Taylor Shire: Roughriders have proven offensive lines don’t need to be built through the draft

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The CFL Draft is traditionally a good tool to build up a roster of solid Canadian offensive linemen.

However, that’s not necessarily the view all general managers in the league have.

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Look no further than Jeremy O’Day and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Since taking over as general manager of the Riders in 2019, O’Day — a former offensive linemen himself — has selected just one offensive lineman in the first round.

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And as the 2024 CFL Draft on April 30 approaches, there’s a good chance that trend continues.

But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Instead of building an offensive line through the draft, two of the three projected Canadian starters were signed through free agency (Peter Godber and Philip Blake) and the other was developed via the territorial junior program (Logan Ferland).

Zack Fry and Evan Floren are the only two drafted offensive linemen on the roster from the last five drafts; a span that has seen the Riders select just eight offensive linemen total.

Despite what seems like a low number, the Roughriders are still in a good position with their national depth at the position ahead of training camp which is set to open on May 12 in Saskatoon.

Following the announced retirement of Calgary product Logan Bandy last week and not electing to re-sign Evan Johnson this off-season, Saskatchewan has seven Canadian offensive linemen on the roster heading into next week’s draft.

Traditionally, the Green and White start three Canadians in the interior of the offensive line, with Americans occupying the two outside tackle spots.

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The Riders brought in former Winnipeg Blue Bombers Jermarcus Hardrick in free agency to anchor one side of the offensive line and it’s likely the other tackle position will be a training camp battle to keep an eye on. Aside from Hardrick, there are seven American offensive linemen on the roster competing for one starting spot.

There will likely be a practice roster spot or two up for grabs, while the others will be left looking for opportunities elsewhere.

The other thing to consider is the possibility that Blake starts at tackle.

It would not only help Saskatchewan’s ratio of fielding seven starting Canadians, but it would provide playing time for others below the 38-year-old Blake on the depth chart.

We know Godber, 29, will be lining up at the starting centre when training camp opens.

Blake will certainly be a starting guard if he doesn’t start at tackle.

And Ferland, 27, will occupy the other starting guard spot after being named Saskatchewan’s top offensive lineman last season.

That leaves free agent signings Ryan Sceviour, 28, and Noah Zerr, 25, plus Fry and Floren, both 23, competing for the backup offensive lineman spot, which likely would have Bandy’s spot had he not retired.

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So while there will be some solid offensive linemen available when Saskatchewan is on the clock at No. 3 this year, the position is not necessarily a top priority this year considering what they have in the pipeline and where they could add depth elsewhere to support some former first-round picks.

Last year, the Riders drafted defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore with the No. 3 pick and then followed that up with defensive back Jaxon Ford in the second round. Floren was taken in the seventh round.

The year before, O’Day selected receiver Samuel Emilus at No. 7 overall, which proved to be a great pick after his breakout season last year. The Riders then selected Fry in the second round and Diego Alatorre Montoya, who has since been released, in the third round.

In 2021, defensive back Nelson Lokombo was Saskatchewan’s first pick at No. 2 overall. Bandy, in the fifth round, was the only offensive lineman taken by the Riders that year.

The only time O’Day has drafted an offensive lineman in the first round was in 2020, when the team selected Mattland Riley with the seventh overall pick. Riley, a former University of Saskatchewan Huskie, appeared in one game before retiring. The Riders also selected Jesse Lawson in 2020, but he was released a year later.

And in O’Day’s first draft in 2019, receivers Justin McInnis and Brayden Lenius were Saskatchewan’s top two picks.

It’s likely Saskatchewan will add another offensive lineman or two later in the draft, but it shouldn’t be their first-round focus. With the No. 3 overall selection, O’Day should look elsewhere, like he has done in the past.

tshire@postmedia.com

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