With the Edmonton Elks entering the 2024 CFL Draft with a total of nine draft picks, it appears that they went heavy regarding the here-and-now moment when it comes to team needs. Indeed, they did just that with a stockpile of draft picks focusing on the offensive line, along with addressing the front seven on the defence.
Here is a recap of your 2024 Edmonton Elks draft picks.
Global Draft
The 2024 edition of the CFL Global Draft took place at 11:00 am (EST) where the Edmonton Elks also had the first pick overall in the two-round draft which consisted of the following picks:
Round 1 – 1st pick – Eteva Mauga – Clements – LB – Nebraska (American Samoa)
The product of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers could have a bright future in the CFL. He is a player who was a mainstay for the Cornhuskers on special teams.
With the Elks obtaining Boris Bede in the kicking department, along with RB Javon Leake as a return specialist to upgrade their field position on the offense, Eteva Mauga–Clements could be a player that will make a lot of tackles to create the opposite effect in creating a short field for an opponent.
He will be a project at LB with the lack of starts and playing time in Nebraska. With that said, special teams are a way of being a full-time starter. Make plays on special teams, and you will be pumped up the depth chart.
Round 2 – 10th pick- David Olajiga – DL – Central Missouri – United Kingdom
At 6’ – 3” and 276 pounds, David Olajiga is a perfect fit for an edge rusher for the Edmonton Elks.
The London, England native appeared in a total of 32 games throughout three seasons for Central Missouri. During that time, David Olajiga collected 47 solo tackles, 51 assisted tackles, along with 9 sacks.
CFL Draft
Round 1 – 1st pick -Joel Dublanko – LB – University of Cincinnati
With the Elks beginning the trend of drafting players on the defensive side of the ball, via the Global Draft, the opening round was no different. The Elks selected LB Joel Dublanko out of the University of Cincinnati.
Standing at 6’ – 2” and 231 pounds, Joel Dublanko got better and better during his time with the Cincinnati Bearcats. With 53 games played, 114 solo tackles, 119 assisted tackles, 7.5 sacks, and a lone interception.
Joel Dublanko comes with a big upside in two areas. He is great and halting the running game, along with a player who is a plug–in–play for the 2024 season.
Round 2 – 10th pick – DK Bonhomme – LB – South Alabama
The Ottawa, Ontario-born player played at both Indiana (2019 – 2021) and South Alabama (2022). He will be a project as he had a total of 24 games played (Indiana), with 12 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, and 1 sack. His best statistics came in 2020 with 8 games played, 11 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, and a lone sack.
On the flip side, he has had a lot of experience on special teams while at Indiana and South Alabama respectively.
Round 2 – 18th pick – Bradley Hladik – FB – UBC
Bradley Hladik played both as a TE and LB during his time at UBC. Standing at 6’ – 4” and 235 pounds, he will be a player that will be an asset in short yardage with his blocking ability.
With UBC having a lot of success in the Canada West Conference in USports in the past three seasons with their powerful running game, it only makes sense to draft a hybrid player who is also a utility player at multiple positions and various offensive packages.
Round 3 – 21st pick – Oliver Muembi – LB – Queen’s
Oliver Muembi is another player who will need more reps on the defence to see how high his potential will be. With a total of 10 games played, 28 solo tackles, and 22 assisted tackles, the Stoney Creek, Ontario native will also be a project for the Edmonton Elks in the future.
Round 4 – 30th pick – Jaxson Morkin – OL – Winsor
After drafting five players on the defensive side of the ball, Global Draft included, the Elks began to explore their other need to add depth on the offensive line.
With the 30th pick of the 2024 CFL Draft, the Edmonton Elks selected Jaxson Morkin out of the University of Windsor.
The 6’-3”, 290-pound lineman will be another project for the Elks. Minus the cancelled 2020 season due to COVID-19, Jaxson Morkin played only a total of 28 games played for the Winsor Lancers. On a positive note, the majority of those games played (19) were during the 2022 and 2023 seasons respectively.
Round 4 – 31st pick – Vincent Blanchard – K – Laval
Vincent Blanchard played 29 games for the Laval during his career where he completed 53 field goals on 71 attempts for a 74.65% completion percentage.
On the flip side, Vincent Blanchard did have a breakout season in 2023 where he elevated his completion percentage to 94%.
Then again, it’s never a bad idea to draft anyone from either the University of Laval or the University of Montreal as they have produced an abundance of great players in the CFL over the last 20 years.
Round 7 – 57th pick – Even Anseeuw – OL – York
Even Anseeuw played in all 8 games for the York Lions in 2023. He did only suit up for the Lions in only 4 games in 2022. Another player where for a lot of players for that matter with no 2020 season, Even Anseeuw played a total of 20 games during his USports career.
At 6’ – 3” and 280 pounds, he will be another player who will need more reps for his growth as an offensive lineman.
Round 7 – 63 pick – Patrick Lavoie – OL – Carleton
Another player that had limited playing time at the USports level. Patrick Lavoie started for 7 games for the Carlton Ravens during the 2023 season. He did attend the 2023 USports East-West Bowl. He was also the 2019 Ravens rookie of the year.
Standing at 6’- 4” and 294 pounds he will be another future addition in the battle in the trenches for the Edmonton Elks.
Round 8 – 66th pick – Jacob Spencer – DL – Saginaw Valley State
Jacob Spencer does come in with 23 games played throughout three seasons for Saginaw Valley State. With that said, Jacob Spencer is a raw talent like many others in the CFL draft this season.
The Brantford, Ontario native comes in at 6’- 6” and 280 pounds for the Edmonton Elks. He does bring the size and strength needed for the defensive line and more importantly, adds depth when the depth is needed.
Final Recap
With the Edmonton Elks in a better position than they were in the last three seasons, there is still a big hill to climb to finally turn a corner for the 2024 CFL season.
On paper, they did get better with the acquisitions of QB McLeod Bethel–Thompson, OL Brett Boyko (resigned), Kyran Moore(resigned), WR Kurleigh Gittens Jr. (trade with Toronto for DL Jake Ceresna), DB Loucheiz Purifoy (resigned), K Boris Bede (FA), RB / Returner Javon Leake (FA) just to name a few.
For the 2024 Edmonton Elks, it will also be about the draft picks from both 2023 and 2022 respectively. Most notable would be the progress of LB Enock Makonzo, and DB / LB Jake Taylor to take a step forward as full-time starters.
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