With three of the top four picks in this year’s draft, May 2 will be an opportunity for teams in the West Division to get a difference-maker to their squad in a division filled with plenty of talented rosters.

While there is talent on each team, there are also some needs for specific rosters that need addressing, as two teams missed the playoffs for a second successive campaign in 2022.

With that in mind, here are my projected selections for all five teams out west.

With a young quarterback behind center, the Elks could use more depth in the pass-catching department to compliment Geno Lewis and Wayne could step in and add another element to this passing attack.

Lewis will be the go-to guy who can stretch the field next season but after Kenny Lawler left to join the Bombers there are openings in the second, third and fourth receiver positions.

At the same time, Wayne would be ideal for underneath patterns; he has good initial quickness and can get through jams by opposing corners, which would be valuable on short-yardage situations and in the red-zone.

He’s a savvy runner who can track the ball downfield well and is an excellent blocker who can help their solid rushing attack and protect the QB.

After back-to-back trips to the West Final in 2019 and 2021, the 2022 campaign was a trainwreck for Craig Dickenson’s Riders, who fell apart after being crushed in the Labour Day Classic and Banjo Bowl by their arch-rivals, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Truthfully, there’s a lot that needs fixing in Saskatchewan if they are to compete next season, but pass protection should be a priority, and that’s where a guy like Dontae Bull could be useful.

The 320-pounder out of Fresno State uses his hands well, can outbattle defenders, has a good understanding of angles, and is not intimidated by aggressive trash-talking defenders.

Although he signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks last week, it can be a longshot for undrafted players like Sutherland to make it in the NFL.

Sutherland’s skills and size should fit the CFL and the Stampeders system well as he did a nice job transitioning from safety to a hybrid linebacker in 2022, recording 137 tackles in college for the Nittany Lions, and eight tackles for losses along with 1.5 sacks, plus an interception.

The native of Ottawa was a four-star recruit in high school and is good at tracking the ball, with plenty of versatility.

The three-time Grey Cup finalists could get a real gem at #8 should Kortne-Moore be available.

Though he did have some injury concerns years ago, the ex-Thunderbird went from 27 tackles in 2021 to 48 last season and he added a career-best six sacks as he was selected to be a Canada West All-Star.

This six foot-five, 265-pound lineman has a prototypical CFL body with plenty of physical playmaking ability.

Willie Jefferson is not getting any younger, so Mike O’Shea might want to prepare for what to do when he calls it quits, so Kortne-Moore could be playing sooner than he thinks.

Rounding out the draft, we have the Lions, who could use some speed and power along their defensive line.

Bennett is an older prospect due to his five years playing college football between Florida Atlantic and Regina, but he brings a lot of depth in the pass-rushing department despite his small frame.

He’s got strength and versatility while being a first-team All-Canadian last year, as he tied a Rams school record for the most single-season tackles for losses in 2022 (10.5).