Free agency is finally upon us.
3DownNation spent the past week ranking every pending free agent by position and nationality. We have continued to update those rankings, which you can find here in one convenient post.
The article below lists the top 50 free agents regardless of position. Six of the players originally found on this list did not make it to free agency, so it has also been updated appropriately.
Players who signed new contracts prior to today’s deadline include: DE Willie Jefferson, Winnipeg (1); DE Ja’Gared Davis, Hamilton (3); DT Dylan Wynn, Hamilton (4); C Michael Couture, Winnipeg (11); linebacker Solomon Elimimian, Saskatchewan (21); REC S.J. Green, XFL (23); REC Llevi Noel, Toronto (25); and QB James Franklin, Saskatchewan (48).
1) REC Derel Walker, Toronto Argonauts (A)
The 28-year-old went underused in 2019 but still managed 65 receptions for 1,040 yards and six touchdowns. When healthy — and used properly — Walker is arguably the best receiver in the CFL.
2) REC Juwan Brescacin, Calgary Stampeders (N) — signed with Toronto Argos
The six-foot-four target has the potential to dominate at slotback, but was limited to just four games in 2019 due to injury. The 27-year-old is arguably the best Canadian receiver in the CFL.
3) DT Cleyon Laing, Toronto Argonauts (N) — signed with Ottawa Redblacks
The 29-year-old is a four-time East Division all-star who continues to be one of the league’s best Canadian defensive players. Laing recorded 27 tackles and seven sacks in 15 starts in 2019.
4) SAM Patrick Levels, Montreal Alouettes (A)
The East Division all-star played all 18 games at strong-side linebacker last season, recording 86 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. The 25-year-old covers well and plays well above his weight as a run stopper and pass rusher.
5) OT Ryker Mathews, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A) — signed with B.C. Lions
The 27-year-old plays left tackle at an all-star level and has helped secure the blindside of Hamilton’s quarterbacks over the past three seasons. Mathews signed an off-season contract with the New England Patriots in 2019.
6) LB Chris Ackie, Free Agent (N)
The athletic 28-year-old made ten starts at weak-side linebacker in 2019, recording 38 defensive tackles. He was granted his release on Tuesday upon his request.
7) REC DaVaris Daniels, Edmonton Eskimos (A) — signed with Toronto Argos
The 27-year-old has averaged 63.5 receiving yards per game over the course of his career — he just needs to find a way to stay healthy. Daniels has true number-one talent and commands the best of opposing defences.
8) DT Micah Johnson, Saskatchewan Roughridgers (A) — signed with B.C. Lions
The former CFL all-star had a relatively quiet year with the Roughriders in 2019, but still fought through enough double-teams to record 26 tackles and four sacks in 15 games.
9) CB/HB Ciante Evans, Montreal Alouettes (A) — re-signed with the Als
The 27-year-old is one of the league’s best pure cover men and is capable of slotting in at cornerback or halfback.
10) REC DeVier Posey, Free Agent (A)
11) SAM Anthony Cioffi, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
12) CB Arjen Colquhoun, Edmonton Eskimos (N)
13) LB Larry Dean, Edmonton Eskimos (A) — signed with Hamilton Tiger-Cats
14) SAM Don Unamba, Edmonton Eskimos (A) — signed with Ottawa Redblacks
15) C/G Dariusz Bladek, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N) — signed with Toronto Argos
16) REC Dominique Rhymes, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
17) DE Chris Casher, Calgary Stampeders (A) — signed with B.C. Lions
18) HB Monshadrik Hunter, Edmonton Eskimos (A)
19) S/SAM Branden Dozier, B.C. Lions (A) — signed with Calgary Stampeders
20) RB Don Jackson, Calgary Stampeders (A) — signed with Hamilton Tiger-Cats
21) OT Derek Dennis, Calgary Stampeders (A)
22) S Jermaine Gabriel, Toronto Argonauts (N)
23) DT Drake Nevis, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
24) G Ryan Bomben, Free Agent (N)
25) DE Shawn Lemon, B.C. Lions (A)
26) REC Luke Tasker, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
27) G Philip Blake, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N) — signed with Toronto Argos
28) DE Connor McGough, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N) — signed with Calgary Stampeders
29) RB/REC Anthony Coombs, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N) — signed with Ottawa Redblacks
30) S/CB Anthony Thompson, B.C. Lions (N)
31) LB Justin Tuggle, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A) — signed with Edmonton Eskimos
32) REC Armanti Edwards, Toronto Argonauts (A)
33) DT Davon Coleman, Toronto Argonauts (A)
34) LB Nick Shortill, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N) — signed with Toronto Argos
35) RB C.J. Gable, Edmonton Eskimos (A)
36) REC Mike Jones, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)
37) LB Micah Awe, Toronto Argonauts (A)
38) RB Cameron Marshall, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
39) REC Naaman Roosevelt, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
40) RB/KR Terry Williams, Calgary Stampeders (A)
41) OT Thaddeus Coleman, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
42) G/OT David Foucault, B.C. Lions (N)
43) LB Alexandre Gagne, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N) — signed with Montreal Alouettes
44) QB Antonio Pipkin, Free Agent (A)
45) DE Craig Roh, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A) — signed with Toronto Argos
46) LB Maleki Harris, B.C. Lions (A)
47) DT Fabion Foote, Montreal Alouettes (N)
48) OT Justin Renfrow, B.C. Lions (A)
49) RB Tyrell Sutton, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
50) QB Brandon Bridge, B.C. Lions (N)
