The 1971 CFL draft composed of nine rounds where 70 Canadian football players that were chosen exclusively from eligible Canadian universities. The Saskatchewan Roughriders, despite being Western Conference finalists, had the first overall selection through a trade with the last place Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

1. Saskatchewan Roughriders Brian Donnelly DB Simon Fraser

2. Ottawa Rough Riders Bob Eccles LB Carleton

3. British Columbia Lions Archie McCord T Simon Fraser

4. Edmonton Eskimos Mel Smith E Alberta

5. Winnipeg Blue Bombers Peter Ribbins DB Ottawa

6. Saskatchewan Roughriders Bill Manchuk DB Alberta

7. Winnipeg Blue Bombers Bob Kraemer QB Manitoba