Read an interesting article on 3rd Down Nation regarding the winners and losers of the CFL draft here:
http://3downnation.com/2018/05/04/nine-cfl-draft-classes-ranked/
BC's trade with Winnipeg exchanging first and second rounders over the next two drafts provided BC with an influx of Canadian talent they desperately need being one of the worst teams in the league for national depth. Possible first year starter in offensive lineman Godber and what is widely reported as the best defensive tackle in Julien Laurent. The additions won't prevent BC from finishing last in the division but will help in the coming years.
Hamilton traded a stud o-lineman in Bomben, but the team has some decent national depth and he is 30 years old - an age at which many linemen start to decline. In return they received the first overall pick and picked up Chapman, a receiver who has a decent chance at starting this year as he appears pro-ready. Their other first round pick Ciraco, while not ready to become a full-time starter, should develop nicely over the next season and a half into a full time starter on the interior of the line. Rounding out their top four picks in the first fifteen overall are defensive back Bennett and DL Brett Wade. Nice draft that will have Hamilton as one of the top 3 or 4 teams for Canadian depth for the forseeable future.
Montreal had terrible Canadian depth, even with the recent signings of Westerman and Muamba. Westerman at 33 years of age is a short term solution while Muamba should be around long-term given the Als limited options...not that that is a bad thing. They further rectified the lack of quality starters by trading the first overall for Bomben, an all-star O-lineman and addressed depth on the O-line with the drafting of Rutherford 2nd overall. He will probably see a fair bit of duty given Montreal's age on the line. I hear Banner could be a steal in the 3rd round as a backup to Westerman. Montreal still slots to finish in last place but the noticeable improvement in Canadian depth - hopefully be supplemented by improvements in recruiting in other areas (ie qb)- may just see the team improve by 2019.
Saskatchewan had at best an average starting 7 nationals with rapidly aging and declining players in Rob Bagg and Labatte not to mention the departure of one of their few impact Canadians in Muamba - due to suspect cap management by Chris Jones. Their depth behind the starting 7 was pretty thin as well. So it came as a suprise that Jones once again used a high pick to draft a player already signed by the NY Jets in OL Shepley who will probably never be seen on this side of the border in a football uniform for several years at best. The Riders needed some help on the line given labatte's decline in play, a mediocre Dan Clark at centre, newly signed guard Travis Bond being switched to tackle (how on earth will that work out!) and recent first overall draft pick Josiah St. John looking like St. Bust up to this point. They blew it and exacerbating the issue if their lack of picks altogether - only 5 this year!
Given the lack of depth there is talk of Sam Hurl starting at linebacker - Yikes! Overall the writer was correct in grading the Riders as the worst team at the 2018 draft.
