2025 CFL Draft Thread

[gilthethrill]

Surprised the Argos used a 5th round pickon a LB who hasn't played due to injuries when they could have selected DT MX VonMiddledorfer from Western, who eventually went to Calgary in the late rounds.

[OV Argo]

Ok, I'm a bit baffled as to why the Argos would pass on a chance to draft a just outstanding safety prospect in Findlay; guess some explanation will be given - maybe to get 2 picks for one ?

Findlay ending up in BC is the best fit. I think there's a sense that Findlay's football career may not be a long one, given that he wants to be a doctor. His career may be longer at home in BC.

The Findlay graphic on the broadcast said specifically that he wants to have a long CFL career before becoming a doctor. With his athletic strengths, his leadership, intelligence and family pedigree, he’s almost a can’t-miss prospect. I’m very surprised we passed on both him and Cumberbatch. I loved the first two picks but the rest leave me unmoved at this point.

Yeah, the first 2 picks are very good D-Line prospects; and Zorn - a big, athletic, productive RB - was good value for the later rounds IMO.

After that - meh to very disappointing IMO; more good ole O-Line and LB depth was needed I guess; it's more the type of talent they passed on to pick some of these other guys that leaves me baffled; big DTs like Martey & Von Muelhdorfer; all-Canadian receivers like the super fast and super productive Jordan (Laurier), or Daniel Wiebe (Sask). Turning their nose up at Findlay i just don't get, unless, as suggested some CFL people think he will prefer to become a Dr. rather than playing football for long ? (i'll place a bet now though that Findlay does umpteen times more in the CFL than Paris Shand ever does).

Different draft captains steering the ship this year compared to the past couple ?

[AngeloV]

Findlay ending up in BC is the best fit. I think there's a sense that Findlay's football career may not be a long one, given that he wants to be a doctor. His career may be longer at home in BC.

The Findlay graphic on the broadcast said specifically that he wants to have a long CFL career before becoming a doctor. With his athletic strengths, his leadership, intelligence and family pedigree, he’s almost a can’t-miss prospect. I’m very surprised we passed on both him and Cumberbatch. I loved the first two picks but the rest leave me unmoved at this point.

Yeah, the first 2 picks are very good D-Line prospects; and Zorn - a big, athletic, productive RB - was good value for the later rounds IMO.

After that - meh to very disappointing IMO; more good ole O-Line and LB depth was needed I guess; it's more the type of talent they passed on to pick some of these other guys that leaves me baffled; big DTs like Martey & Von Muelhdorfer; all-Canadian receivers like the super fast and super productive Jordan (Laurier), or Daniel Wiebe (Sask). Turning their nose up at Findlay i just don't get, unless, as suggested some CFL people think he will prefer to become a Dr. rather than playing football for long ? (i'll place a bet now though that Findlay does umpteen times more in the CFL than Paris Shand ever does).

Different draft captains steering the ship this year compared to the past couple ?

Because you know so much more about these players than their scouts do.

[bluto]

Disclaimer: I am not a close follower of college or U-sport football. I only formulate opinions based on the consensus of the 8 or so journos who delve into an opine on CFL draft prospects.

I think that there could be a frontline player or two that eventually suits up for Double Blue in this group. That, in and of itself, would make it a win.
From the perspective of drafting last and not having a 3rd going into it, it may prove that we did very well.

[AngeloV]

Disclaimer: I am not a close follower of college or U-sport football. I only formulate opinions based on the consensus of the 8 or so journos who delve into an opine on CFL draft prospects.

I think that there could be a frontline player or two that eventually suits up for Double Blue in this group. That, in and of itself, would make it a win.
From the perspective of drafting last and not having a 3rd going into it, it may prove that we did very well.

The recent draft history of the team suggests that we should trust what they are doing. I get we all like to be arm chair critics, but the team does more than just look at stats and conference accolades. Just like NCAA all Americans that don’t get a sniff in the pros, stats and accomplishments at the lower levels don’t mean a thing. Testings and film are something the majority of us don’t see or hear about.

But some will continue to play the GOB card

[shatto]

I do follow U-Sport football but certainly do not have knowledge re the players the way the scouts do. With that said, here are my very personal and somewhat uninformed impressions of the Argo draft.

. The Global selections look fairly good. Senn OL might not be available for a while but there is no rush as the OL is pretty well set. Toia DL is better suited to the CFL than the NFL. He describes himself as a junkyard dog and he plays that way. He could be a useful rotational player.

.Ojo is the best Argo selection, He has speed, mobility, size, and strength. A good replacement for Smith.

.The trade with BC, where they choose Findlay and we get Shand seems questionable. The team lost Metchie and Findlay could have been and good replacement. Would love to hear an explanation of this trade and selection. Shand has signed with NFL team and who knows when, if ever he will come to the team. If he does eventually come to the team I'm not sure how much of an asset he will be.

.Coakes could be a sleeper. The team has taken a bit of a leap of faith on this one.

.Zorn, IMO, is a good choice. Was the best RB at the combine. Should be a reasonable replacement for Adeboboye.

The rest of the draft does not impress.
.

[paulwoods13]

I'm thrilled we added two or maybe even three potential keepers on the d-line, which was an area of NAT positional weakness. And we got a couple of guys who might be able to play DB, at least as backups. And it is NEVER a bad idea to increase depth on the o-line, especially if you're going with four NATs there (as seems possible). As Bluto said, hit on one or two of these and the draft is a success.

[bluto]

Hoping that Mike Hogan is putting the finishing touches on another behind-the-scenes Draft Day piece.

[OV Argo]

I do follow U-Sport football but certainly do not have knowledge re the players the way the scouts do. With that said, here are my very personal and somewhat uninformed impressions of the Argo draft.

. The Global selections look fairly good. Senn OL might not be available for a while but there is no rush as the OL is pretty well set. Toia DL is better suited to the CFL than the NFL. He describes himself as a junkyard dog and he plays that way. He could be a useful rotational player.

.Ojo is the best Argo selection, He has speed, mobility, size, and strength. A good replacement for Smith.

.The trade with BC, where they choose Findlay and we get Shand seems questionable. The team lost Metchie and Findlay could have been and good replacement. Would love to hear an explanation of this trade and selection. Shand has signed with NFL team and who knows when, if ever he will come to the team. If he does eventually come to the team I'm not sure how much of an asset he will be.

.Coakes could be a sleeper. The team has taken a bit of a leap of faith on this one.

.Zorn, IMO, is a good choice. Was the best RB at the combine. Should be a reasonable replacement for Adeboboye.

The rest of the draft does not impress.
.

So-so draft for the Argos IMO, but who knows / time will tell.

I just don't get adding 2 more O-linemen (who are hardly blue-chip types) when the Argos already have a pile of Canadian O-line talent including young, depth guys. Where / when are these 2 new draft pick O-line guys going to fit in ? - in a few years maybe, after, what, being on the PR for a couple of years or something.? And another LB - guy with precious little on his college ball resume (but his Dad played in the CFL so maybe a tribute was made?) - when the team has Nat. LBs galore already? Like I said - passing on very impressive talent at positions of way more need (like DT or receiver, or an outstanding safety prospect) - to draft more depth guys where they are already well stocked = I just don't get it; but if some have no clue about the talent that was draftable ... well, whatever.. And dang, they wanted to draft a QB prospect from the likes of Vanier or Hec winners like Senecal or Desjardins, but it just didn't work out.

But really we shouldn't be complaining or even daring to comment on this matter, as the Argo "scouts" are all inscrutable geniuses, and not to be questioned.

[gilthethrill]

DL Jeremiah Ojo, the steal of the draft!

I think Newell from Queens who Edmonton drafted was bigger steal.