It’s like the day before Christmas for CFL GMs like Jeremy O’Day. But unlike any other Christmas, O’Day hasn’t gotten to play with the toys he got last year.

The CFL Draft goes Tuesday at 5:00 pm. The 2020 CFL season not being played makes it a unique year for the draft.

“It’s our second draft class in a row without even seeing our last draft class,” says O’Day. “So we have two draft classes that are going to be coming to camp and we haven’t even had a chance to see that last draft class (play football).”

O’Day says it’s tougher to predict what the other teams will do, since they filled their roster holes with their 2020 draft picks. Plus, because of COVID there are players committed to go back for another year of NCAA football.

“Fortunately for us we pick (second) and we’re going to get a good player and we’re excited about the draft,” says O’Day.

“I think you have a pretty strong idea who you’re going to pick. When you’re not picking number one you’re not guaranteed that you’re going to get the guy that you think you’re going to pick. Obviously you have a name in mind that you’re going to pick and always being prepared that he gets picked before you and then you’ll have your next guy in mind.”

O’Day says Tuesday’s draft has some obvious strengths.

“The most depth in the draft is at defensive back,” he says. “Linebackers is pretty solid and then offensive line is always pretty solid. I don’t see as much depth at receiver as usual. Overall, I think it’s very good.”

O’Day says since this draft is only six rounds, versus the regular eight rounds, that may be swaying his perception of the depth.

At least two Saskatchewan players should garner attention Tuesday–Huskies DB Nelson Lokombo and Rams RB Kyle Borsa. Will the fact that Lokombo played in Saskatoon or that Borsa is from Regina sway O’Day?

“The advantage is you have a better ability to keep them long term,” he says. “A common question in the draft is always: ‘If we draft you and we want you to come out west, what’s going to happen after your first contract?’”

If you draft a player who’s from Calgary and he’s likely to return to play for his home town team after three years, that can affect the chances O’Day would draft him.

“It happens a lot more than you think,” he says.

“If you’re comparing apples to apples, and it’s neck and neck, the deciding factor that it’s a local kid, I certainly would say that would weigh into the decision.
“But we won’t jump a local kid over a better player.”

Hear more from O’Day today on The Sports Cage.