Roughriders training camp preview: Defensive depth
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After focusing on the offensive outlook in this recent article while also focusing on the special teams and coaches here, it's time to look at the defence.
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With a plenty of newcomers and a few new players, this group is expected to be a dominant force in 2025, much like they were in 2024.
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As training camp gets underway Sunday, here's a breakdown of how the Roughriders defence looks heading into camp:
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Defensive line
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Thanks in large part to the play of their defensive line last year, the Roughriders allowed the fewest rushing yards against while recording 38 sacks (fourth in the league) and forcing a league-high 49 turnovers.
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Can this group be even better than they were last year? While Miles Brown, Bryan Cox Jr. and Anthony Lanier II are no longer in the mix, the team has added Mike Rose and Shane Ray to complement fellow starters Micah Johnson and Malik Carney, with Caleb Sanders expected to see plenty of rotational playing time as well.
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While it appears the starting four are set, training camp encourages competition and American rookies like Alex Grubner, Aaron Patrick, Kendy Charles and Justin Jefferson will surely want to show what they've got. Jordan Smith was cut prior to camp getting underway on Sunday.
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As for Canadians, while four Americans are expected to start, the team also spent a first-round draft pick on Ali Saad while Charbel Dabire enters the season with a new contract hoping to get off to a strong start this season like he did last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Both of these guys, along with Benoit Marion and Lake Korte-Moore are expected to contribute when their number is called.
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While the team brought in Adam Auclair in 2024, it was A.J. Allen who made the most of his opportunity when he was on the field and let the Roughriders not retaining Auclair this off-season. While it's likely Saskatchewan will start three American linebackers this year (Thurman, Avery, Reavis), there's a chance A.J. Allen could see action along with Nick Wiebe, a second-round pick in 2024 who missed much of last season recovering from a knee injury.
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