Saskatchewan Roughriders: Looking ahead to the upcoming CFL Draft
With less than a week remaining until the Canadian Football League (CFL) draft, experts are sharing their forecasts and insights regarding this year’s draft prospects.
Scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, the draft will see the Saskatchewan Roughriders making the third overall selection.
Initially considering a linebacker due to the team’s defensive focus under Corey Mace, CFL columnist and TSN analyst Marshall Ferguson shifted his perspective. He now advocates for bolstering the offensive line to support their recent acquisition, A.J. Ouellette, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities in the running game.
Ferguson believes selecting an offensive lineman with the first pick would not only address immediate needs but also signal the team’s standards for the upcoming season.
Former CFL player and current TSN analyst Duane Ford echoes the sentiment that the Riders need to strengthen their offensive line. He acknowledges criticisms directed at their offensive line in recent years and sees the draft as an opportunity to address these concerns.
Ford emphasizes the significance of Mace’s background with successful teams like Toronto and Calgary, where strong offensive lines played a pivotal role. He suggests that the team’s past successes were built around robust Canadian talent on the offensive line.
While Edmonton holds the first overall pick and six selections in the first 31 picks, Ford questions whether this abundance of picks can significantly improve their fortunes. He emphasizes the importance of drafting impact Canadian players to rebuild the team’s competitiveness.
Ford highlights the importance of Canadian talent in teams’ success, citing examples from recent seasons, such as Montreal’s Grey Cup run.
Assessing this year’s draft class, Ford expresses enthusiasm, particularly for the depth at offensive line and receiver positions. He anticipates several players making significant contributions to the league in the coming years.
Ferguson shares Ford’s optimism, noting the exceptional physical attributes of several offensive line prospects. He predicts that many players from this draft class will leave a lasting impact on the CFL.
The CFL draft will commence at 6 p.m. local time, with TSN broadcasting the first two rounds.