Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

[Beerfish]

According to the journal, the Esks are listening to offers for the 1st overall pick in the up draft. They also stated that if they are to keep the pick they would select the best player available.

CFL draft combine is slated for March 23-25th in Trana.

I would assume that if a team offered them a good young O-lineman or perhaps a good canadian linebacker they would think about making a deal. Personally, unless they get a drop dead deal I want them to keep the pick and select Fantuz.

[Esks4ever]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

I expected the Esks to shop the pick...

[Rider TD]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

With the progonsticators saying that the draft is deep this year, I don't expect the Esks to get much of an offer for that first pick.

Then again, Hamilton is still in the league...

[Beerfish]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

With the progonsticators saying that the draft is deep this year, I don't expect the Esks to get much of an offer for that first pick.

Then again, Hamilton is still in the league...

Don't tell me you are another one of these dorks that thinks that Hamilton is not better off after their deals with the Esks than they were before?

[Rider TD]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

Don't tell me you are another one of these dorks that thinks that Hamilton is not better off after their deals with the Esks than they were before?

Speaking of dorks, take a look at Macciocia's picture on CFL.ca.

Don't be so sensitive Beerfish...just keeping you guys awake over here.

[Gargoyle]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

Here's the article to which Beerfish refers:

Edmonton has No. 1 pick in Canadian College Draft -- for now

By Scott Petersen,
Edmonton Journal

The Edmonton Eskimos may have the top pick in April's Canadian College Draft now, but that doesn't mean they'll have it come draft day.

The pick is burning a hole in the Eskimos' collective pockets and is available if the right package comes along. They originally received the No. 1 overall selection from Hamilton back in November as part of the Jason Maas deal.

"Some people have called, but it's just people inquiring if we'll move it," said head coach Danny Maciocia. "I've already stated we will move it for the right deal."

There's more than a month until the April 20 draft for the Eskimos to weigh their options. In the meantime, a group of the team's staff including Maciocia, Dan McKinnon, Danny Kepley and Rick Campbell will get a better look at what's available at the CFL's evaluation camp near Toronto March 23 to 25.

If the Eskimos decide to keep the pick, they'll go with their strategy of taking the best player available, regardless of position, said Maciocia. This year's draft includes some quality receivers in Andy Fantuz and Eric Deslauriers, strong defensive linemen Adam Braidwood and Dan Federkeil, and tempting depth for the offensive line in the likes of Dominic Picard.

"We have a good feel for where the talent lies in this camp," said Maciocia. "It's an interesting draft. There's some pretty good players who'll be coming out this year."

A group of 48 players from 20 Canadian universities and nine U.S. colleges will be put through a variety of drills, tests and interviews at the camp.

Three members of the 2005 University of Alberta Golden Bears team will also show their wares. Safety Jason Milne, running back Jarred Winkel and quarterback Darryl Salmon, who's attempting the position switch to slotback, all have a shot at being selected in the six rounds.

"Darryl's an outstanding athlete, now it's just a matter of seeing if he can climb the learning curve (of a new position)," said Bears coach Jerry Friesen, who believes Milne might have the best shot at the CFL. "It's been done before."

Other quarterbacks to make a successful transition to another position in the CFL include former Calgary Stampeders slotback Vince Danielson, current Toronto Argonauts defensive back Chris Hardy and the Eskimos' own fullback Mathieu Bertrand.

But Salmon will be competing for attention in a position highlighted by Western University's Fantuz, the 2005 Hec Crighton Award winner as top Canadian university player, and Deslauriers, who's already made the switch from quarterback to receiver at Eastern Michigan University.

Fantuz led the CIS in touchdowns (12), catches (44) and was second in receiving yards (825). Deslauriers had 76 catches for 887 yards in 2005. They are considered co-favourites to be the first receiver selected.

"It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds," said Maciocia.

Federkeil, six-foot-seven, had 31 tackles with the University of Calgary in 2005 and also recorded four sacks and two forced fumbles. Braidwood has the advantage of playing against tougher competition at Washington State University and will receive consideration for the NFL draft. Picard was Canadian university's top offensive lineman in 2005.

[Sectionq]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

Do we really need another Canadian receiver? We got Nowacki, Dubuc is an over sized slot back, he played tight end so he should be decent at a slot, LeBlanc. I can't remember the one guy we had for a few years before Nowacki came around, he was never ables to crack the line-up. With Beaton retired, Morris basically not good enough to start so basically retired, Lefsrud basically gone, we lost Prinsen. There is 4 good Olinemen we have to replace. We lost Annuzaitti or however you spell his name, he was a starter/back up all year. That's 5 Olinemen we lost in a little over a year. Thats alot. Plus some of the guys we have right now, didnt look that good last year. Hopefully, they are ready to make the jump, but for every back up that becomes a starter, we still need someone to replace the back up. Oline is probably one of the most important positions. If you dont have a good oline, it doesnt matter how good a QB or receivers or running back you have. If there is no hole to run through or your QB is playing on their back all the time, the offense is going no where. Olinemen are critical. You can never have enough of the big boys on your team.

[wildwest]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

I hear your concern section Q, but if we are losing 3 starting (4 overall) O'Linemen, we are not going to be able to fill those starting spots straight from the draft. Our best bet is to get the canadian who is most likely to start in a spot currently held by an American, and one that also has adequate Canadian backups. Right now, if we can get the next Jason Clermont (which Fantusz and DesLaurier are touted as being), we free up an American starting spot and allow us to fill with an experienced American O'Lineman. Throw Bakker at center, Kabongo at right Tackle and a veteran American at Left Tackle, and we may be alright.

[Opus]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

I wouldn't have a problem moving the first pick either.

If we could get even a few more early picks out of the deal, with the depth of this draft it might be a much better move overall.

[glenvb]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

Christine Hardy used to be a QB?

[Sectionq]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

I hear your concern section Q, but if we are losing 3 starting (4 overall) O'Linemen, we are not going to be able to fill those starting spots straight from the draft. Our best bet is to get the canadian who is most likely to start in a spot currently held by an American, and one that also has adequate Canadian backups. Right now, if we can get the next Jason Clermont (which Fantusz and DesLaurier are touted as being), we free up an American starting spot and allow us to fill with an experienced American O'Lineman. Throw Bakker at center, Kabongo at right Tackle and a veteran American at Left Tackle, and we may be alright.

You got a point. If those guys pan out like a Clermont, thats a big plus. I don't follow the CIS, so im not all that familiar on these guys. I have heard alot of good things about them. I'm more basing my opinion on the past history of the highly touted receivers and even running back. There have been some really highly rated guys, and most dont seem to work out, where are the Olinemen, seem to usually be ok. BUt at the same time, if those 2 receivers do make it to where the Esks can pick them, I wouldnt blame the Esks for grabbing them. Its pretty hard to pass up on a player that shows so much potenial.

[Numberz]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

We should keep the pick

[Beerfish]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

Speaking of dorks, take a look at Macciocia's picture on CFL.ca.

Don't be so sensitive Beerfish...just keeping you guys awake over here.

Riders normally put me to sleep, must be the salary cap droning over the years.

[Inquiring Mind]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

I would love to see us draft or trade for a decent O-lineman... or even trade the pick for a couple lower ones if someone is willing to give us that.

[Cerebral]

Re: Esks shopping the #1 pick in the draft...

I fully expect us to move the pick in a deal for an offensive lineman. I'm banking on Dubuc developing as a Canadian receiver and we already have Nowacki and LeBlanc who looked pretty solid in limited action. Fantuz or Deslauriers would be awesome but I'd rather have a solid offensive lineman to add to the fold. I also want to see Dubuc get more minutes this year and that's unlikely to happen if we draft a guy like Fantuz.