Which high-priced receiver is on the chopping block?

[SammyGreene]

I and others on here have speculated for a while there is no way the Lions can sign Justin McInnis with three other high-priced receivers already under contract. With bonuses looming, 3 Down Nation's JC Abbott dives into this dilemma by talking to GM Ryan Rigmaiden at last week's winter meetings in North Carolina.

I honestly can't believe how much money they threw at Alexander Hollins who is scheduled to make $233,800 in hard money this coming season. In the final year of his rookie deal in 2023, Hollins was 4th in the league in receiving, behind Tim White, Keon Hatcher and Dalton Schoen,

Hatcher is slotted to make $193,800 in hard money and Cottoy is in the same ball park. Abbott thinks Cottoy is the most probable casualty with the signing of Brayden Lenius.

Of course how these receivers fit in Buck's offence plays a huge part in this.

[B.C.FAN]

I'm biased because Cottoy has been my favourite Lion for years. He has the best hands on the team, but has been chronically underused. He just needs more targets and a bigger role than checkdown receiver. He'll make clutch catches and either outrun defenders or run over them.

To me, Hollins is the most expendable. He's the highest paid receiver but he had the most drops in the league last year. Berryhill has the skill and speed to take his place, and he's on a rookie contract.

[Hambone]

Personally I think it's a huge gamble to think Lenius can replace Cottoy. He was drafted in 2019. He managed to draw in for 4 games as a rookie. 2020 was of course canceled. He played all 14 in 2021 chalking up 37 catches for 479 yards and 4 TDs. That landed him a tryout and contract with Atlanta in 2022. He was cut day before training camp opened. Finally, a month later, he re-signed with SSK. He played 7 games for them in 2022 catching 17 for 172 yards. In 2023 he started the season on the 6G. He finally was activated for the Riders 7th game then immediately went back onto the 6G for the rest of the year. 2024 was a washout for him. He failed to survive final cuts with the Riders. For whatever reason he was never picked up by anyone until BC signed him.

I'm admittedly a big Cottoy fan. I definitely do not like the idea of letting him go if Plan B is a risky reclamation project with no guarantee of success.

The other aspect with letting Cottoy go, if they can't find a trading partner out East, is you just know he'll wind up most likely with one of BC's Western rivals.

[Gridiron Ernie]

I groan in anguish just thinking about it and will roar in anger if Cottoy is let go or moved. I pray Buck understands Cottoy's importance and sees his ongoing integral value to the team. This may sound extreme but I would rather let McInnis go than Cottoy given Cottoy's overall importance to how the Lions' offence is run, in which he could potentially be schemed and integrated even better than he ever has been. As for letting go of Hatcher and/or Hollins I appreciate them but would not loose sleep over those moves, given something has to give.

[OV:54-40]

McInnis & Cottoy are must re-signs IMO; league best overall receiver talent + a big, sure handed target who should be used way more.

Hollins & Hatcher have both shown outstanding CFL stuff, but have to wonder if they can regain their best form, and as high priced guys ? Hollins seemed to fall off a cliff last season in terms of skill & effort ?

Eberhardt is a good one IMO and could emerge in a bigger role.

Lenius was an interesting pick-up; another Cottoy size/style pass catcher but has not shown that much yet in the CFL - still maybe has very good potential though if he can stay healthy.

IMO, might be smart to use a top draft pick on a top receiver talent - like Keelan White (Montana) - very good production in Div I ball, plus good size at 6-2, and a BC guy to boot; might emerge as a rookie starter, or even a part-time option in the corps = then you get a receiver at rookie minimum wage.

Nathan with a complete, solid 5 pack to work with could be just outstanding.

[Hambone]

McInnis & Cottoy are must re-signs IMO; league best overall receiver talent + a big, sure handed target who should be used way more.

Cottoy isn't a "re-sign" exercise. He's under contract thru 2026 which should make for an attractive trade chip.......but count me as hoping he isn't dealt.

[OV:54-40]

McInnis & Cottoy are must re-signs IMO; league best overall receiver talent + a big, sure handed target who should be used way more.

Cottoy isn't a "re-sign" exercise. He's under contract thru 2026 which should make for an attractive trade chip.......but count me as hoping he isn't dealt.

Ok, thanks; thought from the sound of some talk they might lose him - for ca$h savings reasons only though at this point ?

One thing is that most CFL teams just don't value a big target, tight end like receiver talent in the current CFL, so I really doubt there are teams willing to offer lots in a trade.

[TheLionKing]

I'm biased because Cottoy has been my favourite Lion for years. He has the best hands on the team, but has been chronically underused. He just needs more targets and a bigger role than checkdown receiver. He'll make clutch catches and either outrun defenders or run over them.

To me, Hollins is the most expendable. He's the highest paid receiver but he had the most drops in the league last year. Berryhill has the skill and speed to take his place, and he's on a rookie contract.

I concur, Hollins is my bet as well. Import receivers are a dime a dozen. Canadian receivers with size, speed and hands don't grow on trees.

[DanoT]

I gotta think if Cottoy is traded then it is really a decision made by Buck as the new HC rather than Ringmaiden's decision. But regardless of who has the final word, imo trading Cottoy would be a huge mistake and a ominous forbearing of what could be a disappointing new coaching and management staff. If they can't figure out that Cottoy is a rare asset that you don't trade away in order to save a few bucks, then I fear for managing the rest of the SMS as well.

[don corleone]

Some of this stems all the way back to Dom Rhymes who is still a good player.

The problem with Cottoy is they paid Hollins too much tp replace Rhymes and then had to pay Cottoy because of the importance of his role on the team. I agree he seems underutilized but at the same time is a critical part of pass protection and run blocking so not really. Buck understands protecting the QB and I would be surprised if the Lions move on. $20,000 less would be nice but I live with that contract rather than lose the player at least for this year.

While i am not a fan of contract re-structuring it appears obvious something is up. It would be nice if they could take it to camp and let the players decide but it probably comes down to a bonus being paid or not. I do see the potential of both Hollins and Hatcher as well as Cottoy.

No disrespect to Justin McInnis who was sensational at catching the ball with his hands but it could be some of right place at the right time and no reason to think another player might not do as well. Was Mcinnis as good with Mr. Rourke as he was with VA?

There are lots of good receivers out there. Brendan O'Leary Orange has good size and made some nice plays for Hamilton last year would be much less. I already mentioned Mitch Picton.

In the end I make the best offer I can and reluctantly watch McInnis move on thinking his role can be filled and hoping for bounce back years for Hatcher and Hollins. I'm not so sure about Kieran Poissant or Eberhardt for that matter.

[David]

Buck understands protecting the QB and I would be surprised if the Lions move on. $20,000 less would be nice but I live with that contract rather than lose the player at least for this year.

I would be surprised too. One only needs to look at film to understand that Cottoy does so much more than catch the ball. I would also love to know our record the past couple of seasons when Cottoy and/or David Mackie weren't in the lineup. It wasn't good.

No disrespect to Justin McInnis who was sensational at catching the ball with his hands but it could be some of right place at the right time and no reason to think another player might not do as well. Was Mcinnis as good with Mr. Rourke as he was with VA?

There's no question that JM thrived with VA under centre, but a big part of that was him playing the short-side slot position when Hatch was recovering from his off-season Achilles injury. I'm still scratching my head trying to understand why Campbell just went back to 2023 roles when Hatch returned (early) from a serious injury. Yes, it was perhaps out of respect to a veteran but it showed disrespect the McInnis and his incredible first-half production IMO. He is a rare National talent who has impressive wingspan and abilities to come down with the 50/50 ball.


DH

[Hambone]

Buck understands protecting the QB and I would be surprised if the Lions move on. $20,000 less would be nice but I live with that contract rather than lose the player at least for this year.

I would be surprised too. One only needs to look at film to understand that Cottoy does so much more than catch the ball. I would also love to know our record the past couple of seasons when Cottoy and/or David Mackie weren't in the lineup. It wasn't good.


DH

Actually they didnt fare as bad as you think. Last year they were 3-3 when Cottoy was out and 1-2 sans Mackie. The Wk 18 OT loss to Hamilton (which I blame on the 2nd half defensive collapse) was the only game both were out.

For Cottoy those were the first games he missed since his rookie year in 2019 when he missed 2. In 2023 Mackie missed 1 game, a Wk 17 win over the Riders. BC went 3-1 in the 4 games Mackie missed in 2022.

So over 2022-23 they went 3-3 when Cottoy was out and 5-3 without Mackie. Nonetheless they are both hugely important in their roles whether BC wins or loses.

[Hambone]

I'm biased because Cottoy has been my favourite Lion for years. He has the best hands on the team, but has been chronically underused. He just needs more targets and a bigger role than checkdown receiver. He'll make clutch catches and either outrun defenders or run over them.

To me, Hollins is the most expendable. He's the highest paid receiver but he had the most drops in the league last year. Berryhill has the skill and speed to take his place, and he's on a rookie contract.

I concur, Hollins is my bet as well. Import receivers are a dime a dozen. Canadian receivers with size, speed and hands don't grow on trees.

Not sure about dime a dozen given how 10 of the top 16 highest paid in 2024 and 15 of the 20 highest paid in 2023 were Americans. I'm with you though on your sentiment that Hollins is the most expendable. However given all 3 are under contract what could change things is trade value. I'm thinking he might have the least value of the 3 if there is interest out there. He only has 1 more year left on his deal while Hatcher and Cottoy are under contract thru 2026.

[SammyGreene]

Here is Rigmaiden's complete Q&A from the winter meetings (about 13 minutes) with plenty of good stuff including JC Abbott asking about the receiver situation.
He also indicates the Lions are not done from addressing more upgrades to their offensive and defensive lines.

[Toppy Vann]

Rigmaiden is good and friendly with the media including local guy JC Abott. Nice to have someone not GM/HC with too much to do.
Hope he doesn't get less friendly as many of these GMs eventually fall into.

Butler fits Buck's office and cap deal is their view.

Rigmaiden and restructuring deals suggests he's doing a bit of Ed Hervey here - signalling tough times to keep all talent.

Those off season bonuses no doubt hang heavy here at REC.