February 1, 2018

Position of Strength: Depth defines FA defensive backs

Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca

TORONTO — The number of high-end defensive backs pending free agency could sit somewhere near the double-digits.

As we delve into the deepest position group in this year’s crop of free agents, we should consider the importance of the defensive back in the Canadian Football League.

In the CFL, where six quarterbacks threw for 4,000 yards and 14 receivers hit the 1,000-yard benchmark in 2017, teams with elite pass defences, Calgary and Toronto, wound up playing for the Grey Cup.

RELATED
» View free agent tracker
» Ranking the national free agents
» Position of Strength: Receivers

The teams with the four leading secondaries — Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Saskatchewan — were the four remaining teams in the division finals.

And so on.

With that in mind, CFL.ca breaks down the defensive backs that could hit the open market on Feb. 13:

THE ELITE

T.J. HEATH | WPG

The top-ranked defensive back on CFL.ca’s top 30 list, T.J. Heath is one of the best boundary halfbacks in the business. The 30-year-old is also one of the league’s most dynamic defensive playmakers, with 12 interceptions in 34 career games — roughly a pick every three games.

TOMMIE CAMPBELL | CGY

Tommie Campbell has only needed two seasons to become a household name in the CFL. He’s a true shutdown corner, relishing the opportunity week in and week out to take on the league’s top receivers.

MITCHELL WHITE | TOR

Another corner you can put on an island, Mitchell White made a noticeable impact when he joined the Argos’ secondary part way through 2017. White played both corner and half for the Argos, helping them boast one of the best secondaries in the CFL and an eventual Grey Cup Championship.

JAMAR WALL | CGY

Jamar Wall plays a key role on what is consistently the CFL’s best secondary. Not only is the 30-year-old stingy as a cover man, he’s also durable, having not missed a game since 2013. There’s nothing more you could ask from a defensive back in the three-down game.

Jamar Wall has gone the last four seasons without missing a single game (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

THE EDGE OF ELITE

RONNIE YELL | BC

After missing eight games in 2016, Ronnie Yell played all 18 games last year in a bounce back campaign for the Lions. While his team didn’t make the playoffs, Yell stood out in his role at boundary corner, making 64 tackles and adding three interceptions against some of the CFL’s top receivers.

CHANDLER FENNER | BC

The move to SAM linebacker/nickel put Chandler Fenner in a position to be around the football more, and the 27-year-old responded with 76 tackles, a sack and an interception. Year three in the CFL is when Fenner could take the next step and become a star.

CIANTE EVANS | CGY

One thing that helps Ciante Evans stand out from other free agents on this list is his age. Evans is 25 and already has three CFL seasons under his belt, with his most impressive coming in 2017 when he had five interceptions while playing for the league’s top secondary.

LOUCHEIZ PURIFOY | BC

Loucheiz Purifoy is one of the most versatile defenders in the CFL, with the proven ability to play safety, halfback and SAM linebacker/nickel. After recording five sacks and four forced fumbles in his first CFL season, the 25-year-old has three interceptions in a strong 2017 campaign.

MAURICE LEGGETT | WPG

Age (31) and a late-season Achilles injury both make a bit of a hill to climb for Maurice Leggett, but the veteran defensive back remains one of the league’s top playmakers the last few years. In 63 career games, Leggett has 16 interceptions, six forced fumbles and four touchdowns along with 11 sacks.

Maurice Leggett’s late-season injury makes him an intriguing free agent going into February (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)

THE SECOND TIER

JERRELL GAVINS | OTT

A season-ending knee injury claimed part of his 2017, but Jerrell Gavins should have plenty of value should he become a free agent. The 29-year-old flies to the football and was badly missed in the REDBLACKS’ secondary following his Week 17 injury.

KEVIN FOGG | WPG

Already a spark-plug in the return game, Kevin Fogg is looking to take the next step on the defensive side of the ball. He was a rotational defender in the Bombers’ secondary before taking over for Maurice Leggett at SAM, where he didn’t look out of place

CASSIUS VAUGHN | TOR

Cut by the Ticats in the spring, Cassius Vaughn had one of the best redemption stories of 2017, signing with the Argos and eventually making the signature play of the 105th Grey Cup. Vaughn can play almost anywhere in the secondary, including SAM, where he had most of his career-high five interceptions in 2017.

JONATHAN ROSE | OTT

There’s a good reason that Jonathan Rose is getting NFL looks. The 24-year-old carried a strong rookie season into 2017, when he had 53 tackles and two interceptions at boundary corner. He’s a good young piece that can be built around in the defensive backfield.

Jonathan Rose had a strong sophomore season for the REDBLACKS in 2017 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

OTHA FOSTER | SSK

The 2017 season was a write-off for Otha Foster, who played only three games after returning from the NFL mid-season. The 29-year-old could seek a return south of the border this off-season, but if not, he’d be a big add for any CFL team.

FORREST HIGHTOWER | EDM

One of the heroes of the 104th Grey Cup, Forrest Hightower had a brief NFL stint before signing with the Edmonton Eskimos on the eve of CFL training camp. He played a key role on an Eskimos secondary that’s gotten a lot better under Defensive Coordinator Mike Benevides.

AKWASI OWUSU-ANSAH | TOR

Coming off a devastating season-ending injury in 2016, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah returned as a regular starter on the Argos’ defence last year, stabilizing a group that wound up near the top of the league in virtually every category. It’s fair to say the 29-year-old has flown under the radar in his three-year career.

KACY RODGERS | SSK

Kacy Rodgers took the next step for the Riders in 2017, starting 15 games on a secondary that improved as the season progressed. The 25-year-old has the upside for more and will look to build on a season in which he recorded 42 tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles and a touchdown.

VALUE PICKS

JOHNNY ADAMS | EDM

Players like Johnny Adams helped the Eskimos overcome a devastating run of injuries in 2017. The 28-year-old played 15 games for the Esks, recording 55 tackles and two interceptions while proving he is an effective starter in the three-down game.

RICO MURRAY | TOR

Rico Murray took advantage of a fresh start in Toronto, starting all 18 games for the Argos and becoming a key part of their secondary in their Grey Cup-winning season. Murray, 30, had 55 tackles, an interception and a sack for the Boatmen.

GARRY PETERS | EDM

Garry Peters started eight games for the Eskimos in 2017 before being sidelined the rest of the season. The 26-year-old plays physically and has upside for anyone seeking an under-the-radar add this off-season.

JOE BURNETT | CGY

Joe Burnett‘s role declined in the Stamps’ defence in 2017, when he made 11 tackles in 11 games and was left off the Grey Cup roster. His veteran experience is key, while a healthy off-season should make the 31-year-old an intriguing option on the open market.

After an injury-marred 2017, Joe Burnett should have plenty more football left in him (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

BRANDON STEWART | MTL

Brandon Stewart had a productive season for the Als at age 31, starting 12 of 13 games while recording 42 tackles, an interception and a touchdown. He showed that he can still be a starter if needed, otherwise he’ll provide solid depth on the back end.

JOHNNY SEARS JR. | TOR

Johnny Sears Jr. started all seven games he played in, but only one of those games came after Week 6. The 30-year-old can still play but durability might come into question in the minds of general managers.

BUDDY JACKSON | BC

Buddy Jackson joined the Lions later in the season and played eight games, recording 17 tackles and an interception. The former Stampeder still has something to prove at age 28.

DOMINIQUE ELLIS | HAM

After playing all 18 games in back-to-back seasons, Dominique Ellis was held to only five games in 2017. It’s hard to predict what role the 28-year-old will take on in 2018.

KEELAN JOHNSON | OTT

In his second season in the nation’s capital, Keelan Johnson played all 18 games (starting two of them), recording 29 tackles in the REDBLACKS’ secondary.

JOSH MITCHELL | TOR

He’s only played 11 career games, including just one in 2017, but the Argos appear to see something in the 25-year-old out of Nebraska. At this point, though, Josh Mitchell is mostly a mystery.

RATIO BREAKERS

JERMAINE GABRIEL | TOR

The recent retirement of Josh Bell may have increased the value of Jermaine Gabriel should he test free agency. Most teams like to play a Canadian at safety, and Gabriel has put himself in the upper echelon of nationals at the position.

TEVAUGHN CAMPBELL | MTL

Tevaughn Campbell finally got on the field in 2017, joining the Als via trade and starting nine of his 10 appearances in the Montreal backfield. If he can continue his emergence as a CFL starting corner, he’ll be a true ratio-breaker at the position. The athleticism is certainly there.

MATT BLACK | TOR

One of the most inspiring stories of 2017, Matt Black was actually cut before being brought back to play a key role in the Argos’ run to the 105th Grey Cup. The 32-year-old made the game-clinching interception to beat the Stamps, while his veteran experience is invaluable.

Months after being cut, Matt Black made the game-clinching pick in the Grey Cup (Alex D’Addese/CFL.ca)

DOMINIQUE TERMANSEN | MTL

Dominique Termansen barely played in 2017, recording three defensive tackles and one more on special teams in nine appearances. He’s athletic for his size (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) and could lend a hand on special teams. Age (23) is also on his side.

ADAM BERGER | OTT

Adam Berger played all 18 games for the REDBLACKS, recording five defensive tackles and four special teams tackles. The 27-year-old has missed only two games the last four years.

DAN WEST | OTT

A pure special-teamer, Dan West had 13 special teams tackles in 2017 for the REDBLACKS in 18 games. The 31-year-old won’t find the field on defence but should still find work due to his experience on special teams and his Canadian passport.