Roughriders’ Picton displaying versatility, reliability in 2022

Before every Saskatchewan Roughriders game, the CFL team issues a depth chart that shows five receiver positions.

So far in 2022, Mitch Picton has been listed at three of those spots.

The 27-year-old Regina product has bounced around the receiving corps this season, either starting in place of an injured player — Duke Williams at slotback or Shaq Evans at wide receiver — or coming off the bench during games.

“It’s a pretty big adjustment week to week,” Picton said Wednesday on The Green Zone when asked about shifting between positions. “But in our offence, we do move guys around quite a bit so you aren’t necessarily always outside or in the slot.

“It’s a pretty big adjustment, but once you understand the concepts of the offence, then things kind of fall into place.”

Picton has been all over the place since his days at the University of Regina, where he played in the slot and at wide receiver during his time with the Rams.

Watching lots of film — and doing so with family members — also helped Picton get a grasp on the responsibilities of everyone on the offence.

“My brother (Aaron) was an offensive lineman,” Mitch said. “We played on the Rams together and we’d always watch film together, so I’d know what was going on with (offensive players) in the box as well. And then obviously (there also was) my cousin Noah (a former Rams quarterback).

“With him, (with) a lot of playbook study and knowing what’s going on all over the field, I’ve always taken a strong interest in understanding the offence, what we’re trying to accomplish and how we’re trying to attack defences.”

The Roughriders selected Picton in the fifth round (37th overall) of the 2017 CFL draft, but he didn’t make his debut with them until July 27, 2019. He played two games as a CFL rookie without having any passes thrown his way.

He had a bigger role in 2021, catching 25 passes for 218 yards with one touchdown. So far this season, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has nine receptions for 107 yards and two TDs.

He had four catches for 56 yards and a major as a starting slotback June 18 against the Edmonton Elks, three receptions for 37 yards coming off the bench June 23 against the Montreal Alouettes, and two catches for 14 yards and a TD as a starting wideout versus Montreal on Saturday.

Saskatchewan’s coaches have said they don’t have any concerns about moving Picton around because they know he has a handle on his responsibilities. That’s music to his ears.

“You always want to build that trust with the coaching staff and with the quarterbacks as well,” Picton said when asked about his reliability. “Always being able to do my job and knowing what’s going on on the field has helped me in my career so far.”

Picton and fellow Canucks Kian Schaffer-Baker and Justin McInnis were working with the starters Tuesday when the Roughriders started their preparations for Friday’s game against the Ottawa Redblacks (7:30 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).

It’s unknown if Williams will be ready to go, but Evans is definitely out of the lineup. That means another chance for the next man up.

“We’re fortunate here in Saskatchewan,” Picton said. “They’ve committed to playing two Canadian receivers on our offence, which has actually now evolved with injuries into playing more than that.

“We’re pretty fortunate to get a lot of opportunities as Canadians and we’re just going to try to keep taking advantage of it.”