Top Five 2024 CFL Free Agent Linebackers
Expect to see a lot of linebacker movement across the CFL with many talented tacklers looking for homes in 2024 free agency.
The league recently released CFL.ca’s list of the top 30 pending free agents in the CFL, and seven linebackers were included on the list. Montreal’s Tyrice Beverette and Darnell Sankey already re-signed with the Alouettes, but five of the top 10 tacklers in the CFL went into the offseason as pending free agents.
Here is the list of the top five linebackers available when 2024 free agency kicks off in February.
Top Five CFL Free Agent Linebackers
Breaking Down Best Available LBs (Previous Team)
5. Jameer Thurman (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Hamilton’s leading tackler from a season ago can do more than find the ball carrier. Thurman finished seventh in the CFL last season in total tackles with 98, adding five sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery in 18 games. The Tiger-Cats need to lock up the 28-year-old, or another team will.
4. Ben Hladik (BC Lions)
The BC Lions have continued to increase the workload of Ben Hladik, which resulted in his best season yet in 2023. Hladik racked up the sixth-most tackles in the league with 102 while also producing two tackles for loss, five sacks and one interception in 18 contests. He has great instincts for making the tackle and rarely misses a wrap-up.
3. Wynton McManis (Toronto Argonauts)
Whether playing for the Calgary Stampeders or the Toronto Argonauts the last two seasons, Wynton McManis has been a consistent defender. The 29-year-old finished 2023 with 80 total tackles, along with five tackles for loss, four sacks, four interceptions, one forced fumble and two defensive touchdowns. McManis is a playmaking machine who knows how to create a turnover at the right moments.
2. Micah Awe (Calgary Stampeders)
After joining his fifth CFL team last season, Micah Awe appears to have found his footing. Awe led the CFL with 140 total tackles in 2023 while contributing three tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions and one forced fumble. It will be interesting to see if Awe sticks around in Calgary or if he finds yet another home, but with Calgary providing the setting for his best season, he might want to look at coming back.
1. Adarius Pickett (Toronto Argonauts)
Long regarded as of the best linebackers in the CFL who has time and time again come through, Adarius Pickett did not disappoint in his first season with Toronto. He was second in the league in total tackles with 124, and he also recorded five tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. The Argonauts have worked hard to bring back their core players, so it would be a surprise if they let Pickett walk.
Top 5 CFL Free Agent Defensive Linemen
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.