The CFL Draft is a time when teams look to improve their rosters, hoping that one day that player will be good enough to land atop CFL MVP Odds.
Of course, that doesn’t always happen, and at times, their presence on the field can negatively impact football bets.
Below, I’ll list the five biggest CFL draft busts of all time.
What Are the Biggest CFL Draft Bust Ever?
5. Damien Alford, WR, Calgary Stampeders, No. 1 Overall in 2025
The Stampeders got some decent production out of Alford, who caught 30 passes after returning from injury.
However, he’s signed with the New Orleans Saints, meaning they spent the No. 1 overall pick on a player who didn’t play the whole year and could very well be gone now.
4. Danny Vandervoort, WR, BC Lions, No. 3 Overall in 2017
In his entire time with BC, Vandervoort caught just one pass for 25 yards. That’s it. To round out his CFL career, he caught 11 more passes with other teams, and that’s it.
3. Jake Burt, WR, Hamilton-Tiger Cats, No. 1 Overall in 2021
Burt began his career on the injured list, missing the entire 2021 season. In 2022, he suited up for 10 games and caught four passes. He was released in May 2023.
2. Faith Ekakite, DT, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, No. 1 Overall in 2017
After coming into his rookie season out of shape and recording just five tackles in 14 games, Ekakite was cut by Winnipeg. Montreal then picked him up after his time with Winnipeg, but he tore his Achilles tendon.
1. Mark Chapman, WR, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, No. 1 Overall in 2018
After a stellar career at Central Michigan, Chapman went No. 1 overall and never even signed a contract with Hamilton. To make matters worse, Hamilton traded up with Montreal to No. 1 overall to draft him.
A gigantic waste of time.
Who Is the Single Biggest CFL Draft Bust in League History?
The single biggest CFL bust is Mark Chapman.
For a team to trade up to No. 1 overall and never even get the player under contract, there’s no bigger swing and miss than that.
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