The Denver Broncos worked out a contingent of seven CFL players on Friday, including Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receivers Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker, Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ defensive back Evan Holm, Montreal Alouettes’ defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson, Toronto Argonauts’ linebacker Jonathan Jones, Calgary Stampeders’ linebacker Darius Williams, and B.C. Lions’ linebacker Josh Woods.
Emilus caught 70 passes for 1,097 yards and six touchdowns in his second season with the Riders. The Montreal native was originally selected with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2022 CFL Draft after a productive collegiate career at Louisiana Tech (2021) and UMass (2018-2020). He worked out for the Arizona Cardinals earlier this offseason.
Schaffer-Baker had a quiet 2023 season after recovering from offseason hip surgery, recording 38 receptions for 430 yards and three touchdowns over the last nine games of the year. The Mississauga, Ont. native worked out for nine NFL teams last offseason and has caught 153 passes for 1,953 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first three seasons since being drafted in the fourth round out of the University of Guelph.
Holm made 64 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and 12 pass knockdowns over 18 starts for the Bombers at field-side halfback in 2023. The second-year man from the University of North Dakota was named a West Division all-star in the process and has since worked out for the Minnesota Vikings.
Johnson recently signed a two-year extension with the Alouettes but remains eligible to explore opportunities during the league’s NFL window. The 24-year-old was named an East Division all-star in 2023 after recording 43 defensive tackles, seven sacks, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown over 18 games. The Colorado product also led all defensive tackles with 64 quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
Jones has made 12 starts in 24 appearances for the Argos over the past two seasons, amassing 59 defensive tackles, 18 special teams tackles, eight sacks, and three interceptions. The five-foot-11, 230-pound defender wrapped up his collegiate career with Toledo after transferring from Notre Dame.
Williams has had three separate stints with the Stampeders since graduating from Colorado State-Pueblo, playing in 25 career games. The five-foot-11, 220-pound defender has appeared sparingly on defence but was one of the league’s top special teams players in 2023, making 22 special teams tackles in 16 games.
Woods grew into a rotational role in his third season with the Lions. In 37 career CFL games, the UCLA product has collected 69 defensive tackles, 21 special teams tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown.
Jones, Williams and Woods are scheduled to become free agents in February 2024.
The Broncos are currently 7-7 and remain in the hunt for an AFC wildcard spot. The next face the New England Patriots (3-11) on Sunday, December 24 at 8:15 p.m. ET.
