The CFL negotiating window is set to open on Sunday, February 4 at noon ET, allowing all pending free agents to speak to interested teams without restrictions.
While players cannot officially move on to a new franchise until the official opening of free agency on Tuesday, February 13, most of the biggest deals will be agreed to in principle during this week-long window. In anticipation of all the action, 3DownNation will be counting down the top free agents potentially available at each position.
On Sunday, we took a look at the best quarterbacks available. Make sure to tune back on Tuesday when we rank the receivers.
Today, we focus on the backfield, where there is no shortage of all-star calibre running backs available. The biggest question heading into free agency will be just how much teams will be willing to pay for a premier ball carrier, as discussions around positional value seep north from the NFL.
Please note that “N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians) and “A” denotes American players.
Running backs
1. Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)
The 26-year-old had one of the greatest seasons by a running back in CFL history in 2023, rushing for 1,534 yards and nine touchdowns and making 38 receptions for 482 yards and four touchdowns. He became one of only two Canadian running backs ever to reach 2,000 yards from scrimmage and was named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Player and the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian.
The Winnipeg native made just over $120,000 this past season after reaching incentives for rushing yards and year-end awards. Per sources, he’s looking to double that number and earn well over $200,000 in 2024, which might be difficult for his hometown team to manage given how many other star players remain pending free agents.
2. A.J. Ouellette, Toronto Argonauts (A)
The five-foot-nine, 208-pound ball-carrier had a breakout year in 2023, rushing for 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns and catching 16 passes for 163 yards and four touchdowns. He was named an East Division all-star for the second consecutive season and did a nice job blocking for franchise quarterback Chad Kelly in passing situations.
The native of Covington, Ohio made just under $115,000 in 2023 and is looking for a significant raise following his strong performance. His former position coach, Edwin Harrison, is now the offensive line coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, drawing speculation that Ouellette could be heading for Riderville.
3. William Stanback, Montreal Alouettes (A)
The six-foot, 233-pound ball-carrier is no longer the perennial all-star he once was, though his production was solid this past season. He ran for 800 yards and two touchdowns, caught 27 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown, and ripped off a sensational 32-yard touchdown in the Grey Cup to help the Alouettes upset the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Hempstead, N.Y. product was the highest-paid running back in the CFL in 2023 and, while he’s no longer worth that distinction, he could still start for several CFL teams. Stanback will turn 30 shortly after the 2024 season gets underway.
4. Ka’Deem Carey, Calgary Stampeders (A)
Carey went from a dream 2022 season to missing half his team’s games last year, but in nine outings recorded 632 yards from scrimmage and averaged 5.3 yards per carry.
The native of Tuscon, Ariz. is a two-time West Division all-star and former fourth-round NFL draft pick. Back to full health, the 31-year-old can still carry the load as a No. 1 back.
5. Devonte Williams, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
The 26-year-old was a bright spot for the Redblacks in 2023, rushing for 1,002 yards and three touchdowns and making 37 receptions for 327 yards. He became Ottawa’s first 1,000-yard rusher since William Powell in 2018 and was the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Player.
What hurts the Southeastern Louisiana product’s value is his lack of size at five-foot-nine and 170 pounds and his challenges in pass protection. There’s no doubt that Williams is dangerous with the ball in his hands, though the Redblacks might be looking to add a more well-rounded running back.
6. Jamal Morrow, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
The five-foot-eight, 205-pound ball-carrier recorded 1,256 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns this past season, though he averaged only 4.5 yards per carry. This was one of the worst marks of any running back in the league and a 0.8-yard dropoff from 2022, which was Morrow’s second in the CFL.
The 29-year-old native of Menifee, Calif. brings added versatility as a kick returner, though it’s hard to overlook how his production dipped in 2023. Perhaps with a better offensive line in front of him, he’ll be able to reclaim some of his former glory in 2024.
7. Walter Fletcher, Montreal Alouettes (A)
The Ball State product had every opportunity to unseat William Stanback in 2023 but failed to do so, averaging only 4.6 yards per carry. His best production came through the air as he managed 23 catches for 176 yards, though it’s hard for teams to make room on a roster for an American back who only poses a threat in the passing game.
Fletcher remains only 27, so he should have plenty of football left in him. The question is how he’ll fit into an offensive scheme considering he’s not as well-rounded as many of the other players on this list.
8. Sean Thomas-Erlington, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)
The Montreal native played only 11 games this past season due to injury and wasn’t terribly productive on offence, rushing 16 times for 88 yards and one touchdown and catching eight passes for 88 yards and one touchdown.
Age could work against the former eighth-round pick as he’ll turn 32 in July, though Canadian utility players always have value. Thomas-Erlington can run, catch, block, and tackle, which means he should be on a roster come training camp.
9. Greg McCrae, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
Whether McCrae deserves to be on this list is a subject of debate, as the five-foot-ten, 173-pound athlete has made 11 starts at receiver and none at his listed position of running back. He also hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire at either spot, catching 31 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns while carrying the ball 44 times for 310 yards in 26 games.
The 26-year-old has also done some work on special teams, posting 222 yards on 13 kick returns, 203 yards on 21 punt returns, and 117 yards on two missed field goal returns. That versatility could make him an attractive depth addition, but it won’t come with a substantial pay bump.
10. Ante Milanovic-Litre, Ottawa Redblacks (N)
The six-foot, 229-pound bruiser is the type of lunch-pail Canadian that every team needs to flesh out their roster, with the ability to pinch-hit at running back, block as a fullback, or contribute on special teams.
The days of stealing carries from Ka’Deem Carey are rightfully behind the 29-year-old, but he still set a career-high with three touchdowns in 2023. In 89 career games, the Simon Fraser product has carried 165 times for 647 yards and six majors, caught 42 passes for 329 yards, and notched 40 special teams tackles.
11. Kienan LaFrance, B.C. Lions (N)
LaFrance has had a very respectable eight-year CFL career but produced very little in 10 games for B.C. in 2023. He’ll be 33 by the start of the 2024 season and may not have much more to give.
In 116 CFL games with the Redblacks, Blue Bombers, Riders, and Lions, the Canadian stalwart has rushed 172 times for 708 yards and four touchdowns, caught 50 passes for 365 yards and two majors, and added 40 special teams tackles.
Fullbacks
1. James Tuck, Montreal Alouettes (N)
Set to turn 34 years old at the start of next season, Tuck is having a storybook final chapter to his career. In his ninth season, he won his first Grey Cup and set a new career-high with nine catches for 57 yards. The Alouettes’ playoff run would have counted as his second-most productive season, as he caught four passes for 44 yards in three victories.
The six-foot, 230-pound native of Aurora, Ont. can still contribute as an in-line blocker, though his special teams production has decreased significantly. In 106 career games, the York product has notched 65 tackles in kick coverage but had none last year.
2. Albert Awachie, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)
A staple in Saskatchewan since he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Awachie has never padded the stat sheet, managing just 10 catches for 74 yards and 15 special teams tackles in 67 games.
The 31-year-old’s impressive six-foot-three, 262-pound frame has allowed him to contribute as a package tight end and has situational value, though he’s far closer to the end of his career than the start of it.
