Erik Williams/Rice Athletics
CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — With the May 12 CFL Draft just a day away, CFL fans have submitted their collective first-round mock draft after a week of voting for each team’s selection, starting with the Ottawa REDBLACKS at first overall.
In a bit of a surprise move, Christian Covington goes first overall in the mock draft after winning 24 per cent of the votes for the top pick. Covington is as talented a prospect as any, but the move is considered a risk after he was drafted in the sixth round by the NFL’s Houston Texans.
After the Bombers and Argos both went offensive lineman second and third, fans make another bold move at fourth overall with running back Tyler Varga.
The Ticats took highly touted receiver Nic Demski to fill a void after injury to Spencer Watt and the release of Cary Koch, while the Stampeders were able to snag hometown talent Sean McEwen.
Do you agree with the fan mock draft results? You can continue the discussion and have your say on social with the Twitter hashtag #CFLFanDraft.
CFL.ca FAN MOCK DRAFT
1) Ottawa REDBLACKS — Christian Covington, DL, Rice (24%)
The REDBLACKS make a bold move with the first overall pick, taking the highly-coveted Covington first overall. He was rated number one in the CFL Scouting Bureau for a reason, but he was recently drafted in the sixth round of the NFL by the Houston Texans. It’s a risky call, but if Covington does make it to the CFL some time in the next few years, the REDBLACKS are hitting a home run.
2) Winnipeg Blue Bombers — Alex Mateas, OL, UCONN (47%)
After spending the off-season re-shaping their offensive line, the Bombers continue to strengthen the position with the addition of Alex Mateas, one of the top-ranked offensive linemen in the draft. Mateas has NFL hopes after earning an invite to the New York Jets’ rookie mini-camp, but his potential presence on the Bombers’ O-line could make this unit one of the CFL’s strongest.
3) Toronto Argonauts — Danny Groulx, OL, Laval (13%)
This was the tightest margin of all the polls so far, with Groulx edging out running back Tyler Varga by only five votes. Only 17 votes separated top vote-getter Groulx from last-place Daryl Waud, showing just how wide open the field truly is entering the draft. In Groulx, the Argos are getting a hard-working lineman with an excellent pedigree, from a school well-known for producing high-end talent on the O-line.
4) Montreal Alouettes — Tyler Varga, RB, Yale (18%)
A possible future pick after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, the fans roll the dice on Tyler Varga hopefully becoming the Alouettes’ long-term answer at running back. At first glance, the Als’ roster appears loaded at the position, but is there a true superstar tailback the team can lean on? Varga has a strong, thick build and speed to burn, giving him a chance to become the next great national running back.
5) BC Lions — Jacob Ruby, OL, Richmond (40%)
The Lions add a lot of size to their offensive line, both physically and in potential, with the addition of tackle Jacob Ruby. At six-foot-seven, 315 pounds he’s got the strength and size to play tackle in the CFL, meanwhile in college he was a rare four-year starter on the all-important left side of the line. Five picks into the mock draft, Ruby is the fifth offensive lineman off the board — but he’s got the potential to be the best.
6) Saskatchewan Roughriders — Sukh Chungh, OL, Calgary (27%)
Looking to build some youth on the O-line, the Riders get one of the draft’s top-ranked blockers in Calgary’s Sukh Chungh. The pick makes plenty of sense, although it does have them passing on 40-yard dash record-breaker and Regina Rams alum Tevaughn Campbell, who also could’ve potentially helped the defensive backfield. Either way, Chungh is a six-foot-four, 300-pound guard with a reputation for playing big, powerful and nasty, something the Riders would surely welcome.
7) Edmonton Eskimos — Daryl Waud, DL, Western (26%)
The Eskimos elect to boost their interior defensive line with Daryl Waud, a first-team All-Canadian and three times an OUA All-Star with Western and the top-ranked CIS defensive lineman in this year’s draft. Waud joins an already-elite defensive line in Edmonton, but as a National will get a chance to be a major contributor in Chris Jones’ aggressive defence for years to come.
8) Hamilton Tiger-Cats — Nic Demski, REC, Manitoba (30%)
The Ticats took a hit at receiver recently, losing Samuel Giguere to free agency and Spencer Watt to injury before parting ways with Cary Koch. They’re happy to get a top receiver with the eighth overall pick, grabbing four-time CIS All-Canadian Nic Demski to give Zach Collaros yet another weapon at his disposal. Demski is another former running back whose ability to make yards after the catch make him a perfect CFL fit.
9) Calgary Stampeders — Sean McEwen, OL, Calgary (35%)
This one appeared to be a no-brainer for fans, as the Stamps opt to go with the hometown talent in offensive lineman Sean McEwen. McEwen is one of the top projected linemen in the draft and his descent to ninth overall is a bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one for a Stamps team looking to replace some departed talent on the line up front. Brett Jones and Stanley Bryant left during the off-season, and McEwen should fit in pretty quickly.
Here are the results of the most recent poll:
The 2015 CFL Draft will be held on May 12 at 8 p.m. ET. The first two rounds will show live on TSN, while the rest can be streamed on TSN.ca. The current order can be found here.
