Position of Strength: Spencer, Green lead top-heavy group of FA receivers

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — Some big names are already off the market, but the group of receivers about to become free agents is an impressive one, especially when you start at the top.

S.J. Green, Diontae Spencer and DaVaris Daniels have all proven they can be top options in any offence, while is there any more reliable receiver than Hamilton’s Luke Tasker?

Each receiver has his own set of strengths, but all will be highly-coveted if a deal can’t be struck with their current team before Feb. 13.

Let’s take a closer look at a position of strength in the upcoming free agent frenzy:

THE ELITE

DIONTAE SPENCER | OTT

The top-ranked free agent in this year’s top 30, speed is what sets Diontae Spencer apart from the rest of the receivers currently scheduled to go on the open market. The 25-year-old is one of the fastest and most explosive players in the CFL, with that ‘strike the band’ ability that coaches dream of.

Another thing that stands out about Spencer is his age. Some free agent receivers over 30 saw a drop-off in production last season, but Spencer has a lot of years left in him.

S.J. GREEN | TOR

It’s still hard to picture S.J. Green leaving Jim Popp and Marc Trestman, but the closer we get to free agency, the more realistic the possibility of that happening. Green will be 33 when the season starts, but don’t let his age scare you — he’s coming off the best season of his career, and signing him would be a coup for any team in the CFL.

LUKE TASKER | HAM

The diminutive Luke Tasker may not strike you as an elite pass-catcher, but the production over five CFL seasons can’t be ignored. Tasker is a quarterback’s dream, always making the catch and sometimes making the difficult look easy. In his four full seasons in the CFL, Tasker has never had fewer than 852 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Luke Tasker broke the 1,000 yards barrier for the second time in three years in 2017 (The Canadian Press)

DaVARIS DANIELS | CGY

Going into his third CFL season, DaVaris Daniels rounds out a very exclusive group of elite pass-catching free agents. Yes, the 25-year-old did endure somewhat of a sophomore slump, failing to meet expectations after his meteoric rise as a rookie in 2016. But the potential and athleticism are both there, making him a can’t-miss free agent should the Stamps lose him.

SECOND OPTIONS

DeVIER POSEY | TOR

In a year the Argos took some big risks at the receiver position, DeVier Posey’s emergence as a second threat to S.J. Green played a role in the team’s Grey Cup run. Posey is one of the faster players in the CFL, and a productive first full season in the league saw him record 744 yards in 12 games. The ceiling is high for the soon-to-be-28-year-old.

VIDAL HAZELTON | EDM

Vidal Hazelton has teased, at times, with his impressive upside and elite potential, but he hasn’t reached that point yet despite a bounce back season in 2017. The 30-year-old offers a blend of size, power and athleticism, and after recording 709 yards on 55 grabs, could be an under-the-radar signing, wherever he ends up.

JURON CRINER | OTT

Some tabbed Juron Criner for a breakout year in 2017, but injuries and a lack of involvement held him to 201 yards in six games. The potential is there, with a 6-foot-3 frame, an impressive catch radius and big-play potential, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens with the 28-year-old should he test the market.

NICK MOORE | BC

While Nick Moore had every reason to fade in 2017, the talented veteran continues to be a productive CFL receiver. Moore overcame a season-ending injury in 2016 and a loaded group of pass-catchers in 2017 to log 547 yards in 12 games. While the Lions may look to get younger, Moore should still be a factor somewhere this year.

Nick Moore returned from a season-ending injury to play a key role in the Lions’ offence this year (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

VALUE PICKS

CLARENCE DENMARK | WPG

How consistent has Clarence Denmark been throughout his career? Last year’s 608 receiving yards were a career-low, and the Jacksonville, Fla. native had seven touchdowns to boot. In the last two seasons, Denmark has 1,313 yards in 28 games to go with 15 touchdowns, averaging 47 yards per game. A proven value pick if there was one.

JEFF FULLER | TOR

Unfulfilled potential has defined Jeff Fuller‘s career, and the 27-year-old again couldn’t take advantage of his opportunity in Toronto. Fuller has tantalizing talent, but he’s never had more than 619 yards, failing to crack the 400-yard mark in all but one of his six CFL seasons.

JASPER COLLINS | HAM

Jasper Collins couldn’t get in the lineup consistently for the Ticats in 2017, hauling in 16 passes for 186 yards in six games. He’d be a deep flier at this point, but at age 26 still has time to show something on the field.

RATIO BREAKERS

NIC DEMSKI | SSK

It looked like things were starting to click for Nic Demski before an injury ended his 2017 season prematurely. The former sixth overall pick in 2015 has big-play talent as a receiver and a returner, making him a potential ratio-breaker wherever the free agent whirlwind takes him.

ANTHONY PARKER | CGY

While he fell short of his breakout 2016 season last year, Anthony Parker is still possibly the top-ranked Canadian receiver headed for the market. The 28-year-old, while unheralded, has been a key player on Calgary’s offence, and would be an upgrade for several teams out wide.

Anthony Parker would be an upgrade for several teams at the wide receiver position (The Canadian Press)

DEVON BAILEY | SSK

A change of scenery did not benefit the former sixth overall draft pick in 2014, as Devon Bailey‘s struggle to produce continued in 2017 with 80 receiving yards and two touchdowns in six games.

JAKE HARTY | OTT

Brad Sinopoli‘s injury opened the door for Jake Harty, the 10th overall pick and the second receiver off the board in 2015, but he was held to just 226 yards on 27 catches. The 27-year-old could find a starting role at wide receiver in free agency.

JULIAN FEOLI-GUDINO | WPG

The Bombers’ long-tenured Canadian receiver hit career-highs in yards (462) and touchdowns (3) in 2017, making him worth a look should he get to free agency. Julian Feoli-Gudino has 84 career games under his belt, which should prove valuable.

RORY KOHLERT | CGY

Rory Kohlert was mostly a spare part for Calgary in 2017, catching seven passes for 77 yards. The Regina native has a big frame at 6-foot-2, 204 pounds and can step into the lineup if needed.

STEPHEN ADEKOLU | MTL

The move to Montreal did not open up any new opportunities for 6-foot-4 target Stephen Adekolu, who was held catchless in five games with the Als. The 29-year-old can’t seem to find his opportunity.

S.J. HAIDARA | MTL

A second round pick in 2013, S.J. Haidara has not made an impact offensively throughout his six-year CFL career, failing to ever eclipse 58 receiving yards. He could be on his fifth CFL club this off-season.

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