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Who Are Top 30 CFL Free Agents for 2024?

With the start of free agency more than two months away, CFL.ca released its top 30 available free agents.

Feb. 13 at noon EST is marked on all nine CFL teams’ calendars as one of the most important days of the offseason as that marks the beginning of free agency. And with it, the speculation of who is signing where for the next two months.

The staff and analysts at CFL.ca complied their list of the top 30 free agents that will be available to be signed this offseason. The players on this list are only players that have expiring contracts on Feb. 13.

Nov 11, 2023; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (20) breaks a tackle by BC Lions defensive back T.J. Lee (6) during the first half of the game at IG Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira is considered the top free agent by CFL.ca.

Let’s first list each team’s players that are listed from No. 6 through 30. Separately, there will be a breakdown of the top five players.

The Toronto Argonauts lead the way with seven of the top 30. The Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes on have three of the list. For the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, two of their six free agents are in the top five.

(Click on team name below to see its complete list of free agents.)

Toronto Argonauts (rank)

  • Jamal Peters, DB (30)
  • Shawn Oakman, DL (29)
  • Javon Leake, RB/RET (21)
  • Wynton McManis, LB (17)
  • Darius Ciraco, OL (11)
  • Adarius Pickett, LB (8)
  • AJ Ouellette, RB (7)

Montreal Alouettes (rank)

  • Shawn Lemon, DL (28)
  • Tyrice Beverette, LB (16)

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (rank)

  • Dru Brown, QB (27)
  • Jermarcus Hardrick, OL (26)
  • Demerio Houston, DB (20)
  • Willie Jefferson, DL (13)

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (rank)

  • Jameer Thurman, LB (25)
  • Stavros Katsantonis, DB (22)
  • Brandon Revenberg, OL (15)

Saskatchewan Roughriders (rank)

  • Shawn Bane Jr., WR (24)

Ottawa Redblacks (rank)

  • Justin Hardy, WR (23)
  • Brandin Dandridge, DB (19)
  • Bryce Carter, DL (14)

BC Lions (rank)

  • Ben Hladik, LB (18)
  • Alexander Hollins, WR (12)
  • Keon Hatcher, WR (6)

Edmonton Elks (rank)

  • AC Leonard, DL (10)

Calgary Stampeders (rank)

  • Micah Awe, LB (9)

CFL.ca's Top Five 2024 Free Agents

Top Five CFL Free Agents

5. Darnell Sankey, LB, Montreal

Arguably the most important late-season signing in recent years, linebacker Darnell Sankey was a major reason the Alouettes made their late-season run for a Grey Cup title. Sankey recorded 22 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in three playoff games. Either Montreal or some other CFL team will make sure Sankey doesn’t feel the temptation to play down south ever again with a new contract.

4. Dalton Schoen, WR, Winnipeg

Winnipeg’s top receiver Dalton Schoen has flashed for the Blue Bombers since 2022. This season, he finished with 1,222 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. His big-play ability makes him an attractive player to sign in free agency. Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters will make sure he is not the only person in Winnipeg to avoid the open market and get re-signed.

3. Tim White, WR, Hamilton

There haven’t been many receivers who have consistently been reliable receivers who can make big plays. Tim White has been that guy over the last two seasons combining for 2,534 yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. With all the uncertainty of the quarterback position for Hamilton, it might open the door for a contender to nab White up as he is an elite CFL receiver.

2. Mathieu Betts, DL, BC

There will be much competition for the right to have defensive lineman Mathieu Betts play on their team as he is the premier pass rusher in the CFL. Betts made his presence known in 2023 recording a league-leading 18 sacks, breaking the Canadian record for a season. The league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player will be in for a big payday for whoever wants to sign him, which should be most of the CFL.

1. Brady Oliveira, RB, Winnipeg

One of the best Canadian running backs in recent memory, Brady Oliveira finds himself available to sign anywhere, with the NFL also an option. Oliveira led the CFL in rushing in 2023 with 1,534 yards and rushed for nine scores. He added 482 yards receiving and four majors on top of that. Every team will be going after him, but the real competition comes with the NFL. The CFL can only hope to keep one of their key stars in Canada.

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