Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Just because age is a determining factor when it comes to the value of prospective free agents doesn’t mean teams should limit themselves when free agency opens on Feb. 14.
Plenty of those set to hit the market are on the plus side of 30, in the twilight of their career and no longer have the outlook of a long-term building block. Still, they’ve got value — especially at the right price.
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We decided to set the bar at 32, take out a couple of the marquee free agents like Marquay McDaniel, then list some of the top free agents that could contribute later in their careers.
For any team looking for some veteran experience and possibly that missing piece to the puzzle, here are some players that could fit:
Brandon Whitaker (32)
RB | TOR
Brandon Whitaker (left) fends off John Chick (right) during a game in 2016 (Thomas Makacek/Argonauts.ca)
Rare is the running back with much value past age 30, yet Whitaker, with his ability to chip in through a number of avenues, is the exception.
The eight-year veteran had his best season since 2011 last year and the second best year of his career, breaking the 1,000-yard plateau and averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
Rushing, catching, pass protection, special teams – Whitaker can do it all and should be a welcome addition for any offence this off-season.
Brandon Isaac (32)
LB | TOR
Brandon Isaac runs onto the field before a game at BMO Field (Thomas Makacek/Argonauts.ca)
It seemed like his career may have been wrapping up in 2014 yet, three years later, here we are talking about Argos linebacker Brandon Isaac.
The 32-year-old made 12 starts at the WILL linebacker position last season and contributed 47 tackles, a sack and three forced fumbles over 15 games.
Isaac can contribute in a number of ways and is a valuable veteran to have on the roster.
Jovon Johnson (33)
DB | MTL
Wherever he ends up, Jovon Johnson could play either corner or half (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
A 10-year CFL veteran, Johnson moved from corner to half for the Alouettes in 2016 and still made a strong impact on one of the league’s top defences.
Johnson notched 59 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions while starting all 18 games, providing high-level play on a unit that ranked second in the CFL with 283.9 passing yards allowed and tied third with 44 turnovers forced.
For a veteran defensive back who’s played all 18 games in seven of his last eight seasons and can play both corner and half, Johnson isn’t getting enough respect among pending free agents.
Dan Federkeil (33)
OL | CGY
Stamps veteran Dan Federkeil is a ratio-breaker at the tackle position (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
If Chris Van Zeyl is 33 and just got locked up for three years by the Argos, Federkeil should be somewhere in the same boat. What we know: Canadian tackles are ratio-breakers and the 33-year-old Stamps tackle is one of two on this list.
The 6-foot-6 Medicine Hat, Alta. native started nine games last season and has anchored one of the league’s top O-lines the last four seasons since joining the team in 2013 (after arriving from the NFL).
Word is it’s unlikely the Calgary graduate ventures outside of the province but keep your eyes peeled.
Joe West (33)
REC | CGY
Joe West was limited to five games with the Stampeders in 2016 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
West, 33, might be the long-shot on this list after playing in only five games in 2016 — but talent has never been an issue for the 6-foot-1 pass-catcher out of Texas-El Paso.
A change of scenery could benefit the five-year veteran, who’s got the ability and upside to provide depth and start when needed for an offence.
Someone could take a shot or West could call it a career.
Andy Fantuz (33)
REC | HAM
Ticats receiver Andy Fantuz remains one of the off-season’s biggest questions (Dario Ayala/CFL.ca)
The Ticats should be among teams weighing the risk and reward of signing a player like Fantuz, who had a career year in 2016 (100-plus catches) but suffered a season-ending injury at the end of it.
Fantuz showed he can still be an impact receiver at age 33 and his Canadian passport will have everyone looking. The questions surround when he’ll be back, how effective he’ll be and how much he should be paid.
Chad Owens (34)
REC | HAM
At age 34, Chad Owens will look to rebound from an injury-shortened season (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Some thought Owens was done last year when he was let go by the Argos and signed by the Ticats, only before recording 808 yards and five touchdowns over 12 games (67.3 yards per game).
How productive was he? Owens would have had 1,000 yards over the span of a full season while his 13.9 yards per catch marked his highest total since 2012 and the second-highest of his career.
Father time catches up to everyone and Owens isn’t the player he once was, but don’t write him off just yet.
Keon Raymond (34)
LB | HAM
Despite changing teams, Keon Raymond still had a productive season in 2016 (David Chidley/CFL.ca)
Raymond wasn’t the player the Argos had thought they were signing when they made a splash in free agency last February, but he was still productive in 2016.
The 34-year-old had 43 tackles, a sack, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a touchdown in 10 games between the Argos and Ticats, now giving him 26 interceptions and eight touchdowns in his career from the SAM linebacker spot.
Simply put, Raymond is a veteran playmaker with nine years of experience and that should be appealing to anyone out there.
Jeff Keeping (34)
OL | WPG
Jeff Keeping will look to rebound from a season-ending injury in 2017 (BlueBombers.com)
It just wasn’t Keeping’s year in 2016, the 12-year offensive lineman missing his first campaign with the Blue Bombers due to an injury suffered in pre-season.
Still, Keeping has been durable throughout his career and offers versatility and depth for any team in need on the O-line.
The national status makes Keeping one to keep an eye on in free agency.
D’Anthony Batiste (34)
OL | EDM
D’Anthony Batiste has missed only two games in three seasons with the Esks (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)
Batiste, 34, started all 18 games for the Eskimos at tackle and is one of the more underrated offensive linemen across the country.
His age and American nationality may scare some teams off, but Batiste can provide instant help for any team lacking muscle up front.
The Marksville, La. has quietly been a staple of a successful Esks’ front since the start of 2014, missing just two games over the span of three years.
Chris Getzlaf (34)
REC | EDM
Chris Getzlaf made the move from Saskatchewan to Edmonton last season (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Getzlaf’s productivity has slipped the last few years and it’s unlikely he’ll ever get back to being the 1,000-yard receiver that he was in 2011 and 2013 in Saskatchewan.
Still, the 6-foot-1 Regina native proved valuable to the Eskimos in 2016, starting all 18 games and rounding out arguably the league’s most talented receiving corps.
It’s unknown how much longer Getzlaf wants to play but his 10 years of CFL experience should still be coveted.
Patrick Watkins (34)
DB | EDM
Once a premier shutdown corner, Pat Watkins could wear new colours in 2017 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Once one of the league’s premiere shutdown corners, Watkins continues to hold up pretty well for an aging big man.
The towering 6-foot-5 defensive back started 16 games for the Eskimos in 2016, making a career-high 73 tackles and recording two interceptions as part of a rebuilding Edmonton secondary.
If Edmonton is no longer the spot for the Florida State graduate, look for other teams, including the Riders and his former coach Chris Jones, to come calling.
Andre Durie (35)
REC | TOR
Andre Durie may still have another productive season in him at age 35 (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)
The oft-injured Durie played all 18 games for the Argos in 2016, something he may tell you is a victory in itself.
If the 35-year-old York graduate chooses to continue playing this season, there’s a pretty good chance it’ll still be with the Argos.
If not, teams could see some value in the elusive multi-dimensional pass-catcher.
Tim O’Neill (37)
OL | BC
Tim O’Neill (right) was acquired by the Lions from the Ticats last off-season (The Canadian Press)
After the Lions acquired him in a trade, O’Neill backed up Hunter Steward at the left guard position and even started four games, proving his value despite his age.
O’Neill won’t be relied upon as a starter but can provide depth and veteran leadership at this point in his career, not to mention some flexibility in the ratio.
Paul McCallum (47)
OL | BC
Don’t rule out a return from Paul McCallum, who re-joined the Lions in 2016 (The Canadian Press)
What is there to be said? McCallum might never be ‘too old’ to keep kicking it in the CFL, something he showed us last year when he came back to kick for the Lions in the playoffs.
The 47-year-old made all four field goal tries in 2016 and was also perfect on four extra point attempts, providing reliability for the Lions from anywhere inside the 40.
The leg strength may not be there anymore but thinking this is the end of the line for the Vancouver native might be a mistake.
