Five names the Blue Bombers could call at No. 4

The CFL Canadian Draft is as unpredictable as spring weather in Winnipeg.

There’s no shortage of curveballs in your average year, but tonight’s festivities — which start at 6 p.m. with the Ottawa Redblacks making the first pick — might be even wackier than anything we’ve seen in recent memory since there’s an abundance of talent that has garnered interest from the NFL.

Do you swing for the fences and take an intriguing prospect who might never play in the three-down loop? Or do you play it safe and stick to names that you know are committed to playing in the CFL?

Those are the questions that all nine clubs will be asking themselves, including the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who are slated to pick fourth.

To give you an idea of who the Blue and Gold might be calling in Round 1, here are some hopefuls to watch out for.

OL Giordano Vaccaro

Will Vaccaro still be on the board by pick No. 4? Probably not, but it’s not impossible.

The former Manitoba Bison, who transferred to Purdue for his senior year, is believed to be the favourite to go first overall to Ottawa, but if the Redblacks go in a different direction, don’t be surprised if the Bombers try to move up to grab the local kid.

If that does happen, the Caboto Centre will be rocking as Vacarro will be there with over 200 of his closest friends and family members for a draft party.

The two-time All-Canadian guard was named the top offensive lineman in all of U Sports in 2024 and is ranked 11th in the CFL Scouting Bureau’s rankings. Unlike most of the names ahead of him, Vacarro — who was in a reserve role with the Boilermakers last season — doesn’t have NFL interest, making him a safe bet for teams up north.

The six-foot-two, 307-pounder would also give the Bombers some up-and-coming Canadian depth on the O-line, which they desperately need. Outside of Gabe Wallace (second round pick in 2024 who started 16 games at left guard in 2025) and guard Ethan Vibert (third round pick last year who only dressed for the regular-season finale), the cupboards are bare.

OL Kevin Cline

Cline started all 11 games at right tackle for Boston College in 2025 and should hear his name called early.

However, things are a bit complicated after he signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

The six-foot-seven, 320-pounder hails from Boca Raton, Fla., and recently popped up on the CFL radar after obtaining his Canadian citizenship.

He spent six seasons at Boston College but didn’t become a starter until his final campaign where he was part of an O-line that helped the Eagles to the 14th-ranked passing attack in the nation.

If he can play tackle at the next level, he’d be a ratio-breaker for any team. Plus, the Bombers do need to plan for life after Stanley Bryant, who will be turning 40 next month.

Cline’s college teammate, Logan Taylor, hails from Nova Scotia and made starts at right guard and both tackle spots, leading to him being selected in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.

OL Niklas Henning

Are you sensing a theme here? This draft is loaded with talented blockers, and Henning is near the top of the list.

The six-foot-six, 298-pounder from Milton, Ont., is an athletic freak who was the lone offensive lineman to run the 40-yard dash at the CFL Combine in under five seconds (4.90).

Henning was a standout tight end at Queen’s University before converting to tackle in 2024. Despite limited experience at the position, he was an All-Canadian in 2025.

He might need more time than most to fully develop, but his potential is through the roof.

Albert Reese IV (Mississippi State) and Darius Bell (East Carolina) are other O-lineman to keep an eye on in the first round.

DL Wesley Bailey

There are some promising linebackers in this class — Dariel Djabome (Rutgers) and Eric Rascoe (Angelo State) — but the Bombers are loaded at the position and drafted one in the first round last year in Wyoming product Connor Shay.

But if the Blue and Gold are set on taking a defender, they could roll the dice on the pass rusher from Ottawa.

Bailey is a four-year starter who ended his NCAA career at Louisville in style by recording six sacks, seven tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries and 39 tackles in 12 starts.

With those numbers, and an impressive pro day, the six-foot-five, 265-pounder signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Los Angeles Rams on the weekend.

The Bombers have typically shied away from players with heavy NFL interest, but Bailey could be worth a gamble. If they deem him too risky and the O-lineman of their dreams doesn’t fall into their laps, defensive back Malcolm Bell (Michigan State) could be in the mix.

WR Nate DeMontagnac

This year’s class is underwhelming at receiver.

DeMontagnac is considered the top target available after catching 38 passes for 462 yards and two touchdowns at North Dakota. He’s also not afraid of getting dirty and doing his part as a blocker, which is something Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea highly values.

DeMontagnac would have a hard time seeing the field in Winnipeg with Nic Demski and Tommy Nield on the roster, but the six-foot-two, 188-pound slot receiver from Mississauga, Ont., could develop into a reliable starter in the future.

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