Lionbackers.com

#6. Geoffrey Catin-Arkou MLB: Great depth to add at MLB and can play WLB.

#Theo Benedet T: Played RT for UBC, could get an NFL shot?

Benefit most certainly will get an NFL shot. Some Canadian prospects seem to be on the bubble between UDFA and getting a tryout invite to an NFL rookie camp. Benefit seems to be on the bubble between UDFA signing and being drafted

In JC Abbott's recent article on how the Canadian prospects showed at the 2024 College Gridiron showcase he said Benedet was best of the bunch and a cut above the rest. He had ad Gabe Wallace ranked in a 2nd tier group behind Benedet.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/08/reca ... -showcase/

The CFL changed its format for the 2 bonus picks at the end of the 2nd round. Previously they went to the two teams with the worst record. They were awarded with a territorial pick that could only be used on a player domiciled in the drafting team's territory as per CFL Bylaws and Constitution.

This year that was changed with the 2 teams whose Canadians played the most O & D snaps throughout the season. As a result BC and Winnipeg have been awarded the 19th and 20th draft slots respectively.

BC now has 3 picks in the top 19 and will draft 6, 15, 19, 26, 44, 53, 62 & 7!.

Hambone wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:05 pm

The CFL changed its format for the 2 bonus picks at the end of the 2nd round. Previously they went to the two teams with the worst record. They were awarded with a territorial pick that could only be used on a player domiciled in the drafting team's territory as per CFL Bylaws and Constitution.

This year that was changed with the 2 teams whose Canadians played the most O & D snaps throughout the season. As a result BC and Winnipeg have been awarded the 19th and 20th draft slots respectively.

Nice. The rich get richer. I bet this format doesn’t last.

B.C.FAN wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:10 pm

Hambone wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:05 pm

The CFL changed its format for the 2 bonus picks at the end of the 2nd round. Previously they went to the two teams with the worst record. They were awarded with a territorial pick that could only be used on a player domiciled in the drafting team's territory as per CFL Bylaws and Constitution.

This year that was changed with the 2 teams whose Canadians played the most O & D snaps throughout the season. As a result BC and Winnipeg have been awarded the 19th and 20th draft slots respectively.

Nice. The rich get richer. I bet this format doesn’t last.

Maybe not but have to like any concept that could encourage more development and usage of Canadians, especially those getting regular O & D reps as opposed to special teams almost exclusively.

The decision to award CFL teams that play the most Canadians (on O & D) is interesting, and IMO a good touch for the draft. The weaker teams still get rewarded with basic draft position, but that's a nice bonus for teams that care about Canadian talent.

A number of the top 20 CFL Scouting Bureau's prospects may draw some NFL looks and thus scare off some CFL teams from using early picks on them - this interest gets known before the CFL draft. I'm just not sure there are many sure-fire those types this draft. O-lineman Adams and the 2 tight ends are likely. 3 Down reports keep hyping the 2 big UBC O-linemen who are drawing some NFL scouts to a Pro Day up here - we shall see.

As far as BC Lions interest = who knows.

I'd advocate for the Lions to go after a top safety prospect with their top pick - Mauger has been let go and maybe Greene is the heir apparent, but lots of competition for a wide-open spot would be smart. Mount A D-half (multiple Conference and all-Canadian) Daniel Bell (leading tackler in the country last season out of D-half ? unheard of - either he's just a tackle machine or else maybe played up in the box some or was making up for weakness in their D?) and has pro plus safety size - might be a very good safety prospect; he might need to cement that with good Combine testing #s, especially 40 time though. Former U Sport all-star D-half M-A Dequoy for the Als has certainly made the transition to very good CFL safety.


After safety - might be a good idea to look at receiver with a top pick to supplement / back-up Cottoy & MacInnis if they are to be 2 starters; a few interesting prospects there but not a real deep group it seems ? = might have to go first couple of rounds to get a good one ?

OV:54-40 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 7:45 pm

The decision to award CFL teams that play the most Canadians (on O & D) is interesting, and IMO a good touch for the draft. The weaker teams still get rewarded with basic draft position, but that's a nice bonus for teams that care about Canadian talent.

A number of the top 20 CFL Scouting Bureau's prospects may draw some NFL looks and thus scare off some CFL teams from using early picks on them - this interest gets known before the CFL draft. I'm just not sure there are many sure-fire those types this draft. O-lineman Adams and the 2 tight ends are likely. 3 Down reports keep hyping the 2 big UBC O-linemen who are drawing some NFL scouts to a Pro Day up here - we shall see.

As far as BC Lions interest = who knows.

I'd advocate for the Lions to go after a top safety prospect with their top pick - Mauger has been let go and maybe Greene is the heir apparent, but lots of competition for a wide-open spot would be smart. Mount A D-half (multiple Conference and all-Canadian) Daniel Bell (leading tackler in the country last season out of D-half ? unheard of - either he's just a tackle machine or else maybe played up in the box some or was making up for weakness in their D?) and has pro plus safety size - might be a very good safety prospect; he might need to cement that with good Combine testing #s, especially 40 time though. Former U Sport all-star D-half M-A Dequoy for the Als has certainly made the transition to very good CFL safety.


After safety - might be a good idea to look at receiver with a top pick to supplement / back-up Cottoy & MacInnis if they are to be 2 starters; a few interesting prospects there but not a real deep group it seems ? = might have to go first couple of rounds to get a good one ?

I'm sure Bagayogo and Rene can also play safety, but adding another defensive back couldn't hurt.

Interms of need

WR
LB
RB
OL
DB
DL

OV:54-40 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 7:45 pm

The decision to award CFL teams that play the most Canadians (on O & D) is interesting, and IMO a good touch for the draft. The weaker teams still get rewarded with basic draft position, but that's a nice bonus for teams that care about Canadian talent.

A number of the top 20 CFL Scouting Bureau's prospects may draw some NFL looks and thus scare off some CFL teams from using early picks on them - this interest gets known before the CFL draft. I'm just not sure there are many sure-fire those types this draft. O-lineman Adams and the 2 tight ends are likely. 3 Down reports keep hyping the 2 big UBC O-linemen who are drawing some NFL scouts to a Pro Day up here - we shall see.

As far as BC Lions interest = who knows.

I'd advocate for the Lions to go after a top safety prospect with their top pick - Mauger has been let go and maybe Greene is the heir apparent, but lots of competition for a wide-open spot would be smart. Mount A D-half (multiple Conference and all-Canadian) Daniel Bell (leading tackler in the country last season out of D-half ? unheard of - either he's just a tackle machine or else maybe played up in the box some or was making up for weakness in their D?) and has pro plus safety size - might be a very good safety prospect; he might need to cement that with good Combine testing #s, especially 40 time though. Former U Sport all-star D-half M-A Dequoy for the Als has certainly made the transition to very good CFL safety.


After safety - might be a good idea to look at receiver with a top pick to supplement / back-up Cottoy & MacInnis if they are to be 2 starters; a few interesting prospects there but not a real deep group it seems ? = might have to go first couple of rounds to get a good one ?

I'm sure Bagayogo and Rene can also play safety, but adding another defensive back couldn't hurt.

Interms of need

WR
LB
RB
OL
DB
DL

BC's biggest draft priority should be to shore up their OL depth with a high ceiling prospect. They currently start 3 NATs on the OL and only have Peirson and Packer for depth. By the end of this calendar year only Packer (25 in July) will be under 30 with Chungh turning 32 in 11 days. All 5 are going into the final year of their contracts. Given Chungh and Couture both are local guys who signed with BC to "return home" they should be reasonably easy to extend. I'm a big fan of the 6'8 325 Knevel. Given how Campbell and McEvoy like to ink their core guys to 2 year deals the fact Knevel signed for only one year could be a sign of need to upgrade. I fear that the undrafted Peirson and 6th round Packer have limited ceilings. Depth upgrades there are needed.

Entering his 6th season Peirson has already proven that as outstanding as he is working for the club out in the community his playing ceiling is that of a journeyman depth player. He had the opportunity to become BC's starting center when Godber was dealing with injurues but eventurally lost out. He moved aheady of Knevel at LG but would eventually give way to Knevel later in the season. I'm still baffled that it took so long last year to re-insert Knevel at LG, a position he had earned before the shoulder injury derailed his 2022 season entirely. The jury is still out on Packer who was the 13th of 13 OL drafted in 2021. I have no idea if Bates sees his ceiling as high or backup/borderline starter.

Bottom line BC is one injury away from Peirson or Packer starting with the other being the only remaining depth. That is wafer thin. We won't know how much the draft board will be shaken up by NFL overtures until literally the eve of the CFL Draft. However if there's an OL at the top of BC's board at #6 who didn't get taken in the NFL Draft or signed as a UDFA they should be all over him. They need to start restocking the cupboard now, not when it's already empty.

Bagayago & Rene were both corners in college ball, and sure they might be able to play safety and maybe one will get a shot to win the job - which IMO should be wide-open for TC competition - and IMO that's what you use top draft picks for; potential starters in an obvious area of need. Safety is an important position on the D and it's a spot that requires smarts and know-how being in the middle of the huge Canadian field. A top notch safety can tackle well, make intimidating big hits, and do things in coverage (like DeQuoy's pick 6 early in the East Final that set the tone for the Als upset.

If a team has no such openings or don't see Canadians starting at more than the limited 7 only thinking ,and so want to think just more "depth" at certain positions that could be Ok too I guess. A position group like O-line that has 3 or 4 Canadian starters would be well served by a couple of very competent back-ups (yet some CFL teams dress just one back-up for a 5 man starter group)

Incentives for teams that play Canadians like BC and WPG is getting some criticism on X for rewarding top teams not improving the bottom and there's logic to this.

How about incentives for teams that hire ex-CFL players on their coaching staff?

David Charlton
@DavidCh26972971
·
15h
I prefer the extra territorial picks to the bottom teams. I actually think that system should have been extended to all 3 teams that didn't make the playoffs the previous year. Maybe find some other way to reward teams who use lots of Nationals.

Farhan in response to criticism:

I agree. I’d keep the territorial picks for the bottom two teams. And give the top 2 teams that use an extra 50k on their cap

More than half of all CFL coaches are ex-CFL players. About half of those who didn't play in the CFL played USports football.

Out of BC's staff only Rick Campbell, Jordan Maksymic, Mike Benevides and Tanya Henderson didn't play CFL or USports Football. Maksymic played Edmonton HS football though and Campbell of course has been immersed in the CFL since he was in diapers.

What probably hurts former players more than anything is there just aren't that many entry-level opportunities in the first place due to only 9 teams x max 11 positions with 1/3 of positions being more senior level in HCs and Coordinators. Probably about 2/3 of position coaches are ex-CFL players.

** edit ** - forgot about last year's draft pick Charlie Ringland who is a possible safety prospect - good college ball DB with some athletic testing #s - is he signed and going to TC? He might get a look at safety, and if they already have faith in him there, then might not need to draft another safety prospect or project. However - lotsa competition would be good as well.

LB Jean-Loescher, Ringland and DB States-McClean all signed back in late November. They were taken 34, 43 & 52 respectively in last year's draft.

Ok - so Ringland & States-McClean added to Greene, Bagayago & Rene = pretty decent collection/competition of Canadian secondary guys. They could maybe think of a National starting at both corner and safety on the D (doubtful, but maybe?)