The Hamilton Tiger-Cats acquired linebacker Jordan Williams along with a 2024 first-round pick (7th overall), a second-round pick (16th overall), a fourth-round pick (36th overall), and a 2025 conditional 2025 fourth-round pick for the rights to wide receiver Deontay Burnett, a 2024 first-round pick (5th overall), and two third-round picks (24th and 25th overall).
Jordan Williams is six foot and weighs 232 pounds. The 29-year-old from Fayetteville, North Carolina, made 48 tackles and four tackles on special teams in 14 games for the Argonauts in 2023. The Argonauts acquired Williams from the B.C. Lions on February 9, 2023. In 2022, Williams made 89 tackles, seven tackles on special teams, and three forced fumbles in 18 games for the Lions in 2022.
The Lions drafted Williams in the first round (1st pick) in the 2020 CFL Draft. In his rookie season, Williams made 92 tackles, five tackles on special teams, one sack, and one interception in 14 games. He was named CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie Award, and the Jackie Parker Trophy in 2021.
Collegiately, Williams played four seasons at East Carolina (2014-17) with 252 tackles (123 solo, 129 assists), 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 45 games for the Pirates.
Deontay Burnett is six foot and weighs 186 pounds. The 26-year-old from Compton, California, made 27 catches for 378 yards, and six touchdowns in nine games for the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) in 2023. He was named to the All-XFL team after the season. The Roughnecks drafted Burnett in the fourth round (25th pick) in Phase 1 of the 2023 XFL Draft. Burnett was recently drafted by the Arlington Renegades in the 2024 UFL Disposal Draft.
Before Houston, Burnett signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He would later spend time with the New York Jets, San Franciso 49ers, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He made 15 catches for 210 yards in eight regular season games.
Collegiately, Burnett played three seasons at USC (2015-17) making 152 catches for 1,897 yards, 16 touchdowns, five carries for 29 yards, and four punt returns for 26 yards in 39 games for the Trojans. He was named Second Team All-PAC 12 in 2017.
