The Edmonton Eskimos had a productive 2015 CFL draft, shoring up their offensive line significantly. The selection of Laval product, Danny Groulx, shows that a key priority for the Eskimos is protecting quarterback Mike Reilly.
That strategy was even more evident when they drafted the athletic University of Alberta offensive lineman, David Beard, in the second round. Beard and Groulx will both make contributions in 2015 after joining the club next month.
JC Sherritt will meet his eventual replacement if the Eskimos sign linebacker Adam Konar, taken in the third round by the Green and Gold. The Eskimos seem keen to keep a national player in the linebacking corps.
The same could be said on offence, as they selected another national wide receiver, Andrew Johnson. The Edmonton product will attend camp and try to make a team stacked with Canadian talent at the position.
Press Release
The Edmonton Eskimos have selected offensive lineman Danny Groulx with their first selection (7th overall) in today’s CFL Canadian Draft.
A native of Gatineau, Que., the six-foot-six Groulx appeared in four regular-season games for Laval, starting three at left tackle and one at right tackle. He was a member of Team East in the CIS East-West Bowl.
At the CFL Combine, Groulx ranked fifth among all offensive linemen in the bench press and shuttle events.
2nd Round (16th Overall): OL David Beard
Beard was the University of Alberta Golden Bears Football Lineman of the Year in 2013 and a CIS Second Team All-Canadian in 2014. The Sherwood Park native started in all eight games for the U of A, registering four special teams tackles. The six-foot-five Beard also caught two passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.
3rd Round (25th Overall): LB Adam Konar
Drafted out of the University of Calgary, the Vancouver native picked up nearly 40 tackles with an interception and forced fumble this season with the Dinos. The six-foot-two linebacker sits at 225 pounds. His father Kevin Konar was a linebacker with the BC Lions from 1980-89.
4th Round (34th Overall): WR Andrew Johnson
The Edmonton product spent the last season at Fort Lewis College where he caught 35 passes for 435 yards and two touchdowns. He played one year with the Edmonton Wildcats Junior Football Club and was a QB at McNally High School before converting to a wide-receiver with the Wildcats. Johnson is listed at six-foot-one, 205 pounds.
7th Round (60th Overall): LB Blair Smith
The Angelo State University alumnus was fourth on his team in tackles last season with 59. The six-foot-two, 230-pound linebacker registered three sacks in 2014.
