The Argos have swung a deal with Edmonton, sending DL/LB Sam Acheampong to the Elks in exchange for the negotiation rights to current New York Jets WR Xavier Gipson and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft.
The undefeated defending Grey Cup Champion Argonauts, currently on a bye in Week 5, has consummated several deals with Edmonton over the last couple of years.
Trading for a negotiation list rights player is not an uncommon practice for the Boatmen. In 2021, Toronto acquired negotiation list player quarterback Chad Kelly in a deal with Edmonton. The reigning CFL champs may have their sights set on defending their title, but that won’t prevent them from also focusing on the future.
Argonauts Elks Trade Details
Sam Acheampong has appeared in 30 games with the Argonauts over two CFL seasons (2021-2022). He was selected in the second round of the 2020 CFL Draft (20th overall) out of Wilfrid Laurier University. The versatile 6’5, 272lb pass rusher has totaled 35 tackles and eight sacks in his CFL career. The Brampton, Ontario native has appeared in one game this season, in Week 3 when he recorded one tackle against the Elks.
With an extremely stacked Argonauts defensive line, playing time for Sam Acheampong was difficult to come by. In Edmonton, the national player will be able to see more action.
Rookie wide receiver Xavier Gipson is an intriguing talent the Argos have acquired the negotiating rights of.
The Stephen F. Austin standout is an undrafted rookie who signed with the New York Jets after the 2023 NFL Draft. Gipson, 5’9 188, is a two-time WAC offensive player of the year. (2021/2022).
The Dallas native, Gipson, played four seasons of college football for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. He caught 52 passes for 934 yards and seven touchdowns and was named second-team All-Southland Conference during his freshman season. Gipson was also named first-team All-Southland after finishing his sophomore season with 52 receptions for 841 yards and nine touchdowns. SFA would join the WAC, where Gipson was named the Offensive Player of the Year of the Western Athletic Conference in 2021. He caught 74 passes for 1,367 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. As a senior, Gipson followed that up, repeating as the WAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Xavier Gipson has a realistic chance to make an NFL roster this summer. He has received praise from new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during OTA’s. The former Lumberjack has shown his talents in the slot and as a kick returner in practice.
The Argos are willing to take a lottery ticket on the talented slot receiver. Gipson is not the only star rookie receiver Toronto has the rights to; Jared Wayne, currently on the Houston Texans roster, was selected by the Boatmen in the second round of the 2023 CFL Draft. The former Pitt star has also been turning heads this summer.
Wayne and Gipson may never see a CFL field. Or at least in the foreseeable future. However, like standout offensive linemen Ryan Hunter, who finally made his way to Toronto last year after being selected in the 2018 CFL Draft. The absurdly deep Double Blue has shown that huge dividends can arrive when stashing difference-making talent for the future.
ARGOS AND ELKS AGREE TO TRADE
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts announced today they have agreed to a trade with the Edmonton Elks. The Argos will send Canadian DL Sam Acheampong to Edmonton in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick and the rights to a negotiation list player. (WR Xavier Gipson).
