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TORONTO — CFL teams have spent the last few days filling some of their biggest needs through free agency.
On one hand, lucrative signings mean some teams may be quieter the rest of the way. On the other, some may see opportunity in players that have slipped under the radar and remained on the market.
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With many talented players still available, here are 13 free agent matches that makes sense to me:
Free Agent: Shakir Bell, RB (EDM)
Match: Toronto Argonauts
With Brandon Whitaker out, the Argos need a new starting running back — someone who’s young and talented and can energize an offence.
Shakir Bell fits the bill, the 24-year-old having averaged 6.3 yards per carry during the 2016 season. Bell could be an elite back if given the opportunity, something we saw a year ago when he averaged 106.3 rushing yards per game with the Eskimos in four starts.
Free Agent: Terrell Sinkfield, WR (BC)
Match: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Brian Tyms and Terrence Toliver (6-foot-3 and 6-foot-6 respectively) should provide matchup difficulties for opposing defensive backfields. That could be complemented nicely by the addition of Terrell Sinkfield.
Sink is one of the CFL’s fastest and most explosive receivers and would stretch the defence for Zach Collaros and company, something he seems more than interested in doing.
A second stint with the Tabbies would make sense for Terrell Sinkfield (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Free Agent: J’Michael Deane, OL (OTT)
Match: Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Riders scored a major victory with the addition of Derek Dennis to their O-line, but the CFL’s second-worst unit in 2016 could still use some work.
J’Michael Deane would be another reliable starter for the Green and White and would make the left side of that O-line a true strength.
Free Agent: Greg Van Roten, OL (TOR)
Match: Montreal Alouettes
The Als are going through a transformation on the field, hoping to build an exciting and explosive offence. They’ve found their quarterback in Darian Durant and have since bolstered their receiving corps; now they must improve their O-line.
An influx of Canadians at defensive tackle allows the Als to start at least one American offensive tackle. Greg Van Roten would be a fit.
Free Agent: Justin Hickman, DE (TOR)
Match: BC Lions
The last starting-calibre defensive end available, Justin Hickman would be a suitable replacement for the departed Alex Bazzie.
The position is a definite need for Wally Buono’s club which, despite tying for the league lead in sacks (52), struggled to force opposing offences to make mistakes in 2016.
Free Agent: Devon Bailey, WR (EDM)
Match: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Even if the Ticats re-sign Andy Fantuz, there still exists the need for a national receiver. Devon Bailey, a former sixth overall pick, could make sense here.
The 6-foot-5 Bailey is from nearby Mississauga, Ont. and fits as a starting wide-out in Kent Austin’s offence.
A chance to start could be critical for Devon Bailey in free agency (The Canadian Press)
Free Agent: Bakari Grant, SB (CGY)
Match: Toronto Argonauts
Grabbing Jeff Fuller was a sneaky move by the Argos but there’s still work to be done on offence. Adding Bakari Grant following the most productive year of his career would give the Argos’ quarterbacks some weapons to work with.
Grant would be the elder statesman on a receiving corps that would also include Fuller, DeVier Posey, Devon Wylie, Llevi Noel, Anthony Coombs and Brian Jones.
Free Agent: Glenn Love, LB (CGY)
Match: Edmonton Eskimos
Ed Hervey has taken a quiet, calculated approach to free agency with some under the radar moves thus far, including the additions of Aston Whiteside, Travon Van and Kendial Lawrence.
All three of those guys could be impact players and the same would go for Glenn Love, who could be a fit as the WILL linebacker following the off-season departure of Deon Lacey.
Free Agent: Cory Greenwood, LB (TOR)
Match: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The addition of Cory Greenwood would answer the departures of Khalil Bass (Ottawa) and Tony Burnett (BC) from the Bombers’ linebacker corps.
While GM Kyle Walters has re-signed Sam Hurl and the team is apparently high on Kyle Knox, the Canadian Greenwood could bring a lot to Winnipeg’s already stout defence.
Cory Greenwood remains one of the top nationals still on the market (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)
Free Agent: D’Anthony Batiste, OL (EDM)
Match: Calgary Stampeders
Everyone’s talking about the two starting tackles the Stamps could be without in 2017. This has happened before when the team lost Stanley Bryant and Brett Jones a couple of years ago.
John Hufnagel and Dave Dickenson will have new talent waiting in the wings, but in the meantime, D’Anthony Batiste is an experienced American that can play on both sides of the line and will probably come at the right price.
Free Agent: Alan Michael Cash, DT (MTL)
Match: Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Riders don’t need any more edge rushers but could use some muscle inside.
This year’s free agent class has an abundance of defensive tackles, including ratio-changer Cleyon Laing, but Alan Michael Cash is a proven and reliable big man that would complement the Riders’ dominant ends nicely.
Free Agent: Euclid Cummings, DT (WPG)
Match: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
A high-ranked free agent a year ago, Euclid Cummings’ stock has seemingly fallen after his first season in Winnipeg.
At this point, the 25-year-old defensive tackle who checks in at 6-foot-3, 298 pounds would provide value for the Ticats in the middle of their D-line alongside Ted Laurent.
Euclid Cummings could be one of FA17’s top value picks at this point (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)
Free Agent: Jovon Johnson, DB (MTL)
Match: Ottawa REDBLACKS
Don’t let his age scare you — Jovon Johnson showed in 2016 that he can still play at a high level, taking on the league’s top receivers as a starting halfback with the Als.
Most teams could use a starting halfback but the need in Ottawa is definite, where the REDBLACKS are without departed free agents Forrest Hightower and Abdul Kanneh.
