Alouettes lack first-round pick, but aim to add depth
GM believes a ‘very good player’ will be available to the Alouettes at 12th overall
It likely will be with a twinge of resentment and anxiety come Sunday night when Kavis Reed — suddenly with time on his hands — sits back and listens for which player British Columbia selects third overall in the Canadian college draft.
“It’s going to be difficult, but the reality is we don’t have that pick,” the Alouettes’ general manager admitted. “I’d be lying if I said we haven’t thought (what would happen) if we had this pick. That’s human nature.”
The CFL draft, consisting of eight rounds, goes Sunday night (7 p.m., TSN, RDS). Although the Als have eight selections, they don’t own a first-round pick. Former GM Jim Popp traded it to the Lions last May for the rights to quarterback Vernon Adams. Montreal missed the playoffs with a 7-11 record, meaning B.C. selects third overall.
This marks the first time since 2012 — and only the third time since the franchise was resurrected in 1996 — the Als haven’t had a first-round pick.
While Reed suggests there’s enough depth for the Als to get a good player with their first choice, 12th overall in the second round, don’t be surprised if Montreal swings a trade to secure an earlier pick. Indeed, according to a source, the Als will entertain that option to select Carleton receiver Nate Behar, although he’s a relatively modest five-foot-11 and 204 pounds.
Many believe Behar is one of the top two eligible receivers. Although his ranking among the CFL’s scouting bureau inexplicably dropped throughout the season, he was a first-team All-Canadian and Ravens team captain.
Should Reed be seeking a dance partner for a trade, Winnipeg and B.C. have two picks in the opening round. The Blue Bombers have the first overall choice via a trade with Toronto for quarterback Drew Willy. Winnipeg’s expected to select Faith Ekakitie, a defensive lineman who played at Iowa.
While some GMs seek character in prospects, Reed’s more concerned about how a player will fit into the Als’ scheme.
“There’s never going to be the perfect player,” Reed said. “Where can the coaches take a player? Do they have certain qualities the coaches are looking for? If they’re deficient in certain areas, can they be coached up to the next level?”
Reed said he’s looking to fortify the team’s linebacking corps, especially seeking someone who can play on special teams. He’d also like to add a defensive back through the draft and always has his eye on offensive linemen.
One linebacker who has flown under the radar is Cameron Judge, who was born in Montreal, but qualifies as a non-import although his family moved to California and he played at UCLA.
The six-foot-two, 235-pounder is considered an explosive athlete. Although he didn’t play much on special teams due to the Bruins’ depth, he was used extensively on special teams.
Another potential pick in the second round could be Randy Colling, a six-foot-five, 320-pound defensive tackle originally from Hamilton who played at Gannon, a Division II university in Erie, Pa. Colling, about to turn 27, has been playing in the Arena league where one of his teammates, Brian Brikowski, is a former Alouette.
“All of our preparation pretty much has been we’re picking 12th overall,” Reed said. “We make our scenarios based on that reality.
“But if we need to move a few spots up, we’re prepared to make offers to do that. There’s enough depth that we’re going to get a very good player at 12, we believe.”
Two of the leading defensive backs are considered to be Calgary’s Robert Woodson and Dondre Wright, who played at Henderson State. While Woodson’s a traditional safety, Wright is more suited to playing in the box as a linebacker, which would suit defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe’s scheme.
The top three rated players, according to the CFL, are all headed to the NFL and will likely be selected in the middle to later rounds Sunday. Montreal’s Justin Senior, an offensive tackle from Mississippi State, was selected by Seattle in the sixth round. Eli Ankou, a UCLA defensive lineman, signed a priority undrafted free-agent deal with Houston, while Geoff Gray, an offensive lineman from Manitoba, did likewise with Green Bay.
Laval tight-end Antony Auclair, ranked seventh by the CFL, signed with Tampa Bay.
“The NFL got it right in terms of who the best guys are. Those are the elite guys,” said TSN analyst Duane Forde. “It’ll be interesting to see where those guys fall. They all have a pretty good chance of sticking there for at least a year.”
I’d be lying if I said we haven’t thought (what would happen) if we had this (No. 3) pick.