A lot has changed in the past two months. Or rather, a lot has stayed the same.
When we first sat down to rank our top 50 free agents on November 26, the class of 2026 looked chock-full of franchise-changing talent. 66 days later, and just 11 players from that original list remain unsigned ahead of the opening of the league’s free agency communications window.
Often referred to as the legal tampering window, pending free agents will be allowed to negotiate with teams across the CFL without restrictions beginning at 12:00 p.m. EST on February 1. The window will close a week later, at noon on February 8.
Some players will agree to terms on contracts with new teams during this time, though they can’t be signed until free agency officially gets underway on February 10. Still, a large portion of next season’s rosters will be shaped before last year’s contracts officially expire.
3DownNation has already ranked this year’s pending free-agent quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks, receivers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, and specialists. Now, it is time to update our top 50 list with the top players still available.
These rankings were made based on feedback from 3DownNation contributors as well as CFL personnel people, who were granted anonymity.
Please note that “N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians), “A” denotes American players, and “G” denotes Global players.
Top 50 Pending Free Agents
1) OL Jarell Broxton, B.C. Lions (A)
Elite left tackles are rarer than hen’s teeth these days, but Broxton is one hell of a chicken molar. The 32-year-old surrendered just 15 pressures last season despite playing 16 games, resulting in a league-best pressure rate of 2.4 percent. The six-foot-five, 325-pound blindside protector rightfully earned All-CFL honours and should be looking to push Jermarcus Hardrick for the title of highest-paid American offensive lineman.
2) DL Malik Carney, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
Carney doesn’t produce eye-popping sack numbers, setting a career-high with eight last season, and has yet to receive all-star recognition. However, his down-to-down consistency puts him in the category of elite pass rushers, and he finished last season as Pro Football Focus’ second-highest graded defensive end. The 30-year-old will be looking to cash in after playing a key role in the Riders’ Grey Cup victory, which appears to have put him at a stalemate with the team.
3) OL Coulter Woodmansey, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)
The Toronto, Ont., native was the highest-graded centre in the CFL last season, according to ProFootballFocus, though issues with his snapping accuracy led to him being shifted out of that role in the postseason. The 28-year-old is more natural at guard and should be coveted across the league due to his age and physical road-grading ability. The Guelph product already has 75 career starts to his name and is just now entering the prime of his career.
4) LB A.J. Allen, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)
Allen had his coming-out party during the Riders’ Grey Cup campaign in 2025, amassing 87 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles. Ratio-breaking Canadians rarely become available in their primes, and the Guelph product is just entering his at 27 years old. He may not have received all-star honours last season, but there should be accolades in his future if he maintains this clip.
5) LB Wynton McManis, Toronto Argonauts (A)
It wasn’t long ago that Mr. Great Business was the consensus top linebacker in the CFL, earning league all-star recognition in 2022 and 2023. The 31-year-old is still firmly in that conversation when healthy, but he has missed significant time with injury in each of the last two seasons. Age, passport, and availability are the only things that bump McManis behind Allen here, as he and his iconic toothpick managed 62 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 13 games last year.
6) DL Jake Ceresna, Edmonton Elks (A)
2025 was an uncharacteristically down year for Ceresna, who was limited to a career-low 16 tackles and one sack after commanding huge dollars to join the Elks’ defensive line. The 31-year-old appeared in just 11 games before undergoing season-ending surgery, but is on track for a healthy return for training camp. With 46 career sacks to his name and unique inside-outside positional flexibility, the two-time All-CFL pass rusher is a safe bet to bounce back.
7) SAM C.J. Reavis, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
The 30-year-old is the unquestioned top strongside linebacker available, even if he did finish the 2025 campaign by playing safety in the Grey Cup. Reavis made 61 defensive tackles, two sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble last year, while earning All-CFL honours in each of the past two seasons. The native of Chester, Va., brings a special combination of range and physicality into the secondary, which should be highly coveted.
8) RB A.J. Ouellette, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
Ouellette is the top running back available, not because he ran for 1,222 yards and eight touchdowns last season but because of his pass-blocking ability. The five-foot-eight, 208-pound native of Covington, Ohio earned a pass-blocking grade of 57.7 from Pro Football Focus in 2025, the second-best grade of any running back (min. 50 attempts). The 30-year-old also delivered when it mattered most in the playoffs, rushing 34 times for 196 yards and one touchdown in the West Final and Grey Cup.
9) DB Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Montreal Alouettes (N)
Critics will argue that Dequoy isn’t quite the same player who captured back-to-back All-CFL honours in 2023 and 2024, but being a hair under the best in the league still makes you pretty damn good. The 31-year-old still possesses unique game-breaking ability for a Canadian safety, finishing with 34 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, three sacks, and a pick-six in 2025. Seeing the Ile Bizard, Que., native play anywhere other than Montreal might feel wrong, but it looks like an increasing possibility.
10) DL Mike Rose, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
Rose was more effective than Ceresna last year, notching 17 defensive tackles, six sacks, and a forced fumble for the eventual Grey Cup champions. However, the 33-year-old falls behind him due to the extra tread on his tires, not that it has held him back yet. The NC State product has managed 42 career sacks and three All-CFL selections since entering the league in 2017 with the Stampeders.
11) RB Greg Bell, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
The native of Chula Vista, Calif., was named All-East Division this past year after making 14 regular-season starts and recording his first 1,000-yard season. Bell took full advantage of Hamilton’s top-ranked offensive line and also showed impressive versatility as an outlet receiver, making 62 catches for 426 yards and one touchdown. The 27-year-old needs to improve as a pass blocker, but there’s no questioning his explosiveness with the ball in his hands.
12) QB Tre Ford, Free Agent (N)
Ford’s tenure with the Edmonton Elks came to an end ahead of an offseason bonus on Friday, and it is easy to poke holes in his tenure with the team. However, the 27-year-old is still able to perform jaw-dropping athletic feats that most quarterbacks can hardly conceive of, which means his teams are never truly out of it. The Niagara Falls, Ont., native has amassed 4,651 passing yards with 29 touchdowns versus 19 interceptions in 23 career starts, while rushing 124 times for 1,129 yards and four majors on the ground. He’ll continue to be relegated to backup duty at his next destination, but could still flourish into a franchise QB with the right development.
13) DB Kobe Williams, Edmonton Elks (A)
Despite his diminutive five-foot-nine, 174-pound frame, Williams has established himself as a reliable boundary halfback over five seasons in the CFL. The Arizona State product was a constant on the Elks backend last season, amassing 54 defensive tackles and six more on special teams. Even with 66 games under his belt, the Long Beach, Cal., native is still only 27 years old and should have plenty of tread on the tires.
14) QB Jake Maier, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
The six-foot, 200-pound native of Fullerton, Calif., served as the backup to Trevor Harris in Riderville last season and saw limited action, but showed flashes over four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. The 28-year-old is one of the most experienced quarterbacks available, having thrown for 12,302 yards, 62 touchdowns, and 41 interceptions over 84 regular-season CFL games. The question is whether Maier has the potential to become a starter again in the future or if he’s now permanently relegated to backup duty.
15) REC Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Edmonton Elks (N)
The native of Ottawa, Ont., has struggled to recapture the All-CFL form that he had in 2022, but he has been consistently productive over six seasons in the league. Still just 28 years old, Gittens’ 777 yards receiving on 62 receptions ranked ninth amongst Canadians last season, and he has averaged nearly 50 yards per game since the pandemic. Given Edmonton’s lack of overall aerial success last season, he could be a prime candidate for improved production in a new system.
16) QB Taylor Powell, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
The 27-year-old has had a bizarre start to his CFL career because it’s gone backwards, in a way. Powell played a lot as a rookie in 2023, then a little in 2024, then almost not at all in 2025. This trend has nothing to do with him, and he has shown promise when he’s been on the field. If a team is looking for a future franchise quarterback, one could argue that the native of Fayetteville, Ark., is the only pending free-agent passer who could potentially live up to that role.
17) DB Jonathan Moxey, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
Even at 30 years old, Moxey has proven that he can be effective as a field corner, finishing the 2025 season with the fifth-highest PFF grade at the position. The native of West Palm Beach, Fla., notched 40 defensive tackles, three interceptions, and a forced fumble for the top seed in the East Division, even if he was often overshadowed by Jamal Peters to the boundary.
18) REC Dominique Rhymes, Calgary Stampeders (A)
Size mismatches aren’t easy to come by in the CFL, and even at 32 years old, Rhymes still offers one. The six-foot-four, 215-pound target is no longer the dominant outside playmaker we saw at his peak in 2022, but he still led the Stampeders with 50 catches for 886 yards and six touchdowns last season. The Miami, Fla., native can be a reliable field stretcher in any offence, even if he shouldn’t be your number one option anymore.
19) DL Habakkuk Baldonado, Saskatchewan Roughriders (G)
A product of Rome, Italy, Baldonado could be the first Global player to command substantial money in free agency. He secured 17 defensive tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble in rotational minutes last year in Saskatchewan, recording the sixth-best pass rush grade of any defensive end from PFF. At 26 years old, he is primed to take the next step into a full-time starting job.
20) REC Dejon Brissett, Toronto Argonauts (N)
Brissett was highly coveted in the 2020 CFL Draft, but had failed to live up to the hype of being the second overall pick until this year. The 29-year-old blasted past his previous career highs with 65 receptions for 907 yards while adding three touchdowns to lead the Argos in receiving. Suitors will have to determine whether the Mississauga, Ont., native’s stats were inflated on a bad team, or if 2025 was a preview of a top-tier Canadian hitting his prime.
21) QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Montreal Alouettes (A)
The 37-year-old native of San Francisco, Calif., is arguably the most accomplished quarterback on this list available, but it’s hard to ignore how much he struggled at times in 2025. Bethel-Thompson started eight games for the Alouettes and went 3-5, throwing for 1,746 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The six-foot-three, 230-pound passer isn’t without accolades, though — he’s a two-time All-East Division selection and previously led the CFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
22) DL James Vaughters, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
Even though he’ll be 33 in June, Vaughters continues to produce at roughly the same clip as he did when arriving in the CFL as a raw rookie. The Stanford product has never produced fewer than five sacks and matched a career-high with six last year, all while putting up 36 defensive tackles and his first touchdown. He’s a reliable, veteran presence off the edge that probably won’t break the bank.
23) LB Jovan Santos-Knox, Free Agent (A)
The six-foot-one, 233-pound defender from Waterbury, Conn., is quietly consistent and largely underrated as one of the CFL’s best run defenders. Santos-Knox put up 80 defensive tackles and made one interception last season, earning the third-highest PFF grade among true linebackers who played starting minutes. The 31-year-old still has gas left and can be a stabilizing presence on any defence after being released early by the Ottawa Redblacks.
24) DB DaShaun Amos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
One of the league’s most reliable takeaway artists, Amos snagged four more interceptions in 2025 to bring his career tally up to 20, while adding 45 defensive tackles. The 31-year-old brings a veteran presence to his field halfback spot and has now earned divisional all-star recognition with all three teams he’s played for: Calgary, Toronto, and Hamilton. He very well could make it four if he hits the market again.
25) DL Anthony Lanier II, Toronto Argonauts (A)
The six-foot-five, 285-pound interior disruptor is on the back half of his career and is unlikely to recapture his 2022 peak, when he posted eight sacks in 11 games for Saskatchewan. However, the move to Toronto proved that the 32-year-old can still be effective, producing a respectable 30 tackles and three sacks last year.
26) OL Joshua Coker, Calgary Stampeders (A)
A 28-year-old tackle with three years of starting experience would rank higher on this list under normal circumstances, but Coker suffered a substantial knee injury late last season, which could delay his start to 2026. The former Division III All-American is worth absorbing some risk for, as his 4.4 percent pressure rate makes him one of the most effective pass protectors in the league.
27) RB William Stanback, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
The 31-year-old averaged only 4.7 yards per carry in 2025, the second-lowest mark of his seven-year career. The two-time All-CFL selection didn’t run behind an elite offensive line last season, though, and has improved as a receiver in recent years, so it seems fair to question if he should still be an undisputed starter. If and when Stanback gets signed, it will mark the third straight offseason he’s changed teams.
28) OL Sean McEwen, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)
McEwen was a prized acquisition for the Riders in free agency last offseason, but was never able to play a snap for the team after suffering a torn ACL in training camp. The 32-year-old centre will have to rebound after a year of rehab, which is considerably more challenging late in one’s career. The University of Calgary alum has four divisional all-star selections and three All-CFL honours on his resume, the last of which came in 2023.
29) REC Joe Robustelli, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
The six-foot-three, 220-pound target oozes potential and made the most of limited opportunities in the Riders’ loaded receiving corps, catching 59 passes for 544 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games last season. That included a 191-yard outing in Week 6 that should be proof of concept for what he can accomplish in a larger role. With just three seasons of high-level football experience, there is plenty of room for Robustelli to grow, but he’ll need to make a leap now at 28 years old.
30) OL Jordan Murray, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
Murray is a tough tackle prospect to evaluate, as his performance as a rookie in 2021 landed him an opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts, but he has struggled to stay on the field since returning. The six-foot-eight, 300-pounder spent much of 2025 as a healthy scratch before taking back the left tackle job late in the year. The 28-year-old is now entering the prime of an offensive lineman’s career and possesses unique length, which still makes him a desirable reclamation project.
31) DL Derek Parish, Free Agent (A)
A surprise release by the Toronto Argonauts this week, Parish has been reasonably productive over his first two years in the CFL, collecting 55 defensive tackles and 11 sacks. The 27-year-old is reliable against the run and has some pass-rush upside, with plenty of time left to develop his game. That could make him a worthwhile depth addition for a team looking to beef up its rotation.
32) REC Dalton Schoen, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
The 29-year-old was the hardest player to place on this list, as he has only played eight games over the past two seasons due to back-to-back ACL tears and might not be ready for 2026. That will drive his price tag down and may be enough to scare teams away entirely, though it is worth remembering what Schoen accomplished when healthy. The six-foot-one, 205-pound slotback led the CFL in receiving as a rookie in 2022 and earned All-CFL honours in each of his first two years, with a career average of 73.2 yards per game.
33) LB Josh Woods, Free Agent (A)
Woods had all the makings of a budding star coming off a brilliant performance in the 2023 playoffs, but tore his ACL four games into the 2024 campaign. The player who returned last season never quite looked the same, though he still finished with 62 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, and one sack. After an early release by the B.C. Lions, the 28-year-old could be an intriguing reclaimation candidate.
34) QB Dustin Crum, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
The six-foot, 210-pound native of Grafton, Ohio, made six starts in 2025 and enjoyed his best season as a passer, though the numbers were still somewhat pedestrian at 1,771 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions. There’s no questioning what Crum brings as a runner, however, as he’s rushed for 1,376 yards and 27 touchdowns through three seasons with the Redblacks.
35) REC Tommy Nield, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)
Nield may never have to buy a drink in Regina again, thanks to his game-winning touchdown catch in the West Final. That shouldn’t dissuade him from commanding a nice pay raise after proving he can be a valuable starting Canadian receiver. In 13 games last season, of which he only saw meaningful offensive snaps in 11, the Guelph, Ont., native produced 42 receptions for 535 yards and four touchdowns. Still just 26 years old, ‘Touchdown Tommy’ may not have reached his ceiling.
36) DL Lorenzo Mauldin IV, Calgary Stampeders (A)
The 2022 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player saw his production decline massively in 2025, finishing with 26 tackles and just two sacks after being traded mid-season from Ottawa to Calgary. However, the 33-year-old has continued to grade out relatively highly according to advanced analytics, suggesting that he could return to the mean in the right system. That could be worth one more “prove-it” contract for a player who has done that time and time again.
37) REC Ayden Eberhardt, B.C. Lions (A)
The Wyoming product finished last season with the sixth-most receptions on the B.C. offence, but amassed the 15th-most yards in the CFL thanks to some clutch plays downfield. The 27-year-old notched 45 catches for 863 yards and four touchdowns, with his 19.2 yards per catch being the highest for any qualifying receiver in the league. Those numbers came despite receiving just 13 targets of 20 yards or more, proving that Eberhardt makes the most of his opportunities.
38) LB Micah Awe, Free Agent (A)
Awe’s nomadic CFL career has featured stops with six different teams, and there are undeniable limitations to his game that make those stays brief. However, the 32-year-old is a magnet for tackles and has led the league in total defensive plays multiple times, including last year with the B.C. Lions. The Nigerian-born defender notched 114 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 2025. He still got released in favour of another veteran, but can be a valuable bridge player for yet another franchise.
39) DL Blessman Ta’ala, Ottawa Redblacks (G)
The first overall pick in the 2023 CFL Global Draft has quietly carved out a meaningful role for himself over three seasons in Ottawa, playing 472 defensive snaps last year. The native of American Samoa notched 16 tackles and four sacks, proving that he can be an effective rotational contributor. In an era where most teams are playing two Globals and dress eight defensive linemen, the 26-year-old has value.
40) OL Trevon Tate, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
While he may not be your first option, Tate has carved out an impressive career as the ultimate band-aid, able to fill in at either tackle or guard spot. The 29-year-old has made 37 career starts for five different teams, and his turn at left guard in Saskatchewan helped to secure a championship ring last year. In four regular-season starts, the Channelview, Tex., native allowed just a 3.1 percent pressure rate.
41) DL Shane Ray, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
The former NFL first-round pick will turn 33 in training camp and is coming off a season-ending injury, but he showed flashes as a pass rusher when reunited with Corey Mace. Ray notched 14 tackles, five sacks, and a forced fumble in 13 games for the Green and White, nearly equalling his totals from before returning to the NFL. He would be best suited in a rotational role going forward.
42) LB C.J. Avery, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
Avery played just 34 snaps in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury, but his lone season of production as a rookie in 2024 makes him an intriguing gamble. A 17-game starter at weakside linebacker, he posted 50 defensive tackles, nine special teams tackles, one sack, three interceptions, and a forced fumble. Still just 26 years old, the Louisville product is young enough to bounce back from a year on the sideline.
43) LB Adam Auclair, B.C. Lions (N)
The 2025 campaign was not a banner one by Auclair’s standards, as he was limited to 10 games due to injury and finished with a career-low eight tackles, just one of which came on defence. Even so, the former Presidents’ Trophy winner has a well-established reputation for being able to start games at weakside linebacker if needed. At 29 years old, the Laval native should still have a few more productive years left.
44) DL Dylan Wynn, Montreal Alouettes (A)
The three-time East Division all-star’s days as a full-time starter have been over for several seasons, but Wynn has played quality minutes as a rotational contributor. In 14 games for the Alouettes in 2025, the 32-year-old recorded 20 defensive tackles and a sack — just his second in the past three seasons. The Concord, Cal., native could be a depth addition for a team lacking veteran experience.
45) RET Mario Alford, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
The soon-to-be 34-year-old Alford was all but condemned to the scrap heap entering the 2025 season, with critics questioning whether the 2022 Most Outstanding Special Teams Player could still be effective at his age. That proved to be an ice-cold take, as the West Virginia product came out of the gates with his hair on fire and set a new career-high with an average of 28.3 yards on kickoff returns, adding a game-winning touchdown along the way. Though a midseason injury limited him to 11 games and slowed his pace slightly, the Riders might not have been champions without his electric skillset.
46) RB Sean Thomas-Erlington, Montreal Alouettes
The native of Montreal, Que. started the first nine games of the 2025 season for his hometown team, though he was eventually replaced by Travis Theis and Stevie Scott III. Thomas-Erlington is smooth as a receiver out of the backfield, but averaged only 4.4 yards per carry in 2025, the lowest mark of his eight-year career. The Université de Montréal product is 33, and though he likely has some game left, he’s near the end of his career.
47) LB Frankie Griffin, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
The six-foot, 205-pound weakside backer has spent some productive seasons with the Redblacks, but was limited to just five games last year after suffering a fractured wrist that required surgery. While that is not a career-threatening ailment, the 30-year-old has missed time in every year he’s played in the CFL, which could prompt some pause from potential suitors.
48) LB Brian Cole II, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
The 28-year-old saw his defensive reps decrease in his first season with Hamilton, and is unlikely to ever be more than a rotational contributor at this stage. Still, Cole brings tremendous special teams value and finished with 19 tackles in kick coverage last year. He could be a target for a team looking to beef up their depth and add physicality.
49) RET Janarion Grant, Toronto Argonauts (A)
One year after winning Most Outstanding Special Teams Player with a four-touchdown campaign, Grant saw his production drop amidst a difficult year for the Argos. The 32-year-old scored just one major, while averaging 12.8 yards per punt and 22.9 yards per kickoff. Even if those were down from 14.8 and 24.4 in 2024, the diminutive speedster can’t be counted out as he continues to climb up the all-time return touchdowns list.
50) OL Darius Ciraco, Free Agent (N)
Things have not gone Ciraco’s way since he was named the All-CFL centre in 2023. He suffered a season-ending injury in 2024 and spent much of 2025 relegated to the bench despite playing for arguably the league’s worst line, then was released on Monday. Though he turns 30 next month, there is still time for the former first-round pick to resurrect his career if given the right opportunity.
Best of the rest: DB Demerio Houston, Winnipeg (A) | SAM Branden Dozier, Free Agent (A) | P Richie Leone, Ottawa (A) | REC Charleston Rambo, Montreal (A) | REC Keric Wheatfall, Winnipeg (A) | REC Bralon Addison, Ottawa (A) | QB Caleb Evans, Montreal (A) | FB Tanner Green, Edmonton (N) | REC Steven Dunbar Jr., Edmonton (A) | REC Shemar Bridges, Hamilton (A)
