Bombers GM confident draft blew in some bluechip prospects

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This article was published 01/05/2024 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kyle Walters’ mission Tuesday was to add prospects from the talent-rich upper echelon of the 2024 CFL Draft class.

It appears he achieved his goal.

Early in the draft proceedings, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager shipped his eighth-overall pick and the club’s No. 28 choice to the Calgary Stampeders, netting a pair of second-rounders — the 13th and 14th choices overall — in return.

Walters then proceeded to select University of Connecticut wide receiver Kevens Clercius and Delaware State running back Michael Chris-Ike, respectively.

Minutes later, with two other second-rounders already belonging to Winnipeg, Walters picked up University of Buffalo offensive lineman Gabe Wallace at No. 17 and UBC defensive lineman Kyle Samson at No. 20.

“When we go through the draft process you kind of put values where there’s a cut-off line of the guys that you really feel strongly about,” explained Walters on Wednesday afternoon. “We kind of put that at (the top) 20. Between that pick eight and pick 20, they were all kind of muddled together — there was a strong group of players there. And it was simple — if we’d get four instead of three, let’s do it and the difference between (No. 8) and (Nos.) 13 and 14, it was worth it for us.”

Walters believes Clercius, a Montreal product, has the size and ability to make a legitimate contribution in 2024.

“He’s willing to do the dirty work, the kind of the stuff that (veteran receiver) Rasheed (Bailey) did around here for for the last few years,” said Walters. “…He can play special teams… He’s big, strong, athletic and he brings (something) a little bit different than most of the receivers.”

Draft picks will report for the beginning of a three-day rookie camp on May 8, with the club’s main training camp scheduled to get underway on May 12.

The Bombers boss was thrilled to see Chris-Ike still available in the middle of the second round. Chris-Ike, who hails from Hamilton, is seen as a likely backup for veterans Brady Oliviera and Johnny Augustine, and without a fullback currently on the roster, he could also fill a need there.

“He has the size and the athleticism to learn fullback and he’ll get reps there, but we’re certainly he’ll step right in and help on special teams, so kind of a nice need pick there,” said Walters. “But we’re happy that he was one that fell in that middle round.”

The massive 6-6, 330-pound Wallace projects as a guard in CFL, and Walters said the Salmon Arm, B.C., product should benefit greatly from the tutelage of O-line coach Marty Costello.

“He’s a big guy, a mauler,” said Walters. “He’s gonna fit right into our room — he’s a throwback kind of guy… We knew we needed to add some linemen for sure in this draft and to get him there where did, I think that was one of the one of the pleasant surprises the way everything went.”

The choice of UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu in the fifth round (46th overall) is a long shot.

The towering Pitt Meadows, B.C., product was snapped up by the Detroit Lions up in the fourth round of the recent NFL Draft.

“You take a flyer on some guys and that’s all this was,” said Walters. “We’ll sit and wait and and wish him the best of luck down there and if he ever decides that if it doesn’t work out down there and he wants to keep playing football, it would be nice to have his rights. But again, that’s one that’s kind of a long shot.”

Of the 10 selections Tuesday, Winnipeg added four O-lineman, two defensive lineman, two receivers — including AK Gassama of the University of Manitoba Bisons — one running back and one linebacker.

“We were looking to add depth pretty much every position outside of our defensive back group, where I think we have a strong group of Canadians,” said Walters. “I think every position needed to be addressed and we accomplish that I believe… by adding a bunch of solid pieces to compete and add some depth across the board.”

NOTES: On Wednesday, the Blue Bombers announced the signing of three Americans — defensive backs Isaiah Norman, Patrick Rogers, and Demetries Ford — and Canadian kicker Dante Mastrogiuseppe.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca