3DownNation.com reporter J.C. Abbott believes the 2026 CFL Draft class is a deep one.

“It’s an incredibly deep draft class and it’s extremely talented at the top as well. Probably the top 10-12 players weren’t in attendance at the CFL Combine because either they were at the NFL Combine or they have pro days where they’re able to showcase themselves for NFL scouts and have significant levels of interest south of the border,” Abbott told Teagan Witko on the SportsCage.

“Even the guys who were at the combine, I think this is a year where you can find talent in round six, seven, eight of the draft. Guys who can contribute early on special teams and potentially even develop into starters down the line. The offensive line group is extremely talented, that has been a weakness the last couple of years. I look at the linebackers and defensive backs as well and see some really good players.”

CFL fans should know the CFL Draft goes on Tuesday, April 28 at 5 p.m., while the combine recently concluded from March 27-29 in Edmonton.

The Saskatchewan Huskies had two players at the combine, Charlie Parks and Jack Warrack, whereas the Regina Rams had Ethan Graham and Carson Sombach in attendance.

“Charlie Parks helped himself. He’s a bit of an undersized defensive lineman, but teams love the tape. I thought he was one of the best pass rushers out there consistently down in and down out throughout the one-on-ones,” Abbott said.

“Jack Warrack, we know how good he’s been at right tackle for the Saskatchewan Huskies for a number of years, but the movement skills are not quite there when you look at the testing. Then he puts up 12 reps on the bench as an offensive lineman, that’s actually down from what he showed at the East-West Bowl a year ago.”

Abbott singled out team perspectives about why Warrack’s 12 reps on the bench press could potentially be a problem.

“That’s not a great sign when you’re looking to make it to the professional level at a position that requires a lot of strength,” Abbott said. “Yes, the bench press can be overrated, but teams do look at it as a metric of, how willing you are in the gym? Are you committed to getting yourself ready for the pro level? That’s going to raise a red flag with some teams.”

Besides talking about the Huskies, Abbott discussed the Rams players who attended the combine and gave his thoughts on how they did.

“Ethan Graham was sort of as you expected along the offensive line, the tackle from Regina. Teams really like his size, and I don’t think he did anything to hurt himself. When you look at Carson Sombach from Regina, the defensive back, he’s got a bit of an uphill climb just based on size,” Abbott said.

“His brother Jackson was drafted a couple of years ago to the Calgary Stampeders very late. He was arguably, I think, based on talent alone, maybe a top three DB in that draft class, but he goes late in the draft because he just doesn’t have the size and measurables. I don’t think Carson’s quite the same player as Jackson and he has the same size limitations.”

Abbott shared his opinion regarding executives and challenges they face with athletes in the CFL Draft.

“In my mind, it’s the hardest draft in all of sports. The amount of variables, not just in assessing, will this guy be here in camp? Will he be in the NFL for multiple years? Will we ever even see him? But the added element of how do you compare a kid coming out of St. Mary’s in the AUS, where the competition may not be the best, versus a guy who’s playing at a division one school but maybe didn’t see the field all the time because of the level of competition within his own locker room,” Abbott explained.

“There are challenges there in terms of the apples-to-apples comparison that the combine helps with, but doesn’t fully dismiss. You have to make judgment calls based on who you think has more upside and judging those levels of competition. The other wrinkle is CFL players, especially early in their careers, they make good money but they don’t make life-changing money like the NFL.”

While there is the potential NFL factor, Abbott pointed out the education factor CFL coaches and management must also consider.

“Some of these kids are super smart. If you’ve got an engineering degree from the Ivy League and you’re coming into a CFL camp as a sixth-round pick, how many years are you willing to cut it out for 75 grand before you say, ‘I can make 300 grand at my entry-level job at my engineering firm,'” Abbott detailed.

“It’s a factor that teams have to consider. How much does this guy love football? What are his opportunities off the field? Are we going to have him for as long as it takes to develop him?”