by Scouting Director
| 1 | Khalil Herbert |
Free Agent |
| 2 | Kendall Milton |
Cincinnati Bengals |
| 3 | Blake Watson |
Free Agent |
| 4 | Jamal Haynes |
Cincinnati Bengals |
| 5 | Michael Wiley |
Free Agent |
| 6 | Will Shipley |
Philadelphia Eagles |
| 7 | Ja’Quinden Jackson |
Philadelphia Eagles |
| 8 | Ahmani Marshall |
Cleveland Browns |
| 9 | Noah Whittington |
Houston Texans |
| 10 | Bam Knight |
Arizona Cardinals |
Notes:
Khalil Herbert was released by San Francisco on August 17 after signing a contract earlier in the same month. He is available and immediately climbs to #1 as a possible CFL impact running back. The former Kansas and Virginia Tech product, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2021, ran for nearly 1,800 yards over three seasons with the Bears and was once the starting RB before an ankle injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2023 season. He has spent time on NFL practice rosters, and now, being available this early in cut season, he is a player that absolutely should be on every CFL team’s watch list, notably Saskatchewan, Calgary, and Montreal, where RB is key to their overall production and he could add quality for the second half of the season.
He has exceptional burst, and despite his 5’9″ size, he is known to be a one-cut back who thrives on attacking the line of scrimmage. He also has special teams experience.
Another free agent is Blake Watson, who is ranked #3. He is perfect for the CFL, and scheming an offense to get the ball in his hands would be highly recommended, using screens, jet sweeps, and swing passes. He has exceptional hands and above average change-of-direction ability. Watson is currently on Saskatchewan’s negotiation list.
Will Shipley, ranked #6, is another player to watch, and if it were clearer that he would be available, he would likely be the favorite to be ranked #1. Currently with the Eagles, Shipley, at 5’10”, 207 pounds, is a versatile offensive weapon who would fit a CFL offense both between the tackles and in the passing game. He is a quick thinker who diagnoses plays quickly, gets downfield, and produces quickly with a downhill approach. He can succeed at everything but might not be the best at everything. He is a highly touted CFL prospect whose availability may take some more time.
Lastly, one more player to note comes in at #10: Bam Knight, currently in Arizona Cardinals training camp. I have become a huge fan of his for quite some time. Though he may not be immediately available because I believe he is a candidate to make the Cardinals’ roster, it is possible, things do happen. Clearly, down the road, it may be more likely that he becomes available, and he is someone I strongly would consider bringing onto a CFL roster.
He is simply a physical, pounding RB. Watching a practice in which Bam is participating, you will see contact, and lots of it. He can succeed in short yardage situations in the CFL as well as in pass protection. While his receiving game is not his specialty, he can be used as a checkdown option. I do not think we have seen the best of Bam’s overall game, and I believe he has an exceptional CFL future that may soon start to climb our rankings.