A lottery. A crap shoot. A roll of the dice. All those cliches have been used to describe the draft process in sports. It’s an inexact science, one that has provided some hits and as many, if not more, misses.
With the CFL Draft taking place on April 28, the Toronto Argonauts hold picks 2, 11, 16, 22, 23, 30, 40, 49, 57, 67, and 68. Argonauts.ca thought it would be fun to look back at the team’s picks in those slots from years gone by.
It should be noted that the draft rules have changed substantially over the years; from 1963-84 there were different variations of the process. From 1963-70 only players who attended schools in Canada were eligible for the draft, those who attended schools in the U.S. weren’t eligible, and their rights were held by their local CFL team.
From 1973-84 each team was able to protect two players from the draft if they were from that team’s area. Therefore, it’s impossible to know where a protected player would have been chosen because there was no selection process at the top of the draft.
With all that in mind, here’s a look back at how the Argos have historically fared with the draft picks they hold this year.
2
Two of these players made significant contributions. Dejon Brissett played five seasons with the Argos, spending the first four years as a depth receiver before coming into his own in 2025, a year after being named the Grey Cup’s Most Outstanding Canadian. In ’25 he caught 65 passes for a team leading 907 yards. He signed this off season with Calgary.
Kelly Wiltshire’s impact was felt much faster. The linebacker/safety became a factor on back-to-back Grey Cup championship teams in ’96-97 and was named an all-star the next season.
Joe Eppele didn’t live up to his draft day hype but became a key component of the 2012 Grey Cup champs. An injury opened the door for him to become a starter down the stretch, and he played his best football in the playoff run with wins over Edmonton, Montreal, then Calgary in the championship game.
Another name of note on this list is that of Bill Watters. He was a powerful fullback from the U-of-T, but a wonky knee meant he’d never play for the Argos. It worked out quite well for Watters though. He became a successful hockey player agent, broadcaster, and assistant general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bill’s son Brad became the Argos co-president with Michael Clemons in 2007.
Marsh Haymes’ claim to fame is that he was the first player ever selected by the Argos in the draft. The 1952 event was a pre-CFL draft, held by the four teams in the IRFU, or Interprovincial Rugby Football Union. Those teams now compose the CFL East.
All picks at #2: Dejon Brissett, WR, Virginia (2020), Joe Eppele, OL, Washington State (2010), Etienne Legare, DL, Laval (2009), David De La Peralle, OL, Kentucky (1999), David Miller-Johnston, K, Concordia (1998), Kelly Wiltshire, DB, James Madison (1996), Ross Nicholson, OL, Western (1966), Bill Watters, FB, Toronto (1964), Gary Strickler, LB, Queen’s (1962), Paul Fedor, WR, Queen’s (1958), Alex Macklin, OL, Toronto (1955), Marsh Haymes, OL, Toronto (1952)
11
Jack Cassar can make a strong case for being the Argos best selection in this spot even though he’s still building his resume as an active player. He’s been one of the league’s best special teams players, while never looking out of place when given the chance at linebacker. His biggest play was forcing a fumble on a punt early in the second half of the 2024 Grey Cup game, which resulted in a turnover that caused a major momentum swing. Cassar had 4 special teams tackles in the 2022 Grey Cup game in Regina, one shy of the team Grey Cup record.
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Grant Shaw played a couple of seasons in Toronto and is maybe best known for being a part of a wild finish against Montreal, where four kicks on the game’s final play eventually turned into a game-winning touchdown for the Alouettes. Shaw was a part of the December 2011 trade that saw Ricky Ray dealt to Toronto.
Linebacker Ray Fontaine and offensive tackle John Casey were the only other players selected by the Argos 11th overall to wear Double Blue for an extended period.
All picks: Jack Cassar, LB, Carleton (2020), Grant Shaw, K/P, Saskatchewan (2010), Ray Fontaine, LB, Kentucky (2005), Richard Clarke, WR, Weber State (2000), Sheldon Benoit, LB, Western Kentucky (1995), Andy Szandiner, HB, Toronto (1966), John Shaw, WR, St. Francis Xavier (1964), Ken Myers, HB, Toronto (1960), John Casey, OL, Toronto (1958), Don Griffin, HB, Queen’s (1953)
16
Somewhat astonishingly, the Argos have only selected 16th overall on three occasions and the pick has been anything but a “Sweet 16.” This year’s selection may be the first chosen in that spot to ever wear an Argo jersey as none of the just three players picked 16th overall by Toronto have played a game for the Boatmen.
Jared Wayne still has a chance to be the first, though he’s currently on the roster of the NFL’s Houston Texans.
All picks: Jared Wayne, WR, Pitt (2023), Jerrold Johnson, FB, Azusa Pacific (1993), Paul Brown, OL, Waterloo Lutheran (1970)
22
Jamal Campbell was a popular local player out of C.W. Jeffries and York University. The offensive lineman spent five seasons in Toronto, winning a Grey Cup in 2017. His most memorable play was catching a touchdown pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson against Winnipeg in 2019.
Natey Adjei spent his first two seasons as an Argo but played his best football in his final season in Edmonton. He retired after a six-year CFL career and joined the Argos radio crew as the colour analyst.
John Sopinka’s name may be familiar, but not in a football sense. He served almost a decade as a justice on the Supreme Court of Canada 1988-97. The Honourable Mr. Sopinka played 27 games for the Argos in the mid ‘50s.
Mike Siroishka was a standout at the University of Calgary and played a couple of years with the Argos. He was a member of the 1987 Grey Cup finalists, though he didn’t dress in the championship game.
Dave Kinzie and Zander Robinson also had limited careers with Toronto, Robinson suited up as a d-lineman/special teamer in the Grey Cup win over Calgary in 2012.
Mike Campbell, the offensive lineman, should not be confused with his namesake, a defensive lineman who was a big part of the 1991 Grey Cup champs. This Mike Campbell never played for the Argonauts.
All picks: Jamal Campbell, OL, York (2016), Natey Adjei, WR, Buffalo (2013), Zander Robinson, DL, Western (2011), Mike Campbell, OL, Idaho State (1994), Dave Kinzie, DE, Bowling Green (1989), Mike Siroishka, WR, Calgary, (1986), John Cleghorn, OL, McGill (1962), Mike Chykaliuk, OL, Toronto (1961), John Sopinka, HB, Toronto (1955)
23
This pick was acquired in a trade with Ottawa last week.
Kurleigh Gittens Jr. is by far the Argos best selection in this spot. A human highlight reel at Laurier, Gittens played the first four seasons of his career in Double Blue, highlighted by an 81-catch, 1,101-yard season in 2022. He was traded for Jake Ceresna following the 2023 season, spending two seasons in Edmonton before signing with Hamilton in February.
Tommy Kane’s story is a tragic one. He was a star receiver at Syracuse before being drafted in the third round by the Seattle Seahawks. The Montreal native played five seasons in the NFL before finally coming north, catching ten passes in five games with the Argos in 1994. Ten years later he was convicted of manslaughter in the stabbing death of his wife.
Paul Markle played three seasons with the Argos, another four in Winnipeg and Edmonton. He’s likely best known in Toronto as the marketing director of the Blue Jays from 1983-97.
Larry Simpson was an Argonaut for two seasons, suiting up 32 times in 1974-75, catching 23 passes including one for a touchdown.
Gerry O’Flannagan played one season for the Argos, playing nine games in 1956, while Paul Shannon played two games in 1953.
All picks: Kurleigh Gittens Jr., WR, Laurier (2019), Tommy Kane, WR, Syracuse (1988), Mark Brown, RB, Guelph (1978), Larry Simpson, TE, Laurier (1974), Ron Faulkner, OL, Queen’s (1971), Paul Markle, TE, Waterloo Lutheran (1968), Gerry O’Flannagan, OL, UBC (1956), Paul Shannon, FB, McMaster (1953)
30
Tommy Nield is the only player chosen in this spot to have made an impact in Toronto. A solid player on special teams, Nield caught 63 passes in 41 games as an Argo, winning Grey Cups in 2022 and ’24. He signed a free-agent deal with Saskatchewan last year and won a third ring in just four years, catching the game-winning touchdown in the Western Final with just 11 seconds left. In February he signed a free-agent deal with Winnipeg.
Steve Schmidt played a couple of years for the Argos, while Frank Hoffman, Alexis Sanschagrin, and Dave Irwin were Argos for just one season. None of the others played a game in TO.
All picks: Istvan Assibo-Dadzie, DB, Windsor (2025), Tommy Nield, WR, McMaster (2021), Matthew Norzil, WR, Laval (2015), Steven Turner, WR, Bishop’s (2010), Steve Schmidt, FB, San Diego State (2007), Frank Hoffman, DL, York (2004), Alexis Sanschagrin , DB, Western (2002), Dave Irwin, WR, Guelph (1994), Mike Cote, OL, Colgate (1989), Mike Yednoez, HB, McMaster (1955)
40
Curtis Newton became a special teamer who played 19 games with the Argos in 2016-17 before heading to Hamilton for four seasons.
Aaron Crawford was a long snapper who was released during his rookie season in Toronto as the club had Chad Rempel in that position. Crawford ended up playing 166 games over the next 12 seasons in Hamilton and Calgary. He recently signed with Saskatchewan.
Receiver Matt Nealon played a couple of games in the 1991 season.
All picks: Curtis Newton, LB, Guelph (2016), Aaron Crawford, LB, St. Mary’s (2012), Nasser Jamal, OL, Louisiana Lafayette (2010), Frank Jagas, K, Western (1993), Chris Wilson, LB, Bishop’s (1992), Matthew Nealon, WR, St. Mary’s (1991), Veron Stiliadis, DL, Laurier (1987), Bob McKillop, QB, Waterloo (1968), Roger Baikie, HB, McGill (1955)
49
Receiver Andre Kirwan was a great, late pick. He played 75 games over five seasons in Double Blue between 1997-2001, winning a Grey Cup in his rookie season. He caught 165 passes for over 2,000 yards in his career; his best season was in ’99 when he caught 62 passes for 680 yards.
Chris Kolankowski played at Michael Power Secondary School in Etobicoke and York University before the Argos selected him in 2016. He played in 22 regular season games in 2017-18, including being in the lineup in the 2017 Grey Cup win over Calgary. He signed with Hamilton this off-season after five years with Winnipeg.
The other four players selected in this spot did not play a game for the Argos.
All Picks: Chris Kolankowski, OL, York (2016), Jarel Cockburn, WR, Columbia (2002), Andre Kirwan, WR, Stanford (1997), Ron Klein, DB, Laurier (1987), Harold Hall, QB, Toronto (1964), Tom Kristenbrun, OL, Toronto (1963)
57
Neither Eric Jensen nor Bill Genova played a game for the Argos.
All Picks: Eric Jensen, OL, York (1986), Bill Genova, FB, Ryerson (1964)
67
John Zajdel would play four games spread out over two seasons, 1990 and 93. Dave Kohler never played a game for Toronto.
All Picks: John Zajdel, LB, Simon Fraser (1990), Dave Kohler, LB, Laurier (1987)
68
Neither Tim Jones nor John Dionisi played a game for the Argos.
All Picks: Tim Jones, OL, Simon Fraser (1978), John Dionisi, WR, Acadia (1974)