Riders ink six draft picks plus three more

The Riders have secured part of their future.

The team announced on Wednesday they've signed six of their draft picks from the 2014 CFL draft. Their highest pick, defensive lineman Dylan Ainsworth, was not among them.

“We had an agreement that he would be here this week and learn some stuff,” said Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Brendan Taman. “I'm pretty optimistic we'll have a deal done here pretty quick.”

Ainsworth hasn't signed yet not because of potentially more money coming his way in the new collective bargaining agreement or because he's exploring other options but Taman said that the timing just didn't really work out for him to get the paperwork done. Ainsworth is in town right now and met with Taman before his media availability on Wednesday. He will continue to work with the other rookies off the field.

Signed are receiver Alex Pierzchalski, kicker John Mark, receiver Kristopher Bastien, defensive back Matt Webster, offensive lineman Kyle Paterson and linebacker Travis Bent.

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“Obviously with the CBA being what it is with that out there it's a little more trickier,” said Taman. “At the end of the day money is money and we got it worked out.”

Taman added that none of the players agents were an issue when it came to signing the players before a new agreement with the league is in place.

Like Ainsworth, Pierzchalski was taken in the 2nd round. Mark and Bastien where third round picks. Webster was chosen in the 5th round as was Paterson. Bent was a 6th round selection.

Riders 7th round selection offensive lineman Terry Hart also remains un-signed.

Defensive line bulked up ahead of training camp

The team also announced they've signed import defensive lineman Markus White and Robert Eddins along with import receiver Devin Aromashodu.

White comes to Saskatchewan after three seasons in the NFL. White was taken in the 7th round by the Washington Redskins playing in only three games over two seasons before signing with Tampa Bay in 2012. White also spent three seasons at Florida State.

Eddins joins the Riders after spending parts of two seasons with the Buffalo Bills, mostly on the bench or practice roster. Before the NFL, Eddins spend four seasons at Ball State.

Aromashodu heads north after seven seasons in the NFL. The year 30-year-old has played in 61 games making 78 catches for nearly 1,200 yards. Aromashodu spent time with the Dolphins, Colts, Texans, Vikings and Bears.

To make room import defensive back Woodny Turenne and import linebacker Xavier Abidi were both release. Import defensive back Prince Miller has decided to retire.

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