Brady Oliveira was a second-round selection by the Blue Bombers in 2019; photo by Cameron Bartlett
It’s an event which unfolds over just a few hours yet can change a franchise’s fortunes for years.
The CFL Canadian Draft goes Tuesday night and with a good haul teams can instantly upgrade their homegrown talent or augment what is already in place.
Preferably, it’s a bit of both.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers hold four picks in the Top 24 — including fourth overall — and will be looking to add to a roster that already includes Canadian stars like Brady Oliveira, Nic Demski and Redha Kramdi. It also features some intriguing players at important stages of their careers like Cam Lawson, Gabe Wallace, Kevens Clercius and Tommy Nield, while losing two veteran mainstays over the winter in Jake Thomas (retired to become the defensive line coach) and Shayne Gauthier (unsigned).
There’s also this to hammer home how impactful the Canadian Draft is in roster building: the Blue Bombers current training camp lineup features 12 of the 19 players selected over the last two years alone. A 13th, offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, is with the Detroit Lions.
Now, to get Blue Bombers fans ready for Tuesday’s Canadian Draft we broke our preview up into two chunks.
Part 1 of our Blue Bombers at the Draft preview looks at this regime’s draft history and can be found here:
Today, we dive into guessing what the Blue Bombers might do tomorrow and offer up a look at the current Canadian composition…
What are the Blue Bombers Canadian areas of need?
The 2026 CFL Canadian Draft is heavy with offensive line prospects, and the Blue Bombers could further stockpile what they have with another big man for the trenches — especially with the club moving on from veteran centre Chris Kolankowski, now with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Tui Elli is the front-runner to replace Kolankowski and another Canadian who could handle those chores would be a good addition if the club opts to start three Americans along the offensive line between import tackles Stanley Bryant and Jarell Broxton.
As well, veteran guard Pat Neufeld turned 37 this winter and the club could add more depth at guard to go along with Wallace, the left guard, and second-year man Ethan Vibert.
Winnipeg’s other projected Canadian starters include Oliveira, Demski, Nield and one of Clercius/Joey Corcoran/Gavin Cobb at receiver, Lawson at D-tackle and Kramdi at the dime spot.
Finding more depth or a possible starter at receiver would be a bonus if the club starts three Canadian pass catchers.
How does what happened over the weekend with the NFL Draft impact the CFL Canadian Draft?
In a word: significantly.
More and more of the top players in this country head south to the NCAA to play collegiately and NFL teams are also venturing north more frequently to scout U Sports talent. That means the best players in this country might not play a down in the CFL.
Defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor of Ottawa via the University of Miami — considered the top Canadian available and ranked No. 1 by the CFL’s Scouting Bureau — was selected with the 22nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers last Thursday, meaning it’s unlikely he’ll ever play a game in this league. Using a selection on him, even as the best player with Canadian roots, then becomes risky for a CFL team.
The Chargers also drafted the second-best player on the scouting bureau’s list, Boston College offensive lineman Logan Taylor of Lunenburg, N.S., in the sixth round. A CFL team might use a pick on him this week, but even that becomes risky.
The fallout after the NFL Draft also can impact what CFL teams do on Tuesday night, too.
Defensive lineman Rene Konga — another Ottawa product who played collegiately at Louisville and ranked third by the CFL Scouting Bureau — signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday which reportedly includes guaranteed money, making his availability to a CFL team iffy.
Others who have reportedly signed free agent deals include OL Albert Reese IV (Edmonton/Mississippi State — Carolina Panthers), TE Rohan Jones (Montreal/Arkansas — L.A. Rams), OL Kevin Cline (Boca Raton/Boston College — Dolphins) and receiver Malick Meiga (Montreal/Coastal Carolina — Carolina).
Every year undrafted Canadians also accept NFL rookie mini-camp invitations to get a look down south and while that usually doesn’t stop a team from drafting them, it could impact their availability for the start of CFL training camp with the dates conflicting.
So far, the following players accepting NFL rookie camp invitations are DB/LB Benji Sangmuah (Scarborough/UBC — Indianapolis Colts), OL Niklas Henning (Milton/Queen’s — Colts and Las Vegas Raiders) and LB Dariel Djabome (Lonqueuil/Rutgers — Washington Commanders).
FYI
This year’s draft will be the 13th for the current Blue Bombers regime of GM Kyle Walters and head coach Mike O’Shea, with extensive help from Director of Player Personnel Eric Deslauriers and Director of Football Operations Matt Gulakow.
Consider this, for what it’s worth, of the 89 selections made by Walters over the years, the breakdown by position is as follows:
Defensive backs: 18
Defensive linemen:18
Offensive linemen: 18
Receivers: 13
Linebackers: 12
Running backs/fullbacks: 6
Kickers: two
Quarterbacks: 1
Long snappers: 1
Here are some other CFL Draft Day basics to help get Blue Bombers fans up to speed:
CFL CANADIAN DRAFT DAY
What: The CFL’s 2026 Canadian Draft
When: Tuesday, April 28th, 6 p.m.
How to watch: The first two rounds of the CFL Canadian Draft will be broadcast on live on TSN and TSN+. Coverage of rounds 3-8 will be available on TSN+. The league’s pick-by-pick tracker is here.
CFL Global Draft: Wednesday, April 29 at noon with results announced in real time on CFL.ca.
THE BLUE BOMBERS CFL DRAFT PICKS:
ROUND 1: 4th overall
ROUND 2: 13th overall
ROUND 2: 20th overall (bonus pick as a reward for national snaps in 2024)
ROUND 3: 24th overall
ROUND 4: 33rd overall
ROUND 5: 42nd overall
ROUND 6: 51st overall
ROUND 7: 60th overall
ROUND 8: 69th overall
THE BLUE BOMBERS GLOBAL DRAFT PICKS
ROUND 1: 4th overall
ROUND 2: 13th overall
BLUE BOMBERS DRAFT PICKS CURRENTLY ON THE ROSTER
*Indicates starter or projected starter
Redha Kramdi: selected in the second round, 16th overall, in 2021
RB Brady Oliveira* (Round 2, 14th overall, 2019): What really needs to be said here? One of the best picks in franchise history. Dominant running back already destined for the hall of fame.
OL Tui Eli* (Round 4, 34th overall, 2019): The departure of Kolankowski has opened the door for Eli to grab a permanent starting gig. Has 70 CFL games and six starts to his name so far.
DB Nick Hallett (Round 7, 61st overall, 2019): A late-round gem for the Blue Bombers who has played in 100 regular season games, has two Grey Cup rings and now ranks sixth in franchise history in special teams tackles.
LB Tanner Cadwallader (Round 7, 64th overall, 2020): Has not missed a game since 2021. Already ranks 12th in franchise history in special teams tackles — four shy of a spot in the Top 10.
DB Redha Kramdi* (Round 2, 16th overall, 2021): Still somehow underrated by some fans and media around the league. He’s morphed into a vocal leader and a defensive kingpin.
DB Jake Kelly (Round 2, 15th overall, 2023): An exceptional athlete who has been crushed by injuries over his three years, with 31 games played. If he can stay healthy he could push for work as the safety.
DT Tanner Schmekel (Round 4, 35th overall, 2023): Limited to just four games last year when he seemed on the verge of a break-through.
DT Collin Kornelson (Round 5, 44th overall, 2023): Proud Manitoba Bison who made his CFL debut and ultimately played in six games in ’25.
WR Kevens Clercius (Round 2, 13th overall, 2024): Did not start in the playoff game, but has seen his numbers grow in each of his first two seasons, with 40 catches for 411 yards last year.
FB Michael Chris-Ike (Round 2, 14th overall, 2024): Has dressed for 27 games over the last two years. Athletic fullback who chips in on specials.
OL Gabe Wallace (Round 2, 17th overall, 2024): Massive step for a massive dude last year in his first as a starter, making 15 at left guard.
LS Ian Leroux (Round 4, 37th overall, 2024): Took over the long-snapping chores for veteran Mike Benson and was super-steady.
LB Connor Shay (Round 1, 6th overall, 2025): Played in every game as a rookie and had 10 tackles. Can he take that important next step in his sophomore year?
LB Jaylen Smith (Round 2, 15th overall, 2025): Ditto to Shay, above. Smith. Popped out in his rookie season with 22 tackles on specials — tied or fourth place in the entire league. He added three tackles on defence and one fumble recovery as well.
QB Taylor Elgersma (Round 2, 18th overall, 2025): A ton of eyeballs will be on the former Wilfrid Laurier star who won the Hec Crighton Trophy in his final year of U Sports before earning a number of looks in the NFL and with the UFL.
OL Ethan Vibert (Round 3, 27th overall, 2025): Was groomed on the practice roster last year before making his debut in the regular-season finale. Still just 25, this will be a big camp for a big push from the Regina product.
WR Joey Corcoran (Round 5, 39th overall, 2025): Dressed for all 18 games and in the playoffs. Finished with two starts and 10 catches for 88 yards.
LB Lane Novak (Round 5, 45th overall, 2025): Coaches fell in love with his smarts, his hustle and his skill as he made the club out of camp before being injured five games into his rookie season.
DB Ethan Ball (Round 6, 54th overall, 2025): Dressed for 13 games as a rookie and made an instant impact on special teams with nine tackles.
OL Iwinosa Uwubanmwen (Round 8, 71st overall, 2025): Returned to the University of Alberta after being drafted and after recovering from an injury in 2024. Dressed for six games last year for the Golden Bears.
OTHER BLUE BOMBER CANADIANS CURRENTLY ON THE ROSTER
Nic Demski: first-round draft pick by Saskatchewan in 2015; came home in ’18
OL Patrick Neufeld* – Round 5, 33rd overall, by Saskatchewan in 2010; traded to Winnipeg in 2013 for DE Alex Hall and a second-round pick in the 2014 draft. Three-time CFL All-Star (2021-23) who played in every game a year ago. Still solid at age 37.
SB Nic Demski* — Round 1, 6th overall, by Saskatchewan in 2015; signed with Winnipeg as a free agent in 2018. Has posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons and led the Blue Bombers in receiving in each of the last two years. Seventh all-time in club receiving yards.
DT Cam Lawson* – Round 2, 16th overall, by Montreal in 2021; Acquired in a draft day trade with the Alouettes in 2022. Big hopes for Lawson, still just 27, this season with Thomas having retired and his snap count likely to jump as a result.
WR Tommy Nield* — Round 4, 30th overall, by Toronto in 2021. Appeared in 41 games with the Argo — winning Grey Cups over Winnipeg in ’22 and ’24 — before joining Saskatchewan as a free agent last year and adding another championship ring. He had 42 catches for 535 yards and five TDs in 13 games for the Riders last year and the belief in Bomberland is those numbers should jump this season.
RB Matthew Peterson — Round 4, 36th overall, by Hamilton in 2024; Acquired on draft day a year ago, Peterson proved to be a more-than-capable No. 2 behind Oliveira. Finished the year with 329 yards rushing, second on the team to Oliveira.
WR Gavin Cobb — Round 4, 30th overall, by Edmonton in 2022; University of Manitoba product dressed for four games in his first year as a Blue Bomber, including two starts. Appeared in 29 games for the Elks in 2023-34 with 18 catches for 308 yards and two TDs.
*Indicates starter
BLUE BOMBERS GLOBAL PLAYERS ON ROSTER
Jamieson Sheahan: Winnipeg’s first pick in the ’23 CFL Global Draft
P Jamieson Sheahan — Round 1, 8th overall, 2023 CFL Global Draft. The Blue Bombers Aussie-born punter over the last three years. Finished last year with a 47.8-yard average, the second highest in club history to John Ryan’s 50.6 average in 2005. He’s also the holder on placekicks for Sergio Castillo.
DE Kemari Munier-Bailey — Round 1, 2nd overall, 2025 CFL Global Draft. Spent most of ’25 on the practice roster but made his debut in the regular-season finale and flashed with a tackle on defence and a thunderous hit on special teams.
MOCK DRAFTS
-For those of you in the annual educated guesses on how the draft may play out, here’s a couple from reputable sources who cover the league:
-Marshall Ferguson of TSN and CFL.ca.
-John Hodge of 3Down Nation.
