Argonauts.ca Staff
Toronto – With the 2015 CFL Draft just a day away, we thought we’d take a look at some of the greatest Argos draft picks of the past 15 years.
LB Kevin Eiben – Selected by the Argonauts in the fourth round of the 2001 draft at twenty-sixth overall, LB Kevin Eiben carved out a legendary career with the Double Blue. After a successful collegiate career at Bucknell, Eiben spent 11 years with the Argonauts before finishing his career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In that time, Eiben recorded 814 total tackles, the second-most ever by a Canadian, trailing only Argos legend Mike O’Shea. He finished his career with 15 sacks, 10 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries, and was a three-time CFL All-Star, five-time East Division All-Star, and a Grey Cup Champion with the Argonauts in 2004.
WR Andre Talbot – The 2001 draft was a lucrative one for the Argos, as just eight picks after Eiben, at thirty-fourth overall, the Double Blue drafted WR Andre Talbot. The Toronto native was a mainstay on offence for the Argos teams of the 2000’s, recording over 250 catches for 3,400 yards 17 touchdowns in Toronto before finishing his career with the Edmonton Eskimos. Talbot’s greatest season was in 2008, when he caught 76 passes for 915 yards and four touchdowns, and was the Argos’ nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian award.
C Jeff Keeping – The 2005 CFL draft saw the Argonauts draft their centre of the future, as they selected Western University’s Jeff Keeping in the second round with the eighteenth overall pick. Keeping debuted in 2005, dressing as a back-up offensive lineman as well as a nose tackle. Throughout his career he’s played multiple positions on both sides of the ball, including guard, centre, defensive lineman, full back, and on special teams. For the past three seasons Keeping has started all but one game at centre, and an extension signed in 2014 ensures he’ll be in the Double Blue for years to come.
WR Mike Bradwell – The 2008 CFL Draft saw the Argonauts grab McMaster wide receiver Mike Bradwell with their first selection at thirteenth overall. Bradwell returned to McMaster to finish his degree in civil engineering in 2008 and debuted for the Double Blue in 2009. Playing as a national receiver as well as on special teams, Bradwell has remained healthy and active throughout his career, appearing in at least 17 games in all but one of his six seasons in Toronto. With career totals of 116 catches, 1,240 yards and six touchdowns, the Toronto native has made an impact with his hometown team, and at age 29, has a lot of football left.
DB Matt Black – 2008 was another good draft year for the Argonauts, as in addition to Bradwell, the Double Blue selected fellow Torontonian Matt Black in the sixth round with the forty-fifth overall pick. An impactful player on special teams with 66 career special teams tackles, Black has assumed a more defensive role in recent years, including a standout 2013 season which saw him record career highs in tackles (35 combined), sacks (2), interceptions (2) and fumble recoveries (2). Black has scored three touchdowns in his Argos career in three different ways – interception return, punt return, fumble return – and continues to be a contributor for the Double Blue.