May 4, 2017

CFL Draft: Examining the Roughriders’ Canadian depth

in CFL action between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the B.C. Lions on Saturday July 16th. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rick Elvin

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are preparing to stock the shelves again.

The Roughriders landed some highly coveted Canadian free agents in the off-season, signing players like safety Marc-Olivier Brouillette, running back Kienan LaFrance and defensive tackle Eddie Steele.

But Sunday’s CFL draft will give Saskatchewan an opportunity to further address an issue that head coach-GM Chris Jones called “a priority” — the Roughriders’ national depth.

“That’s how you win football games in this league, with quarterback play and Canadian depth,” Jones said earlier this off-season. “That’s one of the things (we’ve tried to do) since we’ve been here is try to get as many draft picks as we can and try to acquire as many good Canadians as you can.”

Since the end of the 2016 season, Saskatchewan has said goodbye to several Canadian players, including defensive end Dylan Ainsworth (released, then signed with the B.C. Lions), guard Chris Best (retired), receiver Shamawd Chambers (released, then signed with the Edmonton Eskimos), guard Andrew Jones (released), defensive back Graig Newman (retired) and defensive back Matt Webster (signed with the Toronto Argonauts).

After free agency opened, the Roughriders brought in Brouillette (from the Montreal Alouettes), LaFrance (Ottawa Redblacks), Steele (Edmonton), running back Aaron Milton (Edmonton) and offensive lineman Ryan White (Montreal).

The Roughriders also re-signed or extended the contracts of four Canadians (defensive end Ivan Brown, kicker Tyler Crapigna, defensive back Jeff Hecht and long-snapper Jorgen Hus), and signed two undrafted free agents (receiver Mitchell Baines and linebacker Alexandre Gagne).

Here’s a look at the Roughriders’ Canadian depth entering Sunday’s draft.

Quarterbacks — Brandon Bridge

There are Canadian quarterbacks available in the lottery — including Regina product Asher Hastings of the McMaster University Marauders — but it’s unlikely that the Roughriders will spend a pick on a QB when there are other areas that need shoring up. Only six quarterbacks have ever been selected in the CFL draft.

Running backs — Kienan LaFrance, Aaron Milton, Spencer Moore, Greg Morris

LaFrance earned his free-agent deal with a spectacular 2016 post-season, when he stepped in after an injury to starter Mossis Madu and helped the Redblacks win the Grey Cup title. LaFrance and Morris provide depth behind Cameron Marshall and Daniel Thomas at tailback, and Milton does the same behind Moore at fullback.

Receivers — Rob Bagg, Mitchell Baines, Nic Demski, Joshua Stanford

Baines performed well at the Roughriders’ mini-camp in Florida, so that might make Saskatchewan less likely to draft a receiver. Bagg is an established starter and leader, Demski is growing into a larger role, and Stanford made the team last season after being an eighth-round pick.

Offensive linemen — Dan Clark, Dillon Guy, Brendon LaBatte, Josiah St. John, Matt Vonk, Ryan White

Like Baines, Guy participated in the Florida mini-camp — and he did so without a brace on his surgically repaired right knee. That could be good news for the Roughriders, who grabbed the former B.C. draft pick last season after he refused a spot on the Lions’ practice roster. But with Best retired, with LaBatte trying to return from a bruised nerve in his neck, and with Andrew Jones gone, the Roughriders may look at drafting O-line help.

Defensive linemen — Ivan Brown, Linden Gaydosh, Makana Henry, Ese Mrabure, Jordan Reaves, Eddie Steele

The off-season addition of Steele could be big for the Roughriders; he knows Chris Jones’ schemes from their days together in Edmonton and is a proven veteran. Henry and Mrabure played last season and could back up Steele. So could Gaydosh, but he’s something of a question mark because he hasn’t played a game for Saskatchewan since being acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Brown and Reaves are special-teamers first and defenders second.

Linebackers — Kevin Francis, Alexandre Gagne, Marvin Golding, Dillon Grondin, Henoc Muamba

Muamba is the epitome of a ratio-breaker in the CFL, a starting Canadian who’s among the league’s top middle linebackers. Gagne, who was among the bigger surprises at mini-camp, could back up Muamba if needed and could be the No. 2 long-snapper behind Jorgen Hus. That latter skill alone could alter Saskatchewan’s draft needs. Golding (who will serve a league-imposed two-game suspension in 2017), Francis and Grondin can fill in on defence in a pinch and can play on special teams.

Defensive backs — Marc-Olivier Brouillette, Tevaughn Campbell, Jeff Hecht, Kelvin Muamba

Like Muamba and Steele, Brouillette was an important signing for the Roughriders. The former East Division all-star gives Saskatchewan a physical presence in the middle and a veteran presence in the locker room. His backup will be Hecht (and Francis also can play safety if necessary), while Campbell and Muamba (Henoc’s brother) provide insurance at cornerback and halfback, respectively. Even so, more depth could be on the Roughriders’ wish list.

Specialists — Josh Bartel, Tyler Crapigna, Jorgen Hus, Quinn Van Gylswyk

The Roughriders took Van Gylswyk in the third round of the 2016 draft, landing one of the strongest punting and kicking legs in the U Sports ranks. He provides depth behind Bartel (an Australian who’s considered a national by the CFL) and Crapigna. Hus is recovering from off-season wrist surgery, but Gagne could provide insurance there. The strength of this group means it’s unlikely that the Roughriders will use a draft pick on a specialist Sunday.