2022 CFL draft

[David]

Couple of things of interest from the draft. Panel stated that we have (arguably) the best starting Canadians in the league.

I also thought that showing the Philpot family at a Surrey bar surrounded by cheering patrons added a nice touch to the production (and value to the draft). Jalen though saying he was really hoping to get taken by Calgary. I guess he's grown a fondness for the place and respect for the organization having played for the Dinos.


DH

[B.C.FAN]

For what it’s worth, JC Abbott of 3downnation.com ranked the Lions’ draft class as the best in the league.

1. B.C. Lions

1 (3) Nathan Cherry, DT, Saskatchewan
2 (12) Noah Zerr, OL, Saskatchewan
3 (23) Josh Archibald, DE, McGill
3 (29) Ryder Varga, LB, Regina
4 (32) Adrian Greene, DB, Saint Mary’s
5 (41) Riley Pickett, DE, Saskatchewan
6 (50) Frednick Eveillard, DE, Ottawa
7 (59) John Metchie III, REC, Alabama
8 (68) Adam Wallace, DT, Ottawa

Yes, drafting John Metchie III in round seven was about as useful as lighting money on fire, but I thought the Lions hit a home run with this draft. They needed to get longer, more physical, and upgrade their special teams. They had to emerge with defensive line depth and a blue chip offensive lineman. Despite that long list of requirements, they succeeded.

Nathan Cherry may have been a surprise at third overall, but he finally gives the team the Canadian contributor in the defensive tackle rotation that they have coveted for so long. Some may have preferred Deionte Knight there, but Cherry is the more refined player right now in terms of his explosiveness and hand usage. Being able to add his Saskatchewan teammate Noah Zerr in the second round was a slam dunk, a pro ready mauler of an offensive lineman that can compete to start early and should fit exactly what Kelly Bates wants to do in the run game.

The Lions may have gone a little defensive line heavy, but in Josh Archibald, Riley Pickett and Frednick Eveillard they also got special teams mismatches of a type the team hasn’t had in years, all with the ability to develop into more. Cornerback Adrian Greene is the same way, with the length, explosiveness and physicality you covet. Ryder Varga could be the best pick of the bunch and the Lions’ patience while he returns to school should be rewarded in 2023.

I won’t begrudge the Lions for ruining my three-year streak of knowing every player in the draft when they selected Adam Wallace in the eighth round. He’s a long-term developmental play who recently ran a 4.97 forty at 275 pounds, but this draft was a major win long before he went off the board.

Ranking every team’s 2022 CFL Draft class

[Hambone]

I don't get hung up on the drafted position breakdown much. Just because a prospect played a certain position in college doesn't mean the drafting team sees him in the same light. Does anybody honestly think Eveillard at 6'4 220 with only 6 CIS games on the DL projects to a CFL DE? If he does bulk up maybe in 2024 or 2025. Regardless he only makes this club in 2022 by landing a spot on special teams. Positionally he might have a brighter future at OLB, S if he trims back down to around 210 or less or possibly as a conversion back to receiver. A comment from CFL.ca's Mock Draft 1.0 says as much "A converted receiver who doesn’t perfectly fit the mold for any traditional Canadian roster spot,"

Campbell seems pretty clear that their priority with the first 2 rounds was to come out of them adding to DL and OL depth. Once past the 2nd round I think the Lions were drafting the combination of size and athleticism and what that could do to upgrade their poor special teams units as opposed to drafting positions. Where the player eventually fits on the depth chart will come through their development and possibly ability to either bulk up or trim down.

In the meantime too much fussing is being made on prospects' college position. What seems to be overlooked is special teams is also a major area of immediate need for the Lions. In 2021 BC finished 8th out of 9 in defending punt returns and 9th out of 9 in defending KO returns. They were also 8th in punt return average but a modest 4th in KO return average. With rule changes, particularly on KOs, intended to help teams start out in better field position it is critical BC upgrade their coverage units which simply were not good enough in 2021. When I look at BC's STs from 2021 I see that 3 of the top 6 tacklers (Konar, Bazzie and Gustav) are gone. TJ Lee, Lokombo and Mackie were 2, 3 and 4 in ST tackles while Jordan Williams was 9th. It concerns me that they had to use 3 starting defensive players on STs in addition to being every down stalwarts.

Count me as being happy that the likes of Archibald, Greene, Pickett and Eveillard along with Varga in 2023 can bring immediate help to special teams. That some might be rush end size DL doesn't matter IMO. I certainly won't shed a tear if it's guys like Harry and Samuels they displace on the roster while hopefully taking pressure off starting defensive players to pull double duty on STs.

[Hambone]

Just was looking back at CFL.ca Mock Draft 1.0 and 2.0. It was interesting to see where they had the various players slotted and where they wound up. While it's pretty meaningless apparently the Lions did good in the 20/20 Hindsight department.

In both Mock 1.0 and Mock 2.0 they projected BC taking:
3. Tyson Philpot WR - went 5th to Calgary
12. Gregor McKellor OL - went 6th to Toronto
23. Riley Pickett DL - went 41st to BC
29. Tanner Smith LB - went undrafted
32. Nicolas Guay OL - went 64th to Hamilton
41. Nate Edwards LB - went 66th to Edmonton
50. Pierre Khadeem DB - went 55th to Hamilton
59. Brandon Sanford OL - went undrafted
68. David Solie K - went undrafted

Instead in BC wound up with:
3. Nathan Cherry DL - mocked 21st to Edmonton in both
12. Noah Zerr OL - mocked 9th to Winnipeg in 1.0 and 7th to Saskatchewan in 2.0
23. Joshua Archibald DL - mocked 8th to Hamilton in 1.0 and 16th to Saskatchewan in 2.0
29. Ryder Varga LB - mocked 27th to Saskatchewan in both
32. Adrian Greene DB - mocked 26th to Toronto in both
41. Riley Pickett DL - mocked 23rd to BC in both
50. Frednick Eveillard DL - mocked 25th to Calgary in both
59. John Metchie III WR - not expected to be taken in both
68. Adam Wallace OL - not expected to be taken in both

Add them up and they projected BC taking 2 players who would wind up going in the 1st, 1 who went in each of the 5th, 6th and 7th and 3 who went undrafted. Instead they wound up with 1 mocked to go in the 1st, 1 mocked to go in either the 1st or 2nd, 5 who were mocked to go in the 3rd and 2 who were not expected to be taken.

Just to add they wound up with 7 of 3DownNation's top 25 rankings offered day before the draft. That included Metchie. Eveillard and Wallace were the only 2 not in that top 25 listing.

In John Hodge's last 3Down Mock Draft 2.0 from April 12th he gave the following projections:

3. Nathan Cherry DL - mocked 16th to Saskatchewan
12. Noah Zerr OL - mocked 7th to Saskatchewan
23. Joshua Archibald DL - mocked 17th to Hamilton
29. Ryder Varga LB - mocked 22nd to Ottawa
32. Adrian Greene DB - mocked 23rd to BC
41. Riley Pickett DL - mocked 26th to Toronto

Hodge only predicted the first 4 rounds. Eveillard, Metchie and Wallace did not make the 4 round cut.

[OV:54-40]

Not many big or even smallish DEs end up being top special teams players - at least not gunner/tacklers - though they might be very good as blockers or wedge guys, which are important as well; top ST tacklers are guys like Jason Arakgi, Mike Miller or Llevi Noel - usually DB types or smallish LBs or big body receivers with some decent speed & agility, but also with the guts/ hustle/toughness part to excel.

Anyhow - if CFL GMs & coaches want to focus on special teamers with their draft approach - knock yourselves out. I'd be aiming - with all my top picks (first few rounds) for potential starters / impact players at positions of need on O & D - a Bo Lokombo or Jason Clermont or Ian Sinclair or Rick Klassen; and hope to find some gritty guys who can play STs well (and maybe be solid back-ups or rotation guys at their natural position as well) in the mid to later rounds.

[DanoT]

Not many big or even smallish DEs end up being top special teams players - at least not gunner/tacklers - though they might be very good as blockers or wedge guys, which are important as well; top ST tacklers are guys like Jason Arakgi, Mike Miller or Llevi Noel - usually DB types or smallish LBs or big body receivers with some decent speed & agility, but also with the guts/ hustle/toughness part to excel.

Anyhow - if CFL GMs & coaches want to focus on special teamers with their draft approach - knock yourselves out. I'd be aiming - with all my top picks (first few rounds) for potential starters / impact players at positions of need on O & D - a Bo Lokombo or Jason Clermont or Ian Sinclair or Rick Klassen; and hope to find some gritty guys who can play STs well (and maybe be solid back-ups or rotation guys at their natural position as well) in the mid to later rounds.

One thing that every new to the CFL American coach soon realizes, is that with 3 downs there is a lot more punting and with no Fair Catch, there are a lot more punt returns, making Special Teams even more special in the CFL vs NFL. So choose your Special Teams players wisely, if you are a coach.

Wally used to like to load up on LBs on draft day for ST players; picking smallish D linemen with some hustle is pretty similar.

[Reg18]

I think the lions did a great deal in the draft. Got some good looking players on both sides of the ball

[CrazyCanuck89]

I think the Lions won this draft!

Cherry- Can play the 3T and 5T

Archibald- He was a tackle for loss guy in college

Pickett- Played next to Cherry, maybe they can recreate some magic at the pro level

Zerr- The most pro ready Olinemen in the draft. Some say he's a guard, maybe he can play tackle

Varga- Good depth behind Lokombo and Williams, next year

Greene- Draft insiders say he can play all five positions in the secondary

The rest, who knows.

[OV:54-40]

We'll see which teams' draft picks have the most impact - who knows ?

Lions got some good prospects for sure, but kinda limited themselves IMO with 5 picks at one position group (D-Line). Not sure I'd rate Zerr the most pro ready - maybe if he was to get a real look at OT, but as far as interior line ready - Pelehos , Mackelllar, Hogan-Saindon might be better bets ? Also - Varga seems like a good LB prospect but the Lions already have Hladik as a good M or W LB depth guy.

IMO, the Argos & Stamps may have done better - a number of very good prospects but spread out at more positions = better chance to have more impact.

We shall see.

[CrazyCanuck89]

We'll see which teams' draft picks have the most impact - who knows ?

Lions got some good prospects for sure, but kinda limited themselves IMO with 5 picks at one position group (D-Line). Not sure I'd rate Zerr the most pro ready - maybe if he was to get a real look at OT, but as far as interior line ready - Pelehos , Mackelllar, Hogan-Saindon might be better bets ? Also - Varga seems like a good LB prospect but the Lions already have Hladik as a good M or W LB depth guy.

IMO, the Argos & Stamps may have done better - a number of very good prospects but spread out at more positions = better chance to have more impact.

We shall see.

Just because he might have to switch to guard in the pros, doesn't he is any less pro ready than the others. It's alot easier to move to guard, than vice versa. The only ones from this draft that might be full time tackles are Fry and Kozushka, because of their footwork.

You guys need all those dlinmen because both Betts and Menard are likely to start. Archibald and Pickett provide depth at Defensive end and Cherry gives depth at Defensive end and Defensive tackle.

Yes Hladik can play both MLB and WLB, but you need more depth in case both Willams and Lokombo go down in the game. A good portion of the gunners on kickoff, are back up linebackers.

[OV:54-40]

We'll see which teams' draft picks have the most impact - who knows ?

Lions got some good prospects for sure, but kinda limited themselves IMO with 5 picks at one position group (D-Line). Not sure I'd rate Zerr the most pro ready - maybe if he was to get a real look at OT, but as far as interior line ready - Pelehos , Mackelllar, Hogan-Saindon might be better bets ? Also - Varga seems like a good LB prospect but the Lions already have Hladik as a good M or W LB depth guy.

IMO, the Argos & Stamps may have done better - a number of very good prospects but spread out at more positions = better chance to have more impact.

We shall see.

Just because he might have to switch to guard in the pros, doesn't he is any less pro ready than the others. It's alot easier to move to guard, than vice versa. The only ones from this draft that might be full time tackles are Fry and Kozushka, because of their footwork.

You guys need all those dlinmen because both Betts and Menard are likely to start. Archibald and Pickett provide depth at Defensive end and Cherry gives depth at Defensive end and Defensive tackle.

Yes Hladik can play both MLB and WLB, but you need more depth in case both Willams and Lokombo go down in the game. A good portion of the gunners on kickoff, are back up linebackers.

So what if D. Joseph is signed as well? - they're going to keep him, Betts & Menard and all of Cherry, Pickett and Archibald or even Hammond = 6 or 7 Canadian D-Linemen on the same roster ? Might be smart if they planned to start 3 Canadians there, but pigs would fly first.

And is G-Messam - former starter - still not in the mix at LB to go with Lokombo, Williams and Hladik? The notion of piling on a whole bunch of Canadians at a certain position for the sake of good old "depth", becomes myopic for some CFL teams IMO.

Could have drafted a top notch U Sports RB like Tucker (Queens) in an obvious area of need instead of over-loading on D-linemen; or drafted one of the good safety prospects (the Riders got 3 of them in the mid to late rounds).

Nothing wrong with being able to get a top O-line prospect like Zerr; we shall see where he lines up or if he pans out; not sure I put much stock in CFL draft prospect prognosticators writing off Canadian OTs for "foot work" issues. Wonder if Knevel progresses to starter ?

[CrazyCanuck89]

We'll see which teams' draft picks have the most impact - who knows ?

Lions got some good prospects for sure, but kinda limited themselves IMO with 5 picks at one position group (D-Line). Not sure I'd rate Zerr the most pro ready - maybe if he was to get a real look at OT, but as far as interior line ready - Pelehos , Mackelllar, Hogan-Saindon might be better bets ? Also - Varga seems like a good LB prospect but the Lions already have Hladik as a good M or W LB depth guy.

IMO, the Argos & Stamps may have done better - a number of very good prospects but spread out at more positions = better chance to have more impact.

We shall see.

Just because he might have to switch to guard in the pros, doesn't he is any less pro ready than the others. It's alot easier to move to guard, than vice versa. The only ones from this draft that might be full time tackles are Fry and Kozushka, because of their footwork.

You guys need all those dlinmen because both Betts and Menard are likely to start. Archibald and Pickett provide depth at Defensive end and Cherry gives depth at Defensive end and Defensive tackle.

Yes Hladik can play both MLB and WLB, but you need more depth in case both Willams and Lokombo go down in the game. A good portion of the gunners on kickoff, are back up linebackers.

So what if D. Joseph is signed as well? - they're going to keep him, Betts & Menard and all of Cherry, Pickett and Archibald or even Hammond = 6 or 7 Canadian D-Linemen on the same roster ? Might be smart if they planned to start 3 Canadians there, but pigs would fly first.

And is G-Messam - former starter - still not in the mix at LB to go with Lokombo, Williams and Hladik? The notion of piling on a whole bunch of Canadians at a certain position for the sake of good old "depth", becomes myopic for some CFL teams IMO.

Could have drafted a top notch U Sports RB like Tucker (Queens) in an obvious area of need instead of over-loading on D-linemen; or drafted one of the good safety prospects (the Riders got 3 of them in the mid to late rounds).

Nothing wrong with being able to get a top O-line prospect like Zerr; we shall see where he lines up or if he pans out; not sure I put much stock in CFL draft prospect prognosticators writing off Canadian OTs for "foot work" issues. Wonder if Knevel progresses to starter ?

Who knows if Joesph will ever come to the Lions. Cherry will definitely be a backup, due to his versatility and who knows, maybe both Archibald and Pickett will be on the game day roster. If both can play all facets of special teams, then why not carry one more defensive end than linebacker.

You guys did grab a safety prospect in Greene, who can play all five spots in the secondary. Some compared him to Adeleke.

Messam is great, but Varga provides more size and is better at filling gaps.

You could have grabbed a RB, but why when Lyles isn't even used.

[Hambone]

So what if D. Joseph is signed as well? - they're going to keep him, Betts & Menard and all of Cherry, Pickett and Archibald or even Hammond = 6 or 7 Canadian D-Linemen on the same roster ? Might be smart if they planned to start 3 Canadians there, but pigs would fly first.

And is G-Messam - former starter - still not in the mix at LB to go with Lokombo, Williams and Hladik? The notion of piling on a whole bunch of Canadians at a certain position for the sake of good old "depth", becomes myopic for some CFL teams IMO.

Could have drafted a top notch U Sports RB like Tucker (Queens) in an obvious area of need instead of over-loading on D-linemen; or drafted one of the good safety prospects (the Riders got 3 of them in the mid to late rounds).

Nothing wrong with being able to get a top O-line prospect like Zerr; we shall see where he lines up or if he pans out; not sure I put much stock in CFL draft prospect prognosticators writing off Canadian OTs for "foot work" issues. Wonder if Knevel progresses to starter ?

Whatever happened to your favourite training camp term......competition? Isn't bringing that many to camp making for competition for 3 to 5 active and PR spots fostering competition? Or should they only bring in enough prospects to fill those spots and gift them the jobs?

Currently on the TC roster they have the following for NAT DL:
Vets:
56 David Menard
90 Mathieu Betts
Rookies:
74 Frednick Eveillard - his route to a career is on special teams. Finding a true position can follow later.
76 Adam Wallace - long shot most likely to take what he learns in camp back to Ottawa to continue developing with Gee Gees in 2022
78 Riley Pickett - not sure about special teams potential but should be able to land a PR spot and be ready should injuries to those on the 46 occur.
91 Nathan Cherry - should be able to secure a spot in the DL rotation. He will have to disappoint in camp to not do so.
94 Joshua Archibald - 4.77 40 and quicker 3-cone and shuttle times than RBs like Machart and Tucker and LBs such as Edwards and Penney-Laryea indicates he can immediately contribute on special teams while vying for DL reps.

Court Hammond is no longer with the club. He was released a week ago.

That's my take on what you perceive to be way too many NAT DL.
Menard & Betts split a NAT starting role.
Cherry gets in on the rotation.
Eveillard and Archibald start out on special teams.
Pickett starts on the PR
Wallace goes back to USports.

If that still seems like too many keep in mind Menard turns 32 in July and I believe is only on a 1 year deal. He's here for a good time, not a long time. Whether they wind up signing him again for 2023 or not now is the time to start developing his replacement. And if Betts doesn't bounce back this year there could be further need for this year's draft picks. Drafting is never about the current year. If a draft pick turns out to be a stud who can make significant immediate impact that's a bonus. For drafting teams it's what their 2022 picks can do for them and what their roster might look lke in 2023 and 2024 that really justifies the selections.

As for Zerr all I can say is any OT with slow feet or "foot work issues" at the collegiate level will become a turnstile at the pro level. I see him as becoming a guard at the pro level if Bates can't help him improve that aspect. I think Knevel will get every shot at the LG vacancy left by Steward. I thought he has done well as the Swiss Army Knife back up OL. I think he filled in at every OL position except maybe centre at one time or another last year. He certainly deserves the opportunity.

[squishy35]

So what if D. Joseph is signed as well? - they're going to keep him, Betts & Menard and all of Cherry, Pickett and Archibald or even Hammond = 6 or 7 Canadian D-Linemen on the same roster ? Might be smart if they planned to start 3 Canadians there, but pigs would fly first.

And is G-Messam - former starter - still not in the mix at LB to go with Lokombo, Williams and Hladik? The notion of piling on a whole bunch of Canadians at a certain position for the sake of good old "depth", becomes myopic for some CFL teams IMO.

Could have drafted a top notch U Sports RB like Tucker (Queens) in an obvious area of need instead of over-loading on D-linemen; or drafted one of the good safety prospects (the Riders got 3 of them in the mid to late rounds).

Nothing wrong with being able to get a top O-line prospect like Zerr; we shall see where he lines up or if he pans out; not sure I put much stock in CFL draft prospect prognosticators writing off Canadian OTs for "foot work" issues. Wonder if Knevel progresses to starter ?

Whatever happened to your favourite training camp term......competition? Isn't bringing that many to camp making for competition for 3 to 5 active and PR spots fostering competition? Or should they only bring in enough prospects to fill those spots and gift them the jobs?

Currently on the TC roster they have the following for NAT DL:
Vets:
56 David Menard
90 Mathieu Betts
Rookies:
74 Frednick Eveillard - his route to a career is on special teams. Finding a true position can follow later.
76 Adam Wallace - long shot most likely to take what he learns in camp back to Ottawa to continue developing with Gee Gees in 2022
78 Riley Pickett - not sure about special teams potential but should be able to land a PR spot and be ready should injuries to those on the 46 occur.
91 Nathan Cherry - should be able to secure a spot in the DL rotation. He will have to disappoint in camp to not do so.
94 Joshua Archibald - 4.77 40 and quicker 3-cone and shuttle times than RBs like Machart and Tucker and LBs such as Edwards and Penney-Laryea indicates he can immediately contribute on special teams while vying for DL reps.

Court Hammond is no longer with the club. He was released a week ago.

That's my take on what you perceive to be way too many NAT DL.
Menard & Betts split a NAT starting role.
Cherry gets in on the rotation.
Eveillard and Archibald start out on special teams.
Pickett starts on the PR
Wallace goes back to USports.

If that still seems like too many keep in mind Menard turns 32 in July and I believe is only on a 1 year deal. He's here for a good time, not a long time. Whether they wind up signing him again for 2023 or not now is the time to start developing his replacement. And if Betts doesn't bounce back this year there could be further need for this year's draft picks. Drafting is never about the current year. If a draft pick turns out to be a stud who can make significant immediate impact that's a bonus. For drafting teams it's what their 2022 picks can do for them and what their roster might look lke in 2023 and 2024 that really justifies the selections.

As for Zerr all I can say is any OT with slow feet or "foot work issues" at the collegiate level will become a turnstile at the pro level. I see him as becoming a guard at the pro level if Bates can't help him improve that aspect. I think Knevel will get every shot at the LG vacancy left by Steward. I thought he has done well as the Swiss Army Knife back up OL. I think he filled in at every OL position except maybe centre at one time or another last year. He certainly deserves the opportunity.

I find Archibald intriguing as I believe he has good potential to make an impact on special teams. I'll be watching him closely in TC.

[OV:54-40]

Some young Canadian DEs & DTs including some right out of U Sports ball have made a CFL impact - on their actual D_line positions when given the chance in the past few years; Boateng, Robbie Smith (Argos), Bergland (Stamps) at DE; Acheampong (Argos), S-Spaulding (Stamps) , Benoit Marion (Als draft pick scooped by the Argos) at DT, are some examples of guys who played D-Line reps pretty well right away in the CFL; they may have done very well on STs as well ?

So, - Cherry , Archibald & Pickett - all might push for D-Line reps playing time right out of TC; or they could be written-off as ST guys only who need more time to "develop" to play any D-Line - we shall see. They could also continue to go with the handing D-Line starting jobs to raw rookie Americans who have never played Canadian ball before like last season; maybe Betts & Menard's supposed huge CFL pay-days (but less than Woody Baron) could be axed for some $M$ savings ?

The 2 other D-Linemen drafted are more like long-term projects who might not have it for the pros, but who knows - lots of examples of late round picks panning out, or guys going back for a final year of college ball and then returning to compete next TC. Again though, they could have instead drafted a RB like Tucker or one of several safety prospects to actually compete (get it Hambone?) in areas of need, but maybe those positions are already sewn up with no need for Canadians to compete ?

Most Canadian OTs suffering from "poor footwork" is a classic (hackneyed cliche) - right up there with all Canadian QBs suffering from "weak arm strength", that has been a CFL in the know/expert staple for decades now.