The Saskatchewan Roughriders have three clear priorities for general manager Jeremy O’Day to address in CFL free agency: Linebacker, defensive line and offensive line.
With Cameron Judge and Solomon Elimimian hitting free agency and Derrick Moncrief in the NFL, the Riders could be 0-for-3 on their outstanding linebacking corps from 2019.
Luckily for the Riders, there is a load of linebackers available.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Riders feel the replacement for Charleston Hughes along the defensive line is already in house. There is far less talent out there among defensive line than linebacker but some decent depth could be added.
Then there is the offensive line. Dakoda Shepley’s departure to the NFL hurts the Canadian depth in terms of potential starters and Brendon LaBatte and Dan Clark aren’t getting any younger. That’s why a local product like Evan Johnson, who has played in Ottawa to start his career, would make a tonne of sense.
And I don’t care about question marks over the CFL season and when or if it’ll be played. CFL free agency brings us back to where we were a year ago today, with the feeling the Riders have what it takes to win a Grey Cup.