3DownNation CFL power rankings: let’s get the 2022 season started

Photo courtesy: CFL

The 3DownNation power rankings are back for another season of CFL football.

Our power rankings are created by having eleven of our contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 independently, then averaging out the scores. We will list the previous week’s rankings in brackets, though they are currently blank as this is our first instalment of the year.

Enjoy the rankings and feel free to roast us on Twitter for anything you think we got wrong.

1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-)

It should come as no surprise that the back-to-back Grey Cup champions are starting the season in the No. 1 spot. Winnipeg lost a few impact players including Andrew Harris and Kenny Lawler but Zach Collaros is coming off a storybook season and the club still has arguably the CFL’s best offensive and defensive lines.

2. Saskatchewan Roughriders (-)

The Riders are facing a ton of pressure this season with the Grey Cup set to be played in Regina for the first time since 2013. The good news is that Duke Williams should help Cody Fajardo connect on more deep throws, while the linebacking corps of Darnell Sankey, Larry Dean, and Derrick Moncrief might be the best in the league.

3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-)

Dane Evans is officially “the guy” in Steeltown with Jeremiah Masoli and Brandon Banks now playing for East Division rivals. Bralon Addison is looking to reestablish himself as a top receiver in the CFL following an injury-plagued season, while Simoni Lawrence will lead one of the league’s best and most balanced defences.

4. Toronto Argonauts (-)

Toronto added three of the CFL’s biggest aging stars this off-season in Andrew Harris, Brandon Banks, and Ja’Gared Davis, though we’ll have to wait and see how much gas they have left in the tank. McLeod Bethel-Thompson has lacked consistency in the past, though he’ll be pushed this year by high-profile rookie quarterback Chad Kelly.

5. Calgary Stampeders (-)

Bo Levi Mitchell claims he’s healthy following an injury-plagued 2021 season, though he threw two interceptions in his only preseason action. Calgary remains one of the league’s most well-coached teams but they’ll need better quarterback play than they had a year ago whether it comes from Mitchell or sophomore phenom Jake Maier.

6. Ottawa Redblacks (-)

The Redblacks completely overhauled their roster this off-season and could field as many as 18 new starters against Winnipeg in Week 1. Jeremiah Masoli, Jaelon Acklin, and Darvin Adams will help provide some much-needed fire power on offence, while Patrick Levels and Money Hunter should make some big plays in the secondary.

7. Montreal Alouettes (-)

The quarterback duo of Vernon Adams Jr. and Trevor Harris was supposed to put the Als over the top but our contributors seem concerned about the four preseason interceptions they threw against Ottawa. A number of Montreal’s starting offensive linemen missed that game due to illness, so it’s possible both passers will be better with improved protection.

8. B.C. Lions (-)

Canadian quarterbacks Nathan Rourke and Michael O’Connor played well in the preseason, though the offensive and defensive lines are still questionable. The club did not add a proven blocker this off-season, while free agent defensive tackles Steven Richardson (injured) and Woody Baron (suspended) won’t dress anytime soon.

9. Edmonton Elks (-)

Chris Jones spent the past six months doing Chris Jones things, converting players to new positions, bringing veterans out of retirement, and doing unorthodox things are the quarterback position. Nick Arbuckle will likely be the club’s starter but there are a number of questions still facing this team, which is why they are at the bottom of our power rankings.