The Calgary Stampeders will not have control of the board from the first whistle of the 2026 Canadian Football League Draft. Unlike last year, when they held the top pick, the Stampeders are selecting sixth overall after a strong 2025 season. While that bodes well for the team's performance, it makes navigating the draft more challenging.
Draft Day Details
The 2026 CFL Draft takes place on Tuesday at 5 p.m. on TSN. The Stampeders have seven selections across eight rounds. Their first pick is sixth overall, a position that offers opportunity but also uncertainty.
Scouting Perspective
Dwayne Cameron, the Stampeders' director of Canadian scouting, noted the difficulty of predicting picks with five teams ahead. “We’ve done a couple mock drafts, and it could go any number of 100 different ways,” he said. “It really is tough to tell at this point in time.”
Last year, Calgary selected dynamic wide receiver Damien Alford with the first overall pick. Alford impressed in his rookie season before signing with the NFL's New Orleans Saints. This year, the Stampeders must adapt to a lower draft position.
Top Canadian Prospects
Despite the sixth spot, the draft pool is deep. Cameron emphasized that the talent level continues to rise. “The draft continues to become more talented each and every year,” he said. “Both U SPORTS guys and Canadians in the NCAA are getting better. It used to be rare to have a Canadian with NFL interest; now there are five or six every year.”
The Ottawa Redblacks hold the first overall pick after a 4-14 season. Offensive lineman Giordano Vaccaro is a top candidate, but edge-rusher Akheem Mesidor from the Miami Hurricanes is also highly regarded. Other prospects could surprise.
What to Expect
First-round picks will be names CFL fans quickly get to know. “They’re very, very good players,” Cameron added. The Stampeders aim to add impact Canadian talent to build on their successful 2025 campaign.
