The 2017 CFL Draft is quickly approaching with the date set for May 7th. While there has been plenty of changes in terms of the consensus rankings for the top prospects available there is no doubt about who the top player on the board will be once the draft rolls around. Here is a look at the top offensive prospects heading in to the 2017 CFL Draft.
OL: Justin Senior, Mississippi State
Senior has remained the consensus top prospect for the 2017 CFL Draft since September when he was originally ranked first among the draft eligible players. After a third straight Senior Bowl it seems as though Senior will likely goon the second or third day of the NFL Draft so it will be interesting to see how that impacts his CFL Draft stock. Senior has excellent size and technique, although he has struggled at times against the top defensive pass rushers he has faced. With his outstanding combination of size, strength and intelligence there is no doubt that Senior will be the top prospect available in the CFL Draft. The only remaining question is whether or not the teams at the top will be willing to bite if an NFL team shows serious interest in keeping him south of the border.
OL: Geoff Gray, Manitoba
Gray’s draft stock is on the rise after a strong performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl. The fact that he is a native of Winnipeg could make Gray an intriguing pick for the Blue Bombers at first-overall. Gray’s stock has steadily risen since last year and he certainly is talented enough to be the first player of f the board at the 2017 CFL Draft. However, like Senior he has also received a lot of interest from NFL teams and that could impact Gray’s draft stock.
WR: Danny Vandervoort, McMaster
The former McMaster star showcased his skill set at the national combine and scouts were very impressed. Vandervoort’s natural hands and ability to high point the football are two of his best attributes. He also has above average speed and agility. The 2013 CIS Rookie of the Year winner is the projected top wide receiver available in the 2017 CFL Draft.
TE: Antony Auclair, Laval
Auclair will be one of the most interesting offensive prospects to keep an eye out for because he is by far the most complete player available at his position. Auclair has the size to block on the line and the overall skill set to make plays in the receiving game. The biggest issue blocking Auclair from being a top pick at the 2017 CFL Draft is the interest that NFL teams have shown in him. Teams need to know Auclair will be available to them in order to select him high and it will be interesting to see how they react to the NFL interest he has received.
OL: Mason Woods of Idaho
Mason Woods is a player that continues to rise in the eyes of scouts. Many people had him as about the 15th pick in the draft in early fall but he’s now in the top 10 by most accounts. The Port Coquitlam, B.C. native didn’t have a great combine – specifically, the one-on-one drills – but few people were phased by that. It was one weekend. On the whole, his body of work shows that he’ll be a fine offensive lineman in the CFL. There are a number of teams that need help in that realm, so don’t expect him to be waiting too long for his name to be called.
WR: Nate Behar, Carleton
While offensive linemen Dariusz Bladek of Bethune-Cookman deserve honorable mention, Behar that earns the final spot on this list. The Carleton graduate has shown elite hands and route running ability en route to being the No. 2 wide receiver talent available on the board. The 6’0’’, 200-pound pass-catcher won’t overpower opposing cornerbacks by any means but he has enough speed and skill to create separation and become a reliable wide receiver at the CFL level. It won’t surprise anybody if Behar is a top-10 pick in this year’s CFL Draft.
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