The CFL’s negotiating window is set to open on Sunday, February 4 at 12:00 p.m. ET, allowing pending free agents to speak to interested teams without restrictions. Though players can’t officially change clubs until February 13, a number of deals will be agreed upon in principle during the week-long window.
3DownNation has already provided an in-depth look at all the position groups, breaking down the top quarterbacks, running backs and fullbacks, receivers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs and specialists available on the market.
As the real conversations get underway around the league, it is time for a bird’s eye view of the 30 best players that could be changing teams over the next 10 days.
Please note that “N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians), “A” denotes American players, and “G” denotes Global players.
1. RB 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. DE Mathieu Betts, B.C. Lions (N)
The 28-year-old had a career year this past season, recording 42 defensive tackles, 18 sacks, and four forced fumbles over 18 regular season games to be named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. He broke Brett Johnson’s record for single-season sacks by a Canadian player and was named a league all-star for the first time.
The Montreal native and former Laval Université standout has been linked to his hometown Alouettes, though he’s made no secret regarding how much he loves living in Surrey, B.C. Regardless of where he ends up, expect Betts to be one of the CFL’s highest-paid defensive players in 2024.
3. REC Dalton Schoen, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
The 27-year-old was named a CFL all-star in both of the past two seasons, recording 141 catches for 2,663 yards and 26 touchdowns over 34 games. The only thing more surprising than how quickly Schoen took the CFL by storm is how his success hasn’t translated into any opportunities in the NFL.
The six-foot-one, 218-pound slotback is the perfect option for any team looking to add explosiveness to their receiving corps. Though he doesn’t beat man coverage as well as some other receivers, Schoen is as good as any when it comes to bringing down tough balls or finding space downfield after the play breaks down.
Schoen is coming off his rookie deal and is looking to become one of the league’s highest-paid receivers, per source, with an ask close to the $300,000 mark. With the Blue Bombers already paying Kenny Lawler $285,000 in 2024, it seems unlikely that he’ll be back in Bomberland.
4. SAM Adarius Pickett, Toronto Argonauts (A)
Still just 27 years old, you could argue that Pickett is not just the best SAM linebacker in the CFL but the best defensive player in the league period. After putting up exceptional numbers during his first two years in Montreal, he racked up 105 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles, six sacks and a forced fumble with the Argos to be named the East Division finalist for Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Few players available can affect the game as completely as the five-foot-11, 210-pound CFL all-star and he could soon reset the market for elite players at the position.
5. DB Jamal Peters, Toronto Argonauts (A)
Amid a historic Argos season loaded with emerging young stars, the early return of Peters from the NFL barely got the attention it deserved. The six-foot-two, 220-pound cornerback is a difference-maker in the boundary with an athletic profile rarely seen north of the border.
Still just 27 years old, no player in the CFL has been better at the position in the post-pandemic era. With 120 defensive tackles and 11 interceptions in 36 career games, the Mississippi State product will be highly coveted across the league.
6. REC Tim White, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
The 29-year-old overcame a slow start this past season to record 75 catches for a career-high 1,269 yards and eight touchdowns, leading the league in receiving yards and second-down conversions. He was named a CFL all-star for the second consecutive year and an East Division all-star for the third straight season.
White was already among the league’s highest-paid receivers in 2023, so he could be hard-pressed to earn a substantial raise. Regardless, sources have indicated that he’s looking for one after another top season in Steeltown.
7. LB Jameer Thurman, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
Thurman has yet to be named an all-star in his five-year CFL career but remains arguably the league’s most underrated linebacker. He’s coming off a career year defensively, having racked up 98 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in his first season outside with the Tabbies.
At just 29 years old, the six-foot, 227-pound defender still has a couple of prime years left and has been exceptional since returning from the NFL three seasons ago. He could upgrade the middle of virtually any defence, having accumulated 367 defensive tackles, 31 special teams tackles, 11 sacks, eight interceptions and 10 forced fumbles in 82 games with Hamilton and Calgary.
8. OL 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.
9. RB 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.
10. LB Ben Hladik, B.C. Lions (N)
Hladik is just the fourth Canadian player to notch 100 tackles in a season since the statistic was first recorded in 1987 and has yet to turn 25 years of age. There is little question that the Lions got a steal when they snagged the UBC product in the third round of the 2021 CFL Draft but a deserved pay raise might be too rich for his hometown team.
The six-foot-four, 234-pound middle linebacker should be a priority target for multiple franchises looking to swap their ratio. In 50 CFL games, the Vernon, B.C. native has collected 161 defensive tackles, 14 special teams tackles, seven sacks, three interceptions and a forced fumble.
11. DB Demerio Houston, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
At five-foot-10 and 173 pounds, Houston is hardly an imposing figure, but more than makes up for it with his playmaking ability. The 27-year-old exploded into a full-time starting role at boundary corner last year with a league-leading seven interceptions and was named a CFL all-star as a result.
In 30 career games, he has 84 defensive tackles and nine interceptions to his credit. Those numbers should continue to grow wherever he lands next, as the Shelby, N.C. native has many more prime years left than most of the defensive backs on the open market.
12. DT Dewayne Hendrix, Toronto Argonauts (A)
The 27-year-old has consistently improved over three years with the Argonauts and had a breakout season in 2023, recording 23 tackles, six sacks, and one forced fumble. The native of O’Fallon, Ill. can consistently collapse the pocket and was one of the main reasons Toronto led the CFL with 68 sacks this past season.
The one-time Grey Cup champion earned a little over the league’s minimum salary in 2023 and is sure to cash in on a big-money deal.
13. DB Richard Leonard, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
After beginning the year at field halfback, Leonard’s shift over to cornerback prompted arguably the best season of his career — which is saying something for a three-time East Division all-star. His 87.4 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus was the highest of any player at his position, though it went unacknowledged come awards time.
The five-foot-eight, 168-pound defender has had a prolific six-year CFL career, amassing 315 defensive tackles and 20 interceptions in 98 games. The only drawback is that he is already 32 years old, which is close to the best-before date for the position.
14. DE A.C. Leonard, Edmonton Elks (A)
The 32-year-old continues to produce at a high level late into his career, recording a career-high 12 sacks as a member of the Elks this past season. He earned just over $170,000 in 2023 and is expected to earn a raise on his next deal.
The native of Palatka, Fla. has recorded 278 defensive tackles, 51 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and one interception since converting to the defensive line as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2016.
15. REC Damonte Coxie, Toronto Argonauts (A)
The six-foot-three, 200-pound target is one of few big-bodied receivers currently set to hit the market and he’s coming off a strong year during which he made 39 catches for 787 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 20.2 yards per catch to lead the entire CFL.
The native of Reserve, La. was named an East Division all-star and only recently turned 27. For a team looking to add size and explosiveness to their receiving corps, Coxie fits the bill.
16. DE Brandon Barlow, Toronto Argonauts (A)
The six-foot-four, 260-pound edge-rusher had a breakout season in 2023, recording 30 defensive tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles with the Boatmen. Almost all of Barlow’s production came as a rotational pass rusher as he started only two games, raising the question of how much he could accomplish if he were a full-time starter.
The 26-year-old native of Cohoes, N.Y. earned a little over the CFL’s minimum salary this past season and is expected to more than double his income on his next deal.
17. DB Tunde Adeleke, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)
Adeleke was the highest-paid defensive back in the league entering last season but was limited to just 10 games due to injury and ultimately lost his starting safety job to Stavros Katsantonis. The two-time all-star may have to take a slight haircut on this contract but not by much, as he remains on the short list of Canadians athletic enough to start at halfback if needed.
The 28-year-old should have plenty of quality years left, having collected 232 defensive tackles, 34 special teams tackles, five sacks, five interceptions, and four forced fumbles in 86 career games. A former third-round pick out of Carleton, a return to the nation’s capital is one of several intriguing possibilities.
18. KR Javon Leake, Toronto Argonauts (A)
The league’s reigning Most Outstanding Special Teams Player made a sizeable contribution last season, returning 82 punts for 1,216 yards and four touchdowns — both Argo franchise records.
Since joining the team in 2022, the 25-year-old has amassed 2,859 all-purpose yards in just 25 games. Whether or not changes come to the league’s kickoff rule, CFL teams will see the value in Leake.
19. DT Ricky Walker, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat get most of the attention in Bomberland, but Walker had a strong year in his first full season as a CFL starter. The Virginia Tech product made 37 tackles and five sacks over 17 regular season games, showing a relentless motor.
The 27-year-old received an offer from Winnipeg early in the free agent process, per source, but it appears he’s ready to see what others he might garner from teams across the league.
20. DB Robertson Daniel, Toronto Argonauts (A)
Daniel was hardly a household name entering last season, having played in just 11 career games prior and missing almost the entirety of 2022 with injury. He is certainly on the radar now, racking up 55 defensive tackles, two sacks, four interceptions and a defensive touchdown in 11 games to earn a CFL all-star selection at boundary halfback.
That breakout season included a memorable three-interception outing in Week 4 against B.C. and a record-setting 16-tackle performance in Week 9 against Calgary. The question teams will be asking is if the 32-year-old has the juice left to do it again or if he was simply a one-year wonder.
21. DB Kobe Williams, Calgary Stampeders (A)
Still largely unheralded by the general public, Williams posted a breakout 2023 season in which he started every game of the season — 12 at boundary halfback, five at field halfback, and one at field corner.
At 25 years old, the Arizona State product has a combination of youth and starting experience that is not readily available in this free agent class. In three years with Calgary, he has collected 76 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, a sack, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
22. DT Shawn Oakman, Toronto Argonauts (A)
The six-foot-nine, 287-pound behemoth is a matchup nightmare for opposing offensive linemen and has consistently used his size to his advantage over three seasons with the Boatmen, making 90 defensive tackles, 18 sacks, and two forced fumbles over 45 games.
The two-time East Division all-star will turn 32 in April, though he’s played relatively little football for a player of his age. Oakman made close to the league’s minimum salary this past season, giving him a chance to cash in for the first time in his CFL career.
23. OL 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.
24. REC Terry Godwin II, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
The Georgia product made 68 catches for 864 yards and six touchdowns this past season, his first as a regular starter for the Tiger-Cats. The former seventh-round NFL draft pick has shown that he can get open without the waggle as he’s played primarily the boundary wide receiver spot in Steeltown.
Godwin has only had one career 100-yard game, though it feels like there are more in the 27-year-old’s future.
25. LB Micah Awe, Calgary Stampeders (A)
Only Hall of Famer Solomon Elimimian — albeit on two separate occasions — has ever recorded more defensive tackles in a season than the 134 that Awe posted in 2023. However, the reigning CFL all-star at the position somehow hasn’t cultivated the type of game-changing reputation that might push the linebacker pay scale.
The 30-year-old was a cheap add off the scrap heap for Stampeders last season, earning the league minimum salary before cashing in on a number of performance incentives. Now a veteran of six CFL seasons, he has 384 defensive tackles, 37 special teams tackles, six sacks, five interceptions, and six forced fumbles spread over stints with B.C., Toronto, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, and Calgary. Kevin Glenn better watch his back!
26. RB 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.
27. DE Jackson Jeffcoat, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
The 33-year-old made 21 defensive tackles, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles with the Blue Bombers this past season, though he missed four games due to injury. This has become a pattern over the course of Jeffcoat’s career as he has never remained healthy over the course of a full 18-game regular season.
The former CFL all-star has already informed the Blue Bombers that he won’t be signing back with the team prior to the opening of the negotiating window on Feb. 4. Though it remains possible that he’ll stay in Bomberland, it appears as though he’s seriously considering leaving Winnipeg for the first time in his seven-year career.
28. KR Janarion Grant, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
Grant has been as electric as any return man in recent CFL history, compiling 4,780 all-purpose yards in 41 career games and taking eight kicks back to paydirt.
The 30-year-old was at his best early in the 2023 season when he recorded one of the greatest return touchdowns ever, but was limited to just eight games due to injury. His production didn’t quite recover once his health did and there will be questions about his long-term durability.
29. LB Adam Auclair, Ottawa Redblacks (N)
While his older brother, NFL tight end Antony Auclair, might have retired earlier this week, the 2017 President’s Trophy winner as U Sports’ top defensive player is just hitting his stride in the pros.
Originally selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2020 CFL Draft, Auclair has collected 119 defensive tackles, 30 special teams tackles, two sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles in 42 games for the Redblacks. The 27-year-old made seven starts in the final year of his rookie contract and has the skill set to be a ratio-breaker at weak-side linebacker in the right system.
30. RB 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.
