Now that the major free agent signings have been finalized, the Last Word On Sports CFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team heading into the 2016 CFL Draft. Today, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are the focus. The Ticats have seven picks including the fifth overall pick in the first round.
As the 2016 CFL season approaches, the Tiger-Cats came one big play away from making it to their third straight Grey Cup. With a team that has good overall depth especially in the Canadian content, the Ticats will look to reload its arsenal in order to make another run at Earl Grey’s mug.
The Tiger-Cat Off-Season
The Ticats had the most free agents available when the deadline hit, and managed to weather the storm, all things considered. With 37 players hitting the market, the Tiger-Cats were able to retain big names such as Ted Laurent and Emanuel Davis. But they also lost such key players as Bryan Hall, Brian Bulcke and Justin Hickman, who packed up their bags and moved down the QEW, and receiver Terrell Sinkfield and linebacker Erik Harris, who now have NFL opportunities. Mr. Consistent, Justin Medlock, took his talents to Winnipeg, leaving Hamilton without a kicker. General Manager Eric Tillman and head coach Kent Austin have some work to do.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2016 CFL Draft: Top 3 Needs
Kicker
With the departure of kicker Justin Medlock, the Ticats could look to the draft in order to fill the void. Currently without any kickers on the roster, Hamilton might take a serious look at UBC Thunderbirds standout Quinn Van Gylswyk. The Victoria, BC product went 40/49 on field goal tries, good for 81.6% with his longest coming from 47 yards. Another plus is Van Gylswyk has a strong leg and led the nation in punting as well, with a season average of 43.3 yards per punt, seven yards more than the average of his opponents. A Canadian kicker/punter capable of doing both jobs effectively could be a game changer for the Ticats. Another note – Van Gylswyk kicked the game winning field goal for UBC in the Vanier Cup giving the T-Birds their first Vanier since 1997, so he has the ability to make the big kicks in key moments.
Defensive Backs
Although they’re defensive backs, we’re really talking about safeties here. With locked-in starter Craig Butler potentially out for the entire 2016 CFL season with a knee injury, the Ticats need some depth behind capable starter Mike Daly. Enter Kelowna, BC’s Taylor Loffler, who split his collegiate career between the NCAA’s Boise State Broncos and the Vanier Cup champion UBC Thunderbirds. Loffler could bring much-needed depth to the Ticats not only to the safety position, but Loffler has proven he can play defensive back and linebacker as well.
Receivers
Hamilton has two of the league’s best Canadian receivers in Andy Fantuz and Spencer Watt. The problem has been keeping them healthy in order to be productive. Fantuz has had a number of injuries, while Watt missed the entire 2015 CFL season when he tore his achilles in training camp. If these two can stay relatively healthy throughout the year, the need is lessened, but in the CFL, Canadian content is key to success. Hamilton may have some interest in receivers such as NIU Huskies product Juwan Brescacin or University of Calgary standout Brett Blaszko, both of which are from Ontario, and have proven time and time again their capability of making the big play.
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