Expansion Draft: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

We conclude our expansion draft team analysis at the bottom of the barrel… in Winnipeg. This is kind of like searching through the trash and trying to find treasure. Here’s the truth when it comes to taking players from the Bombers… They are widely regarded as the worst collection of talent in the league so the starting point is not great. They then get to keep the ten “best” imports and six "best" Canadians. Then add in that 8 additional import  players are FAs and 13 NI. So if you are picking from what’s left there’s not much to pick from.

Round 1: Imports

Players likely to be protected: Max Hall, Terrence Edwards, Andre Douglas, Glenn January, Desia Dunn, Bryant Turner, Clarence Denmark, Johnny Sears, Demond Washington, Ian Wild, Zach Anderson

Notes:

-       Honestly the Bombers might as well not even bother protecting a QB. Ottawa doesn’t want what they have and odds are who they have now won’t be the starter in Winnipeg come 2014 anyway

-       Chad Simpson, Jovon Johnson, Kenny Mainor, Chris Matthews and Will Ford are potential FAs

-       I know Andre Douglas is potential FA too but I think the Bombers need to play it safe with him. He’s a decent starting tackle and they need to re-sign him. Given how crappy the Bombers are I wouldn’t give any team the chance to try and woo him before February.

Who Will Ottawa Take?

Based on what’s left I see Ottawa taking Marky Markett, a young DB who has shown promise.

Round 2: Canadians

Players likely to be protected: Henoc Muamba, Cory Watson, Pat Neufeld, Tyson Pencer, Chris Greaves, Cauchy Muamba

Notes:

-       Henoc Muamba is a potential FA but like Douglas above (though far more importantly), the Bombers are desperately trying to re-sign him and don’t want to risk letting him talk to anyone else before February (it’s bad enough for them that the NFL is kicking his tires).

Who Will Ottawa Take?

Ottawa essentially gets the 18^th best Canadian off of the Bombers once you factor in FAs. Which is like getting the 18^th best looking girl left at 3am in a shaddy bar. I see Ottawa defaulting to shoring up the OL and taking Paul Swiston.

Round 3: Canadians

Players likely to be protected: Kito Poblah, Jake Thomas, Rene Stephan, James Green, Carl Volny, Carl Fitzgerald.

Who Will Ottawa Take?

Based on limited options, I see the REDBLACKS! boosting their French content by taking Phillipe Dubuisson-Lebon.

Expansion Draft: Toronto Argonauts

Next up in our team analysis is the Toronto Argonauts. There was lots of speculation that Zach Collaros would top the REDBLACKS! wish list but his free agency status (and rumoured NFL ambitions) certainly put a stop to all of that talk.

Round 1: Imports

Players likely to be protected: Ricky Ray, Marcus Ball, John Chiles, Chad Owens, SirVincent Rogers, Aaron Maybin, Jarriel King, Jaime Robinson, Khalif Mitchell, Jalil Carter, Shane Horton

Notes:

-       Robert McCune, Patrick Watkins, Dontrell Inman and Swayze Waters are pending FAs. Jim Barker was quoted as saying he’ll be protecting “a few free agents”. So I guess that means that one of McCune, Watkins or Waters will be protected over Carter, King or Robinson.

-       I left Chad Kackert off because an injury plagued season likely will deter Ottawa (and will likely make the Argos willing to risk losing him).

Who Will Ottawa Take?

Kackert would be tempting as would defenders like Ricardo Colclough or Demtrice Morley but I think Ottawa will look to the O-line and take tackle Tony Washington as that will be one of their more challenging positions to fill.

Round 2: Canadians

Players likely to be protected: Andre Durie, Joe Eppele, Tyler Holmes, Jeff Keeping, Cleyon Laing, Chris Van Zeyl

Notes:

-       Not sure if Barker’s plan to protect a few FAs applies to Canadians as well but the FA list of non-imports is hardly impressive for them so I doubt it.

-       Argos are very high on Jermaine Gabriel so while he might not be the most recognizeable name they may play it safe and protect him in favour of one of the O-linemen.

Who Will Ottawa Take?

A lot of good options here but I think the best is Jason Pottinger. He’s a really god Canadian LB who has served as a starter in the past. He’s a former 1^st round pick and would be a nice addition to the REDBLACKS!

Round 3: Canadians

Players likely to be protected: Matt Black, Jermaine Gabriel, Spencer Watt, Herve Tonye-Tonye, James Yurichuk, Jonathan Hood

Who Will Ottawa Take?

He may not be starting material but in terms of OL depth Kyle Koch is a veteran worth adding.

Expansion Draft: Hamilton Ti-Cats

We continue our look at the East division by looking at the East Division Champion Ti-Cats. There are 2 factors that make this draft potentially more problematic for the Ti-Cats. First, unlike most teams, they have a relatively small free agent list with only 7. Second, likely due to Eric Tillman’s influence, they carried a massive roster all season with a huge injured list. So they have more players and less of them will be passed on by Ottawa due to free agency. 

Round 1: Imports

Players likely to be protected: Dan LeFevour, CJ Gable, Brian Simmons, Joel Figueroa, Brandon Boudreaux, Evan McCullough, Marcellous Bowman, Delvin Breaux, Bakari Grant, Greg Ellingson, Eric Norwood.

Notes:

-       Simoni Lawrence, Jamall Johnson and Torrey Davis might normally be on this list but they are FAs

Who Will Ottawa Take?

Plenty of options here for Ottawa. Could take a young guy with potential like Luke Tasker, or a proven vet like Brandon Isaac but I think they opt for Rico Murray would could easily slot in as a starting LB with the new team.

Round 2: Canadians

Players likely to be protected: Andy Fantuz, Sam Giguere, Courtney Stephen, Greg Wojt, Brian Bulke, Frederic Plesius

Notes:

-       Luca Congi is a potential FA

-       Tim O’Neil and Marwan Hage are old and so the Ti-Cats are likely to risk leaving them unprotected given the unlikelihood Ottawa takes them.

-       Peter Dyakowski would normally be protected (and highly sought after) but he suffered a big leg injury in the Grey Cup and so his status is currently up in the air.

Who Will Ottawa Take?

Would be tempting for Ottawa to risk Dyakowski’s health to get a solid O-lineman but they will be far more risk averse. I see them taking DL Hasan Hazime. In his first year he already looked good along that D-line and could potentially be an every down starter in Ottawa for the foreseeable future.

Round 3: Canadians

Players likely to be protected: CO Prime, John Delahunt, Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Neil King, Peter Dyakowski

Who Will Ottawa Take?

To build OL depth they likely take Cody Husband but they may also build up their French content by taking Marc-Antoine Fortin.