The CFL free agency kicked off on February 13, 2023. After 11 days, there are still a handful of free agents on the market who could make a difference for any team. Here are the players still available in free agency.
Robertson Daniel
Robertson Daniel is six foot one and weighs 205 pounds. The 32-year-old from Saint Thomas, Virginia, made 55 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, and one touchdown in 11 games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2023. He was named CFL East All-Star and CFL All-Star in 2023.
The Argonauts acquired Daniel from the Calgary Stampeders on January 31, 2021. In 2021, Daniel made five tackles, one tackle on special teams, and one interception in two games. The following year, he played one game for Toronto after missing the majority of the season due to an injury when the Argonauts won the Grey Cup.
Before Toronto, Daniel signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He also had stints with the Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Ravens. He played two NFL regular season games for the Ravens.
Then, Daniel signed with the Calgary Stampeders on May 25, 2019. He made 21 tackles, six tackles on special teams, one fumble recovery, and three interceptions in eight games.
Collegiately, Daniel played two seasons at De Anza College where he was named All-American and All-State before transferring to BYU (2013-14) with 112 tackles (87 solo, 25 assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, three interceptions for 61 yards, 19 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 24 games for the Cougars.
Lucky Whitehead
Lucky Whitehead is five foot ten and weighs 177 pounds. The 31-year-old from Manassas, Virginia, made 58 catches for 728 yards, three touchdowns, and two carries for 12 yards in 16 games for the B.C. Lions 2023.
The Lions signed Whitehead as a free agent on February 9, 2021. In three seasons, Whitehead has made 196 catches for 2,671 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six carries for 26 yards in 43 games. He was named a CFL West All-Star and CFL All-Star in 2021.
Before B.C., Whitehead signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played two seasons in Dallas making nine catches for 64 yards, two touchdowns, 20 carries for 189 yards, 33 kick returns for 846 yards, and 44 punt returns for 305 yards in 30 games. Next, he signed with the New York Jets and spent the season on the practice squad in 2018.
Then, Whitehead signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 9, 2019. He made 52 catches for 521 yards, two touchdowns, nine carries for 92 yards, one touchdown, 20 kick returns for 596 yards, and one touchdown in 17 games helping the Blue Bombers win the Grey Cup in 2019.
Collegiately, Whitehead played one season at Dean College in 2012 making 24 catches for 493 yards, three touchdowns, 46 carries for 306 yards, three touchdowns, 14 kick returns for 318 yards, 13 punt returns for 261 yards, and two touchdowns in ten games for the Bulldogs. He received All-American and All-Conference honors.
Then, Whitehead transferred to Florida Atlantic University (2013-14) making 79 catches for 857 yards, eight touchdowns, 22 carries for 154 yards, one touchdown, 23 kick returns for 551 yards, 20 punt returns for 312 yards, and one touchdown in 21 games for the Owls. He was named First Team All-C-USA in 2014.
Janarion Grant
Janarion Grant is five foot nine and weighs 160 pounds. The 30-year-old from Fort Trilby, Florida, made four catches for 36 yards, one touchdown, two carries for 15 yards, and 19 kick returns for 427 yards in eight games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2023.
Before Winnipeg, Grant signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He played two games on special teams with two kick returns for 56 yards and seven punt returns for 52 yards. After the Ravens, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2019 and was placed on the practice squad.
He did not play a game for the Ticats and was later signed by the Blue Bombers in the same year. In 41 games, Grant has 12 catches for 96 yards, one touchdown, 10 carries for 89 yards, 87 kick returns for 2,092 yards, one touchdown, 175 punt returns for 2,257 yards, seven touchdowns, and five missed field goal returns for 90 yards.
In 2022, Grant made six catches for 54 yards, eight carries for 74 yards, 31 kick returns for 782 yards, one touchdown, 63 punt returns for 817 yards, two touchdowns, and three missed field goal returns for 90 yards in 16 games for the Blue Bombers in 2022.
Collegiately, Grant played five seasons at Rutgers University (2013-17) with 99 catches for 1,062 yards, two touchdowns, 36 carries for 344 yards, four touchdowns, 115 kick returns for 2,857 yards, five touchdowns, 52 punt returns for 588 yards, and three touchdowns in 49 games for the Scarlet Knights. Grant was a 2013 Second Team All-American Athletic Conference, 2015 Second Team All-Big Ten, and 2015 Rutgers Special Teams MVP.
Rasheed Bailey (Signed with Toronto Argonauts on February 26, 2024)
Rasheed Bailey is six foot one and weighs 217 pounds. The 30-year-old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, made 46 catches for 508 yards, six touchdowns, and 13 carries for 97 yards in 18 games for the Blue Bombers in 2023 helping them reach the Grey Cup for the fourth straight year.
The Blue Bombers signed Bailey as a free agent in 2019. In four seasons, Bailey has made 180 catches for 2,072 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 29 carries for 230 yards in 58 games. He helped the Blue Bombers win two Grey Cup championships in 2019 and 2021.
Before Winnipeg, Bailey signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2015. From 2015 to 2018, Bailey was on the practice squad for the Eagles twice, Carolina Panthers twice, BC Lions, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Diego Chargers.
Collegiately, Bailey played at Delaware Valley University (2011-14) with 165 catches for 3,138 yards, 29 touchdowns, and five punt returns for 38 yards in 43 games for the Aggies. He was named Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and Maxwell Football Club Tri-State Player of the Year in 2014.
A.C. Leonard
A.C. Leonard is six foot two and weighs 250 pounds. The 32-year-old from Palatka, Florida, made 45 tackles, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, two catches for 55 yards, and one touchdown in 18 games for the Elks in 2023.
Before Edmonton, Leonard signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2014. After Minnesota, Leonard played in the FXFL for the Brooklyn Bolts and Hudson Valley Fort. In addition, he played in the Arena Football League with the New Orleans Voodoo (2014-15), and Jacksonville Sharks (2016).
Leonard has played 110 career games with the B.C. Lions (2015), Saskatchewan Roughriders (2016-17, 2021-22), Edmonton Elks (2023), and Ottawa Redblacks (2018). Leonard has 278 tackles, three tackles on special teams, 51 sacks, one interception, and eight forced fumbles. He was named a CFL East All-Star in 2018.
Collegiately, Leonard played one season with the Florida Gators in 2011 as a tight end with eight catches for 99 yards in nine games. Then, he transferred to Tennessee State (2012-13) with 85 catches for 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Tigers.
Jamal Morrow
Jamal Morrow is five foot eight and weighs 205 pounds. The 29-year-old from Menifee, California, had 202 carries for 907 yards, four touchdowns, 36 catches for 349 yards, one touchdown, and five kick returns for 87 yards in 16 games for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2023.
He was set to sign with the Calgary Stampeders but according to 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk, the contract was put on hold due to a wrist injury and if he passes his physical, he could still sign with Calgary.
The Roughriders signed Morrow as a free agent on April 15, 2019. He spent the 2019 season on the practice squad. In four seasons, Morrow has 337 carries for 1,614 yards, seven touchdowns, 82 catches for 744 yards, two touchdowns, and 48 kick returns for 1,031 yards in 36 games.
Before Saskatchewan, Morrow went unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft and had tryouts for the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2019, he signed with the Orlando Apollo (AAF) but was released before the season began.
Collegiately, Morrow played four seasons at Washington State (2014-17) with 305 carries for 1,765 yards, nine touchdowns, 196 catches for 1,713 yards, 14 touchdowns, 24 kick returns for 476 yards, and 22 punt returns for 200 yards in 48 games for the Cougars. He was named two-time All-PAC 12 Conference Honorable Mention.
Cameron Phillips
Cameron Phillips is six foot and weighs 202 pounds. The 28-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, made 37 catches for 561 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2023. The Argonauts signed Phillips as a free agent on July 30, 2021. In three seasons, Phillips has made 77 catches for 1,096 yards, and four touchdowns in 25 games.
In 2022, Phillips made 38 catches for 525 yards, and three touchdowns in 12 games helping the Argonauts win the 109th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Before Toronto, Phillips signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He played two NFL regular season games making one catch for nine yards. In 2020, Phillips played for the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) leading the league with 31 catches for 455 yards, and nine touchdowns in five games before the league suspended operations due to the pandemic.
Collegiately, Phillips played four seasons at Virginia Tech (2014-17) making 236 catches for 3,027 yards, 17 touchdowns, 37 carries for 239 yards, and five punt returns for 34 yards in 49 games for the Hokies.
Taylor Cornelius
Taylor Cornelius is six foot five and weighs 230 pounds. The 28-year-old from Amarillo, Texas, completed 103 of 175 passes (59%) for 1,305 yards, five touchdowns, nine interceptions, 61 carries for 256 yards, and eight touchdowns in seven games for the Elks in 2023.
The Elks signed Cornelius on February 9, 2021. He played three seasons in Edmonton completing 451 of 779 passes (58%) for 5,868 yards, 25 touchdowns, 31 interceptions, 153 carries for 907 yards, and 16 touchdowns in 44 games, of which 27 were starts.
Before Edmonton, Cornelius signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. In 2020, he played for the Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) completing 78 of 123 (63.4%) for 858 yards, four touchdowns, and six interceptions in five games before the season ended due to the pandemic.
Collegiately, Cornelius played five seasons at Oklahoma State (2014-18) completing 303 for 509 (60%) for 4,198 yards, 32 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 139 carries for 514 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 21 games for the Cowboys.
Kai Locksley
Kai Locksley is six foot four and weighs 210 pounds. The 27-year-old from Ft. Washington, Maryland, made three catches for 98 yards, one touchdown, 26 carries for 31 yards, two touchdowns, and one tackle in 18 games splitting his time with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Edmonton Elks in 2023.
Locksley began the 2023 season in Edmonton playing three games with nine carries for three yards and one tackle. After he was released, Locksley signed with Hamilton. In Hamilton, he had three catches for 98 yards, one touchdown, 17 carries for 28 yards, two touchdowns, and one punt return for 11 yards in 15 games.
Before Edmonton, Locksley signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 23, 2021. He made five catches for 46 yards in three preseason games.
Collegiately, Locksley began at Texas before transferring to Arizona Western College but did not play. Next, he transferred to Iowa Western Community College in 2017, completing 176 of 265 passes (66.4%) for 2,238 yards, 20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 112 carries for 705 yards, and 20 touchdowns in 12 games for the Reivers.
He led the Reivers to an 11-1 season winning The Graphic Edge Bowl and was named the 2017 Spalding NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-America honors.
Then, he transferred to UTEP (2018-19) with 186 of 350 passes (53%) for 2,266 yards, 9 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 237 carries for 875 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 20 games for the Miners.
Alden Darby Jr.
Alden Darby Jr. is five foot ten and weighs 206 pounds. The 31-year-old from Long Beach, California, made 20 tackles and three tackles on special teams in 11 games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2023.
Before Winnipeg, Darby Jr. signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He also had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and Indianapolis Colts. Next, Darby Jr. signed with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017. He played three seasons in Toronto with 137 tackles, two tackles on special teams, one sack, eight interceptions, and three touchdowns in 43 games winning a Grey Cup in 2017.
In 2021, Darby signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He made 34 tackles in 11 games, helping the Blue Bombers win its second Grey Cup championship. He was named a CFL West All-Star in 2021.
In 2022, Darby Jr. signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He started with the Ticats making 23 tackles, three tackles on special teams, one sack, and one interception in ten games. Then, The Blue Bombers acquired Darby Jr. from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2022 for Cedric Wilcox. In Winnipeg, Darby Jr. made six tackles in two games for the Blue Bombers.
Collegiately, Darby played four seasons at Arizona State (2010-13) with 200 tackles (147 solo, 53 assists), 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, ten interceptions for 253 yards, two touchdowns, 26 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and one kick return for 26 yards, in 38 games for the Sun Devils.
