HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have locked up two key members of their defence.

The Ticats re-signed veteran linebacker Simoni Lawrence to a two-year contract Monday and then came to terms with defensive back Delvin Breaux on a three-year deal.

Lawrence, 30, and Breaux, 29, were scheduled to become free agents Tuesday.

Lawrence had 68 tackles, three sacks, three tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery last season. The six-foot-one, 231-pound linebacker has started 97-of-113 career CFL games with Edmonton and Hamilton.

Lawrence has registered 435 career tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, eight interceptions, 10 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries. He's appeared in 11 playoff games, including two Grey Cup appearances with Hamilton (2013-14).

He was the East Division's top defensive player and a CFL all-star in 2015.

Breaux is a two-time all-star, the latest honour coming last year after he returned to the Ticats following a three-season run with the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

In 2018, Breaux started 14 games boundary corner for the Tiger-Cats, recording 24 defensive tackles, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, two pass knockdowns and one tackle for a loss.

"Delvin is one of the most dominant defensive players in the Canadian Football League," Ticats head coach Orlondo Steinauer said in a statement. "Not only is he a great player, but a great person who enables us to keep continuity in the secondary. We are very excited to be able to retain a player of his calibre on a long-term deal."