Roughriders Mailbag: Draft needs? Combine details? Next commissioner?

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Welcome to another edition of the Roughriders Mailbag where we answer questions readers have about the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

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With the busy part of CFL free agency over, the next thing for teams to focus on is the CFL combine, which is set for Mar. 21-23 in Regina, followed by the CFL Draft, which goes Apr. 29.

After retaining plenty of talent from last year while adding some key free agents, the Roughriders don’t need to add immediate starters in the draft but instead will look to add depth and potential players who can make an impact down the road.

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But at which position do they need to add the most depth? We’ll address that and more in the questions below.

If you’d like to submit a question for the next Roughriders mailbag, email your inquiry to: [email protected].

• What position do you think they’ll target in the first round of the draft? From @sportsgeek22

In the last four CFL drafts, the Roughriders have selected an offensive lineman (Kyle Hergel, 2024), a defensive lineman (Lake Korte-Moore, 2023, a receiver (Samuel Emilus, 2022) and a defensive back (Nelson Lokombo, 2021) with their first-round pick.

This year, when you look at the makeup of Saskatchewan’s roster and where they need Canadian depth, there isn’t a lot of glaring holes.

However, there’s one position I think they will target with their first-round pick and that’s along the defensive line.

Four of the top 10 players listed on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s winter rankings are defensive linemen and with the Riders only having three Canadian defensive linemen under contract (Korte-Moore, Charbel Dabire, Benoit Marion), it could be wise for them to add another early in the draft who can add to the depth while also playing special teams.

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Looking elsewhere on the roster, even without Hergel, who played with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints last year, the Riders have plenty of Canadian offensive line depth with seven national players under contract for three starting positions. It never hurts to add another but with only one offensive lineman among the top 10 prospects, it might make sense to add one later in the draft.

While the team lost national receiver Ajou Ajou to the NFL this off-season, there’s still some good depth at the position with Mitch Picton, Dhel Duncan-Busby and D’Sean Mimbs backing up Canadian starters Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker. There are three receivers among the top 20 prospects and I could certainly see Saskatchewan take one in the second round. But no need to reach for one in the first unless the plan is to start three Canadians.

Or maybe they go off the board and select one of two Canadian quarterbacks who are among the top prospects in Kurtis Rourke or Taylor Elgersma. Now that would be something.

• Will the CFL draft combine events be open to the public for viewing? From @ClayBaumung

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The CFL combine will give us the perfect opportunity to look at some of the players the Roughriders might draft as the top Canadian prospects will be in Regina for the CFL combine (Mar. 21-23).

However, how much access fans will have to see those players go through workouts, drills, etc., hasn’t been confirmed by the league yet.

Last year, the CFL offered free livestreaming of the bench press and 40-yard dash along with some practice and individual drill sessions during the combine in Winnipeg. I would imagine that’s also in the league’s plans this year but it’s too be determined if fans will be able to watch in person.

• What is the franchise’s thoughts on what would make an ideal league commissioner? Ideally, would it be someone with adept financial skills or someone capable in the media and being the “face” of the league? From @loyal_north

Ultimately, the commissioner represents the best interests of the owners and the players’ association represents the players. However, it never hurts to have a commissioner who understands both sides.

With current commissioner Randy Ambrosie, a former CFL player, set to retire this year, the next commissioner should not only be one who understands both but is also a strong communicator.

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More than that, I think all franchises would agree that they want a commissioner who understands the league deeply, has good business sense, cares about the product and has a strong vision for the future.

• Thoughts on the kicker situation? Riders brought in Ben Hadley during the off-season. Lauther struggled early but finished the season as one of the best kickers in the CFL down the stretch. From @NoahBeuso

Brett Lauther had one bad game and 17 good games last season, yet many questioned if he should continue to be Saskatchewan’s primary kicker after going 3-of-7 in a Week 11 loss against the Montreal Alouettes.

However, Lauther put all those thoughts to rest by converting 28 of 29 field goals to end the season. He finished the year with an 82.8 per cent success rate, which was his best mark since 2021, while making 53 total field goals, which ws the second highest mark in his career (54 in 2018).

Lauther remains one of the most clutch kickers in the CFL and will no doubt be Saskatchewan’s primary kicker in 2025. Hadley will serve as competition and an insurance piece.

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