Edmonton Elks take linebacker Joel Dublanko with top pick of CFL draft

Joel Dublanko didn't have to wait long to learn where he'll start his Canadian Football League career.

The Edmonton Elks selected the rugged linebacker first overall in the CFL draft Tuesday night. The six-foot-three, 240-pound Dublanko was regarded as the most pro-ready draft prospect.

After his college career at Cincinnati, he spent time in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks before playing in 2023 with the USFL's Philadelphia Stars. An American, Dublanko was eligible for the CFL draft because his father is from Edmonton.

Dublanko was in Edmonton on Tuesday night but still felt nervous waiting to hear his name called. In all, 74 players were taken over eight rounds.

"I had a good feeling about it," he told reporters Tuesday night during a CFL video conference. "It's an exciting time for me and my family."

Dublanko became the ninth Bearcat taken in the draft but first in the opening round. He joins an Edmonton team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2019 and won just 11 regular-season wins combined since then.

"My goal is to be a starter," Dublanko said. "I've got to go in there and win my job [but] I hold myself to a really high standard and I believe I can accomplish that.

"I came from a winning program at Cincinnati, my expectation is to win. I know we haven't done a lot of winning here in the past couple of years but I think we've got a good shot to turn this thing around and that's what I'm all about."

The Ottawa Redblacks then took receiver Nick Mardner. The six-foot-six, 206-pound Oakville, Ont., native played in the NCAA at Hawaii, Clemson and Auburn but last season had no catches in just four games with the Tigers.

Over his collegiate career, Mardner had 81 receptions for 1,488 yards (18.4-yard average) and 11 touchdowns. Mardner was invited to the New York Giants rookie mini-camp.

"I just want to prove to myself that I am who I say I am," Mardner said. "Regardless of where it is, I just need to put it on film and show everybody what I'm capable of."

Mardner became the first Auburn player selected in the CFL draft. This marked the first time the Redblacks had ever selected a receiver in the first round.

Mace era in Saskatchewan opens with O-line help

The Saskatchewan Roughriders looked to shore up their offensive line at No. 3, taking Boston College guard Kyle Hergel. But the six-foot-two, 300-pound Toronto native signed a free-agent deal with the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

"I didn't have any expectations going into [CFL draft]," Hergel said. "I'm looking forward to getting down to New Orleans, any opportunity is a great opportunity I'm just thankful."

Hergel is the 11th Boston College player taken in the draft. His selection marked the fourth straight year at least one offensive lineman went in the top-three picks.

At No. 4, the Calgary Stampeders took McGill defensive back Benjamin Labrosse. The six-foot, 190-pound was a first-team All-Canadian at cornerback in 2022 but was also invited to the Giants' rookie mini-camp.

The Toronto Argonauts, who dealt Canadian receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. to Edmonton this off-season, landed Laval's Kevin Mital with the fifth pick. The '22 Hec Crighton Trophy winner impressed at the CFL combine, posting a 4.58-second 40-yard dash time as well as 20 reps in the 225-pound bench press.

Laval has had at least one player taken in the CFL draft since 2002.

The B.C. Lions then selected offensive lineman Windsor offensive lineman George Una. The six-foot-three, 300-pound Toronto native helped his school last season win its first home playoff game since 1975.

Stampeders trade for 8th pick

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats followed suit, taking Laval offensive lineman Nathaniel Dumoulin-Duguay at No. 7. The six-foot-two, 293-pound Rimouski, Que., is a two-time All-Canadian.

Calgary acquired the No. 8 spot from the Winnipeg Bombers and used it to select Christy Nkanu, an offensive lineman from Washington State. The six-foot-one, 309-pound Nkanu is a versatile performer who played four different positions.

The Grey Cup-champion Montreal Alouettes concluded the opening round by taking Memphis linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku. The six-foot-four, 235-pound Levis, Que., native had 79 tackles (41 solo, 4.5 for loss) with a sack, interception, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and blocked kick last season.

Cantin-Arku, who began his college career at Syracuse, was invited to the Miami Dolphins' rookie mini-camp.

Winnipeg's first pick came in the second round, No. 13 overall, with UConn receiver Kevens Clercius. The six-foot-two, 217-pound Montreal native had 49 catches for 604 yards and five TDs in 37 career college games.

Three of the four Canadians taken in last weekend's NFL draft were selected. Winnipeg took UBC tackle Giovanni Manu (Detroit Lions) in the fifth round, Calgary picked Arizona tight end Tanner McLachlan (Cincinnati Bengals) in the sixth before B.C. selected Penn State tight end Theo Johnson (New York Giants) in the eighth.

Toronto also made a futures pick, taking Howard tackle Anim Dankwah (free-agent deal, Philadelphia Eagles) in the sixth.