Minutes after the Saskatchewan Roughriders made official the release of Canadian offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley to pursue NFL opportunities under the CFLPA’s opt out provision, CFL fans were given an insight onto what his next step will be.
“Shepley on his way to San Fran to workout with the 49ers,” CFL insider Farhan Lalji tweeted in response to the official announcement.
The 49ers weren’t the only NFL team looking at the dominant guard but coronavirus protocols make the workout process complex according to Lalji.
“Four teams expressed an interest in bringing Shepley in for a workout. More complicated than in normal years because he will have to do four days of COVID testing & a physical before doing the actual workout. So tough to workout for multiple teams at this stage given the timing.”
Shepley just wants to play football in 2020 and must have assessed San Francisco as his top opportunity to do so.
Shepley originally signed with the New York Jets after going unselected in the 2018 NFL draft. The University of British Columbia product was cut following training camp and spent the rest of the season awaiting another NFL opportunity.
The native of Windsor, Ont. was a first-round pick of the Riders in the 2018 CFL draft. He signed with the team in March 2019 and started 14 games at right guard last season, winning the team’s Most Outstanding Rookie award.
The six-foot-four, 310-pound offensive lineman is now free to sign with any NFL team, but must return to Saskatchewan if he is released. His contract with the Riders expires in February 2022.
