It’s almost officially that time!

One day remains until new CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston begins calling the names of tomorrow’s CFL stars (LIVE Tuesday at 6pm et/3pm pt on TSN, TSN.ca and on TSN ).

Beginning with the first overall pick, the news and intrigue comes fast and furious - so let’s dive into the potentialities of the CFL’s last big off-season event before we hit the ground running with training camp in a few weeks.

1. Calgary Stampeders - Wyoming LB Connor Shay

Hamilton made the move for first overall pick Jordan Williams last year and got caught out of pocket when he retired before playing a down. The Tiger-Cats battled all year to flex the ratio as needed at middle linebacker, but Shay is their simplest answer here while adding youthful exuberance on special teams IF the Stampeders go with someone else. But the more I look at roster needs and fit, Shay makes a lot of sense at the top spot.

Could Hamilton want Shay enough to trade up one spot as Calgary leverages their difficult 2024 campaign into even more draft picks?

2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats - Montana REC Keelan White

If Calgary decides to go Shay at top spot, the Tiger-Cats will have a plan as they’ve undoubtedly worked through multiple mock drafts of their own. With a plethora of good options available, the smallest of them is Keelan White who didn’t blow up the testing portion of his pro day but would slot comfortably into Scott Milanovich’s offence and give Bo Levi another trusted weapon on a rookie contract to help push Hamilton’s offence to new heights.

Hamilton has Canadian depth and receiving talent in place so they could go in the trenches - specifically defensive line - but they can’t go wrong with White and I’d love to see him slot into the lineup by Canada Day to get a handful of targets and begin growing his career which has a very high ceiling on the wider Canadian field.

3. Ottawa Redblacks - Queen’s DL Darien Newell

Newell could happily land anywhere in the top-five picks of this years draft, but his game wrecking ability and Cleyon Laing’s age should result in this being a lock IF the Gaels interior big man slips past Calgary and Hamilton.

His interior presence and brute strength combined with natural feel for when and where to shoot gaps has him in the discussion for top overall pick which would be poetic considering longtime Stamps defensive tackle and fellow Queen’s grad Derek Wiggan recently retiring, but I think Calgary and Hamilton have other pressing needs and Ottawa happily lands Newell here.

4. Saskatchewan Roughriders - Montana DL Hayden Harris

I originally had Harris further down the draft order but at 6’5, 255 pounds he has one of those unique pass rush style bodies that you have to seize upon when given the chance.

Depending on scheme and what each team deems to be his true fit positionally in their roster construction, I could see him going earlier but this would be a great choice for Saskatchewan to continue building defensive ratio flexibility with a player who is ready to step under the bright lights of Mosaic quickly.

5. Montreal Alouettes - UCONN OL Christopher Fortin

From St-Rene, Quebec, Fortin isn’t guaranteed to be the first offensive lineman off the draft board in under a month, but his combination of sleek but solid build with great feet should endear him to the home province Alouettes who can develop yet another great French Canadian run blocker.

6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers - Western DB Jackson Findlay

A Mustang swap! In Mock 1.0 I had Western offensive lineman Erik Andersen here for the Bombers who typically prioritize the line of scrimmage, but the Bombers love a good culture fit and players who believe in letting their play do the talking. Findlay will be a consummate professional and earn respect with his game and presence in Winnipeg if taken here.

7. Toronto Argonauts - LSU DL Paris Shand

He’s likely the best lineman on either side of the ball long term. This week will determine much as the looming threat of an NFL........

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