RIDERS ACQUIRE CORY WATSON

The Saskatchewan Roughriders acquired Canadian receiver Cory Watson from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday.

The Riders landed Watson and a 2015 third-round pick for Canadian receiver Kris Bastien, a 2015 second-round selection and the rights to a player on Winnipeg’s negotiation list.

The six-foot-three, 212-pound Watson spent five seasons with Winnipeg after being selected in the second round, ninth overall, in 2010 out of Concordia University. Last year, Watson, 30, a native of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., had 21 catches for 287 yards and three TDs in 12 regular-season games.

Watson has registered 178 career catches for 2,217 yards and six TDs in 67 regular-season contests.
The six-foot-three, 205-pound Bastien, a native of St. Lambert, Que., was a 2014 third-round pick by Saskatchewan, also out of Concordia, and spent last season on the Riders’ practice roster. With the trade, Winnipeg also now has three selections in the first 15 picks of this year’s draft.

“We are always looking to continue to grow our Canadian talent base, and being able to move up 11 spots early on in the CFL draft was significant for us,” Winnipeg GM Kyle Walters said in a statement. “Not only were we able to add a high draft pick, but we are very excited about Kris and what he brings.

“Kristopher is a big young man who we feel has great promise in our league.”

Commented Roughriders Assistant GM Jeremy O’Day: “We feel that (Watson) can be a really good player.  Any time that you can make your team better and increase your depth, but also add a quality Canadian, you’re going to take that opportunity.”

“We’re giving up Canadian talent as well so it’s not as easy as we’re getting quality Canadians.  We have to give up players in order to get those players in.  But obviously we’re focused on getting good strong Canadian talent.  It’s a huge factor in this league.”

“We’re trying our best to allow Corey Chamblin an opportunity to move the ratio around how he wants to.  We want to make those options available and work that out in training camp.  But you want good quality Canadian starters which provides more flexibility.”

Regarding contract negotiations with pending free agent receiver Weston Dressler, O’Day had these comments:

“Those discussions have opened up.  The last time we’d spoken it had been pretty quiet but those conversations have intensified.  It’s more of a back-and-forth thing now rather than before when we were just waiting and the ball was in their court.  Those conversations have increased for sure.”

“We don’t have a contract done.  We don’t have an agreement in place but, optimistically, it’s progressing let’s say.”

(CP)

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Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Bastien was a 3rd rounder – 26th overall in 2014 CFL Draft. Good trade for Riders – Watson is proven, although Bastien has a big upside, and is 5 years younger than Watson (Watson will be 31 in March)

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Good pick up another starting Canadian

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

I don’t believe Watson is here to start. Gives us great depth though in case there are injuries. Bastien was border line to make this team. Starting offence would like this as of now (Non-imports in caps); 5 Receivers (all changes if we draft Richards or acquire another Rec);1.Taj/Williams2.GETZLAF(WATSON)3.Dressler/Richardson4.Swain/Richardson/Chaz5.BAGG(WATSON)I see Korey Wiliams moving around possibly, especially if Taj returns to form. Watson can step in anywhere. O-line;1.XFulton2.LABATTE3.WATMAN/CLARK (FA?)4.BEST5.Adcock (HEENAN but doubt it) RB;A.Allen?? (lots of options here) QB;DoublesGlenn?? Tino?? I believe Heenan will sign in the NFL so we have a problem. 5 starting Canadians on offense which means we… Read more »

Cap
Cap
9 years ago

I'm not sure on this one. I think Watson has a couple years left in the tank but we also need to develop our young Canadian receivers. Bagg is 30 this year and Getzlaf just turned 32. Not sure if Alex Anthony or Scott McHenry are going to be the answer. Pierzchalski is an interesting prospect but that's it for the Canadian receivers. I really hope the Riders can snag Addison Richards in this years draft. I think he could contribute immediately.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago
Reply to  Cap

Addison richards did awesome in the senior bowl in the states. i know at least the falcons have already talked to him aand they dont really need recievers alot of nfl teams do he will be on an nfl roster no point in trying to draft him.

DBO

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

He is a good addition but at the same time he is on DL a lot…

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

It would be interesting to see what our 2015 Draft opportunities will be. What did we get for Dwight Anderson? And What Drafts the other teams are looking at?

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Watson is a good receiver but he's been injury plagued in Wpg

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Pick up a starting Candian or at least the option of a starter. If he comes in and is a top five receiver then great! If not, it adds canadian depth which is what was lacking last season. Good move!

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Good player, another starting Canadian receiver always a good thing.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Yea just like Bret Jones. Dont take a chance on him. Look how that turned out for Calgary. An OLman jumping to the NFL seems like a hugh step. To me it might be the hhardest short of the QB.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Yeh, leave Addison Richards alone let Calgary draft him. Good thinking.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

If Riders want Richards, they will have to trade up to get him, as he is a definite first rounder (Riders currently draft in the
7th spot? is that right?) BTW, has anyone seen the "2015 CFL Draft – Order of Selection by Team" for each round; I can not seem to find that information anywhere….

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Riders pick sixth overall … Richards is very much in play.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Riders pick 6th

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Prediction – you will see Bastien starting for the Bombers next year. Bet on it!!!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

15 top players in a deep draft and we give up our second rounder for a player who is 31 and didn't start last year. I hope for his sake and ours he has a good year. There is always that possibility but from this fans perspective we are admitting we don't scout/draft well so let's trade our pics and hope!

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Prediction – the 2015 CFL season will take place this year. The only thing we know for sure.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

The Riders don’t value drafting canadians, which is why they trade down so often, because they will just over pay for one in free-agency or over pay in a trade to get one at the end of his career.