A pair of CFL Draft analysts believe the Saskatchewan Roughriders will stick to their identity when it comes to their pick.<\/p>\n
Saskatchewan will select ninth overall in the first round<\/a> after the team claimed the Grey Cup<\/a> with a win over the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n While the team has lost some Canadian receiver depth with the release of Ajou Ajou<\/a> after he violated the league\u2019s gender-based violence and harassment policy, TSN\u2019s Marshall Ferguson said everyone understands the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard for me when I think of a Corey Mace-coached team<\/a> to not imagine him continuing to set the tone for what he wants that team to look like by investing in pass-rushers, defensive linemen, and defensive tackles,\u201d Ferguson said.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to have to reach for something in those early couple of rounds but it will always be a priority, in my mind, for Corey Mace because he knows that that is what wins and loses football games.<\/p>\n \u201cI just think the defensive line is one I always have in mind for the Riders because I know how much that means to their team culture with Corey Mace as the head coach.\u201d<\/p>\n TSN\u2019s Duane Forde said with the Ajou situation, Tommy Nield<\/a> signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Mitch Picton<\/a> not currently signed to a contract, there is still depth on the Riders\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s still Sam Emilus<\/a>, there\u2019s still Kian Schaffer-Baker<\/a>, there\u2019s still Dhel Duncan-Busby<\/a>. They have built some remarkable depth in that group that I would say it\u2019s not necessarily a pressing need.\u201d<\/p>\n Forde said, like Ferguson, he thinks the Riders could target a lineman.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, and this draft class, more depth on the offensive line than the defensive line, particularly when you look at the interior defensive line,\u201d Forde said.<\/p>\n He went on to explain this year\u2019s defensive tackle position could have been very deep but a number of factors led to it weakening.<\/p>\n One example was the possible top defensive tackle, Rene Konga, had a stellar pro day with the Louisville Cardinals and could have jumped onto some NFL team\u2019s drafts. He did not end up getting drafted, but reports are he has signed with the Miami Dolphins.<\/p>\n Forde also mentioned former University of Regina Ram Tarick Polius would have been seen as a top prospect in this draft but he was charged in a drug bust in early 2025<\/a>. There were also a few other players who would have been eligible for the draft, but haven\u2019t submitted their citizenship papers.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you think (the Riders\u2019) early needs are offensive line and defensive line, you probably go offensive line early because I don\u2019t know how many interior defensive linemen there are in this draft class that necessarily warrant an early pick,\u201d Forde said.<\/p>\n When it comes to the offensive line, the Riders have five Canadians signed to contracts \u2014 centre Logan Ferland<\/a>, offensive guard Zack Fry<\/a>, as well as Dayton Black, Daniel Johnson and Erik Andersen. Andersen was named the U Sports top offensive lineman this past season.<\/p>\n