Today’s positional preview looks at the wide receivers with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Much like the team’s offensive line, the Roughriders WRs will feature plenty of competition with some new faces at training camp.
Among the veterans returning are Brayden Lenius and Mitchell Picton with Kian Schaffer-Baker set to miss some time to start the season.
Some of the newcomers Saskatchewan added in the off-season include Jake Wieneke, Derel Walker and Shawn Bane Jr.
Here is a look at the wide receivers listed on the roster of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Brayden Lenius
The 26-year-old returned to Saskatchewan in August last season after a tryout with the Atlanta Falcons. In seven games, Lenius ended up with 172 receiving yards and a touchdown. His breakthrough season came in 2021 when the former Washington Huskie had 471 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Mario Alford
The 2022 Most Outstanding Special Teams Player didn’t play a role in the Roughriders offence in 2022 but that will likely change this season. After acquired from the Montreal Alouettes in July, Alford would go on to have four returns for a touchdown, including a special teams trifecta (kickoff, punt and missed field goal).
Jake Wieneke
A newcomer to Saskatchewan, the former Alouette should be able to establish quick chemistry with quarterback Trevor Harris after the pair spent time together over the last two seasons. The Roughriders hope the South Dakota State product reverts back to his 2021 numbers when he has 898 yards and 11 touchdowns in Montreal.
Shawn Bane Jr.
A speedster who could provide the Saskatchewan offence with a deep threat. The 27-year-old spent two seasons in Calgary, with his best game last season against Toronto on August 20, with 129 yards.
Derel Walker
The most decorated resume in the Saskatchewan receiving group, the 31-year-old has topped the 1000+ mark three times in his CFL career. Despite an unsettled situation at quarterback in Edmonton last year, Walker had 874 yards.
Juwan Brescacin
A member of the 2022 Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts, the Northern Illinois product spent the last two seasons in Toronto after he enter the league with Calgary.
Samuel Emilus
Saskatchewan’s first round choice in 2022, Emilus dressed in 15 games in 2022 and saw action in seven games. He had 165 receiving yards and also spent time as a returner. The Louisiana Tech. product is expected to challenge for more playing time this season with the injury to Kian Schaffer-Baker.
Mitchell Picton
The local product is entering his fourth season with the Roughriders. Over the last two seasons, the former University of Regina Ram had 218 and 220 yards with the green and white.
Tevin Jones
A special teams standout with Saskatchewan in 2022, making three special teams tackles. The former Memphis Tiger played in 14 games with 20 catches with 265 yards and three touchdowns.
Jester Weah
A late cut by the Roughriders in last year’s training camp, the former Pitt Panther returned to Saskatchewan’s practice roster and would go on to play in a pair of games and register two catches for nine yards.
James Basalyga
Signed with Saskatchewan following the 2023 CFL Draft. He spent four seasons at Waterloo(2018-22) with 477 yards and five touchdowns in six games in 2022.
Jake Herslow
In his final season at the University of Houston, 480 yards and five touchdowns. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks following the 2022 NFL Draft and attended rookie minicamp with the team.
Keith Corbin III
Last season the 24-year-old attended rookie camp with the Buffalo Bills. At Jackson State University in 2021, he had 921 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games.
Tabashi Thomas
The last three seasons (2019-22) the 26-year-old was with Hinds Community College and had 65 receptions, 1,287 yards and ten touchdowns during that time.
Jake Parker
Played three seasons at Howard Payne University (2019-21). The Texas native spent last season in Germany in the German Football League.
Kalija Lipscomb
The former Vanderbilt Commodore (2016-19) spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans between 2020-21.
Kendall Watson
A five-year member of the Samford Bulldogs after he joined the team as a walk-on. He had over 1,000 yards last year in his final season with the Bulldogs.
Kian Schaffer-Baker
Saskatchewan’s top receiver in 2022 will likely miss the first half of the 2023 season as he recovers from off-season surgery.
