CFL Random Thoughts
The CFL season is nearly quarter of the way over and while some things are starting to come clear, a lot is left to be determined. With that here are some random thoughts in no particular order on the season through five of twenty one weeks of play.
- They don’t play a particularly exciting brand of football, but once again the Calgary Stampeders appear to be the class of the league. Will they fail in the playoffs again though?
- The roster management in both Saskatchewan and Montreal is baffling – And to a lesser extent BC as well.
- After watching the James Franklin interview at halftime between the Argos and Eskimos in week four, I kept thinking of how he came across as a genuinely nice guy. Calling the interviewer sir, well spoken. Definitely a player you can market.
- The use of Chris Streveler now that Matt Nichols is back and struggling will be interesting to watch. We saw a glimpses of it the last two weeks. How that evolves going forward will be fun to watch. It’s hard not to like the guy regardless of who you cheer for.
- As usual, I’d much rather finish fourth in the west and cross over as oppose to finishing second or third and have to face Calgary and/or Edmonton. Hamilton is better this year but still remains the easier road.
- The Bombers need to get Bowman more involved with the offence. The pass game has been lackluster since Nichols has returned.
- In a game you’ve led up until the last play of the fourth quarter, how a running back averaging over ten yards a carry finishes with only 13 carries is beyond me. Vintage Paul LaPolice going back to 2002.
2018 NFL Mock Draft
- Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley – Running Back via Penn State
The best player in the draft hammered that home at the NFL combine. Whether the Browns go with Tyrod Taylor, or a rookie under centre to start 2018, Barkley is a no brainer complement to the QB position.
2. New York Giants: Sam Darnold – Quarterback via USC
With Barkey gone the Giants look to the future after Eli Manning. Darnold fits the mould. Quenton Nelson would also be a great fit here.
3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb – Edge via NC State
The Colts can’t get after the quarterback to save their life. No pass rush = No defence. Chubb is a nice step to fix that.
4. Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield – Quarterback via Oklahoma
Heisman Trophy winner. Chip on his shoulder. Winner. Enough said.
5. Denver Broncos: Quenton Nelson – Offensive Guard via Notre Dame
The safest player in the draft with a nasty streak. The Broncos got Case Keenum in free agency and could add another QB later in the draft. Now they have to protect them.
6. New York Jets: Josh Allen – Quarterback via Wyoming
Allen had a great combine where his arm strength was front and centre for everyone to see. There may be some bumps in the road with a thin roster, but Allen is a great talent.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James – Safety via Florida State
A safety with 4.48 speed would be a great add for the Bucs in a division that has offenses from New Orleans, Atlanta, and Carolina.
8. Chicago Bears: Denzel Ward – Cornerback via Ohio State
After letting Kyle Fuller go, Denzel Ward should be a near lock in this spot assuming someone doesn’t trade up to get him. Amazing speed and ball skills, and he never looked out of place at Ohio State.
9. San Francisco 49ers: Roquan Smith – Linebacker via Georgia
Great leadership skills and a natural fit in San Fran with the rapid culture change for that organization. This pick looks even better if Reuben Foster isn’t available to start the year.
10. Oakland Raiders: Mike Hughes – Cornerback via UCF
One of the best players on the UCF defence fills a big need for the Raiders. Sean Smith is gone, and a corner is needed opposite Gareon Conley.
11. Miami Dolphins: Tremaine Edmunds – Linebacker via Virginia Tech
Edmunds is a monster 6’5” and over 250 pounds. The Dolphins are re-shaping their defence after getting rid of Suh and Timmons. Edmunds becomes part of the new face of the football club.
12. Buffalo Bills: Josh Rosen – Quarterback via UCLA
The most fundamentally sound QB in the draft. He didn’t have much to work with at UCLA but made the best out of a less than ideal situation.
13. Washington Redskins: Calvin Ridley – Wide Receiver via Alabama
DeSean Jackson, gone in 2017. Terrelle Pryor, bust in 2017. Jordan Reed can’t stay healthy. Alex Smith needs more than Jamison Crowder to throw to. A natural fit.
14. Green Bay Packers: Marcus Davenport – Edge via UTSA
Clay Matthews isn’t getting any younger. Nick Perry is overpaid, and the Packers regret letting Julius Peppers go. The secondary needs work, but adding a pass-rusher helps greatly in that area as well.
15. Arizona Cardinals: Courtland Sutton – Wide Receiver via SMU
There’s so many directions for Arizona to go here, you might as well throw at a dart board blind. Sutton is a tall, lanky receiver that can come down with a lot of balls in the endzone. With this likely to be Larry Fitzgerald’s final season, Sutton can learn under the future hall of famer for a season.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Mike McGlinchey – Offensive Tackle via Notre Dame
McGlinchey is one of the best run blockers in the draft and would be a great fit in Baltimore with their tendency to pound the rock time and again. He can develop his pass blocking as his time in the league goes on.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Kolton Miller – Offensive Tackle via UCLA
After spending past draft picks on solidifying the interior of the offensive line, the Chargers can now turn their attention to the outside. The AFC West has some solid edge rushers. Miller helps keep Philip Rivers on his feet.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Will Hernandez – Offensive Guard via UTEP
Outstanding showings in both the senior bowl and the NFL combine has Will Hernandez shooting up draft boards. Seattle has had offensive line issues for years. It needs to get fixed.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea – Defensive Tackle via Washington
Vita Vea is too good a talent to be around this late in the first round, but that’s how it goes sometimes based on needs of teams and what’s available in the draft. Pushing almost 350 pounds, Vea will demand many double teams in the interior of offensive lines.
20. Detroit Lions: Da’Ron Payne – Defensive Tackle via Alabama
Haloti Ngata is gone, and given how Da’Ron Payne performed in the college football playoff, this selection feels like an obvious one for the Lions.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Connor Williams – Offensive Tackle via Texas
Lineman who can play tackle or kick inside to guard and still be productive have great value. Wherever they play him, it fills a need on a thin group of hogs.
22. Buffalo Bills: Billy Price – Centre via Ohio State
Again, offensive lineman with versatility. He can play centre if needed, or he can fill a spot at guard. With the Bills likely having a rookie at quarterback in 2018, the investment needs to be protected.
23. Los Angeles Rams: Harold Landry – Edge via Boston College
The Rams keep revamping their defence with one of the quickest edge rushers in the draft. There’s also a need here after the trade of Robert Quinn.
24. Carolina Panthers: Christian Kirk – Wide Receiver via Texas A&M
Kirk fills two spots here for the Panthers – As a speedy, shifty slot receiver and a solid returner as well.
25. Tennessee Titans: Leighton Vander Esch – Linebacker via Boise State
The Titans defence desperately needs playmakers. They took a step in addressing that with Adoree’ Jackson last season, and Vander Esch would give them a speedy linebacker with solid coverage skills when called upon.
26. Atlanta Falcons: Isaiah Wynn – Guard via Georgia
Wynn would fit nicely at right guard for the Falcons as they were susceptible to pressure in both the run and pass on that side of the line.
27. New Orleans Saints: Arden Key – Edge via LSU
The Saints would be thrilled to have Key be available to them at this stage of the draft. He does have a bit of an injury history, but also possesses outstanding speed off the snap of the ball.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans – Linebacker via Alabama
With Ryan Shazier confirmed to be out for 2018, and potentially the rest of his career the Steelers need to fill the void left by their young, outstanding linebacker. Evans has great speed and power and can line up at different spots along the defence.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike Gesicki – Tight End via Penn State
One of the final pieces to be filled on the Jags offence is a dynamic tight end. Gesicki had the fastest 40 time among tight ends and was always a hand full when with Penn State.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Jaire Alexander – Cornerback via Louisville
Another combine riser, Alexander can do all the things you want to see in a young corner and would have a great support system in Minnesota as he gets adjusted to the pro game.
31. New England Patriots: Josh Jackson – Cornerback via Iowa
Before the combine, Josh Jackson would have been a lock top 15 pick. However, after a slow 40 time and a poor showing in other events his stock has dropped. That said, you can’t discount the season he had at Iowa, especially his performance against Ohio State. This fills an obvious need for the Pats as their secondary is in very rough shape.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrius Guice – Running Back via LSU
The Eagles may have Jay Ajayi, however they will likely be losing LeGarrette Blount to free agency. The Eagles have relied on multiple running backs since trading LeSean McCoy a few years ago and Guice could even push Ajayi for starters reps as the season goes on.
Chase Charney 