Now that the major free agent signings have been finalized, the Last Word On Sports CFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team heading into the 2016 CFL Draft. Today, the Ottawa Redblacks are the focus. The Redblacks have eight total picks in the draft including the seventh overall pick in the first round.
The Ottawa Redblacks had a huge year last season making it all the way to the Grey Cup, eventually losing to the Edmonton Eskimos. After some key off-season moves, the Redblacks will look to continue to build their depth via the CFL Draft.
Before looking at the Redblacks 2016 CFL Draft needs, LWOS looks at the team’s additions and subtractions during the off-season. General manager Marcel Desjardins was busy, trying to improve his East Division-winning team.
Subtractions: DE Shawn Lemon (Saskatchewan), DE Justin Capicciotti (Saskatchewan), DB Jovon Johnson (Montreal), WR Maurice Price (Retired), DB Brandyn Thompson (Free Agent), RB Jeremiah Johnson (British Columbia).
Additions: QB Trevor Harris, FB Brendan Gillanders, DE Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, DB Ryan Hinds, WR Juron Criner, WR.
Ottawa Redblacks 2016 CFL Draft: Top 3 Needs
Offensive Line
With Alex Mateas set to start and Matt Albright right behind him, the depth on the offensive line is not very good, their first round pick should be used on an offensive lineman. Ottawa was the only team to dress and start the same five players on the offensive line in every game last season but may not be so lucky this season and they need depth in case.
This is a very top-heavy draft for offensive linemen, which benefits Ottawa as they can draft a future starter in the first or second round, but after that they will strictly be looking for depth. Potential targets include Dillon Guy, Michael Couture or Philippe Gagnon. Gagnon is an immediate starter while Guy and Couture need a bit of development to start, but that’s what Ottawa can do with this pick.
Secondary
With Jovon Johnson already gone, and perhaps Brandyn Thompson too, Ottawa needs to improve its secondary depth. They did sign Ryan Hinds, who may not be a starting defensive back. If Arjen Colquhoun is available in the first or second round, expect Ottawa to draft him even with the chance that he makes an NFL team.
The secondary in the draft is strong in the first few rounds, but weak after that. Expect Ottawa to draft either Elie Bouka, Taylor Loffler, Colquhoun if they are there in round two, which would be highly surprising. Ottawa can address this though by drafting someone in the later rounds, and really use the developmental project on the player, and crop him into the player they want. Ottawa may also draft a linebacker and perhaps switch them into a safety or defensive back to help the secondary. If they do that, Terrell Davis comes to mind in that scenario.
Running Back
William Powell is their go to guy at that positions but what happens if he goes down? Kienan LaFrance is there as a backup but he can’t be a starter all year. Kienan LaFrance, Brendan Gillanders and Patrick Lavoie all add depth but do have starting running back material. There is one clear-cut prospect that could be drafted.
That prospect is Mercer Timmis. His interview hurt him a lot, but he has a ton of talents, and many scouts now have him in the second or third round, which could be a steal for Ottawa, and provide a backup to Powell. He could possibly merge into the starting running back in two to three years.
In Consideration
Defensive Line: With Shawn Lemon and Justin Capicciotti gone, but with Aston Whiteside filling the hole, it isn’t a huge problem but depth could be added. A fifth to seventh round pick should be used on a defensive lineman to increase depth and competition in camp.
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