Leos hope draft picks stay on
Of the last 34 chosen over five seasons, only seven have started for B.C.
The concept of looking out for the greater good seems to be occupying the B.C. Lions on a couple of fronts.
It was evident wednesday when the CFL club unveiled minor changes to its uniform. President Dennis Skulsky admitted the Lions were mostly going along with a league merchandising theme, and was quite happy with the change.
But this attitude has been evident on a more important scale the last few years, at the annual Canadian college draft, which will be conducted today (noon, TSN) with the Lions looking to reverse a troublesome trend.
Where the draft is supposed to be about replenishing non-import talent, it’s also become a place where the Lions select players for other teams, or other lines of work.
Of the last 34 draft picks dating back five seasons, only seven have started a game for the Lions, who have done well filling out specialteams needs, but have exposed an Achilles heel in nine seasons under general manager Wally Buono.
With only five picks, having lost selections to pay for traded starters Arland Bruce and Jesse Newman, the need to get it right has never been greater so as to avoid players like O.J. Atogwe and Danny Watkins becoming a bigger part of the team’s draft deliberations.
“We talk about those players who haven’t panned out in meetings,” said coach Mike Benevides, referring to two first-round picks who went to the NFL in 2004 and 2010, respectively, taken when he also had the role of Canadian scouting director.
“But I feel good where we’re at because you look at the number of players we’ve drafted who have played games in the [CFL]. It tells us our evaluation is on the right track.
“Do we want to find a different way to approach [the draft]? . . .We’ve taken [players] based on need and if I was honest with myself I’ve made mistakes. But the common theme in the [draft] room is the best player available is the one you want.”
Defining availability in the CFL becomes problematic, however, and is no less difficult this year.
No fewer than five of the consensus top-six picks made NFL commitments this week, enough to make a few teams undoubtedly skittish, but is balanced for the Lions as one of two teams with a pair of first-round selections, one coming from Buono’s timely deal to send kicker Sean Whyte to Montreal last season.
The only two of the consensus top eight who haven’t yet gone to the NFL are offensive lineman Ben Heenan, expected to be taken first by Saskatchewan, and defensive lineman Jabar Westerman of Eastern Michigan. On that basis, Westerman might be the Lions choice when they pick fourth overall, providing Buono doesn’t act on offers being made to trade down.
“There’s a lot of people calling for our picks,” said Benevides, whose team has three of the top 14 selections and is one of only five clubs currently in the first round.
The supply chain of non-imports represents a delicate balance for the Lions, who had to sign Canadians Neil Mckinlay and Ryan Thelwell out of retirement just to get through last season. Personnel directors say there’s never enough but with 24 Canadians already under contract the Lions are four players over what it will take to fill a non-import roster even before today’s draft.
For the Lions, it’s quality over quantity. At least, that’s what they hope.
“I don’t want to say [Lions’ picks] haven’t panned out. Danny Watkins panned out, just in another league,” Buono deadpanned. All for the greater good.