Michael Couture (52) OL Simon Fraser during the CFL combine in Toronto, Sunday March 13, 2016. (Photo: Johany Jutras / CFL)
His phone is hardly buzzing to life right now with calls and text messages. But that could change for Winnipeg Blue Bombers GM, Kyle Walters, within the next couple of days in the countdown to the Canadian Football League’s draft on Tuesday.
The Bombers hold the 9th and 10th picks in Tuesday’s proceedings – their first rounder, second overall, was forfeited in last year’s supplemental draft for Garrett Waggoner – and it’s an intriguing spot for a couple of reasons.
First, it marks the first time since 2010 the Bombers don’t have a top 3 pick. And secondly, it still means they will have two selections in the top 10 of a draft said to be stocked with good offensive line and receiver prospects.
That also means Walters could be a popular man come Monday-Tuesday as, with no clear cut number one at the top of draft boards with the University of Manitoba’s David Onyemata having been drafted by the New Orleans Saints, teams might be tempted to move down in the draft.
“There’s been casual conversations with a few teams, but at this point nothing,” said Walters in a media session on Friday. “In years past, as you get closer to the day – within 24 to 48 hours – the trade talks get a little more serious. I think the teams are all just talking right now and getting a feel for each other.
“I’ll tell you we’ve had nothing serious on paper. It’s just been casual conversations and nothing remotely close to a trade.”
Walters touched on a number of draft-related topics during the press conference and we’ll try to cover a lot of them here in our FAQ – CFL Draft version:
On drafting at the 9th and 10th spots:
“When you look at the board, we’re going to get two good football players. We just don’t know at what positions. It’s a little bit different than last year where we all stood in here and said, ‘Yeah, we’re taking an O-lineman. It’s a done deal, it’s just which one.’ It’ll be interesting sitting in that draft room seeing how it all unfolds.”
On forfeiting the first-round pick for Waggoner:
“When you look back at Garrett last year and his productivity vs. the other first-round picks, I think he’s on point. If you had him as a potential pick in the first round he played every game and, with the exception of Nic Demski (Saskatchewan) and Sukh Chungh (of the Bombers) he was the next most productive first-round draft pick last year. If Garrett was in the draft this year, yeah, he’d be a first-round pick.”
On how the signings by NFL teams of draft-eligible players affects his draft board (they include: receiver Tevaun Smith – Indianapolis, defensive lineman Mehdi Abdesmad – Tennesse and defensive backs Arjen Colquhoun – Dallas and Elie Bouka – Arizona):
“It’s a tough one. The kids didn’t get drafted (in the NFL), but they were snatched up quickly and most of them had multiple options. Some agents will make the case it’s better to be a priority free agent because then you get a pick as to where you sign, rather than being a late-round draft pick. You have to think those priority free agents have a good shot to make a team.
“It’s what I say to anybody: once you get your foot into a training camp, anything can happen. You saw it with (2013 Bomber first-round pick) Andy Mulumba who got into a training camp (with Green Bay), there were some injuries right away, he got more opportunities to show what he could do and then stuck around for a number of years. There’s not an easy answer for those guys but you sure know they’re not going to be available Day 1 of training camp. Are they going to be available Labour Day or are they going to wait a couple of years and we’re never going to see them?”
On Onyemata and when he might hear his name called in the CFL Draft after already being selected by the Saints:
“David will get drafted. David will be given every opportunity to make the New Orleans Saints as a draft pick. So, it’s not whether you’re going to see him in September (after NFL training camps), it’s – are you going to see him in three or four years, or ever? That’s going to make him a later pick, but someone will take him because at some point (looking at) your list it becomes ‘Do we take a chance in getting David Onyemata in three-four years or never? Or do we take the next guy who we don’t really think has a shot?’ Well, you might as well take David Onyemata at that outside possibility and if you get him, you get him.”
On Christo Bilukidi, a Bombers 2012 third-round pick (also drafted by the Oakland Raiders that year) and if he might head north after being released by Washington.
“The general rule of thumb for NFL players when they get released, they’re going to wait. He’s not in any hurry after just being released to come up and sign a CFL contract. They’re going to wait to see if there are any training-camp injuries happen. I predict if he doesn’t get signed or get on a roster this year, then the talks will probably pick up in February next year.”
On the chances of drafting an O-lineman at the 9th or 10th spot:
“Everybody, ever year, is looking at depth on the offensive line. That’s just the way it is in our league where teams are playing three (Canadians) and you start seven overall. So, slightly less than half of the starting Canadians in our league are offensive linemen. You’re always looking to add.
“It’s a strong group of offensive linemen. Do I think one or two will fall to nine or 10? I can’t predict that. It’s a little different mindset this year heading in because we’re further along than in years past with our overall Canadian depth. I stood up here the last couple of years and said we pretty much have to draft an offensive lineman because we need them to play. Based on our draft board we’re not going to reach anywhere just to fill a positional need.”
And, finally, on the announcement Friday by The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport that Bishop’s defensive back Jonathan Fortin, who is draft-eligible player, tested positive for a banned substance at the CFL’s Montreal regional combine in March and will have his draft year deferred one year.
Last year, there were five players who tested positive.
“That’s a good trend. If anything it sends a pretty clear message with the new penalties. Hopefully it sends a good message to university players that if they are going to go down that route there are going to be some consequences.
“It’s certainly a step in the right direction.”
