The Ottawa Redblacks were able to make nine picks this year at the 2016 CFL Draft in hopes to building up a team that is ready to come back stronger, win even more in the playoffs, and take another run for the Grey Cup.
1st Round, 7th Overall- OL Jason Lauzon-Seguin (Laval)
2nd Round, 16th Overall: DB Mikael Charland (Concordia)
3rd Round, 25th Overall: DL Mehdi Abdesmad (Boston College)
4th Round, 34th Overall: LB Kevin Jackson (Sam Houston State)
5th Round, 43rd Overall: OL Randy Beardy (Windsor)
6th Round, 45th Overall (from Saskatchewan): OL Kyle Fraser-Audit (Guelph)
7th Round, 54th Overall (from Saskatchewan): LB Arto Khatchikian (Concordia)
7th Round, 60th Overall: WR Jamal Kett (Western)
8th Round, 69th Overall: LB Guillaume Tremblay-Lebel (Laval)
Ottawa Redblacks Draft Grade: 7/10
Ottawa Redblacks 2016 CFL Draft Review
The Best Player: Offensive line was a something that Ottawa needed to address at the CFL draft and they certainly did that in a big way. Ottawa drafted 6-foot-4, 294 pound offensive lineman Jason Lauzon-Seguin seventh overall. He add depth to a position where such depth is much needed. He is able to play offensive tackle on either side of the line and has the strength to play guard as well. After this draft is deep enough on the offensive line that they could be able to start up to four Canadians at the position.
The Head-Scratcher: In the seventh round, Ottawa surprisingly drafted a wide receiver. Ottawa is already a deep team with a receiving core of Greg Ellingson, Chris Williams, Brad Sinopoli, Ernest Jackson, Jamill Smith, and a few others. Jamal Kett was not a performer with Western. It could be more of a futures pick for Ottawa, but still, with how the deep the receiving core is and how little Kett produced for the Mustangs, it is questionable.
The Surprise: The extra picks from Saskatchewan could go a long way for Ottawa. They took linebacker Arto Khatchikian from Concordia in the seventh round how has put up huge tackle stats. In eight games, he had 44.5 tackles and 1 sack, averaging 5.6 tackles per game. With stats like that, he is certainly a player to keep your eyes out for in the upcoming seasons and encouraging you to thank Saskatchewan for that draft pick.
The Rest: Mikael Charland is a Gatineau, Quebec native and very physical player who has a great ability in coverage in deep range. Over the past four seasons with Concordia, he recorded 200 tackles. He can have immediate impact on defense, as well as special teams, an area Ottawa struggled with last season.
Mehdi Abdesmad returned to Boston College for his senior year in 2015 after missing most of the past two seasons with a knee injury. The 6-foot-7 defensive lineman made an immediate impact racking up 49 tackles in the season. It is also a bit of a risky pick for Ottawa as he might sign an NFL contract, but if he does make it to the nation’s capital there is no doubt he would add a big boost to the team.
Kevin Jackson only played one game in his senior year with Sam Houston. However, Ottawa did have a need for linebacker and special teams help. You can definitely expect him to have an early impact on the Redblacks special team units.
Randy Beardy is a developmental player and could possibly make the team’s practice roster or go back to school. He adds more offensive line depth and options.
Kyle Fraser-Audit is the third and final offensive lineman picked by Ottawa in the draft. He adds more competition to the team and camp as players, especially rookies, fight for positions on the final roster.
Guillaume Tremblay-Lebel is the third and final linebacker picked by Ottawa in their draft, taking him in the eighth round. This makes sure Ottawa is nowhere near short of depth and competition at much needed positions. He could help out on special teams.
The Bottom Line: The Ottawa Redblacks went into the draft with holes to fill at much needed positions and they came out with filling them. They added to their defensive core. They added to their offensive line with tons of competition heading in to protect the quarterbacks. The Redblacks drafted very well this year and the rookies have the ability to make immediate at the much needed positions. There is plenty of competition in the Eastern Division this year and contributions from the rookies can go a long way for Ottawa.
