Coming into the 2026 CFL Draft, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ immediate needs were to add high-quality National players to reinforce their depth chart and help manage the ratio during the season. To accomplish those goals, Hamilton focused on adding offensive and defensive linemen whom the Tiger-Cats hope will create long-term stability on both lines of scrimmage. Historically, building an interior offensive line with National players has been a recipe for success in the CFL.
In addition to restocking the depth chart on the offensive and defensive line, Hamilton also added more National depth to their defensive secondary and wide receivers units. A clear trend was the Tiger-Cats’ preference for players, especially linemen, who had spent their developmental years at an NCAA program. This gives Hamilton a solid core of young players who have played at the highest level and will be able to step in and take the lead as many of the veteran players approach the end of their CFL careers.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2026 CFL Draft Class
Round
Pick
Player
Position
School
1
5
Jonathan Denis
OL
Louisiana Tech (NCAA)
2
14
Malick Meiga
REC
Coastal Carolina (NCAA)
3
25
Devynn Cromwell
DB
Michigan State (NCAA)
4
32
Brayden Szeman
OL
Calgary (U Sports)
5
41
Loik Gagne
LB
Concordia (U Sports)
6
50
Marc Djonay Rondeau
LB
Ottawa (U Sports)
7
59
Aamarii Notice
DL
Coastal Carolina (NCAA)
8
68
Devin Buchanan
RB
North Dakota (NCAA)
The Anchor: OL Jonathan Denis, Louisiana Tech
With their first pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, Hamilton addressed their offensive center position, which has been an area of need for the last several seasons. During the 2025 season, Coulter Woodmansey stepped in to fill the role, but Woodmansey left the Tiger-Cats in free agency this year. Jonathan Denis has demonstrated the ability to play effectively at offensive guard and center for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
Denis is viewed as a high-floor prospect and was a four-star recruit out of high school. In college, Denis transferred from Oregon to Miami before settling at Louisiana Tech. With the Bulldogs, Denis emerged as a dominant blocker and displayed durability, staying healthy throughout his tenure at Louisiana Tech.
In the second round of the draft, Hamilton added another versatile wide receiver to a unit currently led by Kenny Lawler and Kiondre Smith. Known for his upside, wide receiver Malick Meiga played college football for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. At 6’4″, Meiga gives Bo Levi Mitchell a big red zone target.
Meiga’s large frame should help him find an immediate role in the Tiger-Cats’ passing attack, and he can also become an effective special teams player. The true value of Meiga is that he provides the Tiger-Cats with a functional possession receiver that can help move the chains. In addition, Meiga adds more National talent to the wide receiver room for Hamilton.
Secondary Depth: DB Devynn Cromwell, Michigan State
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats always value National players in the defensive secondary. Unsurprisingly, they added defensive back Devynn Cromwell in the third round. Hamilton will leverage Cromwell’s athleticism in multiple secondary and special teams roles.
Cromwell’s experience playing in the Big 10 at Michigan State gives the young defensive back a strong foundation for transitioning to the CFL. While playing for the Spartans, Cromwell showed he could compete with receivers with elite speed. That speed should help smooth out Cromwell’s transition to the wider fields in the CFL.
Late Round Value: OL Brayden Szeman and DL Aamarii Notice
Hamilton finished the 2026 CFL Draft much as they started it, by adding quality National players to their offensive and defensive lines. Brayden Szeman is a technically sound blocker from the University of Calgary, giving him valuable experience with the anomalies of Canadian football. Szeman is a lineman who should be able to work himself into a long-term position on the Tiger-Cats’ offensive line.
On the defensive line, the Tiger-Cats invested a late-round pick to add defensive lineman Aamarii Notice. Notice played college football at Coastal Carolina, so he will need some time to adapt to the mandatory 1-yard neutral zone unique to Canadian football. Notice has the frame needed to become a disruptive player at an interior position on the Tiger-Cats defensive line and could contribute this season as a rotational player on the Hamilton defensive line.
Aaron Sauter is a 23-veteran high school football coach that is also an fan of all levels of football. He is especially interested in alternative football leagues like the CFL, UFL, and IFL. Aaron enjoys analyzing innovative schemes on offense and defense during his free time.
