{"id":536306,"date":"2026-03-14T17:22:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T17:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/536306\/"},"modified":"2026-03-14T17:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T17:22:09","slug":"john-hodges-2026-cfl-mock-draft-1-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/536306\/","title":{"rendered":"John Hodge’s 2026 CFL Mock Draft 1.0"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo: Purdue University<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time to project how the 2026 CFL Draft could play out on April 28. The first edition of last year\u2019s mock draft<\/a> contained 17 of the first 19 players who came off the board, so we\u2019re looking to maintain or improve on that level of accuracy this time around.<\/p>\n

Before we get into the selections, it\u2019s important to take stock of how the NFL could affect the top-end talent that\u2019s available. These projections are based on anonymous polling of scouts on both sides of the border.<\/p>\n

Defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor, the top-ranked prospect in this year\u2019s draft, is unlikely ever to play in the CFL. The native of Ottawa, Ont., was a second-team All-American at the University of Miami in 2025 and projects as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If he\u2019s selected in the 2026 CFL Draft, it will be with a late-round pick.<\/p>\n

Louisville defensive lineman Rene Konga, Mississippi State offensive lineman Albert Reese IV, and Boston College offensive lineman Logan Taylor form the second tier of Canadian NFL prospects. These three could all realistically be late-round NFL draft picks \u2014 and, if not, they are expected to sign down south as priority undrafted free agents.<\/p>\n

Louisville defensive lineman Wesley Bailey, Michigan State defensive back Malcolm Bell, and Arkansas tight end Rohan Jones each project as undrafted free agents. Typically, players who sign in the NFL as undrafted free agents are selected in the second or third round of the CFL draft, though it\u2019s not impossible for them to go earlier or later.<\/p>\n

As mentioned in some of the write-ups below, there are a few other prospects who could end up in the NFL in 2026. This year\u2019s draft class is loaded with talent from the NCAA due in part to the extra eligibility some prospects earned amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed them to have unprecedentedly long collegiate careers.<\/p>\n

The two picks at the end of the second round\u00a0are bonus selections given to the two teams that had the highest percentage of snaps played by Canadians the previous season<\/a>. This year, they were awarded to the Edmonton Elks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.<\/p>\n

Things can change quickly leading up to the draft, so make sure to stay tuned to 3DownNation for all the latest news, insight, and analysis. Expect an updated mock draft sometime after the CFL Combine, which will take place from March 27 to 29 in Edmonton.<\/p>\n

This mock draft was created using a combination of anonymous sourcing, film review, statistical analysis, and notes from\u00a03DownNation reporter JC Abbott.<\/p>\n

Round One<\/p>\n

1. Ottawa Redblacks \u2014 OL Giordano Vaccaro, Purdue<\/p>\n

The six-foot-two, 307-pound blocker didn\u2019t play much for the Boilermakers after transferring to the NCAA ranks in 2025, but that shouldn\u2019t give CFL teams much pause. Vaccaro previously dominated at the U Sports level, earning two first-team All-Canadian selections at the University of Manitoba and winning the J.P. Metras Trophy in 2024.<\/p>\n

The native of Winnipeg, Man., projects as a CFL guard, though some believe he\u2019s better-suited to centre given his height. Regardless, seven CFL teams attended Vaccaro\u2019s pro day<\/a> for a reason \u2014 he\u2019s smart, physical, and technically sound. The Redblacks need to get younger and better along the offensive line, and Vaccaro fits the bill perfectly.<\/p>\n

2. Toronto Argonauts \u2014 OL Darius Bell, East Carolina<\/p>\n

The native of Hamilton, Ont., garnered outstanding character references and showed impressive versatility at the collegiate level, starting 34 games at left tackle, left guard, centre, and right guard over stints at Maine and East Carolina.<\/p>\n

The six-foot-five, 300-pound blocker is a good fit for the Argonauts, who struggled along the offensive line in 2025 and recently released starter Sage Doxtater<\/a>. Bell would immediately fill a depth role for Toronto and could eventually replace one of the team\u2019s three starters on the interior of the offensive line, all of whom are pending free agents and among the league\u2019s highest-paid players at their position.<\/p>\n

3. Edmonton Elks \u2014 LB Dariel Djabome, Rutgers<\/p>\n

The six-foot-one, 233-pound defender was a two-year starter with the Scarlet Knights, making 192 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one pass knockdown. He ran a 4.80-second forty-yard dash at his recent pro day<\/a>, which might hurt his chances of signing in the NFL, though his other testing numbers were impressive.<\/p>\n

The Elks are projected to start Joel Dublanko \u2014 who is entering a contract year \u2014 at middle linebacker but have little Canadian depth behind him. Djabome would not only fill this need but also contribute on special teams while developing into a starter himself. If the native of Longueuil, Que., gets an NFL shot, that would likely push him down the draft board.<\/p>\n

4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers \u2014 DB Jett Elad, Rutgers<\/p>\n

The native of Mississauga, Ont., is as pro-ready as any prospect in this year\u2019s draft, as he played 63 games over seven collegiate seasons. Elad made 298 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 26 pass knockdowns, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one sack, and one forced fumble over stints at Ohio, Garden City Community College, UNLV, and Rutgers.<\/p>\n

The soon-to-be 25-year-old spent a lot of time in the box at the collegiate level, making him a good fit for Winnipeg\u2019s defensive scheme. The Blue Bombers are the CFL\u2019s only team that starts a Canadian at strong-side linebacker, though the three-time Jon Cornish Trophy finalist and two-time All-Conference honourable mention can also play safety.<\/p>\n

5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats \u2014 DL Nuer Gatkuoth, Wake Forest<\/p>\n

The native of Edmonton, Alta., entered the professional ranks one year early after indicating he encountered eligibility issues with the NCAA<\/a>. Gatkuoth had his best collegiate season with the Demon Deacons in 2025, recording 21 quarterback hurries and proving he knows how to rush the passer off the edge.<\/p>\n

The Tiger-Cats seem committed to playing multiple Canadians along the defensive line, and the six-foot-three, 237-pound defender would add to their stockpile of talent. Gatkuoth made 107 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass knockdowns, and two interceptions over 29 games with Colorado State and Wake Forest.<\/p>\n

6. Calgary Stampeders \u2014 OL Niklas Henning, Queen\u2019s<\/p>\n

This might seem like an off-the-board selection because Henning currently isn\u2019t on the CFL\u2019s scouting bureau rankings. With that said, the native of Milton, Ont., is expected to rocket up draft boards at this year\u2019s CFL Combine in Edmonton, where scouts anticipate he\u2019ll post elite testing numbers for an offensive lineman.<\/p>\n

The six-foot-six, 285-pound blocker spent most of his collegiate career with the Golden Gaels as an H-back before converting to offensive tackle in 2024. He was named a second-team All-Canadian in 2025, and some scouts believe he has the athleticism to remain there at the professional level. This would be a boom-or-bust pick for the Stampeders, a team that has started Canadians at offensive tackle in recent history.<\/p>\n

7. B.C. Lions \u2014 OL Jonathan Denis, Louisiana Tech<\/p>\n

The native of Montreal, Que., was raised primarily in the United States and had a nomadic collegiate career with stops at Oregon, Miami, Central Missouri, and Louisiana Tech. After struggling with injuries during the first half of his tenure in the NCAA, he was a full-time starter the last two seasons and can play both centre and guard.<\/p>\n

The Lions have struck out on many of their recent draft picks along the offensive line, as players like Theo Benedet and Alaric Jackson ended up making it in the NFL, Tyler Packer and Connor Klassen have battled injuries, and Noah Zerr didn\u2019t work out. Denis would immediately fill a depth need for B.C. and project as an eventual starter.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo: Hawaii Athletics<\/p>\n

8. Montreal Alouettes \u2014 REC Nick Cenacle, Hawaii<\/p>\n

The six-foot-two, 200-pound target missed half his senior season due to injury, though he\u2019s still viewed as the consensus top prospect in a relatively weak receiver group. Cenacle made 122 catches for 1,295 yards and nine touchdowns over 44 collegiate games, with his best season occurring in 2024 when he caught 63 balls for 721 yards and six scores.<\/p>\n

The native of Montreal, Que., would fill the biggest need for his hometown team, providing some much-needed depth behind Tyson Philpot. Though the Alouettes only start one Canadian receiver, that could always change in the future \u2014 particularly with Austin Mack and Charleston Rambo both departing the team this offseason.<\/p>\n

9. Saskatchewan Roughriders \u2014 DB Malcolm Bell, Michigan State<\/p>\n

The six-foot-two, 188-pound cornerback is expected to sign with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent, though the length of his stay down south will be largely determined by how well he runs at his upcoming pro day.<\/p>\n

Bell started 31 collegiate games dating back to his tenure at the University of Connecticut and made 11 starts with the Spartans in 2025, recording 49 total tackles, five tackles for loss, six pass knockdowns, and one sack. Though the Roughriders would likely have to wait on Bell for a year or two, the Montreal native would be a perfect long-term replacement for Tevaughn Campbell.<\/p>\n

Round Two<\/p>\n

10. Ottawa Redblacks \u2014 LB Darius McKenzie, South Alabama<\/p>\n

The six-foot-two, 230-pound defender suffered an ankle injury near the end of the 2025 season, which will likely make it impossible for him to do any athletic testing ahead of draft day. Regardless, the native of Ottawa, Ont., is the consensus second-ranked linebacker in the class after earning an All-Sun Belt honourable mention this past year.<\/p>\n

McKenzie made 195 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, seven pass knockdowns, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble over 39 collegiate games at Maine and South Alabama. The Redblacks are set to start a Canadian at linebacker after giving A.J. Allen a massive deal in free agency<\/a>, and McKenzie would provide depth while also contributing on special teams.<\/p>\n

11. Toronto Argonauts \u2014 FB \u00c9meric Boutin, Laval<\/p>\n

The Argonauts don\u2019t currently have a fullback on the roster, and they could do a lot worse than this two-time first-team All-Canadian. Boutin made 24 catches for 379 yards and three touchdowns over the last two seasons with the Rouge et Or while also contributing as a blocker.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old runs well for his size and would provide an immediate boost to Toronto\u2019s special teams units while filling a utility role on offence. The fullback position isn\u2019t flashy, but versatility is everything given the constraints of CFL roster sizes, and Boutin can contribute in multiple ways.<\/p>\n

12. Edmonton Elks \u2014 DL Wesley Bailey, Louisville<\/p>\n

The native of Ottawa, Ont., will start his professional career in the NFL but could very well make his way to the CFL at some point in the next few years. As a four-year starter between Rutgers and Louisville, Bailey made 110 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, six pass knockdowns, and four fumble recoveries.<\/p>\n

The six-foot-five, 265-pound edge rusher has the length that teams covet and recorded 29 quarterback hurries over 12 games in 2025. Elks general manager Ed Hervey believes in building along the trenches, and Bailey seems like a perfect player to have in the pipeline.<\/p>\n

13. Winnipeg Blue Bombers \u2014 TE Rohan Jones, Arkansas<\/p>\n

This would be a futures pick for Winnipeg as Jones is expected to sign an NFL contract as an undrafted free agent. Assuming he eventually comes north, the versatile Montreal native would be well worth the wait.<\/p>\n

The six-foot-three, 242-pound target runs well for his size, even returning kicks during his two-year tenure at Maine. Jones caught 19 passes for 519 yards and four touchdowns with the Razorbacks in 2025 and was named first-team All-Big Sky at Montana State in 2024. In the CFL, Jones projects as a fullback, H-back, tight end, and slotback.<\/p>\n

14. Hamilton Tiger-Cats \u2014 LB Justin Pace, Queen\u2019s<\/p>\n

The Montreal native was a stalwart for the Golden Gaels, making 232 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, eight pass knockdowns, six interceptions, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries over 42 collegiate games.<\/p>\n

The two-time OUA all-star and one-time first-team All-Canadian is the perfect fit for the Tiger-Cats, who currently only have one Canadian linebacker on the roster. Provided Pace runs well at the upcoming CFL Combine in Edmonton, he\u2019s worthy of this selection.<\/p>\n

15. B.C. Lions (via Calgary) \u2014 DL Rene Konga, Louisville<\/p>\n

The six-foot-four, 300-pound defender was named second-team All-ACC with the Cardinals in 2025 after making 29 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and six pass knockdowns over 12 games. He\u2019s disruptive, physical, and twitchy.<\/p>\n

The native of Ottawa, Ont., will start his professional career in the NFL, possibly even as a late-round pick. Even so, Konga is worth a second-round pick. The Lions have prioritized fielding Canadians along the defensive line, and this would be a great one to have in the pipeline should he ever come north.<\/p>\n

16. Toronto Argonauts (via B.C.) \u2014 REC Nolan Ulm, Eastern Washington<\/p>\n

The 24-year-old is coming off a bit of a down year as he made only 27 receptions for 228 yards and one touchdown over 12 games, though he finished his six-year collegiate career with 117 catches for 1,330 yards and 11 scores.<\/p>\n

The native of Kelowna, B.C., would fill a positional need for the Argonauts, who lack depth behind veteran starters Kevin Mital and Dave Ungerer III. Ulm is pro-ready, has solid size, and should contribute on special teams early in his career.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo: Natalie Ryals\/\/Mississippi State Athletics<\/p>\n

17. Montreal Alouettes \u2014 OL Albert Reese IV, Mississippi State<\/p>\n

The Alouettes made a ratio change in 2025 when first-round pick Tiger Shanks won the starting job at right tackle. If the team wants to build depth at that position, Reese IV would be an excellent player to have in the pipeline.<\/p>\n

The six-foot-seven, 330-pound blocker made 21 starts over five collegiate seasons with the Bulldogs, almost all of which came at right tackle. The native of Edmonton, Alta., will start his career in the NFL, possibly as a late-round draft pick, but could eventually make his way up north to La Belle Province.<\/p>\n

18. Saskatchewan Roughriders \u2014 DL Aamarii Notice, Coastal Carolina<\/p>\n

The six-foot-four, 290-pound defender played over 1,100 collegiate snaps at Idaho and Coastal Carolina, recording 78 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks over 47 games from his spot along the interior.<\/p>\n

The Roughriders typically dress more defensive linemen than any other CFL team and rotate them to ensure they stay fresh. After taking Ali Saad in the first round of last year\u2019s draft, it would make sense for Saskatchewan to keep building depth behind him. Notice is a run-first defender, but if anyone can develop abilities as a pass-rusher, it\u2019s Corey Mace and Micah Johnson.<\/p>\n

19. Edmonton Elks \u2014 DB Devynn Cromwell, Michigan State<\/p>\n

The Toronto native was a standout at the University of Guelph before transferring to the NCAA ranks at Texas Tech in 2023. Though he never became a full-time starter over three seasons down south, Cromwell is expected to be one of the top testers at the CFL Combine.<\/p>\n

The six-foot, 200-pound cover man could provide depth behind starting cornerback Tyrell Ford, while also pitching in elsewhere in Edmonton\u2019s secondary and on special teams.<\/p>\n

20. Winnipeg Blue Bombers \u2014 REC Nate DeMontagnac, North Dakota<\/p>\n

The native of Mississauga, Ont., didn\u2019t have elite production with the Fighting Hawks, making 64 catches for 775 yards and four touchdowns over 40 games. With that said, he\u2019s got solid size at six-foot-three and 195 pounds and blossomed late in his collegiate career.<\/p>\n

The Blue Bombers could start three Canadian receivers in 2026, though Kevens Clercius appeared to fall out of favour late last year. DeMontagnac would give the team a young, physical option to pitch in alongside players like Nic Demski, Tommy Nield, and Joey Corcoran.<\/p>\n

Best of the rest: TE Dante Daniels, North Carolina State; OL Jez Janvier, Southern Mississippi; REC Carter Kettyle, Alberta; REC Shemar McBean, UBC; LB Osasere Odemwingie, Calgary; QB\/FB Jerome Rancourt, Western; LB Eric Rascoe, Angelo State; DB Benjamin Sangmuah, UBC; OL Logan Taylor, Boston College; DB Trae Tomlinson, Louisiana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Photo: Purdue University It\u2019s time to project how the 2026 CFL Draft could play out on April 28.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":536307,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[177761,166835,166836,180048,175332,11137,22070,22936,49,943,48,7028,521,522,520,209804,180049,180050,209805,180052,1625,209806,13264,168660,527,180054,15655,266,180016,180055,168754,180056,209807,12694,179779,209808,180057,4844,209809,148577,941,180058,525,180059,168676,168677,33485,180060,20739,5589,61574,70504,175334,45083,180061,55574,1454,24373,82,43334,15656,168682,35438,180062,22073],"class_list":["post-536306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cfl","tag-2026-cfl-draft","tag-3down","tag-3downnation","tag-aamarii-notice","tag-albert-reese-iv","tag-b-c-lions","tag-blue-bombers","tag-bombers","tag-ca","tag-calgary-stampeders","tag-canada","tag-canadian","tag-canadian-football-league","tag-canadianfootballleague","tag-cfl","tag-cfl-mock-draft","tag-dariel-djabome","tag-darius-bell","tag-darius-mackenzie","tag-devynn-cromwell","tag-draft","tag-east-carolina","tag-edmonton-elks","tag-emeric-boutin","tag-football","tag-giordano-vaccaro","tag-hamilton-tiger-cats","tag-hawaii","tag-hodge","tag-jett-elad","tag-john-hodge","tag-jonathan-denis","tag-justn-pace","tag-laval","tag-louisiana-tech","tag-louisvlle","tag-malcolm-bell","tag-michigan-state","tag-mock","tag-mock-draft","tag-montreal-alouettes","tag-nate-demontagnac","tag-ncaa","tag-nick-cenacle","tag-niklas-henning","tag-nolan-ulm","tag-north-dakota","tag-nuer-gatkuoth","tag-ottawa","tag-purdue","tag-queens","tag-redblacks","tag-rene-konga","tag-riders","tag-rohan-jones","tag-roughriders","tag-rutgers","tag-saskatchewan","tag-sports","tag-ticats","tag-toronto-argonauts","tag-u-sports","tag-wake-forest","tag-wesley-bailey","tag-winnipeg"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/536306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=536306"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/536306\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/536307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=536306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=536306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=536306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}