Ottawa Redblacks to Pass on Local Star Mesidor in 2026 CFL Draft
The Ottawa Redblacks face a pivotal decision with the first overall pick in the 2026 Canadian Football League draft, but one thing is certain: they will not be selecting local product Akheem Mesidor. Despite Mesidor's status as the top eligible player and his Ottawa roots, the Redblacks have ruled out drafting him entirely, citing his likely selection in the first round of the National Football League draft and his potential for a long, lucrative career in the United States.
NFL Prospects Overshadow CFL Draft
Akheem Mesidor, an explosive rush end for the Miami Hurricanes, has garnered significant attention from NFL analysts. Mel Kiper Jr., a renowned ESPN draft analyst since 1984, projects Mesidor to be taken 31st overall by the New England Patriots, describing him as a player who could "quickly become a feared disrupter in the AFC East." Other projections are even more optimistic; NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks has him going 25th to the Chicago Bears, while Tankathon lists him as high as the 20th pick, currently held by the Dallas Cowboys.
Shawn Burke, the Redblacks' vice-president of football operations, emphasized the team's strategy: "Picking No. 1, you always want to have a guy that you know is coming into camp from Day 1," he said. "If we stick to picking at one, we'll probably have talked to the player and probably gotten all the particulars done that he's pretty much signed when we select him." This approach underscores the Redblacks' focus on securing a player who can contribute immediately in the upcoming season, rather than gambling on a prospect with NFL aspirations.
Other Canadian NFL Hopefuls Also Off the Table
Mesidor is not the only Canadian player the Redblacks will avoid in the draft. Two other prospects with realistic NFL chances are also unlikely to be selected by Ottawa:
- Rene Konga: A defensive tackle for the Louisville Cardinals, born in Cameroon and immigrated to Ottawa at age 13, expected to be a mid-round NFL pick.
- Logan Taylor: An offensive tackle for the Boston College Eagles, from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, also projected as a mid-round NFL selection.
Burke noted that the Redblacks are waiting to see how the NFL draft unfolds, with "somewhere between 8-10 guys" potentially receiving NFL opportunities, which will clarify their draft strategy. "I think by the end of this weekend, we'll have a better idea of where we're headed," he added, leaving open the possibility of trading the top pick.
Redblacks Acquire Rights to NFL-Experienced Player
In a related move, the Redblacks recently acquired the rights to Luiji Vilain, another Ottawa-born rush end with NFL experience. The trade involved sending a third-round pick (23rd overall) in 2026 and a conditional third-round pick in 2027 to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for Vilain and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Vilain, 28, played five games over two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before being released by the Dallas Cowboys in July.
Redblacks head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition: "Any time you have the opportunity to add a player of this calibre, it's something you jump at." This move highlights the team's effort to bolster their roster with experienced talent while navigating the complexities of the draft.
As the CFL draft approaches, the Redblacks' decision to bypass local star Akheem Mesidor reflects a pragmatic approach focused on immediate team needs and the realities of player availability in a league competing with the NFL for talent.
