Draft Profile: Ottawa Redblacks

With the 2015 CFL Draft set to go Tuesday at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2, CFL analyst Duane Forde previews each team heading into the big day. Forde takes a look at the Ottawa Redblacks in this edition.

How They Were Acquired

Selected in Expansion Draft:  11
Drafted by Redblacks: 10
Signed as Undrafted Free Agents: 0
Free Agents with CFL/NFL Experience: 6
Signed from CJFL: 0
Acquired via Trade: 2

Canadians to Watch

- Nolan MacMillan: He opened his rookie season at tackle before eventually settling in at guard. If he were eventually able to slide back outside, it would create some ratio flexibility for this young team.
- Brad Sinopoli: He’s part of the massive offseason overhaul of the REDBLACKS receiving corps and expectations are huge.
- John Mark: International kicker Brett Maher struggled his way to a CFL worst 67.6% field goal accuracy. Enter Mark, a 2014 Saskatchewan draft choice, who hit 82.3% of his field goal attempts in four years at the University of Calgary.

In the Pipeline

None

Picks in 2015 CFL Draft

- 6 selections
- 1st, 10th, 28th, 37th, 45th, and 54th overall

Random Thought

Of the sixteen Canadians selected by Ottawa in the Expansion Draft, fourteen of them reported to camp last year. All fourteen made the team. Of the four players the Redblacks had drafted as underclassmen in 2013, three of them signed with the club (Tyler Digby opted for pro lacrosse instead). All three made the team, as did Ottawa’s first three picks in the 2014 Draft. The point is that, as an expansion franchise, there wasn’t a lot of depth and, by extension, a lack of competition for National roster spots. Developing that depth and competition won’t happen overnight but, with their two Top Ten picks, it’s critical that Ottawa comes away from the draft with two players who provide an immediate upgrade.