The Toronto Argonauts have made some significant changes to their roster since falling short of the playoffs in 2025.
The Argonauts didn’t sign any of 3DownNation’s top 20 available players during CFL free agency, though they made significant additions before the frenzy got underway with the signings of Adarius Pickett, Dakoda Shepley, Peyton Logan, and DeWayne Hendrix.
With free agency now over, it’s time take a look at Toronto’s updated depth chart. The graphics below are based on informed speculation and are not official.
The Argonauts boast arguably the best quarterback depth in the CFL. Chad Kelly will be back under centre after missing the entire 2025 season with a fractured leg, while Nick Arbuckle, who threw for 4,370 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in Kelly’s absence, appears locked in as the backup. Jarret Doege, Max Duggan, and Tucker Horn have all shown flashes in limited action.
The receiving corps looks solid as well with Damonte Coxie coming off a breakout season during which he was on pace for 1,500 yards prior to a season-ending head injury. Kevin Mital made 102 receptions to establish himself as one of the league’s best possession receivers, while Jake Herslow made nine touchdown catches in 13 games. Makai Polk will look to get back to 1,000 yards after spending most of last year in the NFL and Dave Ungerer III quietly set a career-high with 653 receiving yards.
The rest of Toronto’s offence is a question mark. The team averaged a measly 3.9 yards per rush in 2025 — almost a full yard less than every other team in the CFL. Spencer Brown appears set to start at running back after winning the job last year, though Peyton Logan should rotate in after an injury-riddled season in Winnipeg.
The offensive line was poor last season, allowing a league-worst 56 sacks and being a key reason the Argonauts struggled to run the ball. Dakoda Shepley, who signed a big-money contract following a six-year stint in the NFL, should help secure one of the guard spots, though he’s also capable of playing centre and tackle. After struggling at tackle in 2025, Toronto would be wise to move Ryan Hunter back to guard, where he was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2024.
One player to watch is Josh Donovan, who has been pencilled-in above at right tackle. The University of Arizona product was a full-time starter with the Montreal Alouettes in 2024 but missed all last year due to injury. At age 26, it stands to reason he still has upside and could be the perfect value addition for a team that needs to improve up front.
After starting seven Canadians on offence for most of last season, only five have been listed above, which means the Argonauts will need to play more Canadians on defence in 2026. The team’s biggest loss in free agency was arguably Dejon Brissett, a native of Mississauga, Ont. who caught a career-high 65 passes for 907 yards and three touchdowns over 18 regular-season games in 2025.
Toronto’s defence underwent a significant makeover this offseason with the theme of repatriation. Ralph Holley was re-added after spending last year with the Cleveland Browns, while DeWayne Hendrix was brought back following one-year stints in Hamilton and B.C. Holley won the Grey Cup with the Argonauts in 2024, while Hendrix did the same in 2022.
Three members of the secondary were also brought back in Robert Priester, DaShaun Amos, and Adarius Pickett. Priester and Amos, who spent last year in Ottawa and Hamilton, respectively, helped the Argonauts win the Grey Cup in 2024. Pickett, who spent the last two seasons with the Redblacks, was the East Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player with Toronto in 2023.
The rest of Toronto’s defensive line is fleshed out by incumbent starter Andrew Chatfield Jr. and Jonathan Kongbo, the latter of whom was signed from the Edmonton Elks. Kongbo, a former first-round CFL draft pick, should help the Argonauts meet the minimum requirement for Canadian starters and has solid depth behind him in top 2025 CFL Draft selections Jeremiah Ojo and Paris Shand.
The Argonauts have incumbents for the three other spots in the secondary with Benjie Franklin and Tarvarus McFadden at cornerback and Derek Slywka at safety.
The team’s major departure in free agency was Wynton McManis, who signed with the Tiger-Cats. The two-time All-CFL selection should be replaced by Isaac Darkangelo, who started five games last season and made 60 defensive tackles, 22 special teams tackles, four forced fumbles, and two sacks. Cameron Judge should remain the starter at weak-side linebacker ahead of solid group of depth players that includes Jack Cassar and Ryder Varga.
The Argonauts haven’t undergone any changes on special teams. Lirim Hajrullahu remains one of the CFL’s best kickers and Janarion Grant is dangerous in the return game.
Toronto struggled punting the football last year, averaging 36.4 net yards per attempt — 1.2 yards worse than the league average. John Haggerty will have to place the ball better and get more help from the team’s cover teams to improve that number in 2026.
