With free agency in the rear view mirror, the Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft on May 2 becomes the biggest date on the CFL’s off-season calendar.
Leading up to the draft, the CFL combine in Edmonton is one of the last chances for eligible players to display their talent in front of the league’s coaches and scouts.
On Thursday, players are taking part in the traditional elements of the combine today including vertical jump and 40-yard dash.
A new feature of the event will be introduced on Friday where the athletes are tested in positional drills.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders hold the the third overall pick in the draft after last season’s 6-12 record.
General Manager Jeremy O’Day says the Roughriders are approaching the Draft with selecting the best player available, but will consider their positional needs when they make their pick.
Several players projected to go in the CFL Draft, could also be taken in the NFL Draft, which takes place on April 27-29. Players could also sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. O’Day says the NFL interest has affected the pool of prospects.
“There’s a strong number of guys that are going to be drafted in the NFL, more so than I remember in the past, that are not going to be off your board, they’re going to be dropped down because they’re going to get their chances in the NFL.”
Training camps in the CFL begins less than two weeks after the draft, leaving little time between the two events. The Roughriders general manager would like to have their first round selection attend their training camp in May but is happy with the team’s National players.
“We don’t actually feel that we’re not in terrible position at any position for our Canadian depth and where we’re at.”
Another factor in the depleted prospect pool for the draft are the NIL (name, image, likeness) deals that are becoming more common in the United States. O’Day says with NIL deals being introduced, scouting staffs have to find the players who have a passion for the game.
“If a guy loves football and a guy wants to play football, then he’s going to take the opportunity.”
Defensive linemen and linebackers are two positions in the CFL draft that stand out for O’Day.
Saskatchewan traded their fifth-round selection in this year’s draft last July in the trade that saw the Roughriders acquire returner Mario Alford. The green and white also have an extra seventh-round pick after they completed a trade with the Calgary Stampeders involving Global punter, James Smith.
