I’m not sure why, but the CFL tends to be where NFL washouts go to die.
In fact, for one reason or another, NFL hopefuls don’t even dare attempt to work their way back to the highest level of pro football by trying their hand in the Canadian game.
Even when they do, star players tend to fizzle quickly, or their move up north comes off as a gimmick.
Tim Tebow refused to play in the CFL, Vince Young couldn’t hack it, and now even a 44-year-old Terrell Owens wants to go there. The interest in the CFL varies, but the common perception that it is a massive step down from the NFL lives on.
That may be true to some degree, but it’s actually a pretty exciting brand of football, and a litany of respectable football talents reside there.
While there is obvious risk in going to the CFL, it can also quickly pave a way for a return to the NFL.
Former draft bust Johnny Manziel is hoping to do that with the Montreal Alouettes, who will finally be giving him a shot to make a comeback after acquiring him in a trade with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Manziel isn’t alone in his plight, while a slew of other CFL stars have arguably already stated their case to make it in the NFL.
The big question is if pro teams are willing to roll the dice on the right players.
Your opinion on the CFL can cloud your judgment here, as a handful of players absolutely have the talent and production to garner at least a training camp invite, if not a fully guaranteed contract.
Here are the top six CFL stars that stand out the most as players that could dominate in the NFL.
In the name of Doug Flutie, there are absolutely some talented passers in the CFL that deserve a long, hard look from the NFL.
Reilly might lead the way, as he’s been extremely productive in the CFL, leading his teams to two Grey Cup titles and putting up 118 touchdown passes in the process.
The former Central Washington product did not impress pro scouts when campaigning for an NFL shot, largely due to average arm strength and facing weak competition in college.
Those are understandable flaws to note, but Reilly has the ideal size for the position and has turned into a very accurate passer that can win from inside the pocket.
Another huge issue for Reilly was his reliance on a spread system in college, and that’s become less of a concern in today’s evolving game.
CFL fans already know what Reilly is capable of, and he’s a huge reason why the Eskimos (+650 odds at Sportsbetting.ag) have a shot at winning the 2018 Grey Cup.
Another CFL quarterback that may be working his way to an NFL job is Jeremiah Masoli, who stood out as a rising star with the Tiger-Cats in 2017 and has morphed into a superstar early on in 2018.
Hamilton is known for bringing in former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel to push Masoli, but the former Oregon star has been so exceptional that it led to them trading “Johnny Football” to Montreal.
Building off of positive momentum after landing the starting gig late last year, Masoli’s dual-threat ability and improved passing efficiency are two huge reasons why the Tiger-Cats (+500) are quickly heating up as Grey Cup threats.
The former Oregon product’s ability to impact games as a runner and passer, while also extending plays on the fly, gives him an eclectic skill-set that NFL scouts covet.
Masoli does not have ideal size and wasn’t overly accurate coming out of a spread system in college, but he now compares favorably to a lot of tantalizing NFL talent.
The success of so many spread-born quarterbacks, as well as small-stature passers finding ways to thrive, both make the 29-year-old star worth a look going forward.
While Reilly and Masoli really never got a shot in the NFL, Mason is actually a former NFL running back that was once highly touted before being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams.
Mason developed into an explosive monster at Auburn, churning out over 1,800 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns en route to an appearance in the 2013 BCS national title game.
A huge reason for Auburn’s high-level success, Mason quickly garnered interest at the pro level due to his toughness, vision, and quickness, and that got him selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Despite playing for a struggling franchise, Mason was actually pretty productive out of the gates as a rookie, piling on over 900 total yards and five scores while averaging a solid 4.3 yards per carry.
Mason soon flamed out of the league due to mental health concerns and off-field troubles, but he is working in the CFL to earn another shot.
Somehow just 24 years old and still blessed with natural talent, this is one CFL star that may find his way back to the highest level of pro football.
There are other CFL wide receivers that are more explosive, but if the NFL wants a savvy route-runner to man the slot, they only need to look north to find one.
Sinopoli is actually a weird case, as he was a quarterback throughout college and only transitioned to wide receiver once he entered the CFL. It’s possible the Canada native has no intention of leaving the CFL, but it’s quite arguable he’s got the skill-set to thrive at football’s highest level.
The production has certainly been there for Sinopoli, who has recorded 1,000+ receiving yards in each of his last three seasons, along with 86+ catches each year during that span.
Blessed with terrific size, hands, route-running, and body control, Sinopoli could easily make an impact for an NFL team looking to add a fundamentally sound receiver to their passing game.
The other CFL wide receiver NFL scouts should give a second look is Walker, who was a star with Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M.
He has always had the size and playmaking ability to give the pros a real shot, but poor timed speed before the 2014 NFL Draft killed his stock.
Now that’s he’s busted out with the Eskimos, the former Aggies star is back on the rise, and it’s possible NFL teams will eventually take notice.
Not every CFL star deserving of an NFL shot is on the offensive side of the football. Most NFL teams are always looking for ways to improve defensively, and the quickest way to do that is ignite a dormant pass rush.
Whether the need is on the line or on the edge, a slew of NFL teams may want to look at Jefferson’s elite ability to put pressure on the opposition.
The 27-year-old former Stephen F. Austin product has had two quick stops in the NFL, but so far, he has failed to latch a full-time gig. That doesn’t mean he isn’t deserving, as he’s made an impact in the CFL as a sack artist (8 in 2016).
Off-field issues hurt Jefferson back in 2013 when he first tried to stick in the NFL, but his size and explosive ability on the edge should garner interest again.
There are questions about Jefferson’s strength on the line in the NFL or his ability in space, but he can flat-out rush the passer.
The point here isn’t to brush off any red flags or question marks with these players. I’m also not suggesting these six CFL stars are the only players up north that have the talent or production to deserve a shot in the NFL.
However, these guys stand out to me as players that have either paid their dues or have been productive enough to warrant a long, hard look from NFL scouts again.
Johnny Manziel remains part of that group, too, as he’ll attempt to revive his career as the starting quarterback for Montreal. While there are no guarantees, he is a reminder that every intriguing talent can often be accompanied by some type of an asterisk.
That can damage even the most compelling pro prospect’s stock, but when NFL teams are trying to piece together a championship roster, no stone should be left unturned.
The fact that dynamic and versatile pro football players reside in Canada and aren’t being consistently brought in each year for another shot shows that not everyone is always doing their due diligence.
Think these CFL stars wouldn’t make it in the NFL? Have others in mind that you think could? Start the conversation in the comments below!
The post Which CFL Players Could Dominate in the NFL? appeared first on GamblingSites.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment