CFL draft: A complete look at the newest Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan currently has seven selections in the 2016 CFL draft
The Saskatchewan Roughriders used the first overall selection in the CFL draft to pick offensive lineman Josiah St. John.
"There's obviously pressure being number one, but I'm not going to worry about it too much," St. John said. "I'm just going to go in there with a hungry mentality, a chip on my shoulder, and perform to the best of my ability."
The Toronto, Ont., native spent the past three seasons at the University of Oklahoma. He started four games last season at right tackle. St. John is listed as six-feet six-inches tall and 300 pounds.
Saskatchewan head coach and general manager Chris Jones said St. John was "the biggest, best athlete" available in his mind.
"He was our highest ranked guy on our board," Jones said. "You build your football team with linemen and firmly you have to always make sure you go after those in drafts. I don't care what draft it is, or what league you're in, you have to have great offensive line."
- Saskatchewan Roughriders Chris Jones talks day before CFL draft
- Roughriders plan barbecues, parties for training camp in Saskatoon
Riders take defensive back, kicker in 3rd round
After being forced to wait for 23 more draft picks, the Riders used the seventh pick in the third round (24th overall) to select defensive back Elie Bouka.
The 23-year-old Bouka, who played college football at the University of Calgary, signed with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals following April's NFL draft.
Saskatchewan followed up that pick by taking kicker/punter Quinn van Gylswyk with the 26th overall draft pick.
Riders select arguably the draft's best player
David Onyemata may never play in the CFL, but the Roughriders thought he was still worth obtaining the rights to.
Onyemata, a former University of Manitoba defensive lineman, was drafted by the NFL's New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the NFL draft in April.
The Riders followed up that pick by taking another defensive lineman — Alex Ogbongbemiga.
More Canadian offensive line depth
In the sixth round, Saskatchewan added to its Canadian offensive lineman depth by selecting Alex McKay.
McKay played his college football at the University of Manitoba.
With their final pick the 62nd overall the Roughriders selected receiver Joshua Stanford from the University of Kansas.
Stanford also spent time at Virginia Tech University. In 2013, Stanford made 40 catches for 640 yards and one touchdown with the Hokies.
Jones happy with his 1st draft in Riderville
"I thought it was solid, top to bottom," Jones said on Tuesday night. "I thought there were at least eight to nine good lineman that can help football teams. (I) Thought there were some special teams guys, and three to four receivers. Certainly it was one of the deeper drafts for the first couple of rounds especially."
Here is a recap of Saskatchewan's 2016 CFL draft picks:
- Round 1, 1st overall: Josiah St. John, offensive line
- Round 3, 24th overall: Elie Bouka, defensive back
- Round 3, 26th overall: Quinn van Gylswyk, kicker/punter
- Round 4, 35th overall: David Onyemata, defensive lineman
- Round 5, 36th overall: Alex Ogbongbemiga, defensive lineman
- Round 6, 52nd overall: Alex McKay, offensive lineman
- Round 8, 62nd overall: Joshua Stanford, receiver
Follow the latest updates from CBC's Peter Mills below:
Newly acquired receiver retires just before training camp
On Tuesday, the Riders announced American receiver Jeremy Kelley will not be a part of the 2016 team.
According to the team, Kelley is stepping away from football because of a medical situation.
"I am disappointed to have had made this decision, especially only weeks before training camp," Jeremy Kelley said in a news release. "I am concerned about my health, due to a non-football related medical situation that has surfaced and I believe it is in my best interest to discontinue playing at this time."
The Riders have placed Kelley on the retired list. He's the fifth Roughriders player to retire this off-season after Tearrius George, Maurice Price, Bruce Campbell, and Shea Emry all called it a career.
Kelley signed with the Riders on Feb. 9.