The search for the next Cameron Wake went into overdrive after November’s Grey Cup when NFL teams began working out CFL players, who are either in the option year of their contract or poised to become a free agent.
Montreal Alouettes receiver Andrew Hawkins signed a contract with the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday. Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Andy Fantuz, Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive end Philip Hunt and Toronto Argonauts kick returner and receiver Chad Owens are just some of the other players who have drawn interest from NFL clubs.
“The CFL has a very positive image in the NFL right now, because of guys like Wake,” said Hunt, who led the CFL in sacks last season. “I heard his name quite a bit when I was doing my workouts. The image he has helped create for the CFL is huge. He has helped pave the way.”
While Wake’s story attracted a lot of attention during the NFL season, not everyone is convinced his performance will affect how teams assess CFL talent.
“I’ve been in this business a long time, and year in and year out we’ve done our due diligence with CFL players,” said Doug Whaley, the Buffalo Bills assistant general manager and director of pro personnel. “With the success Cameron had some people will think, ‘Oh maybe they’ll start doing their due diligence with CFL players,’ but we’ve always done [it].
“You put effort into finding guys no matter where they play,” said Whaley, who worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks before joining Buffalo last year.
Click to expand...