Now that the peak free-agency period has passed, it is an opportune time for a late-winter (pleeeeeease, let it be late winter!) assessment of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Today’s overview of the offence is presented with the recognition that roster construction is a work in progress.
In 2023, for example, the signing of veteran receiver Derel Walker was announced on March 2 — 16 days after the free-agent period opened.
The CFL Draft and Global Draft, scheduled for April 29, will also influence the equation.
Open tryouts, to be held in Los Angeles (March 8), Tampa (April 5), Fort Lauderdale (April 6), Dallas (April 12) and Houston (April 13), will also aid in the exhaustive talent acquisition process.
All that aside, Jeremy O’Day (Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager), Kyle Carson (Assistant GM) and Paul Jones (Assistant GM) are always on the lookout for prospective CFLers who can help the team.
But with 82 players already under contract, the Roughriders are well on their way to assembling a roster for training camp.
Today, we focus on the offence, with the defence and special teams to follow on Tuesday.
QUARTERBACKS
Returnees: Jack Coan (A), Trevor Harris (A), Michael Hiers (A).
Newcomers: Jake Maier (A), Tommy Stevens (A).
• Harris, a divisional All-CFL selection in 2024, is preparing to begin his third season as the Roughriders’ starting quarterback.
• Maier, acquired from the Calgary Stampeders, combines with Harris to give Saskatchewan two of the four CFL quarterbacks who threw 20-plus touchdown passes last season.
• Coan threw for a TD during his on-field debut in the 2024 regular-season finale.
• Stevens, formerly of Calgary, is a formidable weapon in short-yardage situations.
• Hiers returns after spending time on the practice roster last autumn.
RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACKS
Returnees: RB Ryquell Armstead (A), FB Albert Awachie (N), RB Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (N), RB A.J. Ouellette (A).
Newcomers: RB Khalan Laborn (A), RB Trent Pennix (A), FB Morgen Runge (N).
• Ouellette, who was hampered by injuries last season, rushed for 550 yards in eight-regular-season games — a 1,238-yard pace over a full 18 games.
• Armstead enjoyed a Roughriders debut for the ages, rushing for 207 yards in Calgary on Sept. 21.
• Bertrand-Hudon has averaged an eye-popping 6.6 yards per carry over his first two CFL seasons.
• Laborn rushed for 310 yards (averaging 5.1 yards per rush) and caught 23 passes in six games with the Ottawa REDBLACKS last season.
• Pennix is a 6-foot-2, 234-pound bruiser with a talent for catching the ball.
• Awachie, whose association with the Roughriders dates back to 2017, is a robust blocker and a special teams contributor.
• Runge is poised to attend Coors Light Riders Training Camp for the third consecutive year.
RECEIVERS
Returnees: Shawn Bane Jr. (A), Dhel Duncan-Busby (N), Samuel Emilus (N), KeeSean Johnson (A), Dohnte Meyers (A), Mitch Picton (N), Joe Robustelli (A), Kian Schaffer-Baker (N).
Newcomers: Ja’Marcus Bradley (A), D’Sean Mimbs (N), Tommy Nield (N), Wayne Ruby Jr. (A).
• Emilus was a divisional All-CFL pick in 2024 after his second successive 1,000-yard season.
• Bane Jr., who is nicely recovering from a knee injury, amassed 93 catches and 1,104 receiving yards in 2023.
• Harris believes Schaffer-Baker has 1,200-yard capability.
• Johnson caught 56 passes for 746 yards in 12 games last year.
• Meyers had 24 catches for 349 yards in four games as a rookie.
• Duncan-Busby, a third-round draftee in 2024, started six regular-season games and both playoff contests.
• Picton is an ultra-reliable returnee with 76 career receptions for 852 yards and six TDs.
• Robustelli brings next-level athleticism.
• Bradley arrives with eight games of NFL experience with the Cleveland Browns.
• Ruby Jr. caught 30 (yes, 30) TD passes as a junior at Mount Union.
• Mimbs, from the University of Regina Rams, is preparing for his second Roughriders camp.
• Nield, previously of the Toronto Argonauts, caught 62 passes for 776 yards over the past three seasons.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Returnees: Jacob Brammer (A), Logan Ferland (N), Zack Fry (N), Jermarcus Hardrick (A), Daniel Johnson (N), Nick Jones (A), Braydon Noll (N), Trevon Tate (A), Noah Zerr (N).
Newcomers: Philippe Gagnon (N), Sean McEwen (N), Brandon Kemp (A).
• The Roughriders’ offensive line includes three players who have been a divisional finalist for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman — Ferland (2024), Hardrick (with Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2023) and McEwen (Toronto, 2017). Between them, they have earned six All-CFL selections and eight divisional berths.
• Every returnee except Noll and Johnson made at least one start for Saskatchewan during a 2024 season in which the offensive line was decimated by injuries.
• McEwen (a centre) and Gagnon (guard) are major free-agent additions. McEwen’s eight CFL seasons have been split between Calgary and Toronto. Gagnon, lauded by Harris as a “mauling” blocker, has spent seven of the past six seasons with the Montreal Alouettes.
• Tate quickly became entrenched as a starting tackle after signing with Saskatchewan on Aug. 19. Fry started at guard in 10 games, playoffs included.
• The towering Zerr made his first four CFL starts, also at guard.
• Brammer and Jones both started at guard and tackle.
• Johnson, a fifth-round draftee in 2024, spent a full season on the practice roster.
• Noll dressed for four games after signing with Saskatchewan in August.
• The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Kemp, a tackle, played in 12 games with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats over the past three seasons.
LEGEND:
A—American
N—National
G—Global
