Seattle Seahawks work out Ticats’ FB Nikola Kalinic, Bombers’ OL Drew Desjarlais

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Seattle Seahawks hosted Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ fullback Nikola Kalinic and Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ offensive lineman Drew Desjarlais for a workout on Tuesday, according to Farhan Lalji.

Kalinic was selected in the second round, tenth overall, in the 2019 CFL Draft out of York University. He has since dressed for 30 games with the Ticats, recording 23 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

The 24-year-old is an impact blocker and plays consistently on special teams, notching eight special teams tackles in 2021. He has NFL size at six-foot-five and 256 pounds and has experience at tight end, H-back, and fullback.

Desjarlais is drawing significant interest from NFL teams and has already worked out for a number of teams, including the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Cincinnati Bengals.

The 24-year-old was the fourth overall pick in the 2019 CFL Draft out of the University of Windsor and established himself as a starter at guard for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers by the midway point of his rookie season. He started all 14 regular season games at left guard in 2021, plus the West Final and Grey Cup.

The native of Belle River, Ont. has yet to miss a game through his CFL career and has won back-to-back CFL championships. He was named a West Division all-star in 2021, helping Winnipeg’s offensive line allow a league-low 16 sacks and a produce a league-high 14 rushing touchdowns.

Both players are set to become free agents north of the border on Feb. 8, 2022.