With the 2015 CFL Draft set to get under way, CFL on TSN analyst Duane Forde lists his top prospects available at each position.

 

2015 CFL Draft Rankings – Offensive Line

1. Brett Boyko, Nevada-Las Vegas: By NFL standards he may lack the quickness to play OT and the strength to play OG...but still projects as a CFL tackle.

2. Sukh Chungh, Calgary: He possesses the size, strength, quick feet, and nasty demeanour of a prototypical CFL guard.

3. Danny Groulx, Laval: At 25 years old, he's likely closer to his ceiling than other top prospects.

4. Alex Mateas, Connecticut: His maturity and experience against high level competition give him a chance to be an immediate starter in the CFL.

5. Sean McEwan, Calgary: He's not the most physical player but has a very high football IQ and is a solid technician. Likely returning to school this fall.

6. Jacob Ruby, Richmond: He may struggle with quickness at OT and, at 6'6", will need to learn to play with better leverage, whether he's at OT or OG.

7. Karl Lavoie, Laval: He's technically a better player than his Rouge et Or linemate Groulx but has always struggled to stay above 280 lbs.

8. James Bodanis, Michigan State: He's raw but his athleticism and untapped potential give him arguably the greatest upside of any OL in the class.

9. David Beard, Alberta: Missed CFL Combine due to wrist surgery. His quick feet and long arms make this former DL a possible OT candidate.

10. Campbel Allsison, Eastern Michigan: He's somewhat limited athletically and would be better equipped to compete in the CFL at a lighter weight.

 

2015 CFL Draft Rankings – Defensive Line

1. Christian Covington, Rice: Some had projected him as an NFL First Round pick before a dislocated knee cut short his 2014 season.

2. Daryl Waud, Western: He's athletic although probably not explosive enough to play anywhere other than nose...and could even be switched to OL.

3. Maxx Forde, Idaho: Despite spending five years in a D1 program, his athleticism, frame, and intelligence suggest that he still has significant upside.

4. Ese Mrabure-Ajufo, Wilfrid Laurier: His frame is a little slender to play nose but he has the athleticism to contribute at tackle and on special teams.

5. Jean-Samuel Blanc, Montreal: He doesn't project as a starter at DE but could definitely play some snaps defensively and contribute on special teams.

6. Brandon Tennant, Laval: He won't overwhelm anyone athletically but he's a classic nose tackle - stout, physical, and aggressive.

7. Everett Ellefsen, McNeese State: He has decent pass rush skills and pursues well from the backside - a potential rotation player and special teamer.

8. Ettore Lattanzio, Ottawa: He has a terrific motor, good hands, and decent quickness but his size means he'll play more special teams than D-Line.

9. Ricky Osei-Kusi, Western: His speed and body type give him a chance to be an effective special teams player.

10: Timi Agbaje, Saskatchewan: While he doesn't have the size of the DTs ranked ahead of him, his quickness and special teams ability give him a chance.

 

2015 CFL Draft Rankings – Linebackers

1: Nick Shortill, McMaster: In terms of pass rush, coverage, and run defence, he is probably the most complete LB in the class.

2: Byron Archambeault, Montreal: Playing in the box, he excels, however his speed becomes a concern in space vs. CFL running backs.

3: Adrian Clarke, Bishop's: He's inconsistent in terms of physical play and instincts but his remarkable athleticism suggests high special teams potential.

4: Adam Konar, Calgary: Versatile and instinctive linebacker who seems more athletic on film than in testing. Won't turn 22 until after the 2015 season.

5: Ron Omara, St. Francis Xavier: At 24, he may be approaching his ceiling but he's a smart, physical player with deceptive athleticism.

6: Blair Smith, Angelo State: He can be an effective CFL special teams player, particularly if he plays a little heavier.

7: Auston Johnson, South Dakota: He's another strong, instinctive LB who could face some challenges in space.

8: Marvin Golding, Saint Mary's: He has lined up a lot as an end and, as such, his LB instincts are limited but he's clearly one of the top athletes in the group.

9: Louis Mensah, Fort Lewis: His versatility and special teams play give him a chance to earn one of the final spots on a CFL roster.

10: Jonathan Langa, Saint Mary's: He possesses good instincts and is a strong tackler but, in a very deep linebacker class, his size hurts him.

 

2015 CFL Draft Rankings – Defensive Backs

1. Chris Ackie, Wilfrid Laurier: He's not the fastest DB but his height, long arms, and leaping ability add considerably to his range, whether at safety or corner.

2. Tevaughn Campbell, Regina: His skill set is best suited to play field corner, although his tackling will have to improve.

3. Kahlen Branning, Regina: Deceptively strong given his size, he has potential at corner and on kick coverage units.

4. Anthony Coady, Montreal: He's a good but not exceptional athlete, who projects as a traditional free safety, mostly playing at depth.

5. Samuel Bibeault, Sherbrooke: He bears some resemblance in both appearance and skill set to former Alouette Etienne Boulay.

6. Brendan Morgan, Virginia: A smart player, who ranks among the best athletes in the draft, Morgan can certainly [play special teams and has upside as a DB.

7. Dexter Janke, Okanagan Sun: He's still very raw as a DB but his penchant for physical play makes him a strong special teams candidate.

8. Bibake Uppal, Simon Fraser: He's viewed as a prospect with intriguing upside given that he's big and athletic but still very new to the position.

9. Neil Riley-Grant: GTA Grizzlies: He didn't run well at the Toronto regional combine but his long frame and natural instincts will attract interest, possibly as a LB.

10. Justin Warden: Bishop's: He's a versatile defender who warrants attention based on his size and general athletic ability.

 

2015 CFL Draft Rankings – Running Backs            

1. Tyler Varga, Yale: Considered a tweener by NFL RB/FB standards, he would be alegitimate ratio changing feature back in the CFL.

2. Shaquille Murray-Lawrence, Nevada-Las Vegas: Possesses the speed to regularly break contain but he is equally effective running between the tackles...also a willing pass blocker.

3. William Langlais, Sherbrooke: Former defensive end is a hard nosed banger with deceptive athleticism. He will make an immediate impact on special teams.

4. Christophe Normand, Laval

5. Dillon Campbell, Wilfrid Laurier: He combines power and speed well enough to contribute regularly in a CFL offence.

6. Kienan LaFrance, Manitoba: His ability to make a roster will rely more upon his special teams play than what he does with the ball.

7. Jefferson Court, Utah State: Speed is a concern but he is an effective blocker and capable receiver.

8. Brandon Deschamps, British Columbia: Having improved his size and strength over the last two years, he can contribute at fulback and on special teams.

9. Matt Rea, Michigan State: Limited as a receiver and pass pro technique needs work but he is an extremely physical and willing run blocker and special teamer.

10. Terrance Crawford, Windsor: Former Simon Fraser transfer has flown under the radar but possesses a strong athletic pedigree.

 

2015 CFL Draft Rankings – Receivers

1. Lemar Durant, Simon Fraser: His routes need work and pre-snap waggle will be new but he is a rare combination of size, speed, and hands.

2. Nic Demski, Manitoba: He's a fluid and explosive athlete, whose skills as a former running back allow him to excel after the catch.

3. Matthew Norzil, Laval: His explosiveness is back after the knee injuries that robbed wiped out two years but concern remains about his durability.

4. Addison Richards, Regina: He's a little more stiff than those ranked ahead of him but is still very athletic for his size and, at 21, has a big upside.

5. Jake Harty, Calgary: At 24, he's a little closer to his ceiling but could contribute immediately on both offence and special teams.

6. Melvin Abankwah, Saint Mary's: He's a shifty route runner against man coverage but will have some learning to do vs. zone. He'd fit as a hybrid slot.

7. Andrew Johnson, Fort Lewis: He possesses decent size, strength, and explosion and has a knack for the big play.

8. Mikhail Davidson, Montreal: The knock on him is his smaller stature but he's tough, runs great routes, and has very good hands.

9. Bobby Pospischil, Simon Fraser: His size is a concern in terms of battling bigger DBs and playing on special teams.

10. Daniel English, Langley Rams: Faster than his combine time, he's raw but has always been able to use size, speed, and reach to stretch the field.