The Winnipeg Blue Bombers picked what looks like a can’t miss prospect with the second overall pick in Monday’s CFL Draft. The problem is he may not become a Bomber. Al Dannity reports on Andy Mulumba’s options and the rest of the happenings from yesterday’s draft.
At 6’4” and 263lbs, Eastern Michigan’s Andy Mulumba fits the physical profile required of a high first round pick in the CFL Draft. The problem for the Blue Bombers is Mulumba isn’t only attracting interest north of the border. Mulumba, a defensive lineman originally from Congo, signed a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers last month. Mulumba will join Green Bay’s rookie camp this weekend and has pinned his hopes, quite fairly, on making it in the NFL before considering his options in Winnipeg.
“I already signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers. I want to try that first and we’ll go from there,” said Mulumba. Having already received a signing bonus from the Packers, Mulumba was surprised the Bombers risked such a high pick on him. There is some logic in the move as if Mulumba misses the cut in Green Bay, a more than likely scenario with rookie free agents, he will link up Casey Creehan. The Bombers defensive co-ordinator recruited Mulumba to Eastern Michigan in 2009 and clearly sees him as a player who can make an impact at this level.
The Calgary Dinos dominated the first round with three UC players, including first overall pick Linden Gaydosh, going off the board early. Along with Mulumba, Corey Watman was the second Eastern Michigan player to go in the first as he was selected fourth by the Roughriders.
The moves made by the expansion team in Ottawa proved interesting. Effectively working with a futures market the new team, which takes the field in 2014, had four picks and could only select underclassmen playing in the United States. Beef was most definitely their top priority with offensive lineman Nolan McMillan (Iowa) being their first selection followed by defensive ends Connor Williams (Utah State) and Kalonji Kashama (Eastern Michigan). The lone outlier was a particularly interesting one as Ottawa strayed outside the FBS ranks to select Tyler Digby, a tight-end with Robert Morris.
Bo Lokombo, the highest rated player on the board, was ignored by Ottawa but the Oregon linebacker didn’t fall far. The BC Lions picked him in the third round, with the 21st overall pick.
