Media picks Eskimos to win 2018 Grey Cup

The Edmonton Eskimos will celebrate a Grey Cup win on home soil in November, according to the CFL’s inaugural media poll.

A total of 74 media members participated in the poll with the CFL revealing the results Thursday.

The Calgary Stampeders received 23 votes as the first-place finisher in the West Division, one vote ahead of Edmonton. But the Eskimos earned 17 votes as the team that will win the Grey Cup, one more than Calgary and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Toronto Argonauts were the top East Division pick to win the Grey Cup, earning 11 votes. The Argos were an overwhelming selection to capture the division with 55 votes, 42 more than the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly was a solid pick to repeat as the most outstanding player. He received 26 votes, 12 more than Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and Toronto running back James Wilder Jr.

Voters believe Saskatchewan quarterback Zach Collaros, obtained this off-season from Hamilton, is the player acquisition that will make the biggest impact this season. He received 43 votes, 36 more than Winnipeg receiver Adarius Bowman and Toronto quarterback James Franklin. Other results include: Saskatchewan made the best overall moves this off-season (28 votes).

Edmonton’s Derel Walker will be the CFL’s leading receiver (33 votes).

Wilder will lead the CFL in rushing (37 votes).

Winnipeg ’s Andrew Harris was picked to repeat as top Canadian (29 votes).

Calgary linebacker Alex Singleton will be the top defensive player (33 votes).

Collaros will be the CFL’s comeback player of the year (34 votes).

Hamilton will be the non-playoff team from 2017 that will have the most wins in 2018 (51 votes).