Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — With a couple of key omissions from the first round, the Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats scooped up the draft’s top defensive backs in Round 2 of the 2018 CFL Draft.
The Eskimos nabbed Laurier defensive back Godfrey Onyeka with the 10th overall pick, followed by the Ticats scooping up Jackson Bennett 11th with their third selection of the night.
Onyeka and Bennett were both considered potential first-round picks, but fell to the second round after an historic night in which a record-breaking seven offensive linemen were selected in the first round.
In contrast, not a single offensive lineman was taken in Round 2.
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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers picked up one of the draft’s most hyped prospects, selecting former Calgary and Okanagan receiver Rashaun Simonise with the draft’s 12th pick. Simonise fits a need for the Bombers, who plan to start two Canadian receivers.
The third receiver to go off the board was Laval’s Marco Dubois, selected 13th by the Ottawa REDBLACKS, marking back-to-back receiver picks.
Calgary’s Micah Teitz was the first linebacker to be taken, landing with Chris Jones and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Continuing the Calgary-to-Hamilton pipeline, the Tabbies picked another University of Calgary prospect, taking defensive lineman Brett Wade. Wade joins offensive lineman Darius Ciraco as Dinos players picked by the Ticats on Thursday night, while defensive lineman Connor McGough and offensive lineman Braden Schram were both taken by Hamilton in 2017.
The Lions picked up the draft’s first running back in David Mackie. The Western fullback was the lead blocker for the Vanier Cup Champions, paving the way for the country’s top rushing attack in 2017.
Already deep at receiver, the Stamps added more depth at the position when they selected Ontario Regional Combine invite Eric Mezzalira out of McMaster.
The Argos rounded out the second round by selecting linebacker Nelkas Kwemo out of Queen’s.
