With the first overall pick in the 2012 CFL Canadian College Draft, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are in prime position to boost their non-import talent immediately.
It’s a good thing to, because they desperately need to add Canadians to their roster before training camp.
With just 24 non-imports as of Wednesday, the Riders have just four more players than the required amount of Canadians needed to be on the roster on a weekly basis. They don’t have a lot of wiggle room if injuries mount.
General Manager Brendan Taman also hasn’t given himself room to make a mistake on Thursday.
If they pick a player who goes to the NFL and isn’t around until September, or not at all in 2012, things will start to get desperate when it comes to filling out the roster.
With the departure of Andy Fantuz to Hamilton, the Riders have an obvious need at receiver. Because of that, Taman and co. are doing serious homework on Laurier’s Shamawd Chambers. However, the star CIS receiver was reportedly offered a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles, raising eyebrows across the CFL community as draft day looms.
Is drafting Chambers with the possibility of not seeing him on the field immediately a risk?
That’s where Ben Heenan becomes the prime target for the Roughriders. He’s Regina born and played his college football up the road at the University of Saskatchewan.
The offensive lineman has been one of the best at the CIS level and looks like he could make a quick transition to pro football. But there is a catch when it comes to Heenan.
The Roughriders have solidified the interior of the offensive line with Brendon LaBatte, Dominic Picard and Chris Best all signing contracts this off-season.
Although Heenan could be a long term answer along the offensive line and you can never have enough non-import linemen, the Roughriders are not scrambling to fill those spots right now.
That brings us to option number three for the Roughriders – trading the first overall pick.
As the night rolls on, many teams will be calling Taman to inquire about the pick and he should be listening.
With the Roughriders holding just three draft picks and needing to fill the depth at other positions other than the offensive line, trading the first overall pick is very much a reality.
The Roughriders could trade to pick up an additional pick or two later in the first or second round. They are without a second and fourth round pick after trading them to Winnipeg for defensive end Odell Willis.
Additional picks would allow Saskatchewan to find a quality receiver and a quality defensive lineman (another position Taman has identified as a need).
If Taman is willing to move the number one pick there will definitely be interest among all CFL teams in being able to pick up a solid Canadian like Heenan.
But that could go over like a lead balloon in Rider Nation.
The majority of fans want to see a local boy given the brand new green and white jersey on Thursday as the first overall pick.
Don’t underestimate the pressure on the franchise to make that move, given the heat they’d take if Heenan isn’t in Rider green.
While the first overall pick can be a blessing, it’s a position the Roughriders would rather not be in every year after a 5-13 season.
Not only is Taman on the clock, he’s also on the hot seat to get the team turned around as quickly as possible.
