The Saskatchewan Roughriders re-signed wide receiver Mitchell Picton to a two-year contract extension through the 2024 season on Friday. In addition, the Roughriders signed former Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Eric Lofton to a one-year contract through the 2023 season.
Mitchell Picton, a 27-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, made 18 catches for 220 yards, and two touchdowns in 11 games for the Roughriders in 2022. This will be his fourth season in Saskatchewan. The Roughriders drafted Picton in the fifth-round (37th pick) in the 2017 CFL Daft. In three seasons, Picton has 43 catches for 438 yards, and three touchdowns in 23 games.
Collegiately, Picton played five seasons at the University of Regina (2013-17) with 172 catches for 2,492 yards, 24 touchdowns, six carries for 16 yards, and four kick returns for 13 yards in 39 games for the Rams. In 2016, he was named U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadian and a Canada West All-Star after making 60 catches for 879 yards, and 11 touchdowns in nine games.
Eric Lofton, a 29-year-old from Lumberton, New Jersey, made one start at right tackle in a Week 19 matchup against the B.C. Lions. In 2019, Lofton played two games for the Edmonton Eskimos (now Elks). He was under contract with the Eskimos in 2020, but the season was canceled. In addition, Lofton played four games in two seasons (2017-18) with the Ottawa Redblacks. Later, he signed with the BC Lions in 2019 but was released and went to Edmonton.
Collegiately, Lofton played 37 games in four seasons (2012-15) at Temple University. In 2015, he was named All-Conference First Team by the AAC. The Owls went 10-4 that season, winning the AAC East Division. However, they would lose the AAC title game to the Houston Cougars 24-13. The Owls would play in the Boca Raton Bowl against Toledo but lost 32-17. Temple’s offense averaged 29.79 points per game, 366.7 yards per game, 5,134 yards, and 49 touchdowns.
