Who still needs what in free agency?

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — Valentine’s Day is over but the shopping isn’t.

Teams across the CFL spent Feb. 14 addressing some of their biggest needs as free agency officially arrived at 12 p.m. ET. On day two, however, a number of holes remain along with plenty of talented players available to fill them.

On Tuesday, the REDBLACKS went out and stocked the cupboard at receiver, the Bombers got their big defensive tackle while the Ticats snagged two premier halfbacks.

Who still needs what? We take a team by team look.

Team: BC Lions
Need: Defensive end

Potential Fit: Aston Whiteside, Justin Hickman

Alex Bazzie’s departure left a hole on the Lions’ D-line (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The Lions mitigated some of the damage on defence by extending Mic’hael Brooks and Ronnie Yell while adding Tony Burnett, who can potentially fill the void left by Adam Bighill.

There’s still work to do, however, especially on the defensive line, where the departures of Jabar Westerman (free agent) and Alex Bazzie (NFL) continue to loom large.

“I would say at times it was glaring that the BC Lions didn’t have a pass rush,” said CFL.ca’s Davis Sanchez. ‘Their pass rush was an issue last year. Alex Bazzie was their best rush guy and he’s now in the NFL.”

Darius Allen and Craig Roh may be Wally Buono’s starters but look for the Lions to add to the equation. Aston Whiteside and Justin Hickman are possibilities but other than that the pickings are slim among current CFL free agents.

Either way, it’s an area that Sanchez says must improve for the Lions to take the next step.

“Getting to the quarterback and causing turnovers go hand in hand,” Sanchez added. “The lions were last in the league in interceptions. Getting a pass rush would help that out.”

Team: Calgary Stampeders
Need: Offensive tackle

Potential Fits: Greg Van Roten, Thaddeus Coleman, Dan Federkeil, D’Anthony Batiste, Josh Bourke, Jeff Perrett

The Stamps could be without both Derek Dennis and Dan Federkeil in 2017 (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

The Stamps predictably lost Derek Dennis on Tuesday after one of free agency’s biggest fish landed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders — hardly new territory for a team that historically refuses to overpay for American offensive linemen.

Still, with a Canadian tackle in Dan Federkeil also unsigned, the Stamps could be without last year’s two starting tackles in 2017.

Dave Dickenson’s team is used to finding new talent and adapting up front but it may take some proven talent for the Stamps to repeat last year’s effort as the league’s best O-line.

“The number one issue when you have the league’s Most Outstanding Player is protecting him,” Sanchez said noting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. “Losing your top two offensive tackles, one of them the league’s best last year — it’s an understatement to say tackle is a pressing need for John Hufnagel.”

Team: Edmonton Eskimos
Need: Cornerback

Potential Fits: Isaiah Green, Johnny Adams, Jovon Johnson, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, John Ojo, Patrick Watkins, Cord Parks

Is Pat Watkins still in the Eskimos’ plans moving forward? (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The Eskimos stand to lose three corners in free agency as Pat Watkins, John Ojo and Cord Parks are all on their way out the door.

Change in the secondary hurt the Eskimos early in 2016 and while that group came around, more transition could be on the way entering the 2017 season.

Who could the Eskimos start at corner in 2017? John Ojo is still a very realistic possibility but, as rumour has it, he wants to look at NFL opportunities first after he’s cleared to play.

If the team does move on from Patrick Watkins and Cord Parks, Jovon Johnson and Johnny Adams are other experienced veterans that could lend a hand.

Either way, corner remains a glaring need for the Edmonton Eskimos.

“What was a weakness at the beginning of the year became adequate by mid-season,” said Sanchez, “but the fact that Cord Parks and Pat Watkins are in their 30s made that only a temporary solution.

“Finding some young DBs should be at the forefront of Ed’s searches right now.”

Team: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Need: Defensive tackle

Potential Fits: Cleyon Laing, Euclid Cummings, Bryan Hall, Alan-Michael Cash, Michael Klassen, Moton Hopkins, Tracy Robertson, Corvey Irvin, Zach Minter

Euclid Cummings (left) could be a fit for the Riders’ interior D-line (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)

Chris Jones has a few needs on his list but the most glaring should be a defensive tackle.

With what could be a much-improved offence, the Riders have an opportunity to jump back into contention if Jones can round his defence into form.

With strong depth on the end, adding a ratio-breaker like Cleyon Laing or a big body like Euclid Cummings or Alan-Michael Cash could be a game-changer in Riderville — if the Riders have the money.

“When it comes to defensive linemen, Chris Jones usually gears towards the bigger, the faster, the better,” said Sanchez. “An example is a guy like A.C. Leonard, a former receiver but he was big and fast but Chris thought he could make him a player and he was right.

“Look for him to do the same on his defensive line with a guy who may not be polished but he can make him a player and a fit on his defence.”

Team: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Need: Linebacker

Potential Fits: Damaso Munoz, Cory Greenwood, Glenn Love

The loss of Tony Burnett on Tuesday is an underrated one for the Bombers (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

With Khalil Bass (OTT) and Tony Burnett (BC) now wearing new colours, the Bombers are short a starting linebacker.

Richie Hall has some flexibility because Ian Wild can play WILL or MAC while Maurice Leggett continues to lock down the SAM.

Word is the Bombers are high on Kyle Knox, who played in 11 games as a rookie in 2016. But if Kyle Walters wants some veteran help, one of Damaso Munoz, Cory Greenwood and Glenn Love would provide an immediate upgrade.

Again, like with many teams, it’s a question of affordability.

“With salary cap restraints, look for Kyle Walters to use his draft picks to shore up his linebacker core,” said Sanchez. “He may not have the money to spend on any more expensive Canadians like Cory Greenwood, who would be a fit but with all of the moves the Bombers have made might not fit under the cap.”

Team: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Need: Receiver

Potential Fits: Ernest Jackson, Andy Fantuz, Clarence Denmark, Tori Gurley, Jeff Fuller, Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, Bakari Grant, Devon Bailey, Chris Getzlaf, Terrell Sinkfield

The speedy and athletic Jeff Fuller could be an option for the Ticats’ offence (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

Bringing back Terrence Toliver was a huge off-season win for the Ticats but the position is far from filled.

Andy Fantuz still doesn’t have a contract but there are other nationals that could take his place such as Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, Andy Fantuz, Devon Bailey or Chris Getzlaf.

With Chad Owens, Kevin Elliott and John Chiles also on the way out (all currently free agents), the Ticats could use an international. Ernest Jackson or Tori Gurley would be optimal but might be a little pricey. If not, one or more of Terrell Sinkfield, Jeff Fuller or Clarence Denmark would be a nice scoop.

“When you have Kent Austin and a quarterback as good as Zach Collaros, you have to have weapons,” said Sanchez. “Looking at this receiving corps right now, I think there’s definite room for improvement.

“Yes, Brian Tyms showed flashes; yes, Andy Fantuz will be back, but neither of those are guarantees. Adding a bonafide No. 2 or 3 receiver is imperative for them going into camp.”

Team: Toronto Argonauts
Need: Receiver

Potential Fits: Terrell Sinkfield, Bakari Grant, Jeff Fuller, Ernest Jackson

Does a second stint with the Argos make sense for Terrell Sinkfield? (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

It is unlikely the Argos go into the season with DeVier Posey and Devon Wylie as their top two international receivers.

Losing Diontae Spencer and Kenny Shaw to a division rival in Ottawa hurts, but there’s still plenty of time to turn the tides in free agency.

While the Boatmen are stocked with nationals, expect them to make a move for an experienced pass-catcher like Ernest Jackson or Terrell Sinkfield.

The Argos’ depth chart at QB is solved but whether it’s Ricky Ray, Drew Willy or Jeff Mathews throwing the football, someone’s got to be on the other end.

“The young Canadians that you’ve invested in, it’s time for those guys to produce,” said Sanchez, referring to the likes of Brian Jones and Llevi Noel. “The formula for the Argos would be to count on those young Canadians that they’ve invested in to produce.

“It’s no secret they’ve lost two of the guys they thought they could depend on, so now they must restock their import receiver talent,” Sanchez added. “That means a No. 1 or a No. 2 type guy — not just an average receiver. It’s only fair to Drew Willy — you put this much pressure on him to produce for you, you have to surround him with legitimate proven weapons.”

Team: Ottawa REDBLACKS
Need: Halfback

Potential Fits: Devin Smith, Rico Murray, Johnny Sears, Jovon Johnson

A return to the nation’s capital could make sense for Jovon Johnson (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

Locking down A.J. Jefferson was a big move for the REDBLACKS’ secondary, giving them two solid corners with him and Jonathan Rose.

Now, following the departures of Forrest Hightower (NFL) and Abdul Kanneh (HAM), the halfback position should be high on the list of GM Marcel Desjardins.

The REDBLACKS have proven adept at finding new and emerging talent on defence, especially at the defensive back position, but a veteran like Rico Murray or Jovon Johnson — at the right price — might make the transition a little bit smoother.

“They couldn’t re-sign Abdul Kanneh, spent some money on the two new receivers — the problem posed now for the REDBLACKS is halfbacks might be the hardest position to find just out there on the street,” said Sanchez. “That’s a position that you sometimes have to pay for and for someone that hasn’t played the position, it takes time to develop there.

“It’s one of the toughest positions to try and transition to and any American that would fill that role would have not played against the waggle before.”

Team: Montreal Alouettes
Need: Offensive tackle

Potential Fits: David Foucault, Greg Van Roten, Thaddeus Coleman, Dan Federkeil, D’Anthony Batiste, Josh Bourke

The departure of Jeff Perrett leaves questions on the Als’ O-line (Dominick Gravel/Montreal Alouettes)

The Alouettes went out and got a quarterback in Darian Durant; now they need an O-line to protect him.

Durant played behind the second-worst front five in 2016 as the Riders surrendered 57 sacks, the second most in the league. The only unit that allowed more sacks was the Alouettes, who gave up 64.

That has to change this season as for that offence to work, Durant has to be comfortable with time to deliver in the pocket.

After dropping Jeff Perrett, look for the Als to get some proven veteran help up front to aid the developing Philippe Gagnon and Jacob Ruby.

“The Als get the biggest off-season acquisition, which is Darian Durant — a strong play from first-time GM Kavis Reed. But the two most important things for a quarterback and an offensive system to have success are solid O-line play and some big-play receivers.

“The Als don’t have either of those as of yet and that is the most pressing need over the next week or so — to fill those two holes.”

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