February 9 is Free Agency Day in the CFL and TSN.ca has you covered. Here we preview each team heading into free agency, taking a look at their top needs and pending free agents ahead of the market opening.

 

BC Lions

Embedded ImageWith the expected loss of Andrew Harris, the Lions will be forced to change their ratio. The team would love a Canadian defensive back, but the market is thin there. The Lions could also look to add a third Canadian defensive lineman to rotate with Jabar Westerman and David Menard. BC could also add at offensive line or receiver. - Notes from Farhan Lalji

 

Team Needs heading into Free Agency
Defensive backs
Pass rushing defensive linemen
Offensive line depth
Possibly a Canadian receiver

Top Pending Free Agents

1. Andrew Harris, RB, National. Harris very quietly had another solid season in 2015 and was named a league All-Star. He added 484 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver.

2. Alex Hoffman-Ellis, LB, International. Hoffman-Ellis had a productive first full season with the Lions, registering 57 tackles and three interceptions.

3. Khreem Smith, DE, International. Smith has been a consistent pass rusher in his five seasons with the Lions. While he couldn’t match his career-high 11 sacks set in 2014, his six QB takedowns proved his consistency.

4. Travis Lulay, QB, International. The former Most Outstanding Player is fully expected to re-sign with the Lions prior to Tuesday as Jonathon Jennings’ backup. 

Additional Notes

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Calgary Stampeders

Embedded ImageFor the first time in a long while the Stampeders will enter the year without Jon Cornish at running back, a definite hole for the team entering free agency. It’s yet to be seen if the team will stick with a National at that position or not. Other needs for Calgary include help along the offensive line, at receiver, and on special teams.

 

Team Needs heading into Free Agency
Running back
Special teams help
Offensive line
Wide receiver
Long snapper

Top Pending Free Agents

1. Jeff Fuller, WR, International. With Eric Rogers already having signed in the NFL, letting Fuller, who had 47 receptions for 619 yards and three touchdowns last year, walk would leave a hole at receiver.

2. Keon Raymond, DB, International. Raymond proved he still has some gas left in the tank with a 41-tackle, two-sack, four-interception season last year.

3. Jerome Messam, RB, National. Messam is one of two Canadian running backs, alongside Andrew Harris, that could be signed as a starter. With Cornish retired, Messam would fill in to the Stamps’ ratio.

4. Karl McCartney, LB, National. McCartney will be desirable to a team looking for special teams help with a national designation.

5. Randy Chevrier, LS, National. The Stamps’ long-time long snapper wants to play another year.

 

Edmonton Eskimos

Embedded ImageThe Eskimos may have to replace all three starting linebackers after Dexter McCoil signed in the NFL and with JC Sherritt and Otha Foster ticketed for free agency. The team could also use some depth receivers, both nationals and internationals, to go along with their studs at the position. Edmonton could also be in the market for defensive backs and defensive linemen. They’re one of the few teams that could be okay at offensive line. - Notes from Farhan Lalji

 

Team Needs heading into Free Agency
Linebackers
Receivers, both Nationals and Internationals
Defensive backs
Possibly defensive linemen

Top Pending Free Agents

1. Shamawd Chambers, WR, National. Chambers missed the majority of last season to injury, but came up big in the postseason and was named Most Outstanding Canadian in the 103rd Grey Cup.

2. Aaron Grymes, DB, International. Grymes put together his second straight solid season with the Eskimos which led to a league All-Star nod and reported interest south of the border from the NFL.

3. JC Sherritt, LB, International. Sherritt is three years removed from his monster 130-tackle sophomore season, but he did play a full slate of games for the first time since that 2012 campaign last year.

4. Otha Foster, LB, International. The versatile Foster followed up his strong rookie season in 2014 with an even better one last year.

5. Don Oramasionwu, DL, National. Oramasionwu returned last year from missing almost all of 2014 to put up decent numbers in 12 games played. Oramasionwu hasn't played a full 18 games in his career, but shows talent when he's on the field.

 

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Embedded ImageThe Ticats have a large number of starters from last year's squad still unsigned, none of them bigger than Ted Laurent. Laurent is likely this year's top free agent and will get paid one way or another, either from the Ticats or on the open market. With or without Laurent, the team will also have to focus on keeping their Canadian defensive talent strong, with Courtney Stephen and a couple other Canadian defensive lineman due to become free agents. The defensive line in general could could be susceptible but the signing of John Chick really helps. The Ticats have to decide if re-signing Justin Medlock, one of the league's best kickers, is worth it as well. - With notes from Matthew Scianitti

 

Team Needs heading into Free Agency
Sign national DT Ted Laurent
Keep Canadian content strong on defence
Maintain talent on defensive line
Re-sign Justin Medlock
Add depth to offensive line

Top Pending Free Agents

1) Ted Laurent, DL, National. The most sought-after Canadian in Free Agency. The best Canadian defensive lineman. Maybe the league's best defensive lineman. Was exploring possible NFL interests, but this is Hamilton's top priority.

2) Emmanuel Davis, DB, International. Got his interceptions in bunches, but definitely always noticeable in Hamilton's secondary

3) Courtney Stephen, DB, International. Hard-working Canadian DB. Always helps Hamilton's ratio. He was exploring NFL interests.

4) Justin Medlock, K, International. Next to Swayze Waters, who kicks better in the terrible wind of Tim Hortons Field? And Medlock is near automatic from long distances.

5) Bryan Hall, DL, International. Hall and Laurent made each other better. Few defensive tackle pairings penetrated offensive lines better than Hall and Laurent. 

Other notables: Frederic Plesius, LB, National; Taylor Reed, LB, International; Andy Fantuz, WR, National; Justin Hickman, DE, International

Additional Notes

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Montreal Alouettes

Embedded ImageThe Alouettes need to nail down their plan at quarterback and may use free agency to help. And when they have their depth chart at QB set, they're going to want to give them some receivers to throw to. Montreal has talent at the receiver position but could look to get a little younger at the position. Outside of that, the Als should be using free agency to upgrade their depth throughout the roster, especially in the secondary and offensive line. - With notes from Matthew Scianitti

 

Team Needs heading into Free Agency
Quarterback -- starting and backup
Younger receivers
Canadian depth at every position (especially on defence and at receiver)
Depth in secondary
Depth on offensive line

Top Pending Free Agents

1) Winston Venable, LB, International. Set career-highs in tackles, sacks and forced fumbles. He made sure the Als linebacking corps didn't suffer after Bear Woods suffered a season-ending injury.

2) Josh Bourke, OL, National. After Anthony Calvillo and Ben Cahoon, no player has stronger links to the Als organization, or has been more important than Bourke.

3) Dominique Ellis, DB, International. Handled increased workload (played 10 more games than 2014) in 2015 well.

4) Sam Giguere, WR, National. I don't know if Giguere has ever really met the high expectations set for him throughout his career. But he had a decent 2015.

5) Jonathan Hefney, DB, International. Hefney was pretty reliable in 2016.

Other notables: Jerald Brown, DB, International

Additional Notes

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Ottawa Redblacks

Embedded ImageThe Redblacks could be looking to add to their current group of running backs after injuries cropped up last year. That becomes a bigger need if Jeremiah Johnson isn't re-signed. The team could also be looking for depth at QB. With Henry Burris nearing the end of the road, the team could be looking for younger options who could one day replace the Hall of Famer behind centre. And on the defensive side of the ball, Ottawa could stand to get a little bigger in the secondary. - Notes from Matthew Scianitti

 

Team Needs heading into Free Agency
Depth at running back
More size in their secondary
Depth at QB (AND YOUTH)
(Cheap) depth at receiver
Depth on the offensive line

Top Pending Free Agents

1) Justin Capicciotti, DL, National. One of the most effective Canadian defensive ends. But, do the RedBlacks have the money to keep him?

2) Keith Shologan, DL, National. Always reliable, Shologan set a career-high with seven sacks in 2015; so do the RedBlacks have enough money available to bring back this veteran Canadian?

3) Jovon Johnson, DB, International. The 2011 defensive player of the year experienced a renaissance in 2015. Could he do it again in 2016?

4) Jeremiah Johnson, RB, International. A foot injury late in 2015 ruined the best form of Johnson's CFL career.

6) Thomas DeMarco, QB, International. In Ottawa, DeMarco never really had a chance to duplicate the production he had when he deputized for Travis Lulay in BC in 2013.

Other notables: Marcus Henry, WR, International

 

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Embedded ImageChris Jones has already said Canadian starters and depth is extremely important in this league. Right now they plan to have Canadian starters at safety, defensive tackle, receiver, and offensive line.  As of now, starters would be OL LaBatte, Best, Clark, receivers Bagg and Demski, safety MacDougall and a defensive tackle. Upgrades at defensive tackle and safety will be needed so expect the Riders to go after these spots. The Riders also do not have a running back with experience currently on the roster.

For international players, expect the Riders to target defenders. They need linebackers and defensive backs. There isn't a lot of experience in secondary.Tyree Hollins is their most CFL experienced international DB with just one year under his belt. Jeff Knox Jr. and Jake Doughty would be their only impact international linebackers, with only one year experience. 

There will also be arguments the Riders should get another experienced quarterback with back-to-back season-ending injuries to Darian Durant. - Notes from Lee Jones

 

Team Needs heading into Free Agency
Defensive backs
Linebackers
Running back
Starting Canadian defensive tackle
Starter or depth at safety

Top Pending Free Agents

1. Ryan Smith, WR, International. Smith led the team in receiving yards last year.

2. Dylan Ainsworth, DL, National. He's a young Canadian that was a leader on special teams last year.

3. Alex Hall, DE, International. Hall had seven sacks last year.

4. Xavier Fulton, OL, International. The team's blind side tackle.

5. Chris Getzlaf, WR, National. He's a Canadian receiver on back end of his career.

 

Toronto Argonauts

Embedded ImageWith Trevor Harris set to become a free agent and Ricky Ray not getting any younger, the Argos could be looking to add depth at that position this off-season. The team could also use Canadian depth at receiver and improvements along the line on offence. Toronto should use the free agency period to make improvements on defence, and must decide whether or not to re-sign kicker Swayze Waters. - Notes from Matthew Scianitti

 

Team Needs heading into Free Agency
QB depth
Canadian receiver depth
Re-siging Swayze Waters
Comprehensive improvements to their defence, especially secondary (American and Canadian).
Improving their offensive line

Top Pending Free Agents

1) Cleyon Laing DL, National. Plenty of NFL interest. Always a strong ratio buster, and could develop into TOP Canadian/ Most Oustanding defensive player... if he stops committing personal fouls.

2) Trevor Harris, QB International. Was top MOP candidate before succumbing to late season pressure, likely because of Ricky Ray's return.

3) Swayze Waters, K, International. Best. Kicker. In. The. League... when healthy.

4) Jeff Keeping, C, National. Longtime Argo. He and Chris Van Zeyl are most consistent pieces on Toronto's Oline.

5) Chad Owens, WR/KR, International. With so much hype surrounding Diontae Spencer (a younger version of Chad Owens, in a lot of ways) Are the Argos ready to move on from 2012 MOP?

Other notables: Euclid Cummings, DL, International; Tristan Okpalaugo, DL, International; Curtis Steele, ST/KR/RB, International

Additional Notes

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Embedded ImageIt figures to be a huge free agent class this year which should suit the Blue Bombers just fine, as GM Kyle Walters has announced he’ll be active trying to sign new talent. Walters will be looking on the offensive side of the ball mostly, trying to nab playmakers – both at receiver and in the run game – for Drew Willy. On the other side of the ball, the team could be looking for help along the defensive line to shore up what Walters called an improving defence.

 

Team Needs heading into Free Agency
Offensive playmaking help
Defensive line
Kicker (if possible)

Top Pending Free Agents

1. Nick Moore, WR, International. Moore was a big target last time he was a free agent, two years ago. He finished 2015 with a strong stat line, recording 76 receptions for 899 yards and four touchdowns.

2. Demond Washington, DB, International. Washington had another solid season for the Bombers last year, his fourth in Winnipeg, recording 67 tackles and a career-high three interceptions.

3. Lirim Hajrullahu, K, National. Hajrullahu won’t generate the interest of a Swayze Waters or Justin Medlock, but he does have the Canadian passport. After a strong 2014, Hajrullahu’s performance dipped last year.

4. Graig Newman, DB, National. Newman came over from the Roughriders last season to play in 10 games on defence for the Blue Bombers.

Additional Notes

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With notes from Matthew Scianitti, Lee Jones, Gary Lawless, and Farhan Lalji