Breaking down the CFL draft and it’s unique territorial selections: who can the Redblacks draft with their 19th overall pick?

In the 2020 CFL draft the Ottawa Redblacks have the opportunity to select an Ottawa native with their first ever territorial selection. The CFL agreed on installing these selections last year where it was tested by both the Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes. When asked about it last year commissioner Ambrosie mentioned, “At the same time, (CFL fans) told us they deeply value our Canadian players and they especially love seeing local kids become ‘hometown football heroes.’ We’re listening to those fans with this change.”

The Ottawa Redblacks have their own hometown heroes on the roster now with Alex Mateas, Ettore Lattanzio, Brendan Gillanders and Nolan MacMillan but this year they have the chance to add to the list with their territorial selection.

The selection is for a team to pick a player from their own territory, so as of now the mock drafts have the Redblacks picking up Neville Gallimore with the selection but since Gallimore will likely never play a snap in the CFL (potential first round pick in the NFL) they might want to get a different player with the selection.

From the CFL’s constitution it quotes the regions the Ottawa Redblacks can draft from with their territorial selection. It quotes, “Ottawa – That portion of the Province of Quebec situated within 120 kilometres of the Peace Tower; the Cities of Kingston, Belleville, Quinte West, Brockville, Pembroke and Ottawa; the Towns of Smith Falls, Gananoque and Prescott; the United Counties of Prescott and Russell; the Counties of Frontenac, Hastings, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Lennox and Addington, Northumberland, Prince Edward, and Renfrew, all in the Province of Ontario”

With that said, look forward to the 2020 CFL Draft next Thursday, April 30th as they kickoff the first round on TSN at 8:00.