The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have acquired Canadian linebacker Jordan Williams from the Toronto Argonauts. The trade also included eight draft picks.
Toronto will receive Hamilton’s first-round pick (fifth overall) and two third-round picks (24th and 25th overall) in the 2024 CFL Draft as well as a conditional third-round pick in the 2025 CFL Draft. The Argonauts also received the negotiation rights to American receiver Deontay Burnett.
Hamilton will receive Toronto’s first-round pick (seventh overall), second-round pick (16th overall), and fourth-round pick (36th overall) in the 2024 CFL Draft along with a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Williams recorded 48 defensive tackles and four special teams tackles as a member of the Argonauts this past season, his first with the club. He was originally selected with the first overall pick in the 2020 CFL Draft by the B.C. Lions and made 181 defensive tackles, 12 special teams tackles, one sack, one interception, and three forced fumbles in Vancouver.
The trade has reunited the 29-year-old with Ed Hervey, who was the general manager in B.C. when the Lions traded up to select Williams back in 2020. Hervey was named the general manager of the Ticats earlier this off-season as part of a reshuffling of the team’s front office.
Williams was born in Baltimore, Md. but qualified for Canadian status in the CFL through his mother, who is a citizen of Canada. He made 251 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, five pass knockdowns, and one interception during his collegiate career at East Carolina University.
Burnett has been a member of the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Roughnecks, and Arlington Renegades since going unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft. The 26-year-old was named All-XFL this past season as a member of the Roughnecks.
