The Alouettes’ general manager Danny Maciocia is too smart to reveal his game for the Canadian Football League draft, scheduled for Tuesday night, but we suspect he still has his sights set on the names of some Quebecers.
• Also read: Maciocia wants players like… Rafaël Harvey-Pinard
• Also read: Matthew Bergeron in the Falcons
• Also read: Sow with the Patriots, a 2nd Quebecer drafted into the NFL
Matthew Bergeron, drafted in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, and Sidy Sow, drafted by the New England Patriots the next day, appear destined for the NFL. Shame for the Alouettes as they were the top two prospects from Quebec with the potential to make an immediate impact on the CFL.
“The Quebecers’ current cuvée is made up of either very, very strong players or much weaker players,” Maciocia summarized. Stronger players will go to the NFL, like Bergeron or Sidy Sow. And there we have the rest. »
Bemiy and Brodrique to watch
Still, could the Alouettes call Bergeron or Sow? Nothing is impossible.
To some extent, Maciocia had done so in 2021 by picking Pier-Olivier Lestage with his first pick from this auction, 10th pick overall. This former University of Montreal carbine, now with the Alouettes, had previously settled with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent.
However, the bet for Bergeron and Sow is riskier given that they were drafted fairly early in the NFL.
It would probably be more relevant for the Montreal club to look to Francis Bemiy, who learned his skills at Southern Utah University, Michael Brodrique of the Carabins or Édouard Paradis of Houston Christian University.
Among the representatives of Laval University Rouge et Or, the name of David Dallaire could be mentioned in a later round.
“In general, and not just for Quebec players, the quality of this year’s draft is okay, nothing more,” Maciocia admitted.
With the same talent…
The GM is in his fourth draft since returning to the Alouettes in 2020. The recent arrival of a new owner in Quebec in Pierre Karl Péladeau does not change his vision. If he likes to bet on Quebec athletes himself, Maciocia thinks first and foremost about putting together the best formation.
“I will always make decisions based on what is good for the team,” noted the GM. With the same talent we want to keep our best teams at home. For me it is very very important. But it depends on the quality of Quebec players. You can’t keep them all either because there are other teams that can design them too. »
“You have to be strategic and honest,” stressed Maciocia. If we ever find that there is a player from British Columbia or Alberta who is better than our players, we have to vote for him. »
Last year, the Alouettes also had three players selected from other Canadian provinces, namely Tyrell Richards, Tyson Philpot and Rodeem Brown, before nominating a first Quebecer.
Photo Agency QMI, MARTIN ALARIE
Tyson Philpot
“No one complains today when they see Philpot on the pitch,” Maciocia said.
Philpot, a 22-year-old wide receiver, has actually impressed many in the 2022 season with 39 receptions and 459 yards through the air.
Two first-round picks
The Alouettes, who primarily have to decide on places five and seven in the standings, could logically wait until later in the draft before betting on Bergeron or Sow, two attacking players. Athletes who work in this position are often popular with teams.
It will be interesting to see if Dontae Bull, a Fresno State product, will still be available when the time comes for the Alouettes to announce their first pick. Otherwise, Bemiy (defensive line) and Brodrique (linebacker) likely remain potential targets.
Barring an upcoming trade, the Ottawa Redblacks have first pick while the Edmonton Elks, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders also have to speak before Montreal. The Alouettes currently have eight picks for the entire upcoming draft.
The CFL Draft is very important because of the rule for Canadian representation on each team. In short, each club has a maximum of 46 players, which is two quarterbacks and 44 other players. Among those 44 athletes, a formation cannot bet on more than 20 Americans.
The Last Hopes
Here are the players drafted since Danny Maciocia was named general manager of the Alouettes in January 2020. Half come from a university in Quebec:
2022
1st overall pick – Tyrell Richards (Syracuse)
9th – Tyson Philpot (Calgary)
18th – Rodeem Brown (AB)
24e – Vincent Forbes Mombleau (Laval)
33e – Tysen-Otis Copeland (Montreal)
42e – Ryth-Jean Giraud (Montreal)
51st – Peter Kozushka (AB)
60e – Yanis Chihat (Laval)
69th – Zach Lindley (Western)
2021
10e – Pier-Olivier Lestage (Montreal)
27th—Chris Fournier (Lehigh)
28th – Patrick Davis (Syracuse)
45e – David Cote (Laval)
46e – Ethan Makonzo (Montreal)
2020
14e – Marc Antoine Dequoy (Montreal)
16th – Cameron Lawson (Queen)
22nd – Carter O’Donnell (AB)
25e – Benoit Marion (Montreal)
33e – Brian Harelimana (Montreal)
49th – Andreas Becker (Regina)
51e –Jersey Henry (Concordia)
60e – Vincent Alessandrini (Concordia)
66.—Brock Gowanlock (Manitoba)
69th – Colton Klassen (Saskatchewan)