After the NFL Draft and the signing of undrafted free agents comes the CFL draft. Here are today’s first round picks in the CFL College Draft.

Round 1

1. Hamilton- Dylan Barker- DB Saskatchewan

2. Calgary (via Edm)- Dimitri Tsoumpas- OL Weber State

3. Calgary- Jesse Newman- OL Louisiana-Lafayette

4. Saskatchewan (via Tor)- Keith Shologan- DT Central Florida

5. BC- Justin Sorensen- OL South Carolina

6. Winnipeg- Brendon LaBatte- OL Regina

7. Montreal (via Ssk)- Shea Emry- LB British Columbia

8. Hamilton (forfeit Mtl)- Samuel Giguere- WR Sherbrooke

For the rest of the picks during the six rounds of the CFL draft go to: http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=page&id=303&year=2008

This summer I’ll be covering the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for STB. Obviously with their 3-13 season last year, Hamilton had the first pick in this years draft. First year Ti-Cats GM Bob O’Billovich has made his presence felt in free agency this Spring remolding this ball club. With three of the top nine picks in this draft Hamilton obviously had further opportunity to build this club in the draft. Their first move was actually made yesterday trading the 9th pick overall (1st of the 2nd round) to the BC Lions for import DB Markeith Knowlton and non-import kicker Ara Tchobanian. O’Billovich noted to the media that they will look for Knowlton to strengthen their strong-side linebacker position. With the emergence of Nick Setta last season Tchobanian will likely have a backup role if he makes the cut out of training camp.

Going back to the draft as expected the Tabbies made Saskatchewan DB Dylan Barker the first overall pick. At 6-4 200 lbs. Barker was outstanding last season with the Huskies recording 53 tackles and 3 interceptions. He was first team All- Canadian in 2006 and 2007. As you probably noticed if you turned your TV on last year the Ti-Cats had by far the worst pass defense in the league last season, Barker should be able to come in and make an immediate impact for Hamilton. With the eighth pick overall Hamilton took Sherbrooke wide-receiver Samuel Giguere. The 6-0 225 lbs receiver had 45 receptions for 871 yards and 7 TD’s last season for the Green and Gold. Obviously with production like that especially from a non-import the Ti-Cats have a lot to look forward to. The minor problem is the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts signed Giguere as an undrafted free agent on Monday. But if the Giguere doesn’t make the cut in Indy, you can expect to see Casey Printers throwing the ball his way.

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