Potential Lions 2025 free agent list

[Hambone]

Broxton was not on his first contract. He just completed his 4th season with BC. He was originally signed in May of 2021. I think it was during the 2023 season that he signed an extension that carried him thru 2025.

Packer is also no longer on his first deal. Originally drafted in 2021 he signed his first deal then but returned to school. Even though he was in school that burnt up the first year of his mandatory 3 year first contract. Per his bio on the team website he signed an extension at the end of the 2023 season.

Woodruff and Una would be heading into the 2nd years of their deals. Una would be on a 3 year deal while Woodruff might be on his final year. Americans are only required to sign a minimum 1+1 contract for their entry contracts.

Obviously I know nothing and will have to wait for the news.

You weren't far off. Sometimes we surprise ourselves finding out players have been with our teams longer than we thought. I don't know how many times when kicking around stuff at the pub we discuss stuff we think happened 5 or 10 years ago only to find out it happened 5 years early than we thought. We have a lot of "holy crap it was THAT long ago" moments.

I remembered Broxton had signed an extension previously. However it took looking thru the roster at the start of the season looking for Americans eligible to count as Nationalized Americans to remind me that he was going into his 4th season in BC having played 1 game in 2021. Similarly I was thinking Packer was just finishing his 3rd year as a Lion. I thought it was 2022 when he was drafted when it was 2021.

I think there's also a bit of a misconception about the length of entry contracts. Everybody is good on NATs having to sign minimum 2+1 deals. Same goes for Globals. Americans however only have to sign 1+1 deals.

The new 2022 CBA added a clause to clarify that drafted NAT players who have spent 3 years collecting NFL coin (like Covington) are not subject to the entry level salary grid pure rookies have to work under. They can be signed for any term or salary. It also clarified that every year such a player spends in the NFL knocks a year off that entry level grid.

John Metchie was drafted in 2022. Theo Benedet was drafted in 2024. If both were looking to join BC for 2025 Metchie would be able to sign for whatever term or salary his agent can negotiate. Benedet would have to adhere to Year 2 of the salary grid which calls for $70K + $7.5K max signing bonus or housing allowance + $7.5K max playtime bonus for playing 50%+1 offensive reps. In Year 3 he could negotiate a max 10% raise on his base bringing it up to $77K. I believe signing/housing allowance and playtime bonuses would be negotiable as opposed to capped.

Unfortunately that also means we won't see Benedet anytime soon unless Chicago cuts him and he receives no other NFL offers. It only takes 5 weeks on an NFL PR to earn more in a season than he could on a CFL active roster until those first 3 years are up. Metchie who, as a 2nd rd NFL pick, was a 7th rd BC flyer pick and is playing regularly with Houston.

[B.C.FAN]

The CFL has just announced that Sione Teuhema has been suspended for the first two games of 2025 for violating the league’s drug policy. That could affect his potential value as a free agent.

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/12/10/bcs-sione ... ug-policy/

[Hambone]

Tuehema isn't a pending FA. He signed a 2 year deal this past January.

But maybe this violation leads to him being made an FA.

[B.C.FAN]

Tuehema isn't a pending FA. He signed a 2 year deal this past January.

But maybe this violation leads to him being made an FA.

It's possible, but I notice that the banned stimulant Amfetamine is an ingredient in the ADHD drug Adderall. Until I know more, I would give Teuhema the benefit of the doubt.

From a productivity standpoint, it's hard to argue against his value to the team. He led the Lions in QB sacks (7) and tackles for a loss (5) and led all B.C. defensive linemen in tackles (36).

[tedbear]

Tuehema isn't a pending FA. He signed a 2 year deal this past January.

But maybe this violation leads to him being made an FA.

It's possible, but I notice that the banned stimulant Amfetamine is an ingredient in the ADHD drug Adderall. Until I know more, I would give Teuhema the benefit of the doubt.

From a productivity standpoint, it's hard to argue against his value to the team. He led the Lions in QB sacks (7) and tackles for a loss (5) and led all B.C. defensive linemen in tackles (36).

Yeah but his productivity was while he had the drugs in his body. So without them should we now expect less productivity?

[don corleone]

Must be there are no editor checks on some of these off season CFL.ca stories to see William Stanback not even make the list of the top 20 free agent receiver and running back category. Glaring ommission imo.

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/12/11/top-20-pe ... ing-backs/

[Hambone]

Must be there are no editor checks on some of these off season CFL.ca stories to see William Stanback not even make the list of the top 20 free agent receiver and running back category. Glaring ommission imo.

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/12/11/top-20-pe ... ing-backs/

Hadn't seen that list. Yes that is a bit surprising. When one narrows it down the 20 are made up of:
Receivers - 14
Receiver/RB combo - 1
Pure running backs - 3
RB/Kick Returner - 1
Fullback - 1

That there are just over twice as many receivers as RBs/FBs on the list might be a reflection of the fact there are just over twice as many receivers as RBs/FBs heading for free agency.

What can muddy the waters is it's difficult to compare two players as apples to apples when they're really apples to oranges. For instance I think Leake's inclusion in the list is because of what he brings as a dynamic kick returner in addition to showing he can be a very effective tailback. Similarly I was surprised at Fletcher being listed #4 per Ferguson. Then I looked at the numbers. I was very surprised to see while he had only 764 yards rushing on 141 carries for a 5.4 yd average he led all tailbacks in receiving by a wide margin with 682 yards on 71 receptions. That was 206 more than Oliviera and 251 more than Stanback who is no slouch catching the ball out of the backfield.

Some other neat numbers:
COMBINED YDS/GAME:
Leake - 116.8
Mills - 96.2
Stanback - 88.2
Fletcher - 85.1
Carey - 78.7

The final 4 put their numbers up strictly on offense. Leake had only 64.1/game on offense. That number is skewed as many of the 15 games he played he was used only as a change of pace back to first Kevin Brown and later Justin Rankin.

Out of the group I like Mills the best. He's similar in size to Stanback and 3 years younger. After that it's Stanback edging out Carey. Fletcher becomes a bit of a wild card as the most effective catching the ball out of the backfield. I guess what really matters is how Pierce intends to use his tailbacks.

The oddest selection Ferguson made IMO was Dubois at #20. OK he might be good on special teams but that's all he contributed for Ottawa. He had 7 ST tackles while recording 2 catches for 54 yards. He didn't run the ball at all. On the flip side Mackie had 8 ST tackles this year while contributing 6 catches for 56 yards and becoming a reliable short yardage option with 29 carries for 114 yards and 7 TDs.
Career wise they both came into the CFL in 2018.
Dubois - 62GP, 27 ST Tackles, 1 carry for 1 yd & 0 TDs, 20 catches for 293 yds & 1 TD
Mackie - 61GP, 35 ST Tackkes, 49 carries for 203 yds & 8 TDs, 25 catches for 203 yds & 0 TDs.

How Dubois made the list ahead of Mackie seems more puzzling than Stanback not being on the squad.

[Toppy Vann]

Will BC and company look at any Bomber FAs and are any likely to venture west. Schoen I like but his injury is questionable and I'd not see Streveler coveted either based on his last season.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg has their quarterback situation solidified as Zach Collaros is under contract for 2025 but behind him, Chris Streveler is one of 27 free agents for the Blue Bombers, alongside receivers in Kenny Lawler and Dalton Schoen.

The Blue Bombers also have some other big names without contacts including offensive linemen Patrick Neufeld and Stanley Bryant, defensive end Willie Jefferson, linebacker Adam Bighill and defensive back Tyrell Ford.

https://leaderpost.com/sports/football/ ... ree-agents


Of the backs, I like Walter Fletcher (MTL will likely re-sign him ) even though he totally messed up in the East Final on his forward fumble due to uncharacteristic failed ball protection. Let's face it. Argos won the East final and GC but on the day three fumbles in scoring range changed the outcome. I know ---- a win is a win.

I like Jalen Philpot for his talent as he was both under utilzed and hurt last season.

[DanoT]

My gut feeling is that the Lions will focus on re-signing their own soon to be Free Agents and have little Cap space for other teams' FAs.

[Hambone]

I don't think Streveler will be a FA factor. The knee has 4 ligaments and he tore 3 of them. He'll be fortunate if he can return by Labour Day. Re-signing Mackie should be a priority not just for his abilities but also for his role as a core leader. Even though we don't like the thought of Rourke in short yardage he's damned effective. Between him and Mackie short yardage situations would be in very capable hands. Even after his NFL stint Streveler has failed to show he can effectively run an offense if called upon.

As for other Bomber pending FAs that's a good question. There are some intriguing names. There's also a high cost for some and some big age numbers in others.

OL Liam Dobson sticks out as an up and coming young guard.

CB Tyrell Ford would be one every CFL team covets. I think he winds up with another NFL shot.

WRs Dalton Schoen and Kenny Lawler would look great in black & orange but I think will be too rich for BC's blood, especially if they want to bring McInnis back.

Benson, Bighill, Neufeld, Nick Taylor, Thomas fit the geezer demographic at 37, 36, 36, 36 & 34 by end of 2024. I doubt Benson, Biggie and Thomas ever take another snap for anybody other than WPG. Could be 2 or 3 retirements out of this group.

Augustine could be OK for depth but only if they can't extend Antwi who is 4 years younger.

WPG does have an intriguing group available in the back 8 led by Evan Holm. Hailing from Endina, MN and playing college in ND the Bombers are effectively his hometown team.
Hard hitting Brandon Alexander, Dietrich Nichols and Kyrie Wilson are all 30 somethings.

On the DL ageless Willie Jefferson would be a coup. Haba has been effective when healthy. Garbutt though seems to be the stud in making and was listed amongst the 8 pending FAs the Bombers need to keep.

[don corleone]

How Dubois made the list ahead of Mackie seems more puzzling than Stanback not being on the squad.

From the 3DN 2023 RB list.

Fullbacks

1) David Mackie, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $109,000
Maximum value: $128,000

The four-year veteran received a $10,000 signing bonus to ink an extension with the Lions this off-season and will receive an additional $416 each time he plays more than 51 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in a game.

2) Marco Dubois, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $100,000
Maximum value: $119,000

The four-year veteran got a $10,000 signing bonus to return to Ottawa for another year along with $13,800 in housing money. He will earn an additional $500 each time he plays more than 51 percent of the team’s snaps in a regular season game and $2,000 if he leads the CFL in special teams tackles.

So they are not far apart.

[SammyGreene]

Real nice signing by the Elks locking up Javon Leake. An explosive player who is in the prime of his career at 26. Added nearly 1,000-yards of offence on top of his threat as a returner. That's a 1,000 more yards than the Lions got out of Terry Williams other than kickoff and punt returns as Maksymic had no interest in working him into the offence. Great value too at a reported $135,000 per season on a 2 year deal.

I take it with our salary cap mess after adding Rourke's $250,000 contract mid-season (plus Betts at $150,000 too) we don't have a dime of 2024 money left to sign anyone before the end of the calendar year.

[Hambone]

I take it with our salary cap mess after adding Rourke's $250,000 contract mid-season (plus Betts at $150,000 too) we don't have a dime of 2024 money left to sign anyone before the end of the calendar year.

I used to subscribe to the idea some teams would have quite a bit of money left in the calendar year to do that. Now I'm more of the opinion that those who don't go over are so close to the cap that they don't have much left use for any signing bonuses for next year deals that are paid out before the end of this year. For the 2023 season 6 of 9 stayed under the SMS limit while for 2022 it was 5 of 9 who theoretically had a bit left over to use. I'd love it if the CFL published final SMS numbers for all teams whether they were over or under.

[Hambone]

How Dubois made the list ahead of Mackie seems more puzzling than Stanback not being on the squad.

From the 3DN 2023 RB list.

Fullbacks

1) David Mackie, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $109,000
Maximum value: $128,000

The four-year veteran received a $10,000 signing bonus to ink an extension with the Lions this off-season and will receive an additional $416 each time he plays more than 51 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in a game.

2) Marco Dubois, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $100,000
Maximum value: $119,000

The four-year veteran got a $10,000 signing bonus to return to Ottawa for another year along with $13,800 in housing money. He will earn an additional $500 each time he plays more than 51 percent of the team’s snaps in a regular season game and $2,000 if he leads the CFL in special teams tackles.

So they are not far apart.

2024 numbers showed the gap in hard money widened but only ever so slightly by $3.5K. However Dubois was to get a $10K report and pass bonus which would mean he earned at least $115K. He didn't earn any of the ST tackle bonuses available to him.

5) FB David Mackie, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $117,500
Maximum value: $131,000

The former second-round pick is entering the second year of a contract extension he signed last off-season, which included a $10,000 roster bonus on Feb. 1, 2024. He will also earn $8,000 in non-football-related services to the team and an extra $416.66 each time he plays more than half of the club’s offensive snaps in a game.

10) FB Marco Dubois, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $105,000
Maximum value: $123,500

The five-year veteran will earn a $10,000 bonus when he reports to training camp and passes his physical as well as $5,000 in non-football-related services. Dubois will also make $500 if he leads the Redblacks in special teams tackles, $1,000 if he leads the East Division in special teams tackles, and $2,000 if he leads the CFL in special teams tackles.

[OV:54-40]

Re Mackie vs, Dubois: while both may be considered CFL H-backs now (lining up at either tight end or fullback), they are very different style / skill-set type players.

Mackie is more the big old fullback type (and at 250 range he is way bigger than the great CFL fullbacks of the past); tough blocker who could be counted on for better pass pro than a smaller tailback, and has shown he is quite capable as a ball carrier (either out of hand-offs or lining up as a short yardage QB under C); hasn;t got much downfield receiver opportunity.

Dubois OTOH is a tall , long strider with surprising speed (has run down fast return guys from behind for Ottawa, so a ST plus there); he has been sparingly used on offence, but, has produced some of the RedBlacks biggest play big-gainers over the past few seasons - a couple out of tight end release well down field, and another on a mis-direction fullback screen type play that he turned into a long TD with his speed - that they have rarely gone back to either play is mind-numbing to me, but not surprising given CFL lack of variety on offence. He has not been used as a fullback ball carrier; not sure how good of a blocker he really is, but has the size for it; he might be able to do well as a semi-regular even slotback.

A CFL offence that gets real H-back use might be able to make either of these guys very effective parts of their offence is they were used way more and in getting them the ball. That is not in the cards for any CFL offence now, unless one of the new offensive brain-trusts decide that kind or player or play-calling is smart for them.