May 12, 2015
Duane Forde's Prospect Rankings
With the 2015 CFL Draft set to get under way, CFL on TSN analyst Duane Forde lists his top prospects available at each position.
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.