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A pair of CFL Draft analysts believe the Saskatchewan Roughriders will stick to their identity when it comes to their pick.
Saskatchewan will select ninth overall in the first round after the team claimed the Grey Cup with a win over the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg.
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While the team has lost some Canadian receiver depth with the release of Ajou Ajou after he violated the league’s gender-based violence and harassment policy, TSN’s Marshall Ferguson said everyone understands the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage.
“It’s hard for me when I think of a Corey Mace-coached team to not imagine him continuing to set the tone for what he wants that team to look like by investing in pass-rushers, defensive linemen, and defensive tackles,” Ferguson said.
“I don’t think he’s going to have to reach for something in those early couple of rounds but it will always be a priority, in my mind, for Corey Mace because he knows that that is what wins and loses football games.
“I just think the defensive line is one I always have in mind for the Riders because I know how much that means to their team culture with Corey Mace as the head coach.”
TSN’s Duane Forde said with the Ajou situation, Tommy Nield signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Mitch Picton not currently signed to a contract, there is still depth on the Riders’ roster.
“There’s still Sam Emilus, there’s still Kian Schaffer-Baker, there’s still Dhel Duncan-Busby. They have built some remarkable depth in that group that I would say it’s not necessarily a pressing need.”
Forde said, like Ferguson, he thinks the Riders could target a lineman.
“For me, and this draft class, more depth on the offensive line than the defensive line, particularly when you look at the interior defensive line,” Forde said.
He went on to explain this year’s defensive tackle position could have been very deep but a number of factors led to it weakening.
One example was the possible top defensive tackle, Rene Konga, had a stellar pro day with the Louisville Cardinals and could have jumped onto some NFL team’s drafts. He did not end up getting drafted, but reports are he has signed with the Miami Dolphins.
Forde also mentioned former University of Regina Ram Tarick Polius would have been seen as a top prospect in this draft but he was charged in a drug bust in early 2025. There were also a few other players who would have been eligible for the draft, but haven’t submitted their citizenship papers.
“If you think (the Riders’) early needs are offensive line and defensive line, you probably go offensive line early because I don’t know how many interior defensive linemen there are in this draft class that necessarily warrant an early pick,” Forde said.
When it comes to the offensive line, the Riders have five Canadians signed to contracts — centre Logan Ferland, offensive guard Zack Fry, as well as Dayton Black, Daniel Johnson and Erik Andersen. Andersen was named the U Sports top offensive lineman this past season.
Forde also pointed out that the Riders have drafted Kyle Hergel and Sidy Sow recently, who have been looking to stick with NFL teams. If one or both of them were to come up to the CFL, Forde said that could affect how the Riders approach the draft.
If the Riders were to go early with a wide receiver, Ferguson believes Mississauga, Ont., athlete and University of North Dakota pass catcher Nate DeMontagnac is someone who could be interesting for the team.
“When I think about the receiver situation there recently, that’s somewhere you want to continue to stoke the flames so it can burn as bright as possible, not just a year or two down the road, but five to 10 years potentially if you keep doing that year-over-year and finding good body types,” Ferguson said.
“DeMontagnac is a productive guy that is long and reminds me kind of like a Kian Schaffer-Baker — you can imagine him running those crossing routes in between the hash marks, catching a pass and running away from everyone.”
The draft gets underway on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
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