Argos Close Out Successful Draft

The Argos didn't let missing the first three rounds of th draft slow them down. From the fourth round on, Toronto hit their targets.

The Toronto Argonauts Football Club, which took LB Eric Maranda and TE Steve Schmidt with its first two picks, continued its 2007 CFL Canadian Draft by selecting Toronto native DT Sean Simms from York University in the fifth round, and WR Brad Smith from Queen’s University in the sixth round.

Commented Argos’ Assistant GM/Director, Player Personnel Greg Mohns on Toronto’s 2007 Draft, “There were some good, solid players in this year’s draft and there were some diamonds in the rough that need to be mined and polished into gems. Considering we didn’t have a pick in the first three rounds due to previous trades, we are ecstatic with our draft. In the fourth round, we were able to get two of the top three players we had rated high on our board. Coming into this year, we had already picked up two starters on the offensive line. In essence, guards Taylor Robertson and Glen Carson are our two first round picks. As a result of this, our philosophy changed and we decided to start ‘mining the diamonds’ that we felt could contribute over time. We saw a few players who we felt were very good but, due to injury, they fell to the lower rounds. We went in with the ideology that we weren’t counting on players to contribute this year, although they might. Instead, we looked ahead to a year from now.“

Mohns commented on the Argos’ first pick in the draft, “Eric Maranda was a player we targeted early who had shoulder surgery in January 2006 then went on to play that season at Laval. He is a very talented athlete who can play inside and outside but his pro position will be MAC linebacker. He is a good student who has a great run-and-hit factor.”

Mohns continued, “Steve Schmidt is a red-shirt player who did not play this past year, also due to injury. He has size and plays a lot of roles at San Diego State. He is a versatile guy who has played everything from H-back to tight end to fullback, he has even lined up as a wide receiver. Steve has deceptive speed and has shown bursts in his run-after-the-catch category. We didn’t think he’d still be there in the fourth round, but we’re glad he was.”

Sean Simms was taken with the Argos’ fifth round pick out of York University. Born in Toronto, he grew up in Etobicoke and was a force for the Lions in 2005. At 6-foot, 5-inches, 290 pounds, his enormous size makes him a good fit for the pros. Sean had five sacks as a junior but instead of playing football in his senior year, he sat out to care for his ailing mother. 

Mohns enthused, “Simms is a defensive lineman that we project to be a defensive tackle in the pros. He didn’t play this past season due to personal reasons - he stayed home to care for his sick mother. Sean showed flashes of dominance in 2005 at York. He’s a big-bodied player who oozes with potential. We see him as a guy who will come to camp and provide some depth. In Sean, we feel we have a very good football player who we can take our time with, and not throw him into ‘frying pan’.”

Simms was thrilled to be drafted by his hometown team, “This is the perfect fit for me. I am so thankful for all of the Argos’ scouts and staff who have put their faith in me. I cannot wait to show them on every play, in both practice and in the game, that they made the right choice. As a kid growing up in Toronto, this was, and is, everything I have ever dreamed of, and much more.”

Brad Smith is the son of former CFL Commissioner and player, as well as current club President of the Montreal Alouettes Larry Smith. Born in Quebec, Smith has been a go-to receiver for the Golden Gaels over the past few seasons and was named a second-team OUA All-Star as a senior.

Mohns likened Brad Smith to the Argos’ 2006 sixth round pick, “It was a complete, but nice, surprise that Brad Smith was still sitting there in the sixth round, very much like running back Clifton Dawson last year. He is a highly-rated prospect who fell to the late rounds, for whatever reason, and we didn’t anticipate him being there. You can’t ignore Brad’s athleticism and ability so we’re happy to pick up a player like him. In the past two years, we’ve mined two outstanding sixth round picks in Dawson and now Smith.”

Commented an excited Brad Smith, “As a receiver, I could not have asked for a better situation.  The Argos are filled with so much talent, I look forward to learning from all of them when I come to training camp. I believe I can really take in a lot from the guys, especially the Canadian players. I could not be more excited to be a Toronto Argonaut!”