CFL free agency is set to get underway on Tuesday, Feb. 13 and 3DownNation is counting down the days by rankings each group of pending free agents by position.
We’ve already looked at the quarterbacks, running backs and fullbacks, and receivers currently set to hit the open market. Today, it’s all about the big men up front as the offensive linemen get their due.
The league’s negotiating window is set to open on Sunday, Feb. 4, allowing pending free agents to speak to interested teams without restrictions. Though players can’t officially change clubs until Feb. 13, a number of deals will be agreed upon in principle during the week-long window.
Please note that “N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians) and “A” denotes American players.
1. Jermarcus Hardrick, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
The six-foot-five, 317-pound blocker has secured the right side of Winnipeg’s offensive line for the past seven seasons, helping the team make four straight Grey Cup appearances. The two-time CFL all-star was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in the West Division in 2023 and has missed only four games due to injury since 2019. Per sources, Hardrick is looking for a significant raise over the $166,000 he earned this past season.
2. Darius Ciraco, Toronto Argonauts (N)
The native of Burlington, Ont. was named a CFL all-star for the first time in his career this past season after starting 15 games at centre for the Boatmen. The Calgary product was a first-round pick of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2018 CFL Draft and has since played 79 games as a member of the Ticats, Ottawa Redblacks, and Argonauts.
3. Landon Rice, Montreal Alouettes (N)
The native of Brandon, Man. was named an East Division all-star in back-to-back seasons with the Alouettes but was relegated to a backup role after suffering an injury partway through the 2023 season. The six-foot-six, 315-pound blocker will turn 36 next month but has proven he is capable of starting at right tackle, a rarity for Canadian players.
4. Ryan Sceviour, Calgary Stampeders (N)
The local product has started 65 games at guard since he was selected in the first round of the 2018 CFL Draft out of the University of Calgary. He was named a West Division all-star in 2022 after helping Ka’Deem Carey achieve a career-year along the ground as part of the league’s best rushing attack. Sceviour earned $160,000 in 2023.
5. Geoff Gray, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)
The six-foot-six, 310-pound blocker started 17 games at left guard for the Blue Bombers this past season but is the club’s only remaining interior offensive lineman without a contract for 2024. With three-year veteran Tui Eli and former first-round pick Liam Dobson pushing for more playing time, it appears Gray might have to leave his hometown if he hopes to remain a CFL starter this season.
6. Dariusz Bladek, Free Agent (N)
The 29-year-old was a second-round pick in the 2017 CFL Draft out of Bethune-Cookman University and started 17 games at right guard for the Argonauts in 2022 to help the team win the Grey Cup. He started the 2023 season on the six-game injured list and was a healthy scratch by the end of the year. Bladek was recently released by the team, though the club has yet to announce the move.
7. Trevon Tate, Toronto Argonauts (A)
The Memphis product started eight games at left tackle and two games at right tackle this past season and did an adequate job of protecting Chad Kelly, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player. The 27-year-old from Channelview, Texas has bounced around the CFL with Hamilton, Ottawa, and Toronto since 2019 and is presumably hoping to find a more long-term home in 2024.
8. Sean Jamieson, Free Agent (N)
The native of Winnipeg, Man. was recently released by the Alouettes after missing the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL, though he has since returned to full health. The six-foot-three, 317-pound blocker was a third-round pick out of Western University in the 2016 CFL Draft and has since played 59 games at the professional level.
9. Philippe Gagnon, Montreal Alouettes (N)
The native of L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que. started only one regular season game in 2023 but replaced Pier-Olivier Lestage at left guard in the playoffs and helped Montreal’s offensive line continue to play at a championship level. The 31-year-old has had trouble staying healthy over his seven-year career but can play guard and centre, which makes him the perfect player to have around in a depth role.
10. Colin Kelly, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
The 34-year-old returned from the XFL in 2023 to start nine games at right tackle, playing at a higher level than he had immediately prior to his stint down south. Kelly’s season was cut short, however, as he suffered a torn ACL during the Labour Day Classic, an injury from which he’s yet to fully recover. Though he’s currently on track to be healthy for training camp, per source, his age and injury status will limit his value.
11. Tyrone Riley, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
The 27-year-old started six games at right tackle and two games at left tackle for the Ticats in 2023 and remained a starter against Montreal in the East Semi-Final. It appears both of those spots are currently accounted for in Steeltown with Joel Figueroa and Jordan Murray under contract, which means the six-foot-six, 291-pound blocker could very well hit the open market next month.
12. Evan Johnson, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)
The Regina native started 12 games at left guard this past season but was replaced in the lineup by Philip Blake after the veteran blocker returned from injury. Saskatchewan has already re-signed Blake for the 2024 season despite him recently turning 38, casting Johnson’s future in doubt. The former first-round pick was once capable of being a ratio-breaking tackle but has struggled at times in recent years.
Best of the rest: Jamal Campbell, Calgary Stampeders (N); David Knevel, B.C. Lions (N); Eric Lofton, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A); Phillip Norman, B.C. Lions (A); Kyle Saxelid, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N); Josiah St. John, Edmonton Elks (N); Hunter Steward, Ottawa Redblacks (N); Hugh Thornton, Calgary Stampeders (A); Chris Van Zeyl, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N).
