Edit: 3DownNation
There are just eight days remaining until the 2026 CFL Draft, with hundreds of players waiting to see their pro football dreams realized on Tuesday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
As always, 3DownNation will be your go-to source for extensive coverage of all eight rounds. Analysts J.C. Abbott and Ben Grant will be live on YouTube and Facebook for the entirety of the selection process, while John Hodge will keep you up-to-the-minute by breaking down every pick as it happens on the LIVE blog.
In the lead-up to the festivities, our team has collaborated on prospect rankings at every position, which will culminate in the unveiling of our annual Top 25. These evaluations are our own, taking into account film study, physical measurables, Combine performance, and anonymous feedback from CFL scouts and coaches. Players are ranked based on the strength of their on-field projection, with off-the-field factors such as health or legal concerns included as context in the write-up.
We have already ranked the quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks and tight ends. Make sure to check back tomorrow when we break down the offensive linemen.
Today, we continue by examining the receivers. While this class lacks a sure-fire first-round prospect, there is plenty of quality depth available in the mid-rounds, with more special teams upside on offer than a typical year.
Receiver
Photo courtesy: UND Athletics
1. Nate DeMontagnac, University of North Dakota (Mississauga, Ont.)
DeMontagnac didn’t establish himself as a full-time starter until late in his collegiate career, producing more than half of his career yardage as a senior. His upward trajectory has continued through the pre-draft process, placing him at the top of this list with the clearest projection to become a CFL starter. The six-foot-two, 188-pound slot receiver is a smooth route runner who effortlessly changes gears and has deceptive top-end speed, allowing him to separate out of the break. He’s also tougher than his lighter weight class would suggest, with a high success rate on contested catches and arguably the best blocking tape of any receiver available. That well-rounded skillset gives the Mississauga native a stable floor at the next level, where he should instantly provide quality depth.
2. Jesulayomi Ojutalayo, Wilfrid Laurier University (Shelburne, Ont.)
In a year where most of the top receivers have obvious warts, teams could lean towards the prospect with the best measurables and the most special teams value. Both of those titles belong to Ojutalayo, who blew up the testing at the CFL Combine and has collected 37 total tackles in 42 games with the Golden Hawks. The six-foot-two, 217-pound target hasn’t had the same level of offensive success, where his route-running can be stilted at times, but he has the explosive athletic traits worth betting on and a droolworthy frame that you want walking off the bus first. Scouts love the 2025 OUA all-star’s maturity, and some believe he could become the league’s best offensive special teams player as a rookie.
3. Nick Cenacle, University of Hawai’i at Manoa (Montreal, Que.)
Normally, leading an FBS program in receiving yardage, as Cenacle did with the Rainbow Warriors in 2024, is a pretty good indication that you’ll be the top pass catcher in your CFL Draft, but his evaluation isn’t quite so clear-cut. His follow-up in 2025 was marred by a knee injury, some bad drops, and forty-yard dash times that all exceeded 4.7 seconds — slower than what is generally expected for a CFL starter. While those things may be related, the six-foot-one, 199-pound slot has never been known for his blazing speed, at his best when asked to win with short-area quickness and spatial awareness. Given his limited special teams upside, the team that selects him will have to trust that he can step into an offensive role early, with a clear plan on how to compensate for his lack of a top gear.
4. Nolan Ulm, Eastern Washington University (Kelowna, B.C.)
A chiselled athlete who lives in the gym, Ulm has arguably trained too much for his own good at times and struggled to regain his previous form after a high ankle sprain cost him most of the 2024 season. There is still some stiffness to his game, and he doesn’t possess elite long speed, but is a powerful strider off the line who eats up cushion quickly, gets aggressive at the catch point, and isn’t afraid to work in the dirty areas. The six-foot-two, 196-pounder has also been an excellent special teams player, with 19 career tackles to show for it. If teams face a split decision, the Kelowna native will get bonus points for his work off the field as well, as he has received national recognition for his charitable work in college and intends to continue those endeavours in the CFL.
Photo courtesy: U of A Athletics
5. Carter Kettyle, University of Alberta (Grovedale, Alta.)
The 2025 first-team All-Canadian doesn’t blow you away with his measurables, testing near average in most categories. Pop on the tape, though, and you’ll see an easy athlete who understands how to attack leverage, consistently separates, and has the body control to make tough catches. The six-foot, 196-pound pass catcher seems to get faster as the rep goes along and can be surprisingly slippery after the catch as well. Kettyle, who bears a striking resemblance to a young Eminem, may not be the real Slim Shady, but he does have CFL starting upside in the mould of a Kiondre Smith.
6. Malick Meiga, Coastal Carolina University (Saint Jerome, Que.)
A fascinating case study in valuing traits versus production, Meiga never established himself as a consistent receiving threat in college, but dazzled at the Chanticleers’ pro day by running in the 4.4s. That type of speed is not easily dismissed, especially when the prospect in question stands six-foot-three and 206 pounds with 33-inch arms and cheese-grater abs. However, it has rarely shown up on film, where Meiga looks stiff and robotic, struggling with drops at times. His saving grace could be special teams value, as the Penn State transfer has been productive as a gunner on punt team at both of his collegiate stops, though he does have a tendency to over-run the play and miss tackles.
7. Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald, McGill University (Montreal, Que.)
The only player that I’ve elected to rank in two different position groups, Latendresse-Regimbald is the unquestioned top quarterback in this year’s draft, but appears destined to convert to receiver at the next level. While that’s easier said than done, the six-foot-three, 213-pound athlete checks all the measurable boxes and took to the position like a duck to water at the CFL Combine. His size, explosive burst, hard running style, and effortless bend make him the best cross-positional candidate in quite some time, with arguably more physical upside than the greatest to ever do it: Brad Sinopoli.
8. Shemar McBean, University of British Columbia (Calgary, Alta.)
While some scouts came away disappointed from McBean’s pro day and Combine testing, that had more to do with high expectations than reality. The five-foot-11, 196-pound speedster is objectively one of the fastest players in this class and has unrivalled production as a deep threat. The two-time Canada West all-star won’t be able to have the same consistent vertical success in the CFL and will have to diversify his route tree, but should still be able to pull away with the ball in his hand. He’s also a capable return man who can contribute in a pinch, though he’ll need to prove that he can play on the other special teams units.
Photo: Alabama State Athletics
9. Dylan Djete, Alabama State University (Levis, Que.)
From purely an offensive standpoint, Djete should arguably be higher on this list. He has shown off some elite athletic traits with a 39.5-inch vertical and 4.55-second forty-yard dash, and you see those measurables come through in flashes on tape. The Levis native has made some impressive contortionist catches and been dangerous on jet sweeps, but the challenge is that at five-foot-11 and 184 pounds, he is essentially a start-or-bust prospect with no discernible special teams value. Add in the fact that he has never been more than a complementary piece in college and appeared to fall out of favour after a promising freshman season at Wofford, and his pro projection looks considerably riskier than those above him.
10. Matt Sibley, University of Calgary (Calgary, Alta.)
It was impossible not to fall in love with Sibley at the CFL Combine, as he was virtually unguardable after earning elevation from the Invitational Combine in Waterloo. The Dinos’ leading receiver last year is twitchy off the line and sudden out of his breaks, never slowing pace as he leaves defenders grasping at air. That should be enough to see him drafted late, but, like so many before him, the five-foot-10, 189-pound slotback is fighting an uphill battle due to his slight frame, which limits his chances to make the roster on special teams.
11. Joshua Jack, Saint Mary’s University (Brampton, Ont.)
The entire AUS conference was shut out in the 2025 CFL Draft, and Jack is arguably the strongest candidate to break that drought this year. The six-foot, 200-pound target helped himself by posting strong numbers at the CFL Combine and was productive this past season in Saint Mary’s run to the national semi-finals, despite some lacklustre QB play. He has found success running the rail and winning contested catches, with a frame that is thick enough to handle the physicality of a jump in competition.
12. Tyriq Quayson, University of Windsor (Maple, Ont.)
Quayson was the MVP of the track team at Wilfrid Laurier in 2024, but struggled to find playing time in a loaded Golden Hawks receiving corps. That changed when the dual-sport athlete transferred to Windsor this past season, finally putting up some respectable offensive numbers. His strong testing at the Invitational Combine, which earned him promotion to the National, suggests that we have yet to see the explosive speedster’s full potential. His game still needs refinement, but the six-foot-one, 197-pounder has tools to develop, including 34-inch arms that will help him stab the ball.
Photo courtesy: Dan Noordman/Manitoba Bisons
13. Nathan Udoh, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Man.)
Nicknamed ‘Weapon X’ by his teammates, Udoh didn’t establish himself as a productive offensive weapon for the Bisons until last season, though he did step up to handle the team’s punting duties in 2023. He thrived working the scramble drill with QB Jackson Tachinski and has enough speed to succeed with the waggle, though lateral stiffness is a concern. It is his size that is most attractive to CFL teams, as he has shown flashes of physicality at six-foot-one and 215 pounds that could translate.
14. Zachary Houde, St. Francis Xavier University (Falardeau, Que.)
Houde’s career accolades are as good as any receiver available, as he has been consistently productive since earning AUS rookie of the year honours in 2022 and has been named a conference all-star three times. The six-foot-one, 205-pound slotback is solid and dependable, averaging 80.3 yards per game and 17.8 yards per catch during his time with the X-Men. While his physical measurables aren’t anything to write home about, it is worth noting that his Invitational Combine performance was a dramatic improvement in all categories from his testing at last year’s East-West Bowl, proving his dedication.
15. Gavin Owen, University of British Columbia (Scarborough, Ont.)
It would be easy to dismiss a player who caught a grand total of zero passes last season, but physical traits reign supreme in the CFL Draft, and Owen has them. The six-foot-three, 206-pound receiver has nearly 34-inch arms and broad jumped 10-feet, 7 5/8-inches — length and explosiveness that is hard to find anywhere else. His contributions as a special teams blocker for the Thunderbirds could be just enough to merit a late-round flyer, though Bobsleigh Canada should probably give him a call either way.
16. Benjamin Britton, University of Calgary (Calgary, Alta.)
A complete wild card, Britton was a Canada West all-star for the Dinos in 2024 after posting 42 receptions for 661 yards, but stepped away from the team last season. He has since indicated that he would like to return to the sport, though scouts differ on how seriously they take those claims. In a draft that is light on size at the receiver position, a six-foot-three, 220-pound target with his level of production can’t be counted out entirely, and a team could gamble on a comeback at the end of the draft.
Photo courtesy: Grambling State Athletics
17. Barron Miles Jr., Grambling State University (Montreal, Que.)
Miles is the most recognizable name in this draft class, thanks to his Hall of Fame father. Unfortunately, he also inherited his namesake’s size, checking in at under five-foot-10 and 180 pounds, but lacks the same athletic juice. His intelligence and high effort level have allowed him to overachieve thus far, walking on at Nebraska before transferring to Grambling State, where he contributed 150 yards from the slot. He has enough short-area twitch to win on quick hitters, but with no special teams value, that isn’t enough for a convincing CFL projection.
18. Devaughn Blackwood, St. Francis Xavier University (Kanata, Ont.)
A 2025 AUS all-star, Blackwood piqued interest levels across the league with a breakout campaign after he missed all of 2024 with injury. The six-foot-two, 201-pound target has good size and showed the ability to separate against Maritime competition, but his testing measurables were best left a mystery. His results from the CFL Combine, which included a 4.88-second forty-yard dash, will be disqualifying for most teams, with no significant compensating factors to overcome those limitations.
19. Colby Ginn, University of Windsor (LaSalle, Ont.)
One of four Lancers who tested exceptionally well at the Invitational Combine, Ginn was the only one not to get promoted to the National. In large part, that’s due to his size, which falls beneath most teams’ qualifying thresholds at five-foot-nine and 176 pounds. However, his tape backs up the athletic measurables, as he is a crisp route runner with great pacing and tremendous twitch. That may not be enough to overcome his vertical deficiency, but it does merit a second look.
20. Gob Deng, Langley Rams (Vancouver, B.C.)
Another former Canada West all-star from the University of Calgary, Deng had his breakout season as a deep threat in 2023 before eschewing school in favour of the Canadian Junior Football League in 2024. The six-foot-two, 185-pounder was unable to play last year after aging out of the Rams, but has been working out in the hopes of catching on elsewhere. Selecting him would be a major gamble, as he needs to add weight to his slender frame and has a spotty resume, but his field-flipping ability was memorable in his time with the Dinos.
