A look at the Canadian and global players on the roster ahead of Tuesday’s CFL draft

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris (7) throws against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the second half of CFL Western Conference final action in Winnipeg Saturday, November 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods (John Woods/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

With seven selections in this year’s CFL draft, including the fourth overall pick, the Saskatchewan Roughriders can add to Canadian depth and perhaps find the next great starter. But which position will the Riders look at with their top selection?

Here’s a look at the Canadian and Global players they currently have on their roster and where depth is needed.

Defensive backs

The Riders have really solidified their Canadian content at this position in the last few years. After missing his first year with an Achilles injury, Nelson Lokombo has made his mark taking over the starting spot at safety.

He would make some big plays in 2024, including an interception in the Western Semi-final. Behind him on the depth chart are Jayden Dalke and local product Jaxon Ford. Both have started at the safety position in the past and play key roles on special teams.

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It’s a nice three-man depth chart. 

The ratio breaker could be free agent Tevaughn Campbell. After leaving for the NFL in 2019, he signed with the Riders this offseason. At 31-years-old, he could give the team an experienced corner giving the green and white two Canadians in the secondary.

The Riders also signed Kerfalla Exume in the off-season. The former Bomber, Alouette, and Argo has played five seasons in the CFL, mainly on special teams.  Rounding out the DB roster is Kosi Onyeka who has spent a few seasons with the Riders and 2024 draft pick Richard Abduboffour.

Overall, the Riders are in a good position here, but if they plan to start two Canadians, expect them to select at least one secondary player.

Linebackers

Adam Auclair is gone, but the Riders do have plenty of Canadian talent that back-up the starters and hit the field on special teams.

A.J. Allen has been a contributor since being drafted in 2020. Last season he played in every single game, including the playoffs. Playing weakside linebacker, he scored that game breaking pick six against the B.C. Lions in week 19.

Twins Justin and Jordan Herdman-Reed provide depth behind the starting middle linebackers and play key roles on special teams. While Melique Straker backed up at weak side linebacker and played on special teams in his first season with the Riders.

Another 2024 draft pick, Nick Wiebe spent much of his first year on the injured list, although he did play in the Labour Day re-match. A healthy Wiebe will face expectations heading into this season. 

Zachery Philion joined the team during the 2024 season and spent most of his time on the practice roster.

Jurgen Hus is technically a linebacker, but he is the team’s clear starting long snapper. Overall, the Riders have good depth here – similar to defensive backs. The Riders could try to get a game breaker early in the draft, or else look for special teamers.

Defensive linemen

Here’s an area the Riders need depth and a player that can rotate with Charbel Dabire at DT. Debire only played four games last year after a knee injury sidelined him.  He did have two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble in that time. 

There are hopes 2023 draft pick Lake Korte Moore can take a step up this year.  As a back-up defensive end, he did pick up a sack in 16 games last season.  Global player Habakkuk Baldonado played in 16 games including the playoffs picking up a pair of sacks. 

He is mainly a back-up rotational player on the defensive line.  Benoit Marion has four years of CFL experience, acquired during the season last year, he played in four Rider games including the playoffs.  Overall, this is a position of need, and I expect the Riders will draft a defensive lineman with one of their higher picks.

Offensive line

Logan Ferland has become a pillar of the Riders roster. Playing every position on the offensive line last year, he was the West nominee for Most Outstanding Lineman. Just one of the reasons he was signed through to the end of the 2027 season.

Centre Sean McEwen was signed in the off-season and brings eight years of experience, selected to the CFL all-star team three times. Guard Phillipe Gagnon also has eight years experience, mainly with Montreal.

These three give the team a solid starting three up the middle. Zack Fry, Noah Zerr, and Braydon Noll all saw experience playing after injuries piled up last season.  Fry played in 14 games, starting in the Western Semi-final and Final. Zerr dressed for 10 games, starting in the Labour Day Classic – while Noll dressed for four games. 

Daniel Johnson, a 2024 draft pick, spent the year on the practice roster. Overall, the Riders have experience, and a strong first three, but if last year taught us anything, it’s that you need lots of depth with the possibility of injuries.

Riders need more Canadian offensive lineman and should draft that way.

Wide receivers

Remember the “Canadian Air Force” in the late 2000’s. Andy Fantuz, Chris Getzlaf and Rob Bagg.  Three Canadians that were a threat in the passing game.

The Riders almost had that again, but Justin McInnis left in free agency and is now dominating in B.C. Still, the Riders have two strong Canadians in the receiving core.  Samuel Emilus has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Riders, something Fantuz, Getzlaf and Bagg never did although Getzlaf was close (1,000 in 2011 and 2013). 

Kian Schaffer-Baker came close to 1,000 yards in 2022, last season, he missed four games due to injury – but still had 735 yards receiving and four touchdowns. He makes a great dynamic duo with Emilus.

Drafted last year, Dhel Duncan Busby split the year on the practice roster and the game roster.  He had 16 catches for 188 yards. Hoping for a similar year two jump like Emilus, who cracked the 1,000-yard mark with more playing time. 

Mitchell Picton has been a reliable fill-in with six touchdowns in the last four seasons. Tommy Nield played a similar role with Toronto, with a pair of scores in the last three years. D’Sean Mimbs is also on the roster, the son of former CFL’er Robert Mimbs, he returned to university in 2024, helping lead the U of R Rams to a Hardy Cup.

Overall, with two strong starters, the need isn’t immediate, but depth is key in this position.

QB/RB/FB/kickers

Thomas Bertrand-Hudon was more of a blocker but did run for three touchdowns in two seasons, including a 26-yard romp against Ottawa. Albert Awachie re-signed with the team after a year in Toronto.  He has never ran the ball in seven seasons, but has 11 catches in his career. 

Morgan Runge is a fullback, that has not played a game in the CFL. The Riders have two kickers, veteran Brett Lauther, who despite a slow start bounced back last year, missing just one field goal in the last eight regular season games. 

He will be challenged by Ben Hadley, named the U-Sports First team All-Canadian in 2024. There are three punters on the roster, all global products, Adam Korsak, Bailey Flint and Joe Couch.  No need for anymore kickers/punters, but a special team RB could be an option. 

As for Canadian QB, doubtful, but anything’s possible…

Here’s a quick look at the CFL Scouting Bureau’s top 10:

1 – WR Elic Ayomanor (Stanford) Selected in 4th round by NFL’s Tennessee titans

2 – QB Kurtis Rourke (Indiana) Selected in 7th round by NFL’s San Francisco 49ers

3 – DL Paris Shand (LSU) Signed by NFL’s Buffalo Bills

4 – LB Connor Shay (Wyoming) Going to NFL rookie mini-camps

5 – WR Keelan White (Montana)

6 – OL Tiger Shanks (UNLV)

7 – WR Damien Alford (Utah) Going to NFL mini-camp

8 – DL Darien Newell (Queen’s)

9 – DL – Hayden Harris (Montana) Signed by NFL’s Buffalo Bills

10 – OL Christopher Fortin (Connecticut)