CFL MOCK DRAFT EAST DIVISION

NFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

We are less than a month away from the opening of Preseason in the Canadian Football League, and at the top of the mind of all nine general managers will be the upcoming draft on May 3. While not quite as hyped as the one down in the US, scouts, and coaches have been keeping a close watch on plenty of promising local players.

For the first time since 2015, three teams from the East ended the regular season with records of .500 or better. As a result, this will only be the second time in the past five years that a team from this division will not be chosen first. A total of 74 players will be selected among those eligible from Canadian Universities across the country, while local prospects who played NCAA football will also be in the mix to return north of the border. All nine teams will have a first-round selection in the 2022 draft in Toronto. Here is a look at my projected first choices for all four teams in the east.

Rodeem Brown | Source (Background Photo): Thomas SKRLJ/CFL.CA

Ottawa Redblacks- Round 1, Pick #2- Deionte Knight, defensive lineman, Western

Since making it to the Grey Cup in 2018, Ottawa has suffered through some very lean years, finishing dead last in their division in 2019 and 2021, racking up a mere six total wins in the regular season. Paul LaPolice is a brilliant offensive mind with the creativity to fool even the smartest of defensive units. The Redblacks were aggressive in free agency, bringing in Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback, along with some big boys to protect him in Darius Ciraco, Jacob Ruby, and Hunter Seward. They also added a solid veteran receiver in Darvin Adams, who is coming off back-to-back Grey Cup triumphs with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

While it is not his level of expertise, LaPolice should know that if he wants to improve this squad, they need to get better defensively. Ottawa was dead last on defense in 2021 in terms of points allowed (138), conceding more than 3,800 yards of offense in 14 games.

Deionte Knight is an excellent interior pocket pusher who can hurry the quarterback and help this team get more penetration on the line. Knight led the nation with 7.5 QB sacks and 19 tackles, helping Western capture the 2021 Vanier Cup. The son of former Virginia Tech linebacker and ex-CFLer DeWayne Knight, this six-foot-four, 275-pound lineman has speed and power, which is rare for his size. He was a first-team All Canadian who could slot in behind Cleyon Laing.

Montreal Alouettes- Round 1, Pick #4- Enock Makonzo, linebacker, Costal Carolina

Montreal can count on some solid players in starting roles who have grown over the past two seasons. This is not the dominant team that we saw over a decade ago with Jim Popp as gm and Marc Trestman on the sidelines, but under Khari Jones, we have seen them steadily become a respectable franchise.

One thing that this team could use is depth, and general manager Danny Maciocia knows it. In Makonzo, the Als are getting a rugged and versatile linebacker who is capable of closing quickly. In three seasons at Coastal Carolina, he played 27 games, recording 150 tackles, 21.5 of which were for a loss, while also forcing five fumbles. He has a beautiful football IQ and maybe one of the most versatile defensive players eligible in this draft. The man who grew up in La Belle Province could fit right at home with what this franchise is starting to build.

Toronto Argonauts- Round 1- Pick# 6- Rodeem Brown, offensive lineman University of Alberta

Ryan Dinwiddie and the Argos finished first in the East in 2021, making the playoffs for the first time since 2017. In his first season as head coach, the former Winnipeg Blue Bombers pivot helped Toronto gain five more wins in the regular season than they had in 2019.

This is a solid team across the board and should be helped by some veteran leaders such as Andrew Harris in the backfield. That being said they could use a good blocker who can open up those holes and at the same time protect McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

In Rodeem Brown, Toronto would be getting a quick and robust lineman in a relatively weak class in that department this year. He has big hands, can hold off onrushing defenders, and is capable of providing enough time for his quarterback in the pocket. Brown has the potential to be a starter in this league in the years to come and could be a valuable local commodity that the Argos need.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats- Round 1- Pick# 8- Samuel Emilus, Wide Receiver, Lousiana Tech

Losing the Grey Cup game two seasons in a row is tough, but it is clear from their performance in 2021 that they are not that far away from claiming their first title since 1999. With longtime speedster and 2019 Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks gone to Toronto, Dane Evans could use another flashy receiver who can replace him.

With Samuel Emilus, Hamilton would have a skilled pass catcher with good hands who can make guys miss in the open field. The man from Montreal had 59 career receptions for 653 yards and seven touchdowns at UMASS from 2018-to 2020. Like Banks, he can be a real threat returning kicks and missed field goals. He can also provide this team with a much-needed field position and be a huge spark with his explosive breakaway speed.