Saskatchewan Roughriders legend Darian Durant has high expectations for second-year receivers, KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers in 2025.
"They're going to have to take the next step,” Durant explained on The SportsCage. "We don't know how Shawn Bane [Jr.] is recovering or what the timetable looks like for his return and with Jerreth Sterns going to Winnipeg, these guys are going to have to step up right away."
Sterns left the Riders during CFL free agency to sign with the Bombers. As for Bane Jr., he sustained a knee injury last year on September 28 against the Ottawa Redblacks, which put him out for the season.
Durant likes the fact that both Johnson and Meyers have a year of experience in the CFL.
"Luckily for them, they had plenty of playing time last year," Durant said. "They know the system, they get to come to camp and not learn. When you're learning in training camp, it's hard for you to play full speed. With the guys having a year under their belt with the system, it makes coming into training camp that much easier. The offence can pretty much pick up from where they left off in the West Final and be able to build even more chemistry."
Last year, during the 2024 season, Johnson played 12 games for the Green and White, recording 56 receptions for 746 yards and five touchdowns. Prior to joining the Riders, Johnson spent some time in the NFL from 2019-2023. Meyers played five games for the Riders, registering 24 receptions for 349 yards and one touchdown.
Durant knows one of the Riders free agent signings, former teammate, offensive lineman Philippe Gagnon.
"I had a chance to play with Gags in Montreal on my way out," Durant recalled. "As a young guy, he was a beast, he's nasty and he's physical. He's everything that Jeremy [O’Day] would want in an O-lineman; Gags brings that to the team.”
Durant was with Gagnon during the 2017 season after he was traded to the Alouettes in January that year. In return, the Riders received a fourth-round and a second-round CFL Draft picks.
Last year, Gagnon suited up in 18 games with the Montreal Alouettes. He won one a Grey Cup with the Als in 2023, when Montreal beat the Blue Bombers 28-24.
Durant also shared his perspective on another free agent signing: Canadian offensive lineman Sean McEwen. McEwen previously played for the Calgary Stampeders. The former QB likes Saskatchewan’s offensive linemen signings.
"A lot of these moves aren't your so-called sexy free agent signings, but he's doing a good job of building depth because those injuries devastated the O-line last year," Durant said.
"Even with AJ [Ouellette], he didn't make it through the season. He was banged up. You're going to need some quality guys behind him. The lack of a running game with the Riders last year was critical because Winnipeg was able to sit back in the playoffs and play the pass. There wasn't really much of a threat of a running game."
During the West Final against the Bombers last November, the Riders rushed for 77 yards compared to Winnipeg running for 194.
