CFL Teams Gear Up for 2025 Draft: A look at the Toronto Argonauts’ Strategy
TORONTO – Canadian Football League teams are readying themselves for their annual talent acquisition event on April 29, when “the league will conduct its 2025 draft, an prospect for teams to stock up on Canadian talent.” For the Toronto Argonauts, this year’s draft represents a crucial opportunity to bolster their roster and maintain their competitive edge.
The Argonauts enter the draft holding eight picks, specifically the 7th, 16th, 30th, 37th, 46th, 55th, 64th, and 72nd overall selections. With these picks, the team will seek to find players who can contribute both immediately and in the future. The team’s official website, Argonauts.ca, has delved “back through the archives and put together a list of the players chosen with similar picks since the territorial protection era ended in 1984,” a move that provides valuable context as the team prepares to make its selections.
The history of these selections is a mixed bag. While “some have provided the team with starters on championship teams, others have been big swings and misses,” underscoring the inherent uncertainty in any draft.
A Deep Dive into the Argos’ Draft History
Examining past picks in similar slots reveals both successes and cautionary tales for the Argonauts.
Pick No. 7: A History of success
The Argos have historically found success when picking seventh having selected at this position “three times in the last 40 years, with two of the picks becoming starters on Gray Cup winning teams.”
Perhaps the most recent success story is Peter Nicastro, “the seventh pick in 2021.” The University of Calgary product quickly became a key component of the Argonauts’ offensive line, earning recognition as “Toronto’s Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman that year, as well as being selected the East’s All-Star center.” While an injury sidelined him in 2022 and he transitioned to guard in 2023, he ultimately “return[ed] to centre for the team’s Grey Cup win in 2024.”
Tyler Holmes, the seventh pick in 2011, also proved to be a valuable asset. Initially projected to play in the NFL, where he spent two seasons, Holmes eventually joined the Argonauts and had a notable career with the team. “The son of former Argo running back Richard Holmes would play seven seasons in Double Blue, getting two all-star nods, and winning a Grey Cup in 2017 as the team’s starting left guard.”
J.F. Tremblay (2004) rounds out the list of seventh-overall selections.
Pick No. 16: A Waiting game?
The track record at the 16th spot is less impressive, “there’s still a chance one of just two Argos picked in this slot will contribute at some point.” Jerrold Johnson (1993) from Azusa Pacific never played for the team. The team selected receiver Jared Wayne from Pitt in 2023. While the Peterborough native “signed with the Houston Texans after going undrafted in the ’23 NFL draft and last season played in three regular season and one playoff game,” he remains on their roster.
Pick No. 30: Recent Success Story
“Since 1984 the argos have used the 30th pick on eight occasions, with the most recent choice being the most successful.” tommy Nield, selected in 2021, “played here for four seasons before being released this off-season.” In his tenure, “the McMaster product won two Grey Cups in his four-year tenure with Toronto, catching 63 passes for 776 yards.”
Other selections at this spot include Steve Schmidt (2008),Dave Irwin (1994),Alexis Sanschagrin (2002),Frank Hoffman (2004),Mike Cote (1989),Steven “afterburner” Turner (2010),and matt Norzil (2015).
Pick No. 37: An Empty Spot
“The bar has not been set very high with this pick. They’ve made just four selections in this slot, with none of the players chosen ever playing a down with the Argos.” Those picks include Richard Zulys (2008),Mike Lindley (1991),Jamie Bennett (1994),and Sean Sims (2007).
Pick No. 46: A Tale of Two Paths
The 46th pick is marked by contrasting outcomes. The Argos selected Tshimanga Biakabatuka in 1996. Better known as “Touchdown Tim,” he had a standout career at the University of Michigan. “He was a first-round NFL pick by Carolina and never played a down in the CFL.”
However, eleven years prior, “the Ottawa Rough Riders selected a kicker from the University of Toronto with the 46th pick” named Lance Chomyc. He would never play for Ottawa. “Chomyc was released by Ottawa and eventually signed with the Argos, where he still holds the team record for career points and was a member of the 1991 grey Cup champs.” Roger Dietrick (1989) rounds out the 46th spot.
Pick No. 55: A Rare Find
“The Argos have only selected four times in the 55th slot, with only one of those players making the team.” That selection was kevin Bradfield, “a receiver from the University of Toronto who was selected in 2015 and played the 2016 season with the Boatmen.” The other selections were Frank Paradiso (1988), Craig Poole (1996), and Travis Matlock (2002 supplemental pick).Pick No. 64: A Limited History
“There was a long stretch where the draft ended before this pick. The Argos have made just one selection in this spot, Hugh Lawson, a defensive lineman from Laurier who was chosen in 1992.” Lawson “played two games for Toronto in the ’93 season.”
Pick No. 72: Promising Recent results
“The Argos have only made this selection twice and both players are on the current roster.” Anthony Vandal was selected with the final pick of the 2023 draft. He “played all 18 games, starting 10 games at right guard” in 2024, “manning the same starting spot for all three post-season contests including the Grey Cup win over Winnipeg.” Daniel Shin, selected last year, is “a three-time Canada West All-star and the 2023 All-Canadian centre.”
Practical Implications and the Road Ahead
The Argos’ draft strategy will likely focus on identifying players who possess not only talent but also the drive and work ethic to succeed in the CFL. The team will need to carefully evaluate each prospect’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as their potential fit within the existing roster and team culture.
One potential counterargument to focusing heavily on the draft is that free agency and trades offer quicker routes to acquiring talent. Though, the draft provides a cost-effective way to secure young, developing players who can contribute for years to come.Moreover, developing talent through the draft allows teams to build a strong foundation for sustained success.
As the CFL Draft approaches on April 29, the Toronto argonauts face an crucial opportunity to shape their future. By learning from past successes and missteps, the team can make informed decisions that will strengthen their roster and position them for continued success in the league.
FAQ: CFL Draft Edition
What is the CFL Draft? The CFL Draft is an annual event where Canadian Football League teams select eligible Canadian players from universities and junior leagues.
How does the CFL Draft work? The draft typically consists of multiple rounds, with teams selecting players in a predetermined order.The order is usually based on the previous season’s standings, with the team with the worst record selecting first.
Who is eligible for the CFL Draft? Generally, players must be Canadian citizens or have lived in Canada for a certain period to be eligible for the draft. They must also be of a certain age and meet other requirements set by the league.
