A Look at The Potential Alouettes Draft Plans at the Receiver Position

During the CFL draft period of 2003 to 2006, the Montreal Alouettes had selected seven receivers out of 32 total selections.

Ever since then in their last five drafts, management has chosen one receiver out of 35 overall selections, with Terence Firr from Manitoba University being the lucky recipient.

This year’s group of pass catchers who will be participating in the CFL E-Camp is arguably the most talented position amongst the groups.

Right away, there could be upwards of three receivers who could go in the first round in Laurier’s, Shamawd Chambers, and the Sherbrooke duo of Ismael Bamba, and Simon Charbonneau-Campeau.

Could the Alouettes have any interest in selecting a non-import for their very deep and talented receiving corps?

Even though the team mutually parted ways with Danny Deseriveaux, the Alouettes could go down this avenue to select a Canadian player to fill the open spot.

The Alouettes have a very small chance of getting Chambers, or Charbonneau-Campeau. But they could have an opportunity at Bamba.

Ismael Bamba, WR, Sherbrooke: Entering E-Camp, Bamba will be looked at very closely. He could wow the scouts with how he performs in the 40-yard run, and during the one on one drills.

In a Vert et Or offense full of talent including Charbonneau-Campeau, Bamba finished with 40 receptions, 543 yards, and four touchdowns.

Bamba’s biggest strength is his speed. During the 2011 CIS season, he shifted momentum in-favour of the Vert et Or with key punt returns, and receptions for touchdowns.

The only issue with Bamba, does he work hard on each play when his number isn’t called? It seemed that when he wasn’t the primary target, it showed in his route running.

Bamba has the tangibles needed to succeed at the next level, but could it be as a returner where the position is normally occupied by an import player. Or will he have a decent chance of being a wide receiver?

The Alouettes were in attendance for a few Sherbrooke games given the deep amount of prospects they have.

With Deseriveaux no longer on the team, Bamba fits the bill of a non-import status that the team requires. Furthermore, the Alouettes, are lacking playmakers in their punt return situation, and Bamba could be a ratio changer if he does have an opportunity.

Keep an eye

Keep Queen’s Golden Gaels receiver, Giovanni Aprile as a potential target. If the aforementioned three players end up going early in the draft, Aprile would be a sought out commodity.

It would not be surprising if he is selected in the first 20 picks. But if he drops due to the big three being taken earlier, Aprile could be a solid value pick.

Aprile really caught my attention during the OUA season with the Golden Gaels. In what was considered to be a very young Queen’s team, Aprile continued to shine as he finished seventh overall in CIS receiving with 31 receptions, 594 yards, and four touchdowns.

In-fact he did finish above Bamba, and Chambers in receiving yards.

He has great size, at 6’2, 208 pounds. His biggest strength is his yards after catch, as he averaged 19.2 yards per reception which ranked third overall in the nation. Moreover, he has the knack to make a lot of difficult catches in traffic.

Arguably Aprile’s biggest strength, he would be able to play immediately on special teams. He averaged 36.5 yards per kick return; moreover, he would be a solid contributor on all special team units.

He will need to shine in the one on one drill’s on Sunday, have a great 40-yard sprint, and impress very well during the interview sessions.

Historically, the Alouettes haven’t had an issue at the receiver position as it seems they have allocated their non-import draft picks towards other positions. As a result, it has given them flexibility to have more imports receivers.

This year could their tune change in selecting a receiver for the first time in four years, we will find out.

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