Bombers sign former NFL receivers Thompkins, Randle

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have added some more competition at international receiver, signing two former NFLers in Kenbrell Thompkins and Reuben Randle.

The club also announced it has signed international defensive back Robert Priester and released international pass-catcher Tony Stevens.

Thompkins signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He caught 32 passes for 466 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie NFL season. Thompkins played four seasons in the NFL, spending time with the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and New York Jets, totaling 70 receptions for 893 yards and 4 touchdowns.

A 6-foot-1, 198-pound receiver from Miami, the 29-year-old spent two seasons with the Cincinnati Bearcats, catching 78 passes for 1,077 yards and four touchdowns.

Randle came with a higher draft pedigree, after being picked in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. The 27-year-old totaled 188 receptions for 2,644 yards and 20 touchdowns during his four-year tenure with the Giants, also spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears.

Randle played three seasons with the LSU Tigers, catching 97 passes for 1,634 yards and 13 touchdowns. In 2011, Randle, 6-foot-2, led the Tigers with 917 receiving yards and earned first-team All-SEC honours.

Priester spent three seasons with the Wyoming Cowboys, making 103 total tackles and three forced fumbles in 35 games played. In 2017, the 5-foot-9 defensive back recorded a career high in tackles for a loss and forced fumbles, helping lead the Cowboys to an 8-5 record.