The Edmonton Elks are loading up on veteran defensive talent after their bye week, signing strong-side linebacker Derrick Moncrief and defensive tackle Shawn Oakman.
Moncrief has been a free agent since he was released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in January. The 30-year-old recorded 50 defensive tackles in 14 games last season.
The six-foot-two, 220-pound defender briefly played for the Elks in 2021, suiting up in nine games after finishing a stint in the NFL. In 75 career CFL games with Edmonton and Saskatchewan, Moncrief has amassed 248 defensive tackles, nine special teams tackles, eight sacks, nine interceptions and a forced fumble. He was named a league all-star in 2019 and took home West Division honours in 2022 as well.
Oakman was released by the Toronto Argonauts on June 11 after he was a healthy scratch for the first game of the season. The 32-year-old made 27 defensive tackles, six sacks, and one forced fumble over 15 games last season.
In total, the six-foot-nine, 287-pound defender recorded 90 defensive tackles, 18 sacks, and two forced fumbles over 45 regular season games with Toronto, earning a CFL all-star selection in 2021 and an East Division all-star selection in 2022.
The Elks have also signed veteran Global linebacker Les Maruo, a move that was first reported by 3DownNation. Canadian receiver Zach Mathis and American defensive lineman Noah Taylor have officially joined the team as well.
Mathis was selected by the Elks via a CFL Supplemental Draft last week, costing the team their first-round pick in 2025. The six-foot-seven, 203-pound target played 53 games over six seasons at North Dakota State University, catching 95 passes for 1,392 yards and nine touchdowns over that span.
Taylor started eight games for the University of North Carolina in 2022, totalling 28 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two pass breakups before suffering a season-ending right knee injury. Prior to joining UNC, the Maryland native played four seasons at the University of Virginia and amassed 170 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown.
In a corresponding move, the team released Canadian defensive back Josh Hagerty, American linebacker Reynard Ellis, and American receiver Malik Flowers.
The Elks (0-4) will return to action on Sunday, July 14 when they host the Ottawa Redblacks (2-2) at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
