The following is a complete list of first-round draft picks selected by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Ottawa participated in the first Canadian college draft in 1953 when only eastern teams were permitted to make selections. From 1960-1962, only eastern teams and the Calgary Stampeders participated in the draft as the other western clubs signed players from universities in their area. This list also includes all territorial exemptions from 1973, when teams were first permitted to selected players within their designated area, until 1985 when these exemptions were abolished.
As defined in the 2016 CFL's Facts, Figures, and Records and the 2023 CFL Guide & Record Book, for historical record purposes and by the current Ottawa Redblacks' request, the Ottawa Football Clubs are considered to be a single entity since 1876 with two periods of inactivity (1997–2001 and 2006–2013).[1][2] Consequently, this list includes figures from the Ottawa Football Club (1876–1898), Ottawa Rough Riders (1899–1919, 1931–1996), Ottawa Senators (1920–1930), Ottawa Renegades (2002–2005), and Ottawa Redblacks (2014–present).[2] After being scheduled to re-enter the league in 2014, the Ottawa Redblacks participated in the 2013 CFL draft where they were only eligible to select NCAAredshirt juniors.[3][4] Thereafter, starting with their first season in 2014, they were able to select any draft-eligible player in the CFL draft.
Ottawa has had the first overall selection in the draft 10 times since its inception in 1953. Since 1953, the club has lost their first round pick six times due to trades.[5] Not including territorial exemptions, the most first-round picks Ottawa has had in one year is four, which occurred in the 1968 CFL Draft.[5]
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