This is the division that houses the CFL runner-up last season.
[b67ac0c7]Baltimore Bombers 2016 (12-4):[/b67ac0c7]
The Bombers gave it a go last season, but lost 9 players to retirement last year and all of them saw considerable time on the field for Baltimore in 2016. They obviously had many holes to fill coming into the draft, combine that with picking next to last in every round made this a difficult challenge for the Bombers. [player]Vincent Sawyer[/player] is a solid DE and a good pick up at the end of the first. QB [player]Levon Iadevaia[/player] seems like a waste of a second round pick. He was a hot shot jerk at NIU and will need to learn to be a team player and not yell at his receivers on the field in the CFL. Most offseasons you can find a quarterback of his skill level available in free agency. [player]Lewis Heath[/player] is a real find in the fifth round.
[u67ac0c7]Grade: C- ~ They needed more then the two quality players they got, and were a little lucky with one of those being a 5th rounder.[/u67ac0c7]
[b67ac0c7]Durham Bulldogs 2016 (10-6):[/b67ac0c7]
The Bulldogs did not have a first round pick this year. Durham had an amazing defense last season, but looking at their roster that kind of puzzles you. [player]Jim Bruce[/player] could be a decent outside linebacker for them because he fits their stop the run first mentality on defense. [player]Victor Wheaton[/player] should grow into a contributer in the passing game. They realized defensive end was a weakness and selected two players at that position. They should not be counted on, but will be for Durham. It is interesting how a team this weak at end can still hold teams to so few rushing yards.
[u67ac0c7]Grade: C- ~ No first round pick, but still did not pick up one player I would want to plug into the starting lineup this or next season.[/u67ac0c7]
[b67ac0c7]Charleston ?Omaha? Monitors 2016 (9-7):[/b67ac0c7]
The main news during the draft for the Monitors was the trading away of [player]Archie Chasser[/player]. Chasser was a beast who has started all 128 games in his 8 seasons, and has never run for less then 1350 yards a season. However, he has yet to play in a playoff game. Of the Monitor's five picks this draft, two went to fill the hole Chasser left. Small runners Sammy Van Pelt http://www.thecfl.net/player.php?playerid=14149 and [player]Luther Rodreick[/player] are not going to be Chasser type backs, but I feel the two of them working in a rotation can still be very productive for this team, not bad for a 3rd and a 4th rounder. Their first round pick [player]Bryce Heise[/player] will be a huge improvement at nose tackle over [player]Kim Weber[/player], but Kim will still see the field a good bit as Heise tires easily. [player]Benjamin Ephraim[/player] was not a need, but was too good of a value to pass. You could see a good bit of 2 TE sets from Charleston. [player]Jose Hein[/player] will be a decent corner as well.
[u67ac0c7]Grade: A+ ~ Five picks, five good players. TE was not needed, but got good value at every pick.[/u67ac0c7]
[b67ac0c7]Tampa Bay Torpedoes 2016 (3-13):[/b67ac0c7]
[player]Mo Sanford[/player] is a stud, and when they sign him, he will be an awesome player for Tampa Bay. Their first three picks were solid picks, the other four were disappointing at their slots.
[u67ac0c7]Grade: C+ ~ They would have like to have gotten more, especially picking first or second each round.[/u67ac0c7]
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