Position of Strength: Elite receivers headline 2019 FA class

TORONTO — While the quarterbacks take the spotlight, another position of strength in this year’s free agent class is receiver.

Eight receivers made CFL.ca’s top 30 list, from proven elite talent like Greg Ellingson and Derel Walker to speedy vertical threat DeVier Posey. Forty more are due to become free agents along with them.

Let’s look at the pass-catchers projected to hit free agency on Feb. 12:

The Elite

DEREL WALKER | EDM

It’s hard to forget the way Derel Walker burst onto the scene with the Esks, recording 2,700 yards in his first two seasons from 2015 to 2016. He hasn’t slowed down, averaging a stunning 85.9 yards per game in his four-year CFL career. It’s completely valid to call Walker the most complete and consistent receiver in the three-down game.

BRYAN BURNHAM | BC

With 1,000-plus yards in three straight seasons, Bryan Burnham has joined the upper echelon of CFL receivers. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound wideout is a possession receiver by trade, making a habit of turning highlight-reel plays into routine catches. Despite declining in receptions and yards in 2018, the 28-year-old scored a career-high nine touchdowns.

GREG ELLINGSON | OTT

With Diontae Spencer NFL-bound, it’s somewhat surprising the REDBLACKS could still allow Greg Ellingson to see the open market. The 30-year-old saw his numbers decline in 2018, scoring five touchdowns and barely hitting the 1,000-yard mark — but his 5.4 catches per game were on par with his career 2017 season. Expect a huge bounce back in 2019.

B.J. CUNNINGHAM | MTL

Despite failing to replicate his breakout 2017 season, B.J. Cunningham is an intriguing name on the free agent radar. It’s been a challenging four years in Montreal — where his numbers have likely been hurt by a revolving door of quarterbacks and offensive coordinators — but Cunningham has the upside and ability to be a high-impact receiver.

DURON CARTER | TOR

With last season’s unfortunate events behind him, Duron Carter looks to turn the page and start fresh in 2019. Right or wrong, Carter has earned a reputation for his off-field antics, but the talent is undeniable — few players league-wide can match the 27-year-old’s ability on the field, making him a person of interest in the coming month.

DEVIER POSEY | BC

Outside of scoring three touchdowns in one quarter, Lions mid-season addition DeVier Posey may not have had the impact GM Ed Hervey had hoped. Still, Posey’s ability to separate and stretch the field will make him a highly-coveted player should he hit the open market. Posey was an integral part of the Argos’ Grey Cup Championship in 2017.

ERIC ROGERS | CGY

Despite his nagging knee, Eric Rogers scored three touchdowns in the Western Final, playing an integral role in the team’s run to the 106th Grey Cup. Rogers’ presence alone can boost an offence, as the 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver is a proven terror for opposing defences. Question is, after reports of a possible retirement, will he play in 2019?

DAVARIS DANIELS | CGY

After an up-and-down start in 2018, DaVaris Daniels was enjoying a four-game stretch of 382 yards and five touchdowns — before suffering what would become a season-ending injury. There’s some untapped potential here, as the 26-year-old has shown flashes of being one of the most dynamic receivers in the CFL. He just needs to be healthy.

Proven and Reliable

NAAMAN ROOSEVELT | SSK

Coming off the worst statistical season of his career, Naaman Roosevelt is in an interesting position as free agency approaches. Widely considered a top-10 receiver at this time last year, Roosevelt, 31, has proven he can be an elite pass-catcher in the three-down game. A change of scenery and, fingers crossed, some good health could lead to a big rebound.

RICKY COLLINS | BC

After a lost season in 2017, Ricky Collins regained his footing with the Lions in 2018, recording 611 yards and two touchdowns. A 10-catch, 105-yard game vs. Ottawa showed us he can be a high-volume option — he just needs the opportunity. It could finally come for the eager 26-year-old.

WESTON DRESSLER | WPG

Age is creeping up on 33-year-old Weston Dressler, but he didn’t look out of place last season, racking up 535 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. A return to Winnipeg makes sense based on his chemistry with Matt Nichols, but Dressler’s veteran presence could make a difference on a handful of teams.

EMMANUEL ARCENEAUX | BC

After eight seasons in BC, there’s a good chance Emmanuel Arceneaux heads elsewhere this off-season as the Lions look to make changes at receiver. Previous to last year’s season-ending injury, Arceneaux recorded at least 858 receiving yards and 15 games every season in the league. It would be crazy to count him out now.

CHRIS WILLIAMS | HAM

With two season-ending injuries in the last three years, it’s hard to know where exactly Chris Williams stands in his career right now. The 31-year-old showed he’s still got wheels in 2018, recording 397 yards — with an average of 19.5 yards per catch — in eight games. You can’t teach speed, so if Williams does opt to return next season, you can be sure someone will want him.

VIDAL HAZELTON | EDM

Vidal Hazelton made ripples with the Eskimos last season, starting nine games and recording 346 yards on 35 catches. While he may not rediscover his 2015 success, Hazelton has flown under the radar in Edmonton and is at least a quality depth option, with the ability for more, at this point in his career.

TERRENCE TOLIVER | HAM

After missing an entire year, Terrence Toliver started strong in 2018, recording 230 yards and a touchdown in his first three games. Injuries and a deep Hamilton receiving corps were obstacles for the lengthy 6-foot-5 pass-catcher, but in the end, Toliver was reliable for the Ticats, recording two or more catches in 10 of 12 games.

CALEB HOLLEY | SSK

His career never took off like anticipated, but Caleb Holley still offers upside at age 28. After back-to-back seasons of 600-plus yards, Holley overcame injury and reclaimed his starting job in 2018, recording 213 yards on 14 catches in a limited role. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound pass-catcher could be a low-risk, high-upside option in free agency.

KENNY STAFFORD | EDM

Kenny Stafford rebounded nicely in 2018, racking up 781 receiving yards and 55 catches, setting career-highs in both categories. The 28-year-old is well-traveled after six seasons with Calgary, Montreal and Edmonton, but has been a reliable target for Mike Reilly and has the ability to stretch the field.

BAKARI GRANT | CGY

Months after finishing the best season of his career — which saw him hit 1,033 yards and five touchdowns in 2017 with the Riders — Bakari Grant was released in training camp last May. He’d eventually land with the Stamps, helping them win the 106th Grey Cup presented by Shaw. Despite his age (31), Grant could be a valuable pickup in free agency.

Under the Radar

TERRELL SINKFIELD | HAM

Despite his brief and uneventful stint with the Ticats last season, Terrell Sinkfield has one thing every team covets: speed. The 28-year-old was one of the league’s most dynamic players from 2014 to 2016, making him a worthy target for any team seeking help at receiver and in the return game.

ADARIUS BOWMAN | MTL

It’s hard to believe that Adarius Bowman is only two years removed from the best season of his career, when he had 1,761 yards and nine touchdowns with the Eskimos in 2016. No one’s mistaking the 33-year-old as an elite pass-catcher anymore, but Bowman, with his 9,491 career receiving yards, can still offer a steady veteran hand.

MARQUAY MCDANIEL | HAM

Marquay McDaniel put his retirement on hold when the Ticats came calling last fall. The 34-year-old was one of the league’s most consistent receivers from 2010 through 2017, but it would be surprising to see him play a significant role with a team next season. That’s not to say the aspiring coach wouldn’t be valued for his experience and leadership.

DOMINIQUE RHYMES | OTT

Viewed as an up-and-coming receiver for the REDBLACKS last season, Dominique Rhymes flashed exciting potential in 2018 after three games of 77-plus yards. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound pass-catcher wasn’t able to contribute consistently, but could be on several teams’ radar for a low-risk venture.

TJ GRAHAM | MTL

TJ Graham‘s talent has infuriated Alouettes fans the last two seasons. On the one hand, the 29-year-old has blazing speed and knows how to get separation. On the other, he’s struggled with drops, putting the ball on the carpet often. CFL teams should still see use in the former third round NFL Draft pick.

RYAN LANKFORD | WPG

Imagine the ratio flexibility Ryan Lankford would bring as the first ever receiver/kicker? Lankford can boot it, but he’s got some upside as a receiver too, as shown in brief stints with the Riders and Bombers. The 27-year-old is worth at least a camp invite.

JURON CRINER | EDM

After putting up 470 yards in 12 games in two seasons with Ottawa, Juron Criner failed to crack the lineup in his first year with the Eskimos. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Arizona product mesmerized during Grey Cup week in 2016 — including a crazy one-handed catch in practice — but hasn’t done much since then.

MYLES WHITE | TOR

The brother of Alouettes defensive back Mitchell White, Myles got his first taste of the CFL in 2018 with the Argos, catching 14 passes in seven games. White remains a relative unknown.

JAMILL SMITH | EDM

Primarily a returner over his five-year CFL career, Jamill Smith is an exciting athlete that can make defenders miss. The diminutive 27-year-old has a 21.2-yard career average on kick returns and 8.3 yards on punts.

TYLER DAVIS | BC

After two seasons of development time with the Lions, 27-year-old Tyler Davis will try to continue his CFL career in 2019. He’s spent most of his time on the practice roster, playing just one game and receiving one carry along the way.

Ratio Breakers

JUWAN BRESCACIN | CGY

Despite just one career start, Juwan Brescacin has emerged as one of the more intriguing young receivers in the CFL, increasing his role with the Stamps in 2018. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound pass-catcher has proven he deserves to start in the three-down game.

NIC DEMSKI | WPG

A slight change of scenery benefited Nic Demski, who had a career-high 554 receiving yards (and 248 rushing yards) in his first season with the Bombers. He was a big part of Paul LaPolice’s arsenal, teaming up with fellow Winnipeg native Andrew Harris on one of the CFL’s most balanced offences.

MIKE JONES | HAM

If he could just cut down the drops, Mike Jones would be well on his way to being a top Canadian receiver in the three-down game. He still may be, after leading all national pass-catchers with 841 yards on 49 catches in 2018. Jones’ stunning 17.2 yards per catch are evidence of just how effective the 26-year-old can be.

SHAQ JOHNSON | BC

After catching the Lions’ attention at a regional combine in 2016, Shaq Johnson never looked back. The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont. has 857 yards and five touchdowns in two seasons with BC, starting 34 games along the way (he made one start but failed to catch a pass at the end of 2016).

LEMAR DURANT | CGY

A highly-touted prospect in the 2015 draft, Lemar Durant fell to the second round before being picked by Calgary 18th overall. Durant returned from a season-ending injury last year, recording 395 yards and two touchdowns in 13 starts.

NATE BEHAR | EDM

A contract dispute got first round pick Nate Behar off to a slow start in 2017, but he rebounded last year with a full 18-game season, including seven starts. The Carleton product had 257 yards on 27 catches, including his first career touchdown against the BC Lions.

GEORGE JOHNSON | MTL

The Alouettes’ predominant field side wideout, George Johnson caught 10 balls for 147 yards in 2018, averaging an impressive 14.7 yards per catch. The 25-year-old out of the University of Western has a chance to continue to develop as a starting receiver.

JOSH STANFORD | MTL

After a limited role in 2017, Josh Stanford became a regular with the Riders last season, starting 14 games before the trade that sent him to Montreal. Stanford’s upside remains relatively unknown after three seasons in the league.

DEVON BAILEY | SSK

Devon Bailey hasn’t lived up to the expectations of a sixth overall draft pick (Edmonton, 2014), but has still managed to make an impact. The towering 6-foot-5 receiver has 658 yards and four touchdowns in five seasons, starting 14 games along the way.

ANTHONY PARKER | BC

A training camp casualty last spring, Anthony Parker resurfaced with the Lions mid-season, hauling in seven passes for 99 yards. Still just 29, Parker is a steady and proven depth option, entering 2019 with 2,344 career yards and 15 touchdowns.

ROB BAGG | SSK

Months after being cut, Rob Bagg ended up back with the Riders last season after the team cut Duron Carter. Bagg’s role with the team was mostly supportive, as the Queen’s product dressed for four games but failed to make a catch.

SHAMAWD CHAMBERS | HAM

Injuries continue to get in the way of a once-promising career after Shamawd Chambers was sidelined for all of 2018. The sixth overall draft pick in 2012 — who once broke the electronic 40-yard dash record at the CFL Combine — should still have something to offer at age 29, wherever he ends up.

CORY WATSON | BC

As per usual, Cory Watson quietly put together another productive season for the Lions in 2018, hauling in 38 passes for 406 yards and three touchdowns. Despite being 34, Watson’s experience and Canadian passport should allow him to play a 10th season.

SAM GIGUERE | EDM

Once considered one of the league’s top up-and-coming Canadian receivers, Sam Giguere played 13 games but had a minimal impact in his first season in Edmonton. Giguere has played seven CFL seasons, catching 207 passes for 2,506 yards.

FELIX FAUBERT-LUSSIER | HAM

Appreciated most for his blocking ability, Felix Faubert-Lussier has 103 career receiving yards on 14 catches in two seasons with the Ticats. Three of his seven career starts came in 2018.

BRIAN JONES | SSK

Former fourth overall pick Brian Jones got a fresh start after being traded to the Riders in 2018. The Argos saw plenty of upside in the 6-foot-4, 233-pound Acadia product, but it just never worked out. Jones had two catches for 20 yards with the Riders, which is all he’s done since 2016.

STEPHEN ADEKOLU | MTL

In his fifth CFL season and second with the Als, Stephen Adekolu played 17 games and caught one pass for eight yards. The 30-year-old has never had more than two catches in a season and is a depth piece at this point in his career.

ALEX CHARETTE | TOR

Alex Charette played in all 18 games in his second season with the Argos but failed to make a catch. Charette had an impressive pre-season last spring and will fight for a roster spot in 2019.