2024 CFL draft (Lion's picks)

[B.C.FAN]

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?)

The Lions have signed 2 former NFLers whose experience could give them a shot at a starting spot, LB Tyrell Adams and DB Duke Dawson. I still think Bagayogo and Greene will be in the mix. Both showed well when called on late in the season. Bagayogo could probably benefit from another year as a backup but he made huge strides for a raw rookie who looked lost in training camp. Rene and States-McClean both lined up at halfback in training camp last year and didn’t look out of place. Rene won a backup job based on experience special teams play.

[David]

I have not seen a depth chart but I believe it's Greene's job to lose at safety. He acquitted himself very well on Teams and admirably filled in for Mauger at safety last year. I would expect Charlie Ringland to be #2 on the depth chart at safety but I have not seen anything on this. I would expect the club's priority is to make this position a National one in '24.


DH

[Toppy Vann]

Adams not going for the big bucks is admirable.

I assume as he lives in or near Seattle that staying in BC is a good thing as his family doesn't come here. Not dissimilar to Michael Reilly moving to BC to be closer to his wife and kids at home not far from Vancouver.

“I knew for us to get the players — Hollins, Hatch, Cottoy, Sione (Teuhema), some of these guys, Ben (Hladik), Woods, all these guys — I knew I had to take less. I couldn’t be in the top three (highest-paid) area, which I felt like I am as a player. I think the team is more important and that’s why I took less this year.”

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/23/the- ... st-season/

[Hambone]

Pretty sure Adams lives just south of Seattle towards Tacoma. Money is money but there are financial intangibles for American players who can play so close to their permanent residence. It's impossible to put an actual dollar figure on that but it could be worth who knows how many thousand $ for Adams to be able to pop back home, or for his family to zip up to homes games, for a day or so literally every week during the season. That as opposed to having to wait for one of the 3 bye weeks.

[Hambone]

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?)

The Lions have signed 2 former NFLers whose experience could give them a shot at a starting spot, LB Tyrell Adams and DB Duke Dawson. I still think Bagayogo and Greene will be in the mix. Both showed well when called on late in the season. Bagayogo could probably benefit from another year as a backup but he made huge strides for a raw rookie who looked lost in training camp. Rene and States-McClean both lined up at halfback in training camp last year and didn’t look out of place. Rene won a backup job based on experience special teams play.

Agreed on Bagayogo. Struggled in camp but raw athletic ability showed. Improved thru the season but needs at least another year of grooming. Bagayogo's draft profile pointed to a pure press coverage shutdown type CB, albeit still somewhat raw due to his relative inexperience. He never took up football until it was too late to play high school ball. Very fluid with movements and long body to break up plays. Tackling was not a strength nor was physicality making him even that much more of a project for conversion to safety.

[Toppy Vann]

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.

Admittedly, I hadn't considered other cases that are really valid as to what I was driving at such as those you note with BC now!
I didn't take into account Rick Campbell who is unquestionable in my mind a CFLer given his background in Canada and football here nor the others who are local born and raised products. I doubt anyone would question Rick Campbell as being an import and I guess that is not the kind of person I'd want excluded for an ex player.

[Hambone]

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.

Admittedly, I hadn't considered other cases that are really valid as to what I was driving at such as those you note with BC now!
I didn't take into account Rick Campbell who is unquestionable in my mind a CFLer given his background in Canada and football here nor the others who are local born and raised products. I doubt anyone would question Rick Campbell as being an import and I guess that is not the kind of person I'd want excluded for an ex player.

Given the very small number of coaching and football ops jobs compared to the number of players ending their careers every year there just aren't many opportunities. This offseason saw Mike Miller and David Brown retire as players to take coaching jobs with Winnipeg and Montreal respectively. There's also coaches who started out paying their dues from the very lowest levels; like catching on as strength & conditioning coaches (Mark Kilam) or video coordinators (Jordan Maksymic). Maksymic's first exposure to coaching, sort of, was as a water boy at Stampeders TC back in 2006. As much as it would be nice to create more opportunities for ex-players I don't think they should shut the doors on folks who are willing to start on the ground floor in other Canadian grassroots levels?

Another initiative the CFL has going is the Mentorship program for current and former players to learn something, job shadow etc to see if post career work in other areas of football or business ops is desirable for them.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/20/rich ... p-program/

[Toppy Vann]

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.

Admittedly, I hadn't considered other cases that are really valid as to what I was driving at such as those you note with BC now!
I didn't take into account Rick Campbell who is unquestionable in my mind a CFLer given his background in Canada and football here nor the others who are local born and raised products. I doubt anyone would question Rick Campbell as being an import and I guess that is not the kind of person I'd want excluded for an ex player.

Given the very small number of coaching and football ops jobs compared to the number of players ending their careers every year there just aren't many opportunities. This offseason saw Mike Miller and David Brown retire as players to take coaching jobs with Winnipeg and Montreal respectively. There's also coaches who started out paying their dues from the very lowest levels; like catching on as strength & conditioning coaches (Mark Kilam) or video coordinators (Jordan Maksymic). Maksymic's first exposure to coaching, sort of, was as a water boy at Stampeders TC back in 2006. As much as it would be nice to create more opportunities for ex-players I don't think they should shut the doors on folks who are willing to start on the ground floor in other Canadian grassroots levels?

Another initiative the CFL has going is the Mentorship program for current and former players to learn something, job shadow etc to see if post career work in other areas of football or business ops is desirable for them.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/20/rich ... p-program/

The CFL Academy is limited but a good thing as you want players to be a credit to your organization long after playing.

The corporate world changed from the days of hiring players (although those were the days it was considered PT work).
It'd be great if opportunities including entry to coaching.

[Hambone]

Heavy NFL interest in Benedet and Manu with 16 teams represented at their Pro Day at UBC.

https://3downnation.com/2024/03/29/16-n ... anni-manu/

[B.C.FAN]

With the CFL draft set to begin Tuesday at 5 p.m., a number of prospects have likely fallen down the draft board due to NFL interest. Hulking UBC OT Giovanni Manu was drafted in the fourth round by the Detroit Lions, while UBC teammate Theo Benedet signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears. Other OL prospects who have reportedly signed in the NFL as UDFAs include Anim Dankwah of Howard University, who signed in Philadelphia and Kyle Hergel of Boston College, who signed in New Orleans.

I'm still hoping the Lions use the draft to bolster their national depth at receiver and running back, but some of the top prospects at those positions have also received NFL interest. Canadian running back Michael Herzog of Hillsdale College has received an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Detroit Lions, while receiver Nick Mardner landed an NFL rookie mini-camp invite with New York Giants.

The first two rounds of the draft will be shown on TSN, while rounds 3-8 will be on cfl.ca and the TSN app. All picks will be updated on the CFL draft tracker.

[OV:54-40]

With the CFL draft set to begin Tuesday at 5 p.m., a number of prospects have likely fallen down the draft board due to NFL interest. Hulking UBC OT Giovanni Manu was drafted in the fourth round by the Detroit Lions, while UBC teammate Theo Benedet signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears. Other OL prospects who have reportedly signed in the NFL as UDFAs include Anim Dankwah of Howard University, who signed in Philadelphia and Kyle Hergel of Boston College, who signed in New Orleans.

I'm still hoping the Lions use the draft to bolster their national depth at receiver and running back, but some of the top prospects at those positions have also received NFL interest. Canadian running back Michael Herzog of Hillsdale College has received an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Detroit Lions, while receiver Nick Mardner landed an NFL rookie mini-camp invite with New York Giants.

The first two rounds of the draft will be shown on TSN, while rounds 3-8 will be on cfl.ca and the TSN app. All picks will be updated on the CFL draft tracker.

Agreed that receiver & RB might be smart to go after.

The top 2 receivers IMO are clearly Mardner & Mital and could be both will be gone by the time the Lions pick first at #6

Seems like 3 top RB prospects: Herzog & Chris-Ike (both with NFL mini camp looks) and Alberta's Matt Peterson (superb production in U Sports ball last season); Ike is the bigger back with best testing #s, but the other 2 seem like more pure tailback ability types.

I think the Lions could wait till there 2nd & 3rd picks to address both those positions ?

Wonder if they will be tempted to go more O-line pipeline prospects with their 1st rounder - maybe BC guy Gabe Wallace - a huge mauler with Div I experience = might be able to push to start right away to get serious about a run game (but he might go top 5); Laval's D-Duguay is also a very good prospect IMO. I bet they will steer clear - with early picks - of the NFL flight risk guys there (like the 2 UBC products).

Ideal picks IMO: Wallace at #6; a receiver (big body / athletic tester Clercius out of NCAA ball; or productive U Sports pass catchers like Simmons (McGill) or Mimbs (Regina) - at #15; and then snag Peterson at #19

[Hambone]

With the CFL draft set to begin Tuesday at 5 p.m., a number of prospects have likely fallen down the draft board due to NFL interest. Hulking UBC OT Giovanni Manu was drafted in the fourth round by the Detroit Lions, while UBC teammate Theo Benedet signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears. Other OL prospects who have reportedly signed in the NFL as UDFAs include Anim Dankwah of Howard University, who signed in Philadelphia and Kyle Hergel of Boston College, who signed in New Orleans.

I'm still hoping the Lions use the draft to bolster their national depth at receiver and running back, but some of the top prospects at those positions have also received NFL interest. Canadian running back Michael Herzog of Hillsdale College has received an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Detroit Lions, while receiver Nick Mardner landed an NFL rookie mini-camp invite with New York Giants.

The first two rounds of the draft will be shown on TSN, while rounds 3-8 will be on cfl.ca and the TSN app. All picks will be updated on the CFL draft tracker.

Like others I think Mardner and Mital might both be gone by #6 although it would seem like there are only two teams who might be after a receiver that early; Ottawa and Toronto.
EDM - unlikely. Hard to guess what goes on in Chris Jones head but I'd be shocked if EE took a receiver 1st overall. I also wouldn't be surprised if Jones shocked me.
OTT - high probability. They are wafer thin in NAT WR talent having released Nate Behar and passed on re-signing Tevaun Smith. That leaves them with Keaton Bruggeling as the seasoned vet with two seasons and 6 career catches on his resume. 2023 picks Daniel Oladejo (territorial pick at 17) and Daniel Perry (5th round) have a combined 1 game played.
SSK - unlikely. They are set up pretty good with Emilus, Lenius, Schaffer-Baker and Picton. The denizens at RF are expecting them to go trenches, DL or OL, with their first.
CGY - unlikely. They drafted Tucker and Barnes last year to go with Philpot, John and Middlemost. John and Middlemost are the grey-beards of the bunch turning 26 since last season ended.
TOR - good possibility. They do have some depth with Brissett, Nield, Ungerer and late season Hamilton castoff Sindani but have to be enticed to add a potential impact NAT receiver having shipped Gittens off to Edmonton.

Personally I believe adding depth at WR is a priority but so too is adding OL depth. BC has only 5 NAT OL; starters Couture, Chungh and Knevel with only Peirson and Packer for depth. Peirson is a gamer but limited in ability. OK to pinch hit but if he's starting full-time his team needs to upgrade ASAP. Packer was a 6th round pick back in 2021 who has been with the club the past 2 years suiting up for only 3 games. Between Peirson and Packer I'm not seeing a "next one" to take over should anything happen to the 3 starters. Now is the time to find that "next one" who can develop into more than just a journeyman. The question is do they go for that at 6 or hope one of the better ones is still available at 12?

It will be interesting to see how the draft unfolds. There are advantages to picking #6 vs #2 or #3. You can get a better sense of how things might unfold between your first and second picks. If you have WR and OL as high priorities the 5 earlier picks may tell a story for what to expect to be available with your second pick which can help make the decision for the first pick. If a couple OL come off the board before 6 then the better ones may be gone by 12. If Mardner and Mital are gone at 6 then I think it's a no-brainer to go OL and hope the likes of Duncan-Busby or Clercius is still there at 12. While it would be nice to also add a RB that is something that will likely have to wait a later pick. Question is should they be looking for a tailback or a fullback type to back up Mackie?

[cromartie]

The question is do they go for that at 6 or hope one of the better ones is still available at 12?

Barring a generational talent, you prioritize building from the trenches out. Always.

[B.C.FAN]

Barring a generational talent, you prioritize building from the trenches out. Always.

That’s conventional CFL wisdom but it hasn’t worked for the Lions, who have had little success when they used high draft picks on O-linemen. The only national linemen on the roster who they have drafted or developed are David Knevel (3rd round 2018), Andrew Peirson (undrafted 2018) and Tyler Packer (6th round 2021). Knevel and Peirson shared the starting left guard position last year. Otherwise all three have been mainly backups in their careers.

[SammyGreene]

Are we ever overdue to develop our own all-star calibre o-lineman. Instead we have relied on B.C. boys and Bomber developed Chungh and Couture to upgrade. Although some would argue they were just fine with Godber who at least panned out as a high draft pick.
Other than Godber it’s been Steward, Fabian along with the Pierson/Knevel combo developed by the Lions after being drafted in the last decade or so. Nowhere near good enough.

At 32, Chungh probably has one more 2-year deal in him. But it sure would be nice if we don’t have to continually look at the FA market.