- Top contenders return with star energy and confirmed cores: Winnipeg and Toronto goal to remain on high behind elite playmakers corresponding to working again Brady Oliveira and linebacker Wynton McManis.
- Question marks and unbalanced rosters cloud others: Edmonton and Calgary convey upside with dynamic quarterbacks Tre Ford and Vernon Adams Jr., however main query marks at receiver and on protection threaten their playoff hopes.
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Estimated studying time: 16 minutes
With the 2025 CFL Season kicking off Thursday, we’re looking at how each staff within the CFL stacks up heading into the season. We’ll go over every staff’s greatest power, in addition to an space of concern that might play a large position in a staff’s success or failure this season.
Note: Teams are ranked by Grey Cup odds
1. TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Toronto Argonauts had loads of turnover on their roster this offseason and are available into the season with some query marks. The greatest one: When will quarterback Chad Kelly be able to play? The former Most Outstanding Player award winner broke his leg in final 12 months’s playoffs, setting the stage for backup QB Nick Arbuckle to return in and lead the Argos to a Grey Cup win. Arbuckle is a superb story, however over his 19 begins in 2022 and 2023, he earned only a 61.3 passing grade. After the surprising launch of working again Ka’Deem Carey (92.5 speeding grade in 2024), the Argos are placing lots on their passing recreation. If Kelly stays out, the offense could battle if Arbuckle reverts to his earlier beginning quarterback kind.
Biggest Strength: Experience
The Argonauts have received two of the final three Grey Cups. Both items are led by gamers who had been a part of the staff for every of these wins. Offensively, guys like Kelly, offensive lineman Ryan Hunter (71.3 general grade in 2024) and vast receiver DaVaris Daniels (60.8) have been main the best way for the previous three seasons for Toronto. On protection, linebacker Wynton McManis (83.6) and cornerback Tarvarus McFadden (83.4) have been among the many finest gamers at their place over the previous three seasons. The Argonauts must depend on these gamers to assist enhance a staff that appears lots completely different from even final 12 months.
Area of Concern: Defensive Line
No unit was hit tougher than the Argonauts’ defensive position this offseason. They misplaced their whole beginning unit from final season. Five of their high six highest-graded defensive linemen are gone. Edge defender Derek Parish stays after posting a strong 72.2 general grade final season. They introduced in inside defender DeMarcus Christmas from Edmonton, however he solely posted a 64.4 general grade final 12 months in 275 snaps. An X-factor for the defensive position is DI Anthony Lanier II. While his 2024 season was injury-filled and never overly spectacular (70.3 general grade), he was probably the greatest go rushers within the CFL in 2023 with a 17.7% pass-rush win price that led the league.
2. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
The final time the Grey Cup recreation didn’t characteristic the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was 2018. Five straight appearances are extremely spectacular, however sadly, in addition they haven’t received the large recreation since 2021. The proven fact that they even made it final 12 months was spectacular sufficient. The Bombers began the 2024 season 2-6 after which received 10 of their subsequent 11 video games en path to the Grey Cup. QB Zach Collaros struggled all through the season, placing up a 77.5 passing grade that was a far cry from the earlier two seasons (86.6 and 85.2). The Bombers want a bounce-back 12 months from Collaros in the event that they need to make it six appearances in a row.
Biggest Strength: Brady Oliveira
When it involves the definition of workhorse again, there’s no person within the CFL fairly like Brady Oliveira. Last 12 months’s Most Outstanding Player has 807 carries for 4,535 yards over the previous three seasons. No different again has greater than 600 carries or 3,000 yards. He additionally ranks second in receptions (132) and receiving yards (1,294) over that span. One of probably the most spectacular Oliveira stats over the previous three years is that regardless of all these carries, he has a league-best stuff price of simply 8.8%. That signifies that of these 808 carries, he’s gained optimistic yards on 737 of them.
Area of Concern: Offensive Line
It’s onerous to name a unit that options an eight-time All-Star and four-time Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman a priority, however Stanley Bryant is 39 years previous coming into his fifteenth CFL season. While he was nonetheless good final 12 months, his 66.8 general grade is a step down from his earlier dominance. Nobody on the road ranked larger than twenty sixth within the league final 12 months amongst offensive linemen. The beginning unit has a mean age of 33.8, the oldest within the CFL. Lots is working in opposition to this unit. Chemistry is huge for an offensive line, and Winnipeg is hoping that their expertise will assist make up for his or her deficiencies.
3. MONTREAL ALOUETTES
The Alouettes seemed all set to defend their 2023 Grey Cup title early on final season once they received 10 of their first 11 video games. However, a 2-4-1 end to the common season didn’t bode properly and certain sufficient, the Alouettes had been upset within the East Finals by Toronto. The Alouettes turned the web page as a franchise, buying and selling away final 12 months’s beginning quarterback Cody Fajardo (81.8 general grade in 2024) and handing the reins over to QB Davis Alexander (75.0). Montreal stays one of many strongest rosters within the league, with stars like OL Pier-Olivier Lestage, DI Mustafa Johnson and security Marc-Antoine Dequoy able to cleared the path for the staff in 2025.
Biggest Strength: Linebacking Corps
The Alouettes have the very best linebacker teams within the league, and it’s not significantly shut. Tyrice Beverette was a authentic Most Outstanding Player candidate final 12 months and is the one linebacker over the previous three years with at the very least a 75.0 grade in all three defensive phases. Darnell Sankey is a deal with machine and routinely ranks among the many league leaders in that class. Najee Murray, on the Sam linebacker spot, has not allowed a landing in protection over the previous two seasons. Finally, sophomore Geoffrey Cantin-Arku was one of the crucial spectacular rookies within the CFL final season with a 70.2 general grade.
Area of Concern: Passing Game
The passing recreation being an space of concern doesn’t imply the Alouettes have a lackluster go recreation. QB Davis Alexander seemed adequate at occasions final season for the Alouettes to maneuver ahead with him as their starter. But he’s solely thrown 172 passes in his CFL profession. WR Tyson Philpot began final season scorching (72.7 grade) however missed the ultimate half of the season because of harm. WR Austin Mack returned from NFL coaching camps final 12 months however performed in simply 4 video games. The Alouettes additionally minimize RB Walter Fletcher, who led the CFL with 74 receptions for 717 yards and an 86.2 receiving grade final 12 months. There are a ton of questions for this passing assault going into the 12 months, and the potential outcomes fluctuate from elite to sub-par.
4. BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS
The 2024 season was a wierd one for the Lions. They began scorching, as QB Vernon Adams Jr. put up historic numbers by means of the primary seven video games of the season (93.1 general grade). Then he received injured. Then they introduced again star Canadian QB Nathan Rourke, who struggled in his return to the Canadian recreation, placing up only a 65.7 passing grade. The Lions turned again to Adams for his or her playoff recreation, which they finally misplaced. After buying and selling away Adams within the offseason, this staff formally hinges on Rourke. If he can return to his 2022 kind, the place he put up a league-best 92.9 general grade en path to being named Most Outstanding Canadian, the Lions can be probably the greatest groups within the CFL.
Biggest Strength: Receiving Corps
One of the explanations to be optimistic about Rourke’s probabilities of discovering that 2022 kind is the receivers that he’s throwing to. The Lions’ offense options final season’s highest-graded receiver, Justin McInnis (82.2 grade), and 2023’s highest-graded receiver, Keon Hatcher (81.9). With Hatcher a full offseason faraway from an Achilles harm, the 2 are arguably the highest receiving duo within the CFL. The Lions even have the big-bodied H-back Jevon Cottoy, who posted a career-high 73.0 receiving grade final season. They’ve additionally received nice depth items in Ayden Eberhardt and Stanley Berryhill. All that provides as much as a plethora of weapons for Rourke to work with.
Area of Concern: Pass Protection
On the flip facet, a purpose to be pessimistic about Rourke’s probabilities is the dearth of go safety that the Lions’ offense provides. While they did usher in the very best pass-blocking deal with within the CFL this offseason in Dejon Allen, the questions stay throughout the road. Guard Chris Schleuger had one of many lowest go blocking grades within the CFL final 12 months at 40.7. Center Michael Couture had the second-lowest amongst centres at 55.6. Tackle Jarell Broxton’s 66.1 go block grade was above-average however not fairly at that high stage. Not to say the long-term harm to offseason addition G David Foucault means the Lions can be beginning a backup at guard. It received’t matter how good Rourke is taking part in if his offensive line can’t hold him upright.
5. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
The Roughriders had probably the greatest defenses within the league final season, and it helped carry all of them the best way to the West Finals. That protection ought to be simply pretty much as good this season with guys like ED Malik Carney (86.5 general grade) and LB Jameer Thurman (67.4) returning to cleared the path in addition to additions like DI Mike Rose (71.2). Offensively, the Riders are hoping for a bounce-back season from RB A.J. Ouellette will assist carry them. Last 12 months, Ouellette handled accidents and completed with only a 74.8 general grade in comparison with an 88.8 grade in 2023. A return to that stage would enhance this offense and will assist take the Roughriders to the subsequent stage.
Biggest Strength: Secondary
There will not be a unit that’s up to now forward of some other unit within the CFL than the Roughriders’ secondary is in comparison with different groups’. The unit begins with HB Rolan Milligan, final 12 months’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. His 90.6 general grade was the second-highest amongst defenders, and he led the league with 9 interceptions. Cornerback Marcus Sayles was the third-highest graded defender within the league at 90.3 general after 5 interceptions and 11 pressured incompletions. HB DaMarcus Fields had a strong rookie season and ought to be even higher this season. The Roughriders additionally introduced in CB Tevaughn Campbell, who returns to the CFL after six seasons within the NFL. If he can modify to the Canadian recreation, this secondary can be able to shutting down any offense.
Area of Concern: Quarterback
This is a little bit of a deceptive header, because the Roughriders’ beginning QB, Trevor Harris, is among the finest quarterbacks within the CFL. Last season, his 91.5 passing grade ranked second within the league. The difficulty with Harris is that he simply turned 39 years previous and has missed 27 video games over the previous 4 seasons because of harm. If he misses time once more, the Roughriders must flip to backup Jake Maier. The former Stampeders beginning quarterback, Maier, loved the very best season of his CFL profession final 12 months, however his passing grade of 79.1 was nonetheless simply center of the pack. With the Roughriders missing true star receivers, Maier will not be adequate to hold the load if something ought to occur to Harris.
6. OTTAWA REDBLACKS
The Redblacks made the Grey Cup in 2018 after which was one of many worst groups within the CFL. From 2019-2023, the Redblacks had a mixed file of 14-54. So the truth that they went 9-8-1 and made the playoffs final 12 months was a large success. The Redblacks’ beginning QB Dru Brown struggled early within the season earlier than lacking a while because of harm. However, in his ultimate three video games of the season, Brown put up a 90.2 passing grade and led the league with 9 big-time throws. With an improved offensive line and receiving corps, the Redblacks are hoping that Brown can construct upon final season’s end and assist cause them to their second-straight playoff berth.
Biggest Strength: Receiving Corps
The Redblacks already had an ideal group of receivers final season. Justin Hardy completed the 12 months with a second-ranked 78.8 receiving grade after averaging 1.99 yards per route run and hauling in 15 contested catches. Kalil Pimpleton’s 2.30 yards per route run common was tied for the very best within the CFL. Bralon Addison is a dependable fourth possibility. Then the Redblacks went out and signed three-time All-Star Eugene Lewis. The former Edmonton Elk has graded out as a top-10 receiver in every of the final three seasons. They additionally drafted Keelan White third general on this 12 months’s draft. That’s pretty much as good a receiving group as you’ll discover within the league and may assist QB Dru Brown in his second 12 months as a starter.
Area of Concern: Pass Coverage
Ottawa ought to have an ideal passing offense, however can it decelerate the opposing staff’s go recreation? That’s its greatest query this 12 months. The Redblacks misplaced their high graded protection defender in Damon Webb (84.0 protection grade) from final 12 months and changed him with Amari Henderson (72.3). FS Alonzo Addae had a strong 73.5 protection grade, however that ranked simply sixth amongst safeties. DeAndre Lamont (65.8) and Alijah McGhee (65.3) ranked fortieth and forty second, respectively, in protection grade and are beginning the season on the injured listing. There are loads of query marks right here, and if the Redblacks can’t cease the go, it could possibly be a tricky season for them.
7. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
The Tiger-Cats began final season 2-9 earlier than making a late playoff push with a 5-2 end because of the play of Most Outstanding Player nominee QB Bo Levi Mitchell. The Tiger-Cats made enhancements to a protection that basically struggled at occasions final season whereas strengthening probably the greatest offenses within the CFL. Mitchell completed final season with an 89.5 general grade after throwing for greater than 5,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Now, he will get the identical receiving group again, however the Tiger-Cats additionally added arguably the very best receiver within the CFL in Kenny Lawler. The former Blue Bomber had the very best yards per route run common at 2.30 final season and ranked second with a 78.8 receiving grade.
Biggest Strength: Pass Protection
Despite dropping again to go the soccer 732 occasions final season, the Tiger-Cats’ offensive line allowed a league-low 126 pressures. Their 91.0 go blocking effectivity rating was the very best within the league and the one one above 90.0. They’ve received stars all throughout the road, corresponding to T Brendan Bordner and G Brandon Revenberg. Bordner’s 71.4 general grade was one of many highest grades of any deal with, and Revenberg was the one CFL lineman to earn a 99.0 particular person go blocking effectivity rating. This unit ought to be simply pretty much as good this 12 months and must be an enormous issue for the Tiger-Cats in the event that they need to exceed expectations this season.
Area of Concern: Rushing Attack
The Tiger-Cats are going into this season with RB Greg Bell as their bellcow again. He carried out properly final 12 months, placing up an 88.6 speeding grade and averaging 4.0 yards after contact per carry (ranked second) in simply eight video games. Yet, these are his solely eight video games of his CFL profession. He additionally had only a 59.8 receiving grade final 12 months and a 50.5 pass-blocking grade. Bell is an effective rusher of the soccer, however he hasn’t proven to be elite on the different facets of RB play. With the Tiger-Cats’ prolific passing recreation, they want a again who can each go shield and be a risk as a receiver. If Bell can’t try this, it’d maintain this offense again from being actually elite.
8. EDMONTON ELKS
The Elks traded away beginning QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, giving full reins of the offense to Canadian QB Tre Ford for the approaching season. Ford has began 16 video games over the previous two seasons and has graded properly in each. However, the best way he’s graded in every has been curious. In 2023, Ford had a 67.1 passing grade and an 83.1 speeding grade. Last 12 months, it was a close to reverse, ending with an 84.2 passing grade and a 63.9 speeding grade. Ford has proven he could be a good pocket passer and likewise a harmful speeding risk, however he has hardly ever proven it on the similar time. He must put these expertise collectively if he desires to vault into the elite quarterback dialog this season and lead Edmonton to its first playoff berth since 2019.
Biggest Strength: Defensive Line
The Elks watched the Toronto Argonauts’ defensive position win the Grey Cup final 12 months and mentioned “we want that.” So they introduced in three gamers from that line in Jake Ceresna, Jared Brinkman and Robbie Smith. Ceresna has been one of many CFL’s finest defensive linemen over the previous three seasons and can make an on the spot affect in his return to the Elks. Brinkman was the highest-graded run defender within the CFL final 12 months at 90.9. They be part of Brandon Barlow, the one returning starter for the Elks. In Smith (63 whole pressures), Ceresna (58) and Barlow (52), the Elks now have three of final season’s high six gamers in whole pressures. No unit goes to get after the passer like this Elks unit, and that could possibly be an enormous purpose for his or her success this 12 months.
Area of Concern: Receivers
When turning to a brand new beginning quarterback, having a top-notch receiving group is commonly key. That doesn’t appear to be the case with the Elks coming into this season. The Elks are coming into the 12 months with simply three receivers who’ve vital CFL expertise. Kurleigh Gittens Jr. would be the No. 1 risk, as his 68.8 receiving grade final 12 months ranked 14th within the CFL. Steven Dunbar Jr. posted a 1,000-yard season final 12 months, however his 64.6 receiving grade ranked simply twenty fifth. Then there’s Kaion Julien-Grant, whose 55 missed tackles pressured over the previous three seasons are the third-most within the CFL, however he ranks forty fifth in receiving grade in that point. Beyond them, the mixture of Zach Mathis, Arkell Smith and Binjimen Victor has a mixed 25 catches for 285 yards of their CFL careers. This inexperience might see this offense battle, particularly early within the season.
9. CALGARY STAMPEDERS
The Stampeders had made the playoffs in each season since 2004 earlier than going 5-12-1 and lacking out final 12 months. They made an enormous transfer this offseason, buying and selling for QB Vernon Adams Jr. and giving the offense the enhance that it so desperately wants. There are a ton of query marks throughout the roster, although, and the Adams addition will not be sufficient to convey them again to the playoffs. One power of the staff is its offensive line, which ought to assist hold Adams upright and, extra importantly, wholesome. T Joshua Coker is coming off a season wherein he allowed simply 11 whole pressures.
Biggest Strength: Passing Attack
Getting Vernon Adams Jr. instantly upgrades this Stampeders’ passing offense to harmful. Adams was on tempo for a historic season final 12 months earlier than being injured. Now, he joins an offense with receivers Reggie Begelton, Dominique Rhymes and Tevin Jones. Begelton is among the league’s high receivers, ending with an 82.7 general grade over the previous three seasons. Rhymes is the precise sort of explosive receiver that Adams will love. Then there’s Jones, who was one of many high receivers within the CFL after his debut in Week 8 final 12 months. Jones put up a 72.6 receiving grade, the Tenth-best mark within the league over that span. Adams left a B.C. Lions passing assault with top-level receivers and got here into an offense with receivers who could possibly be simply pretty much as good.
Area of Concern: Defense
There’s no option to sugarcoat this. The Stampeders have query marks at each stage of protection. Arguably, the one star of this protection is ED Folarin Orimolade. The former Argo is among the league’s finest pass-rushers, as his 16.5% go rush win price led the league over the previous three seasons. Beyond him, PFF has their defensive position ranked eighth within the league, their linebackers ranked ninth, and their secondary ranked ninth. The staff goes to should see some gamers escape in an enormous approach if it desires to sluggish different groups down and hold itself in video games.