University of Idaho
TORONTO — After the peculiar absence of offensive linemen early in round one, the run on big men started right away in the second round of the 2017 CFL Draft on Sunday night.
Mason Woods and Dariusz Bladek went to Toronto and Saskatchewan 10th and 11th respectively, marking the third and fourth consecutive offensive linemen coming off the board. In all, six of nine picks in the second round were offensive linemen:
The 6-foot-9 Woods marks the first pick of the Jim Popp era in Toronto, giving the Argos some more help at the guard position. Woods should have time to grow behind fellow Canadian guards Peter Dyakowski, Tyler Holmes, Corey Watman and J’Michael Deane.
“Getting Mason at the size that he is, he is still going to mature into a fine football player,” said Argonauts general manager Jim Popp. “He has played three years of major college football and has played against a lot of great talent which will make it an easier transition to come in as a pro athlete.”
Bladek, meanwhile, gives Riders head coach and general manager Chris Jones another young offensive lineman to add to the fold — one year after the team picked Josiah St. John with the first overall pick in 2016.
The Alouettes stayed consistent with their ratio shift this off-season under first-year general manager Kavis Reed, selecting McMaster defensive lineman Fabion Foote with the third pick in the second round.
But after that is was back to the offensive linemen. The Ticats selected their second University of Calgary Dino of the night, adding Braden Schram to their O-line. The Eskimos followed by getting Laval offensive lineman Jean-Simon Roy.
Mason Woods fell to the 10th overall pick, where he was taken by Jim Popp and the Argos (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)
One round after taking defensive lineman Faith Ekakitie and offensive lineman Geoff Gray in the first nine picks, the Bombers picked up their second offensive lineman by taking McGill’s Qadr Spooner. The Lions added Regina offensive lineman Jeremy Zver the following pick.
The Stampeders, with their second pick in the draft, broke a run of eight offensive linemen over eight picks by taking Saskatchewan Huskies receiver Julan Lynch.
Finally, with the final pick in the second round and the 18th overall selection, the defending Grey Cup Champion Ottawa REDBLACKS took fullback Anthony Gosselin.
