O’Day recaps Roughriders’ efforts in CFL draft

Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day was a happy camper Tuesday night — just like every GM in the CFL.

“Overall, we feel good about the draft,” O’Day told reporters after the CFL draft wrapped up. “Certainly we’re happy about it, but as I’ve always said, I think probably all nine teams are happy with their draft because they picked the guys they wanted.”

The Roughriders drafted eight players: Two defensive linemen, two offensive linemen, two linebackers, a defensive back and a running back.

“We like physical football players and we felt like we added some of those guys in the draft,” O’Day said. “Most of those guys fit that mould.”

Two of Saskatchewan’s selections — offensive lineman Sidy Sow (sixth round) and defensive end Tavius Robinson (eighth) — both were picked in the NFL draft, so the Roughriders may never see them.

O’Day said he can see how some people would say the Roughriders wasted two draft picks, but he noted his team has had success in the past taking players who tried their luck in the NFL but eventually ended up in Saskatchewan.

“At that point, it’s just risk-reward,” O’Day said. “If it ever happens (that they come back to Canada), it’s a home run.”

Here’s a quick look at each of the Roughriders’ draft picks, including O’Day’s thoughts on some of them.

Lake Korte-Moore (first round, third overall)

The 6-foot-3, 264-pound defensive lineman out of UBC had 10 sacks in 34 career Canada West games.

“We’ve been following him for a while and we got to see him in person — a little bit of his game against the (University of) Regina Rams where we watched in person on the field — and he had one of his better games here,” O’Day said. “We see a lot of value to him in what he can bring to us.”

Jaxon Ford (second round, 11th overall)

The grandson of Riders legend Al Ford is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back who was a 2022 Canada West all-star with the Rams. He had 85 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and five picks in 29 career games at the U of R.

“We feel like he can help on special teams and he has a chance to play safety in our league,” O’Day said. “Obviously the roots being here helps us, but we’re happy to have Jaxon.”

Matt Dean (third round, 21st overall)

A 6-foot-2, 196-pound linebacker from York, Dean had 90 solo tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and two interceptions over 31 games for the Lions.

Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (fourth round, 30th overall)

A running back out of Delaware State, the 6-foot-0, 220-pounder rushed 239 times for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 51 yards for the Hornets over four seasons.

“What we like about him is the versatility he brings, not only running back but fullback,” O’Day said. “(He) does good things out of the backfield and also can help on special teams. This will be high praise, but he’s kind of like a Neal Hughes that we had back in the day.”

Sidy Sow (sixth round, 48th overall)

The 6-foot-5, 326-pounder was taken by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of last week’s NFL draft. He finished his career as Eastern Michigan’s all-time leader with 56 games played — 54 of them as a starter.

Evan Floren (seventh round, 57th overall)

A 6-foot-4, 300-pounder out of Queen’s was named an OUA all-star last season.

“He was pretty high up on the analytics and someone that definitely has the athletic ability and the size that can develop into a CFL lineman,” O’Day said. “(There) were a lot of characteristics that we liked.”

Nick Thomas (seventh round, 60th overall)

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound linebacker from Manitoba had 73 defensive tackles, seven tackles for losses, 2 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles in 24 career games with the Bisons.

“We had a little bit of a spread (of opinion) on him because he’s had some injuries, but his tape was just so good of the football players that we like …,” O’Day said. “He’s really fun to watch on tape.”

Tavius Robinson (eighth round, 66th overall)

The 6-foot-8, 240-pound defensive end from Ole Miss was taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens.. Robinson recorded 11.5 sacks in 34 games for the Rebels.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Britton Gray