ROUND ONE

1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats – DL Linden Gaydosh, Calgary – Assuming the Tiger-Cats do not trade out of this spot, Gaydosh makes the most sense. Even if they deal the pick I can’t see anybody going elsewhere with this pick. He’s the only guy left that isn’t connected to a NFL team at the moment, and he may be the best of those that are as it is.

2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers – DL Ben D’Aguilar, McMaster - Interesting spot for Joe Mack and the Blue Bombers. They will likely want a guy who can step in right away, which could signal Mike Edem out of Calgary. While D’Aguilar is linked to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets, he is down south on a tryout basis only, having yet to sign a contract.

3. Montreal Alouettes – OL Matt Sewell, McMaster - Montreal is always a wildcard when it comes to the draft. There is so much talent in this draft that it wouldn’t be a stretch for them to go elsewhere and scoop up someone else with their other draft picks. Sewell is a mammoth along the offensive line, and for a team that starts five non-imports, I think they will go there with atleast one of their first three picks.

4. Saskatchewan Roughriders – LB Mike Edem, Calgary – General Manager Brendan Taman has stated that they would like to draft a guy who will be in training camp at the beginning of June. Of course circumstances can change, but assuming this holds true, Edem would be the most logical pick. Last year the team took another Calgary linebacker in Sam Hurl and with that having worked out well, they go with Edem who will have an impact on special teams immediately and can play back-up at linebacker or behind non-import safety Craig Butler.

5. Montreal Alouettes – WR Seydou Junior Haidara, Laval – Last year the Alouettes used the 11th overall pick to dip into the Laval talent pool, selecting FB Patrick Lavoie – a move that worked out very well for them. I have them going back to Laval and picking up the extremely versatile and talented receiver.

6. BC Lions – OL Corey Watman, Eastern Michigan – Watman’s performance in the one-on-one’s at the CFL Combine was fairly alarming. Then again, he really only looked extremely out-of-place against Linden Gaydosh, and quite frankly nearly everyone did. BC is a perfect fit for Watman who can be groomed as the successor to Angus Reid as the team’s centre.

7. Calgary Stampeders – DL Brent Urban, Virginia – They will wait on Urban, who will go back to Virginia for one more season this fall, but the Stamps really have no huge gap to fill with their draft picks. While they didn’t originally draft him, it is a similar situation to Brian Bulcke, who the team recently lost in free agency.

8. Toronto Argonauts – OL Nolan MacMillan, Iowa – Staying local, the Argos look to continue to build up their non-import depth along the offensive line. MacMillan has a bit of an injury history, but his potential may be the best of any lineman in this draft. He has one more year left at Iowa.

9. Ottawa – OL Brander Craighead, UTEP- The play starts with the offensive line, and so it makes more than enough sense for the Ottawa CFL Franchise to use their inaugural pick to select an offensive lineman. A local offensive lineman. Can play both tackle positions. Ottawa is only allowed to select NCAA underclassmen, so any pick they make, the player will be returning to school.

ROUND TWO

1. Edmonton Eskimos – OL Brett Jones, Regina – Again, several options at this pick for the Eskimos if they are selecting a player here. Rumours have had them linked to the number one overall pick. They are fairly loaded along the defensive line with Canadian talent. The most logical selection would be Mike Edem, but having already been selected, they step next door to Saskatchewan and grab Jones.

2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers – DL Andy Mulumba, Eastern Michigan – I have the Bombers going with D’Aguilar with their first pick and Mulumba here. I think D’Aguilar is more suited to being a linebacker, while Mulumba will play on the defensive line. He is currently with the Green Bay Packers and could be a late cut, but the wait will be worth it if he makes his way to Canada.

3. BC Lions – DL Elie Ngoyi, Bishop’s – A project pick. Ngoyi isn’t ready to make an impact playing on the defensive side of the ball, but his pure athleticism grades him out as a second-to-mid-round pick.

4. Calgary Stampeders – DL Stefan Charles, Regina – It was between Charles and Jesse Joseph for the Stamps at this pick. They will wait on both players, as Charles is currently with the Tennessee Titans while Joseph was awarded a medical redshirt and will return to UConn. Combine Urban with Charles, and the Stamps will find a talented player when either – or both – make their way to Calgary.

5. Montreal Alouettes – OL Hunter Steward, Liberty – After being recruited to play as a defensive lineman, Steward made 11 starts for Liberty at left tackle last season. He is a bit of a project, but the Alouettes can afford to give him the time to develop.

6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats – OL Chris Mercer, Regina – After going with Gaydosh first overall, the Ti-Cats continue to build up their depth in the trenches by going with the lesser known product of the University of Regina in Mercer. While Brett Jones is the fronted player between the two, Mercer displayed his ability at the CFL Combine where he showed better than his teammate.

7. Calgary Stampeders – OL Matt Vonk, Waterloo – The Stamps aren’t shy on stocking offensive line depth and despite having a couple of guys in the works already, they go back to the well and take Vonk who had a strong showing at the CFL Combine.

8. Toronto Argonauts – DL Hosam Shahin, Rice – Shahin has the size that the Argos typically employ along the defensive line, and with the team severely lacking depth at the position, Shahin makes sense with this pick.

9. Ottawa – DL Connor Williams, Utah State – Staying local, Ottawa uses their second pick on the other side of the line, taking one of the best defensive players in the WAC. Again, Ottawa is limited in who they can select with their four picks. Other players who fit the spot could be Bo Lokombo, Natey Adjei, Jesse Joseph, and Kalonji Kashama.

http://ridleyscouting.com/CFLDraft.html

Edmonton traded their first and fourth-round picks to Montreal in the trade that saw the team’s swap kickers – Derek Schiavone going to the Alouettes, and Brody McKnight to the Esks.

They traded two second-round picks – one in 2013, one in 2014 to the BC Lions for their second-round pick and quarterback Mike Reilly.

They traded the second-round pick they acquired from BC and the playing rights to non-import defensive lineman Hasan Hazime to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for their second and third-round picks.

They traded their fifth-round pick to the Lions for non-import running back Jerome Messam.

Strangely, the Esks traded that same pick to the Roughriders in September along with receiver Greg Carr in exchange for the playing rights to Matt O’Donnell and the Riders fourth-round pick.

Somewhere in the depths of time the Eskimos re-acquired their previously traded fifth-round pick. Although I’m sure there is a hilarious punchline here about Eric Tillman trading more picks than he actually can.

Keeping on, the Eskimos re-acquired the possibly re-acquired original fifth-round pick that they traded to BC and Saskatchewan, and then on Friday definitely received back from the Riders in the trade that saw the Esks acquire an additional fifth-round pick from the Riders in exchange for kicker Brody McKnight and Edmonton’s sixth-round pick.

The sixth-round pick the Eskimos traded to the Riders was the pick they acquired from the Alouettes after trading the previously acquired Jerome Messam to Montreal.

Edmonton also traded their original sixth-round pick to the Alouettes as well as a sixth-round pick in last year’s draft for non-import offensive lineman Dylan Steenbergen.

Finally, Edmonton acquired a sixth-round pick from the Riders in exchange for import offensive tackle Xavier Fulton.

Summing things up, the Eskimos currently have seven selections in the 2013 CFL Draft, only one of which is an original draft pick – not including the multi-traded 39th overall draft pick that they have re-acquired and will potentially select a player with.

“Coles Notes” version:

Edmonton trades
1st Round Pick (3rd overall) – to Montreal
2nd Round Pick (12th overall) – to BC
2nd Round Pick (15th overall) – to Hamilton (via BC)
4th Round Pick (30th overall) – to Montreal
5th Round Pick (39th overall) – to BC
5th Round Pick (39th overall) – to Saskatchewan6th Round Pick (47th overall) – to Montreal
6th Round Pick (49th overall) – to Saskatchewan (via Montreal)

Edmonton acquires
2nd Round Pick (10th overall) – from Hamilton
2nd Round Pick (15th overall) – from BC (traded to Hamilton)
3rd Round Pick (24th overall) – from Hamilton
4th Round Pick (31st overall) – from Saskatchewan
5th Round Pick (39th overall) – from Saskatchewan (traded to BC, Saskatchewan, originally Edmonton’s)
5th Round Pick (40th overall) – from Saskatchewan
6th Round Pick (48th overall) – from Montreal (traded to Saskatchewan)

Edmonton has traded non-import kicker Brody McKnight and a sixth-round pick in 2013 (49th overall) to Saskatchewan for two fifth-round draft picks in 2013 (39th and 40th overall).

Okay. Now, get out a pen and a piece of paper.

Edmonton acquired McKnight from the Montreal Alouettes last September in exchange for non-import kicker Derek Schiavone, as well as the Esks first, and fourth-round draft picks (3rd and 30th overall respectively).

McKnight was originally selected by the Alouettes with their first-round pick, eighth overall, in the 2011 CFL Draft. Upon acquiring non-import kicker Sean Whyte from the BC Lions for Montreal’s 2012 first-round pick, seventh overall, the Alouettes had no room for the previously first-round drafted McKnight.

The 39th overall pick going to Edmonton in the trade with Saskatchewan was the pick that former general manager Eric Tillman originally dealt to the Riders in a trade last September that saw Greg Carr go to Saskatchewan in exchange for the playing rights to non-import offensive lineman/part-time basketball player Matt O’Donnell, and the team’s fourth-round pick in 2013.

Kickers have never felt so important since NFL Network host Rich Eisen made t-shirts with the slogan “Punters are people too!”

Eric Tillman’s lasting legacy (or monstrosity) in Edmonton will be trading the team’s franchise quarterback Ricky Ray. But for fun, let’s throw it all on the table.

Tillman traded Ray, in addition to first, fourth, and sixth round selections in the CFL Draft, as well as kicker Derek Schiavone, and in return received QB Steven Jyles (who is no longer on the roster), a first round draft pick (which turned out to be offensive lineman Austin Pasztor, who the team may never see as he is currently in the NFL), kicker Grant Shaw, and two fifth-round draft picks.

Toronto Argonauts sideline boss Scott Milanovich was named the winner of the Annis Stukus Award for CFL Coach of the Year.

The announcement came at a luncheon held in Regina, the site of the 101st Grey Cup Game.

Milanovich beat out counterparts Mike Benevides of the BC Lions, as well as John Hufnagel of the Calgary Stampeders.

Hufnagel was the last rookie head coach to win both the Grey Cup and the Coach of the Year award in 2008 after guiding the Stampeders to their first championship in seven years.

Milanovich, a Pennsylvania native, spent five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes prior to accepting the job as the Argonauts head coach in December of 2011.

It was not the first time the former CFL quarterback was offered the gig with the Argos.

Prior to the 2010 season, coming off the Alouettes last-second Grey Cup win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Milanovich was offered the Argos vacancy at head coach, but he elected to turn it down and remain in Montreal.

The move proved to be an intelligent one, as the Alouettes went on to beat the Riders in the Grey Cup for a second consecutive year, while the Argos finished 9-9, losing to the Alouettes in the East Division Final under the guidance of Jim Barker.

Following the Argos dismal 2011 season that saw them finish in the basement of the East Division with a record of 6-12, Barker stepped aside from the sidelines to focus on his role as the team’s GM.

Milanovich was once again offered, and this time accepted the job on December 1, 2011.

Again, the decision was a wise one for Milanovich, as he escaped the shadow of Marc Trestman and Anthony Calvillo, making his own mark on the CFL.

While Milanovich’s job was aided by the timely acquisition of all-star quarterback Ricky Ray from the Edmonton Eskimos, the first-year head coach still made key decisions that ultimately led to the team’s success.

In August, the Argos released running back Cory Boyd after the former all-star was deemed to be unfit for the scheme that Milanovich wanted to run, and has had success running previously.

The team turned to CFL sophomore Chad Kackert to more aptly handle the position. In eight starts, Kackert provided the Argos offence with 850 yards from scrimmage.

It was the playoffs that the product of the University of New Hampshire broke out, rushing for over 100 yards in both the East Division Final, and Grey Cup game. He was named the Grey Cup MVP in the Argos 35-22 win over the Stampeders.

Milanovich helped tamper with pry defensive specialist Chris Jones from the Stamps, naming his former Alouettes colleague as the Argos defensive coordinator.

Jones’ defensive scheme brought some much-needed stability to the mix, specifically in the secondary, where the Argos had the second-ranked pass defence in the CFL behind the BC Lions.

In 2013, Milanovich will look to achieve a feat that he was a part of in Montreal.

Back-to-back Grey Cup Championships.

@metissports client, LB, Renauld Williams, has been informed he will be released by the Hamilton TiCats. #TiCats #CFL

— Metis Sports (@MetisSports) February 27, 2013

A free agent signing of the Tiger-Cats in February of 2011, Williams contributed 185 defensive tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in 35 games played.

The native of Westbury, New York originally came to the CFL, signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders following three seasons in the NFL with various teams.

Williams was with the Roughriders for three seasons before returning to the NFL following the 2009 season, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Upon being waived-injured at the end of the NFL pre-season, the product of Hofstra University sat out the entire season rehabbing a knee injury.

The 32-year-old is a victim of the defensive re-build that new head coach and general manager Kent Austin is constructing within the organization.

Austin was Williams’ coach when the duo were with the Roughriders for the 2007 season.

Edmonton will send its second-round draft pick (15th overall) in the 2013 CFL Draft, as well as the rights to non-import defensive lineman Hasan Hazime to Hamilton in exchange for their second and third round draft picks in the 2013 CFL Draft (10th and 24th overall).

Hazime was the Eskimos 36th overall pick in the 2012 Canadian Draft.

Edmonton, who is without a first-round draft pick after they sent kicker Derek Schiavone and a fourth-round pick to Montreal for kicker Brody McKnight will now have the top pick in the second round.

Davis played in his fourth CFL season last year with the Montreal Alouettes after signing with the team via free agency following a three-year run with the Edmonton Eskimos.

With the Alouettes last season, the product of the University of Southern Mississippi contributed 35 defensive tackles, five sacks, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

Prior to joining the Eskimos in 2009, Davis participated in 40 NFL games with the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers, recording 43 tackles and one forced fumble. Following his run in the NFL, he caught on in the Arena Football League where he was apart of the Arena Bowl Champion Philadelphia Soul.

Stewart is let go after a brief second stint with the organization after he was signed in October and started at defensive end for the team’s final six games of the season, including two playoff games, as well as the Grey Cup.

He was a member of the Stamps 2001 Grey Cup winning team.

Armstead joined the Stamps in September following an injury to all-star kick returner Larry Taylor. He recorded over 600 return yards in seven games played.

An eight-year veteran of the CFL, Foley began his career with the BC Lions in 2006 and was used sparingly as a situational pass rusher.

After all-star Cameron Wake elected to go to the NFL in 2009, signing with the Miami Dolphins, Foley parlayed Wake’s success into that of his own, taking advantage of the starting job and tallying 13 sacks in the 2009 season.

The native of Courtice, Ontario used his strong 2009 campaign, in which he was also named the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian to earn a shot in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks.

Foley’s run with the Seahawks lasted throughout training camp before eventually being released at the end of the pre-season. After being claimed on waivers the next day by the New York Jets, Foley was released three days later before joining the team’s practice roster.

It was only four days after being on the Jets practice roster that Foley was released for good, electing to then return to the CFL.

After it appeared as if the product of York University was bound to re-join the Lions, with the team going as far as announcing he had agreed to terms with the club, he pulled a 180 on everyone and instead joined the Toronto Argonauts.

In 44 games with the double blue, Foley recorded 125 defensive tackles, 10 sacks, one interception, and three fumble recoveries.

Foley recorded four tackles and one sack in the Argos 35-22 win in the 100th Grey Cup over the Calgary Stampeders – a game in which he was honoured as the Most Outstanding Canadian.

With the Roughriders, the 30-year-old will not only factor in as some much-needed depth for the defensive line, but as well as a veteran presence.

While the Riders boast veterans Keith Shologan and Tearrius George on the interior of the defensive line, they lost defensive end Odell Willis to free agency.

The team still has former Jacksonville Jaguar, and four-year veteran of the CFL Brent Hawkins under contract, however outside of Hawkins, the depth is bleak with non-import Ryan Wellman, as well as imports Kenny Rowe and Jammie Kirlew.