had cups of coffee with Houston and Chicago and was a BC Lion right after Labour Day. In Durant's case I wonder if he's struggling academically and thinks he might as well go pro. The other thing I'm wondering is if he's really declaring to make himself eligible for the CFL draft moreso than the NFL draft. Maybe he's thinking his best path to the NFL would be to go through the CFL first and the quicker he gets to show his stuff in the CFL the quicker he can find an NFL spot?
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OV - 54:40
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Hambone wrote:
OV - 54:40 wrote: Not sure passing on maybe the best pure player/talent in this draft, and in a position of big need, would make sense. IF Durant does not draw some serious NFL interest (that should be apparent before the CFL draft - and i'll bet he does get an NFL shot) - a 6,2, 230 athletic receiver who runs a 4.4/4.5 range 40 and has put up an outstanding / conference best receiving season in college ball = first round draft material / maybe the best Canadian receiver talent in years and maybe an impact starter from day one; and a local guy to boot who maybe is proud to play at home and shows appreciation for the local team that drafts him by becoming a long career Lion lifer..
Durant declaring early is a curious thing yet maybe a smart move. The NFL motivation seems to be to chase a million-to-one shot at this stage. He had 55 catches for 685 yards and 4 TDs in 8 games last year at SFU. That ranked him 115th in receiving yards in NCAA Div II. By comparison Div II leader Keelan Cole, also a junior, had 75 catches for 1516 yards and 21 TDs in 11 games. This somewhat reminds me of Ryan Grice-Mullen who declared himself draft eligible after a junior year where he was first team All-WAC with 106 receptions for 1372 yards and 13 TDs. He wasn't drafted, had cups of coffee with Houston and Chicago and was a BC Lion right after Labour Day. In Durant's case I wonder if he's struggling academically and thinks he might as well go pro. The other thing I'm wondering is if he's really declaring to make himself eligible for the CFL draft moreso than the NFL draft. Maybe he's thinking his best path to the NFL would be to go through the CFL first and the quicker he gets to show his stuff in the CFL the quicker he can find an NFL spot?
Yeah - Durant might be thinking to go CFL first and maybe use that as a stepping stone to the NFL; however - NFL "scouts" are often quite enamored with measureables and 6-2 230 pound receivers with great speed (not sure what his 40 time is but i think i heard FAST) do not exactly grow on trees - anywhere - so they will look at Div II guys with size or speed - so "miilion to one" - um, no. AND - Durant's big season at SFU when he was healthy was a top notch college ball receiving production season - so they see that too and not just his last injury issues season production.

I'll bet Durant garners an NFL shot right away - even if undrafted - and that he at least makes a PR there; rather see him in the CFL though AND the Lions get to add a local talent. And interesting to see how Luke Willson has emerged as a receiving threat for the Seahawks - a TE with excellent speed & hands (a very capable blocker too from what i see) - pretty limited college ball receiving stats especially in his final year at Rice, but a nice draft pick by the 'Hawks and getting to show what he can do with his chance to play there. What were the Argos going to do with him if he had shown-up after they drafted him ?
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Here are a few observations on Daryl Waud and Addison Richards from of Mike Huguenin of nfl.com, who is watching practices for the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg:
The two "imports" are interesting prospects. There are two players from Canadian colleges in the game, DT Daryl Waud (6-5, 290) of Western University-Ontario and WR Addison Richards (6-5, 210) of Regina University. Both offer good size, but both also are raw in their technique and are definite developmental prospects. Waud could stand to add some bulk and strength, but he has flashed at times in the one-on-one drills and seemingly has surprised some offensive linemen with his quickness. Richards is going to have a steep learning curve, but his size is a big positive, and he has shown good hands, as well.
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B.C.FAN wrote:Here are a few observations on Daryl Waud and Addison Richards from of Mike Huguenin of nfl.com, who is watching practices for the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg:
The two "imports" are interesting prospects. There are two players from Canadian colleges in the game, DT Daryl Waud (6-5, 290) of Western University-Ontario and WR Addison Richards (6-5, 210) of Regina University. Both offer good size, but both also are raw in their technique and are definite developmental prospects. Waud could stand to add some bulk and strength, but he has flashed at times in the one-on-one drills and seemingly has surprised some offensive linemen with his quickness. Richards is going to have a steep learning curve, but his size is a big positive, and he has shown good hands, as well.
This fan would be happy if we got Daryl Waud. Gotta build from the D Line and O Line, it seems to me. And he might be a rare one.

We definitely have some needs.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
OV - 54:40
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B.C.FAN wrote:Here are a few observations on Daryl Waud and Addison Richards from of Mike Huguenin of nfl.com, who is watching practices for the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg:
The two "imports" are interesting prospects. There are two players from Canadian colleges in the game, DT Daryl Waud (6-5, 290) of Western University-Ontario and WR Addison Richards (6-5, 210) of Regina University. Both offer good size, but both also are raw in their technique and are definite developmental prospects. Waud could stand to add some bulk and strength, but he has flashed at times in the one-on-one drills and seemingly has surprised some offensive linemen with his quickness. Richards is going to have a steep learning curve, but his size is a big positive, and he has shown good hands, as well.

American football "commentators" describing players from CIS ball as "raw" is about as cliched / standard party line as it gets - totally to be expected.

Waud is one of several in a very promising DT crop in this CFL draft; his Shrine game invite should help his CFL draft stock (unless he totally bombs in the game), but there are a couple of other CIS DTs in LeBlanc (Mt. Allison) and Tennant (Laval) who are bigger and may be as good or better; him and Richards are NFL long-shots perhaps, but with the exposure there - they could get drafted or signed as FAs.
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Not to be overlooked is the third Canadian at the East-West Shrine Game, UNLV OT Brett Boyko, the CFL Central Scouting Bureau's top-ranked draft prospect. He made at least one NFL reporter's list of players to watch at the game.
OT Terry Poole, 6-5, 310, No. 79, San Diego State: Good run blocker with a nasty streak.

OT Brett Boyko, 6-7, 310, No. 69, UNLV: Has some of the same traits as Poole.
Kansas City Star link
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Richards and Waud both made some plays that drew kudos from the announcers and some nice compliments for Canadian university ball. Richards started at wide receiver for the West and had a couple of catches in a game with little offence. Waud had a tackle for a loss in his first play as second-team defensive tackle. Brett Boyko didn't play due to injury. The West team could have used him. Their tackles were beaten all day by East defensive ends, making it difficult for West QBs to set up.
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http://www.cfl.ca/article/two-of-the-co ... hrine-game

Nice review by Justin Dunk of the top prospects. Video middle right of the screen.

RB Varga and DL Waud look good to me. Looks like a deep draft, as noted a few times.
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Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

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I love that Senior Bowl practices are broadcast on the NFL network and highlights are readily available. Here are videos of Yale running back and CFL draft prospect Tyler Varga breaking a long run on the first day of practice and being interviewed afterwards.
Tyler Varga's long run
Tyler Varga interview
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B.C.FAN wrote:I love that Senior Bowl practices are broadcast on the NFL network and highlights are readily available. Here are videos of Yale running back and CFL draft prospect Tyler Varga breaking a long run on the first day of practice and being interviewed afterwards.
Tyler Varga's long run
Tyler Varga interview
Thanks for posting, BCF.

This fan would be so happy if we got Varga in the draft. We will see the level of NFL interest.

No contact in the practice clip, but his speed and power show, it seems to me.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

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You can scratch Yale RB Tyler Varga from the list of potential first-round CFL draft choices. He guaranteed himself an NFL contract after following a solid week of practice with a great game at the Senior Bowl. Varga got a lot of love from the NFL Network announcers and from everyone on the North sideline, and with good reason. Playing mostly as fullback, he did an outstanding job as a lead blocker for game MVP Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska. Varga also scored 2 TDs on 4 carries of his own and caught the ball well out of the backfield. Overall, he had 4 carries for 31 yards and 2 TDs and 3 catches for 39 yards. He'll make an NFL roster just on his special teams potential but he showed that he can be an all-round threat.
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B.C.FAN wrote:You can scratch Yale RB Tyler Varga from the list of potential first-round CFL draft choices. He guaranteed himself an NFL contract after following a solid week of practice with a great game at the Senior Bowl. Varga got a lot of love from the NFL Network announcers and from everyone on the North sideline, and with good reason. Playing mostly as fullback, he did an outstanding job as a lead blocker for game MVP Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska. Varga also scored 2 TDs on 4 carries of his own and caught the ball well out of the backfield. Overall, he had 4 carries for 31 yards and 2 TDs and 3 catches for 39 yards. He'll make an NFL roster just on his special teams potential but he showed that he can be an all-round threat.
Good for Varga. Too bad for us, if we were interested in him for the 1st round or later. IMO, as stated a few times, I was hopeful we could acquire him as backup or partner to Andrew Harris.

Speaks well of Canadian talent, in any case. And the depth of talent that is getting deeper and deeper. Bodes well for our league.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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