The Saskatchewan Roughriders are picking second in the CFL draft for the ninth time since 1985.
The player the Roughriders take at No. 2 in Sunday’s draft will have a hard time living up to the legacy of that draft spot. Among Saskatchewan’s previous No. 2 picks are slotbacks Jeff Fairholm (drafted by the Roughriders in 1988) and Dan Farthing (1991), both of whom are in the Plaza of Honour.
Here’s one man’s rankings of the picks Saskatchewan made at each spot in the top 10 dating back to 1985.
No. 1
First pick: Moose Jaw-born defensive tackle Scott Schultz (2001) was inducted into the Plaza of Honour in 2015, so his selection here is a no-brainer.
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound product out of the University of North Dakota played 128 regular-season games for Saskatchewan between 2001 and ’09, recording 168 tackles and 35 sacks — many of which were followed by the Moose Jaw Stomp sack dance. Schultz also was gold for the media.
Supplemental picks: OL Josiah St. John (2016), OL Ben Heenan (2012), LB Shomari Williams (2010), LB Tyson St. James (2000).
No. 2
First pick: After being named the West Division’s rookie of the year in 1988, Fairholm was named the division’s most outstanding Canadian in ’89 — the same season in which he helped the Roughriders win the second Grey Cup in franchise history.
The speedster out of the University of Arizona posted three 1,000-yard receiving seasons during his six-year career in Saskatchewan and currently sits fourth on the team’s all-time list with 6,171 receiving yards.
Supplemental picks: Farthing, OL Ben Fairbrother (1997), OL Chris Burns (1994), RB Brad Elberg (1993), LB Mark Scott (1992), RB Kevin Smellie (1989), RB Reuben Mayes (1986).
No. 3
First pick: Slotback Andy Fantuz (2006) had a fine six-year career in Green and White, but who knows how much better it would have been if the University of Western Ontario product had stayed healthy?
Despite battling injuries, Fantuz still managed 289 catches for 4,311 yards and 23 touchdowns in 77 regular-season games. He was named a CFL all-star and the league’s most outstanding Canadian in 2010, and helped Saskatchewan win the Grey Cup in 2007.
Supplemental picks: OL Matt O’Meara (2005), OL Mike Sutherland (1996), DL Glen Scrivener (1990), DB Andrew Thomas (1989).
No. 4
First pick: Playing 114 games in the trenches earns Chris Best (2005) the nod.
The 6-foot-5, 301-pounder out of the University of Waterloo was a fixture at right guard for the Roughriders after becoming a starter. Injuries eventually limited his participation and, ultimately, led to his retirement this off-season.
Supplemental picks: OL Corey Watman (2013), DL Keith Shologan (2008), DL Troy Alexander (1995), DB Donovan Wright (1989).
No. 5
First pick: Offensive lineman Paul Vajda (1991) was selected three picks after Farthing and played 18 games in his rookie season.
The 6-foot-2, 265-pound product of Concordia University went on to play 81 games in his Roughriders career.
Supplemental picks: None.
No. 6
First pick: Jack-of-all-trades Nic Demski (2015) is still scratching the surface of his potential.
The 6-foot-0, 208-pounder out of the University of Manitoba has played running back and receiver on offence and has handled punt and kickoff returns through his first two seasons. In 2016, he set career highs in catches (37), receiving yards (338) and touchdown receptions (two).
Supplemental picks: RB Ducarmel Augustin (2004), LB Pete Giftopolous (1988).
No. 7
First pick: Defensive back Curtis Galick (1998) played 31 games over two seasons with the Roughriders.
The 6-foot-1, 207-pounder out of UBC had 38 defensive tackles, eight special-teams stops and one interception in 18 games in ’99 before signing with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks in 2000.
Supplemental picks: WR Nathan Hoffart (2005).
No. 8
First pick: Like Galick, Shawn Gallant (2000) was a regular on defence and on special teams.
A product of Eastern Kentucky University, the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder had career highs of 13 special-teams tackles (in 2000) and 36 defensive tackles (in 2001). He also had three interceptions for 103 yards and a touchdown in ’01.
Supplemental picks: WR Jordan Sisco (2010), WR Ousmane Tounkara (1998), WR Dane McArthur (1990).
No. 9
First pick: Receiver Jason French (2001) played 103 games over six seasons after joining the Roughriders.
The 6-foot-1, 196-pound graduate of Murray State University recorded 197 catches for 2,605 yards and 10 touchdowns in his Saskatchewan career. He had a career-high 869 yards and four TDs in 2004.
Supplemental picks: DB Tamon George (2009), WR David McKoy (2007), LB Brooks Findlay (1993), FB Bruce Boyko (1990), OL Dan Payne (1989), SB Ken Evraire (1988).
No. 10
First pick: Linebacker Ray Bernard (1992) joined the Roughriders out of Bishop’s University and immediately made an impact on special teams.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder had 32 special-teams tackles as a rookie and added 16 defensive tackles. In ’93, he started on Saskatchewan’s defence and recorded 92 tackles.
In 41 career games, Bernard had 130 defensive tackles, 40 special-teams stops, two sacks, six fumble recoveries for 69 yards and one interception.
Supplemental picks: OL Jonathan St. Pierre (2008), DB Stephane Fortin (1999), DB Dwayne Provo (1995), OL Matthew Quiviger (1994), FB Peter Mangold (1988).
Going in the top 10 isn’t the true measure of success, of course. Players like slotback Ray Elgaard (second round, 12th overall in 1983), fullback Chris Szarka (second round, 13th overall in 1997), safety Glen Suitor (second round, 15th overall in 1984) and offensive linemen Andrew Greene (second round, 18th overall in 1994) and Gene Makowsky (second round, 23rd overall in 1995) starred for Saskatchewan after being drafted after the first round.
