2010 CFL Draft: Predicting the First Two Rounds

I have been asked to guess who will get selected in the first two rounds of the CFL's Canadian draft, and I can't pretend to be an expert.

Unlike the NFL draft where everyone knows who the best players are and have penciled them onto teams months in advance, the CFL draft is a much more modest affair.

Hamilton forfeited their first round pick.

So because of my ignorance, I'm basing my selections on what I perceive to be each team's greatest need.

Toronto Argonauts

Their biggest needs are on offense where only the running game was competent, so the Argonaut passing game needs revamping.  Toronto has three picks, one in the first round and two in the second.  The Argonauts could improve the passing game by taking an offensive lineman or wide receiver. 

The highest ranked lineman is John Bender, and the highest ranked receiver is Shawn Gore.  Either one of them will be Toronto's No. 1 pick, and the remaining picks will come from the next highest rated players at those positions: Danny Watkins, Joe Eppele, Steven Turner, and Cory Watson, if they are still around.  Another possibility could be the best kicker, Rob Maver.

Hamilton Tiger Cats

Their biggest need is at quarterback, and Erik Glavic has been invited to workout with them.  Hamilton only has one second round pick.  Assuming nobody else wants Glavic, because he is a Canadian quarterback, I think Hamilton will add depth to their defensive line. 

The best choice, Brian Bulcke, is projected to be gone by the time Hamilton drafts, so I think they'll take Eddie Steele or Bruno Lapointe.  They also should consider looking at kicker Maver, if he is still available.

Montreal Alouettes

The Alouettes have few needs on their deep team.  They have three picks, all at the bottom of each round.  Maybe they want to draft a potential replacement for the aging Ben Cahoon. 

In that case, Shawn Gore would be a good first round pick.  If they want some defensive help, perhaps Joash Gesse if he is still there in the second round, and maybe another wide receiver, either Josh Bishop or Steven Turner.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Despite all the new signings at the quarterback position, that's still where Winnipeg's biggest question is.  Would they consider Erik Glavic, too?   Like the Argonauts, the passing game was bad which means both teams will be competing for offensive linemen and wide receivers. 

Winnipeg has only one pick, but it is the second one.  I think they'll take the best offensive lineman.  So it will be John Bender unless the Argonauts take him, in which case, the choice will be Danny Watkins.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Saskatchewan has created an opening at backup quarterback, so would they look at Glavic?  There is also talk of bringing back Kerry Joseph to the scene of his greatest triumph. 

Saskatchewan has two first round picks.  They've lost some talent during the offseason, so they'll try to replenish it. 

I think they will want to keep the defense at the same high level, so they will draft either Shomari Williams or Brian Bulcke with their first pick and either Cory Greenwood or Eddie Steele with the second pick.

Calgary Stampeders

They have two picks, one in each round.  They had strange problems with their passing attack last year when Henry Burris didn't seem to be on the same page as his receivers.  They will probably take the highest ranked receiver, which is Shawn Gore or Cory Watson.  Joe Eppele might be taken on the second pick if he is still available.

Edmonton Eskimos

The Eskimos need defensive help and they only have one pick in the second round.  I think they'll take the highest ranked cornerback, Taurean Allen, if he is still available.  If not, the best remaining defensive player remaining which could be Eddie Steele or Joash Gesse.

B.C. Lions

They have two picks, one in each round.  The B.C. defense is not feared like it once was so they'll try to improve on that side of the ball, especially after they were demolished by Montreal in last year's playoffs. 

So the team will take either Shomari Williams or Brian Bulcke with its first pick, depending on who is available.  They'll still stick with defense with their second pick which could be Eddie Steele, Taurean Allen, or Joash Gesse, depending on who is available.