READY FOR DRAFT DAY

Rams QB hopes for spot on CFL team

For a change, Noah Picton is hoping to be picked.

The University of Regina Rams’ star quarterback would love to be selected in Thursday’s CFL draft.

“I’m looking forward to it,” the 2016 Hec Crighton Trophy winner said of the draft.

An NCAA quarterback with Picton’s credentials wouldn’t have to wonder about being drafted. It is a different situation north of the border, however, where accomplished Canadian signal-callers are routinely bypassed in the CFL draft.

As it stands, teams are allowed to dress three quarterbacks of any nationality — a provision that creates a disincentive to draft or develop a Canadian quarterback, because there aren’t any ratiorelated benefits to be derived.

The Roughriders, for example, did not receive credit for deploying a Canadian when Brandon Bridge called signals for them last year.

Bridge has lobbied for a rule amendment that would classify a Canadian as one of the minimum seven homegrown starters when he sees game duty.

Having benefited from Bridge’s presence, would the Roughriders be receptive to adding another homegrown pivot by drafting the 5-foot-9 Picton?

“It’s always intriguing because if they change the rules for Canadian quarterback, he’s a guy who can throw the football,” Roughriders head coach/GM Chris Jones told reporters Wednesday.

“Size is an issue for me, because he’s not the biggest guy. He has a huge heart and he’s a local guy. We’ll have to see who is available at the different spots we have because we are limited with us missing our (third- and fourth-round draft picks).”

Picton and tailback Atlee Simon were the two Rams who took part in the CFL’s national combine in late March.