Between Warren Moon, Doug Flutie and Cameron Wake, NFL fans are likely well aware that the CFL not only exists, but there’s legitimate talent north of the border.
But with ESPN’s recent coverage of the league that’s continuing into 2015, recent CFL-to-NFL players making a substantial impact in the NFL (including in the recent Super Bowl) and the promising prospects coming into the NFL this year, it’s time the CFL got it’s due in America.
It’s a league that’s beginning to blossom with former and future NFL talent, and keen NFL followers would be wise to acquaint themselves with the league moving forward.
Key Differences in Game, Roster, and Contracts
The CFL has a unique flair to it that makes the game different from the NFL on the field, such as three downs instead of four, wider fields, and goal-posts moved up. But in terms of CFL-to-NFL transitions, a few key points need to be understood.
For one, the wider fields combined with just three downs leads to a stronger value on quicker, safer outside routes to utilize the wide fields to gain yards and keep first downs more manageable. Quarterbacks need to be quick with strong arms, receivers need to be good after catch, running backs need to utilize lateral elusiveness in space, and offensive linemen rely on feet more than upper power. And clearly defense is impacted similarly (value on in-space players, sure tacklers, etc.).
For the roster, each team can have just 20 players born outside of Canada, excluding quarterbacks and kickers. In terms of roster management, most CFL teams try to fill easier positions to find (interior players offensively and defensively) and special teams players with Canadian born players, and put a premium on top Canadian-born options. Therefore, most US-born players in Canada are high-upside guys such as offensive tackles, receivers, running backs, and athletic linebackers and rangy defensive backs.
And finally, most CFL contracts, especially initially are of the two-year nature. For players who don’t get NFL contracts or leave the NFL early in their career for the CFL, they’ll need to stay in Canada for two years. As you’ll see below, I’ll highly the players who had great “rookie” seasons in Canada, as they’ll be the guys to watch in the 2016 off-season (and to watch in-season in 2015).
Biggest Success Stories
After reeling in his first four NFL catches in the Super Bowl and leading the game in receiving yards and the game’s biggest yard-gaining play, Chris Matthews went from former CFL “rookie of the year” to Super Bowl MVP candidate in two short years.
Other recent CFL success stories in the NFL include Kory Sheets (CFL all-star to Oakland Raiders running back), Marcus Thigpen (CFL playmaker to Dolphins punt returner), Jerrell Freeman (now Colts starting linebacker) and Andrew Hawkins (former Bengals slot receiver who’s become the Browns top receiving weapon).
The biggest lesson to gain for NFL Draft hopefuls this year is that the road through the CFL can be still profitable (contracts are more than adequate to continue your career on) and, if you make the most of the opportunity, the NFL could value your experience and added game film into a chance to stick and make an impact on an NFL roster.
2015 NFL-to-CFL Players
Following in Chris Matthews’ footsteps, the biggest name from the CFL-to-NFL this year is Duron Carter. The son of Hall of Fame receiver Chris Carter, Duron was forced to the CFL after burning bridges and ruining opportunities at Ohio State, Alabama and Florida Atlantic.
In Canada, Carter made the most of the opportunity. From CFL scouts I’ve spoken with, the personality he’s rumored to have held true to some extent in Canada, but it didn’t impact his focus and development in Canada, clearly making good use of his top-end talent level during his time there. He’ll need time to develop in the NFL, both maturity-wise and fundamentally, but his size (6’5) and athletic upside combination could eventually put him into a starting lineup in Indianapolis in due time.
Along with Carter, the other big CFL-to-NFL prospect is Delvin Breaux. The now-former Hamilton Ti-Cats cornerback has NFL size (6’1, 190+) and was one of the most feared cornerbacks in the NFL. A remarkable story (likely a follow-up post coming soon), Breaux was a top LSU recruit before a serious neck injury forced him to never play college football. After sticking and making an impact in the AFL, Breaux got his CFL shot in 2012. According to CFL personnel, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if he’s an NFL starter in short time.
Also this year, former Winnipeg/Mercyhurst linebacker Ian Wild has a Steelers futures contract, former Toroto/Texas receiver John Chiles has some NFL interest (Bears rumored to be interested), Ben Heenan (Canadian born OL) was at the Shrine Game two years ago and will try the NFL route this year, and Jalil Carter (formerly at Akron) will attempt the NFL tryout-route as well.
Who’s Coming Next?
CFL contracts being two years are a win-win-win: the teams get a player locked in for more than a year-to-year commitment; players aren’t tempted to jump ship and miss out on development; and NFL teams are forced to give a player a chance to develop for two years before recycling players that haven’t stuck elsewhere in training camp.
Based on their rookie seasons in Canada, two former notable NFL Draft prospects lead the way in terms of CFL impact and NFL future interest. Mark Legree, the former All-American Applachian State safety, had four interceptions in his first season in the CFL. He’ll need to continue his productivity in 2015, but his ideal NFL body type for the position could merit ample NFL interest if he continues to develop. And former Fresno State edge player Travis Brown was one of the leading tackle and sack leaders in the CFL this past-season, and he’ll be the featured defender for Ottawa next season. At 6’1, 235, he’ll be a situational 3-4 rusher only for teams, but he’ll look to follow in Cam Wake’s footsteps.
After those two featured young players, below are eleven prospects who just finished their first CFL season that should garner NFL attention in the 2016 free agent class, and are worth watching in the CFL next season.
Roy Finch, RB, Oklahoma – Ottawa
Cameron Marshall, RB, Arizona State – Winnipeg
Sam McGuffie, WR/KR, Rice – Winnipeg
Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State – Saskatchewan
Matt Sewell, OT, McMaster – Toronto
Jake Olson, OT, Central Michigan – Hamilton
Delano Johnson, LB, Bowie State – Toronto
Nic Williams, LB, North Alabama – Toronto
Dexter McCoil, LB, Tulsa – Edmonton
Boseko Lokombo, LB, Oregon – British-Columbia
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
