CFL Mock Draft Rounds 1 & 2
With the CFL draft coming up tomorrow we get to see the next set of Canadian stars get selected by their teams.
The CFL draft is very different than the NFL draft. First, there are two CFL drafts. The global draft which is players not from Canada or the United States and the national draft which is only National players. National players are players with Canadian citizenship or lived there for 5+ years before turning 18. The players being drafted must have three seasons if they play U Sports which is Canadas collegiate football league or all four seasons for NCAA/NAIA meaning they must have used all of their eligibility. American players can’t be drafted, they are signed as free agents.
Now I am not an expert on Canadian prospects but with enough research I have a pretty good idea. The top prospect is obviously Kurtis Rourke, brother of BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke. Kurtis was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the NFL draft. With him being drafted to the NFL he will be a huge risk to be drafted for the CFL. Below are my predictions, but they may be very wrong.
Round 1:
1.1: Calgary Stampeders
Connor Shay, LB, University of Wyoming
After a rough season last year, Calgary has had an amazing offseason including trading for Vernon Adams Jr. VA has already shown his Calgary culture by posting picture with cowboy hats and even though he’s American saying he’s rooting for Canada before the Four Nations Faceoff Final. Now they have the offensive weapons, they could use a strong defender and Connor Shay is just that. In 12 games this season he had 76 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception and three pass deflections.
1.2: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Keelan White, WR, University of Montana
The top receiver for the draft was Elic Ayomanor who was drafted by the Titans in the fourth round (yes before shedeur was drafted). Keelan White though is just as impressive being described as “a beautifully smooth mover who can lull you to sleep before separating with tremendous short area quickness”, similar to Tyson Philpot of the Montreal Alouettes. He has multiple overtime game winners in the FCS playoffs and didn’t drop a single pass in 2024, which will be a luxury in the CFL and could possibly be Bo Levi Mitchell’s top target this year.
1.3: Ottawa Redblacks
Darien Newell, DL, Queen’s University
Darien Newell had some NFL interest going into their draft but ended up not getting drafted. Newell was the top defensive lineman in all of USports with 33 tackles, 5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one deflected pass. Newell was a three time All-Canadian and could easily go earlier than 3, but is likely a lock for three unless he signs with an NFL team first.
1.4: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Jeremiah Ojo, DL, Université de Montréal
Ojo, Six foot two, 248 pounds has an amazing first step and can easily turn the corner and accelerate to finish a tackle. Ojo is fast, running 4.59 40 yard dash in the CFL combine, which is the average 40 for a quarterback in the NFL combine, but he’s not a QB, he’s a D lineman, making him exceptionally fast. His long arms will also help him knock down passes and get to the pivot.
1.5: Montreal Alouettes
Christopher Fortin, OL, University of Connecticut
Fortin became a starter last year during his senior year, but it was worth the wait. The 6 foot 4, 300 pound left guard is described as a poor athlete, running a 5.68-second forty-yard dash, 4.94-second shuttle, and 8.14-second three-cone at the NFL combine. Though he makes up for it with great length and technique. He doesn’t finish through the whistle as constantly as a team would like, but makes up for it by redirecting well and has a feel for pressure. With Davis Alexander taking over at quarterback, the Als will need to protect him. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they take a running back here like Joey Zorn or Isaiah Knight.
1.6: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Damien Alford, WR, University of Utah
Damien Alfors 6 foot 5, 224 pound frame is tempting in itself, but he is also a huge deep ball threat with 19.3 yards per catch at Syracuse. He transferred to Utah and barely played there, but his large frame, speed and long pass threat is perfect for Winnipeg’s offence. With the loss of Kenny Lawler, Winnipeg will need a replacement for him. Dalton Schoen will be back from his injury and Nic Demski is always a good option, but replacing Lawler from last season will be very tough. Don’t be surprised if they take a replacement for Adam Bighill or an offensive lineman here also.
1.7: Toronto Argonauts
Ali Saad, DL, Bowling Green State University
Ali Saad is very quick off the snap and gets plenty of upfield penetration. He has quick hands with good agility making it difficult for offensive linemen to get a good clean block on him. In his four seasons with Bowling Green he played in 44 games, totaling 78 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and a blocked kick. During the BG pro day he performed in fromnt of 25 NFL scouts as well as scouts from Calgary, Hamilton, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg. If Saad makes it through the first round he will most likely be taken by the Ticats with the first pick of the second round.
1.8: Calgary Stampeders
Joey Zorn, RB, University of Windsor
Joey Zorn is American, but earned his eligibility or national status through graduation. At Windsor he averaged 7.13 yards per carry over his three seasons there. The athletic runner has a strong burst through the line every play which is a huge part of what makes him so dangerous. His athletic ability will help him avoid defenders, but his strength may be his achilles heel.
Round 2
2.1: Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Tiger Shanks, OL, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
2.2: Edmonton Elks, Davin Veresuk, LB, University of Windsor
2.3: BC Lions, Ethan Jordan, WR, Wilfrid Laurier University
2.4: Ottawa Redblacks, Ethan Vibert, OL, South Dakota State University
2.5: Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hakeem Harris, WR, Davenport University
2.6: Montreal Alouettes, Taylor Elgersma, QB, Wilfrid Laurier University
2.7: Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Isaiah Knight, RB, University of British Columbia
2.8: Toronto Argonauts, Jackson Findlay, DB, Western University
2.9: Calgary Stampeders, Jaylen Smith, LB, University of North Texas
*2.10: Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Sam Carson, OL, University of Louisiana-Monroe
*2.11 BC Lions, Arvin Hosseini, OL, University of British Columbia
*Winnipeg and BC played the most national players last season earning them an extra pick at the end of the second round.