By Sean Millington,
CFL.ca
You don’t have to go too far back to find a time when the CFL draft was considered mostly a formality. CFL GMs dropped tops picks with as little regard they would used tissue. It is a significant sign of health for the league that this has all changed for the better. The talent pool of young players is such, that it is now possible to find a young man who can not only come into camp and make the team, but also be a contributing starter.
In the new reality of an enforced CFL management system, in which teams need to maintain strict budgets, finding good, cheap rookie talent has become a necessity. Guys like Washington state alumnus Adam Braidwood who was drafted by Edmonton first overall, Saskatchewan’s first, pick third overall, big wide receiver Andy Fantuz and twelfth pick overall Luca Congi really were true assets to their teams last year not only because of their on-field performance but because of their cheap contracts.
Eons ago when I was drafted there wasn’t that much pressure for top picks to contribute right away. The Edmonton Eskimos could afford the luxury of using their first pick and the first pick overall on a running back, a position they were more than flush in at the time.
Today a lot more thought stock is placed into each selection. As a GM choosing a top pick is a dangerous game. I’m sure Hamilton’s GM, Marcel Desjardin would love to shore up his depleted defensive line and use his top pick overall on highly touted prospect J.P. Bekasiak; however he needs to consider that Bekasiak is actually so well regarded that he is drawing legitimate NFL interest. There is no point in drafting someone who you need to come in and contribute who won’t even be coming to camp.
On the other side of the “wasting a pick” coin is the possibility that none of the NFL overtures comes to fruition and your coveted pick remains available; such is the high stakes game the CFL draft has become.
Most teams are looking to fill a need out of this year’s draft. The Argonauts would love to find a Canadian offensive lineman, Saskatchewan would benefit from another Fantuz and even the Lions are hoping to find the next Jason Clermont. The Lions secret strength is that they have a number of young players who will be stars which has allowed them to jettison more experienced and expensive veteran players, thereby giving themselves salary cap maneuverability. Teams looking to emulate the Lions’ success are also placing more emphasis on finding new talent through the draft.
Calgary GM Jim Barker is quoted as saying that their decision to trade experienced lineman Taylor Robertson to Toronto was influenced in part by the belief that “…we have an opportunity to gain youth through the draft…”.
Clearly the draft has become a significant part of a CFL team’s success strategy and as with other leagues it is becoming more evident that success on draft day will play a big role in the long term health and success of a franchise.
Sean Millington played 13 years in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts and has been a panellist on the CFL on CBC since 2003.
(The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily of the Canadian Football League)
