The season of 2024 has arrived.
The Argos lineup has changed, just like it does every year. A number of well-known faces have vanished, and a multitude of unfamiliar ones have appeared in their stead.
An analysis of this year’s Argonaut squad will be available on Argonauts.ca, beginning with the offensive unit. In the next days, a review of the defense and special teams will be published.
QUARTERBACKS (4): Cameron Dukes will start the season as the lead player, with two seasoned players providing backup.
Cameron Dukes: Made a name for himself as the starting backup in 2023 by covering 66 percent of Kelly’s passes in some strong cameos. Last season, he started two games: one that the Argos were leading in Winnipeg until he was taken off the field in the fourth quarter, and one that they won in Ottawa. He rushed for eight touchdowns, one less than the league average, like Kelly did.
Bryan Scott: Started the season at quarterback three. Having played in the CFL, he brings great depth to the Argos to go along with his USFL starting experience. Before getting hurt in 2022, he was leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns.
Nick Arbuckle: On May 19, the veteran joined the Argos, adding to their depth at the position. In 2021, Arbuckle was an Argo until he was traded to Edmonton. He was in Ottawa last year.
Chad Kelly: The CFL has suspended the league’s returning Most Outstanding Player for at least the first nine games of the current season. Last year, Kelly completed over 4,100 yards of passing with 23 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. In addition, he trailed the league leaders by one touchdown with eight rushes.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Maintaining the depth of the CFL’s top offensive line was a top priority for the Argos throughout the off-season. With the return of both the two excellent Canadian backups and all five starters, that aim was completed. Giffen, Allen, Hunter, Ciraco, and Nicastro have all inked contracts that expire in 2024.
The Boatmen emerged as one of the CFL’s most successful rushing teams last season because to the Argos’ allowance of just 19 sacks, which was 14 fewer than Winnipeg’s second-lowest total of 33 passes.
Isiah Cage: Cage’s skills are beyond question; maintaining his health has been his only issue. He started ten games for the Double Blue last year, including the Eastern Final, which was a career high. Once again, the 6’3″, 313-pound player is suited as the starting left tackle. He is the lone remaining Argo from that season who landed in Toronto in 2018.
Ryan Hunter: Hunter might have been the second-best offensive guard in the NFL the previous season, if Dejon Allen was the best. Though he is most suited for the interior, the versatile veteran from North Bay, Ontario, could play any of the five positions along the line. He was chosen a CFL all-star in recognition of his exceptional play the previous season.
Darius Ciraco: The Burlington native had his greatest season to date in his debut year as an Argo and his sixth in the CFL. Just before free agency opened, he signed a multi-year contract to stay an Argonaut after being named the league’s all-star center for the first time.
Peter Nicastro: Made a comeback to form last year following an injury that kept him out of the 2022 season. He was honored as the Argos’ Most Outstanding Rookie and Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2021. He was also awarded the East’s best rookie and an all-star center for the same year. This year, he will return to right guard.
Dejon Allen: He was the greatest of the best in 2023. The league’s incumbent Most Valuable Offense Linemen enjoy playing in space and have excelled at right tackle, but they can also play guard or tackle on either side of the line. This year, he intends to return to that role.
Gregor Mackellar: Mackellar was reduced to a backup position in the previous season after starting twelve games for the Argos in 2022. It wasn’t due to his play, mind you, but the team’s 2022 first-round pick got caught in a numbers game with Nicastro’s comeback and Ciraco’s acquisition. When Hunter lines up as a tight end, he is a useful depth player who frequently sees the field.
Dylan Giffen: Since the Argos took him in the third round of the 2020 draft, Giffen has gotten better every year. Giffen, who stands 6’8″ and weighs 325 pounds, contributes significantly to the team’s short yardage unit and, like Mackellar, offers exceptional depth.
Anthony Vandal: A three-time RSEQ all-star and a 2022 All-Canadian who can play center or guard, Vandal is the team’s eighth-round pick in 2023. At Sherbrooke, the 6’4″, 300-pound player competed for Dominic Picard, the new running backs coach for the Argos.
John Bosse: This year’s draft’s second third-round pick by the Argos. At 6’4″ and 335 pounds, the University of Calgary product is a huge man who will have the opportunity to learn from some of the league’s top offensive linemen.
RUNNING BACKS (3): The Argos signed the player who led the league in rushing two years ago to replace a fan favorite who was lost to free agency during the off-season. Last season, the team led the league with 30 running touchdowns, ten more than Winnipeg in second place, and ran for 113.7 yards per game.
Ka’Deem Carey: Prior to an injury that kept him from playing in just 10 games last season, Carey was a two-time all-star in Calgary before joining the Argos. With 1,088 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022, he was the CFL’s leading rusher. Despite leaving Arizona as the all-time leading rusher in school history, Carey entered the NFL following his junior year. Prior to joining the Stampeders, the 31-year-old played for the Chicago Bears for three seasons.
Dan Adeboboye: One of the team’s top players on special teams demonstrated his ability to rush the football at the professional level. He led all CFL running backs with at least 20 carries (he had 41) with an average of 7.0 yards per rush last season.
Deonta McMahon: A previous standout player at McNeese State, McMahon had incredible talent as an NCAA back. This season, he may have the chance to battle for more totes or perhaps showcase his skills as a returner. In little play last season, he scored three touchdowns on the ground for the Argos.
RECEIVERS (11): Supported by two former Blue Bombers, this group has a great balance of youth and experience. The Argos may have the best collection of Canadian receivers in the league.
Veteran short-side receiver DaVaris Daniels had his first 1,000-yard season in ’23. Last season, he was named an East Division All-Star and averaged 19.4 yards per reception, which was only surpassed by teammate Damonte Coxie in the CFL. This season, he has settled in as a starter.
Damonte Coxie: In just 14 games, he had 787 receiving yards, marking a breakout season. With an average receiving yardage of 20.2 yards, he topped the CFL. was named by TSN as the CFL’s best play of the season for his one-handed, diving touchdown reception against the Montreal Alouettes. He’s going to start with Daniels on the short end.
One of the league’s biggest surprises of 2023 may be Dave Ungerer III. With 579 receiving yards and 75.9% of throws completed in his direction, the sure-handed Ungerer played the wide side wideout to near perfection, ranking fourth among the top 30 receivers in the CFL.
Dejon Brissett: Shortly before the free agency window opened, the Mississauga native re-signed with the Argos. With Kurleigh Gittens Jr. gone, the 2020 draft’s second-round selection is primed for a more significant role. He tied for second place on the squad with five touchdown catches last year, setting career highs with 38 receptions for 594 yards.
Tommy Nield: Last season, the McMaster product saw more action and didn’t seem out of place. Despite missing the first half of the season due to an injury, this physical receiver managed to catch 32 catches for 384 yards in the eight games he did play in. He plays a significant role on special teams as well.
Rasheed Bailey: A free agency addition in late February, Bailey caught 46 catches for 508 yards and six touchdowns while playing for Winnipeg in the previous season. Bailey is not just a superb pass receiver but also a very strong blocker. One of the slotbacks on the wide side of the pitch, he will start at the “R” position.
Richie Sindani: Sindani, a 6’2″ and 220 pound wide receiver, was signed by the Argos in September of last year. He caught eight passes for ninety yards in the three games he participated in. He brings solid Canadian depth and experience to the CFL, going into his sixth season.
Justin Marshall Marshall, a 6’2″, 210-pound powerhouse who transferred from Louisville, excelled at the University of Buffalo. After being let go by Atlanta, he signed with the Argos in October of the previous year.
Kevin Mital is one of the best receivers in U SPORTS history. In this year’s CFL draft, the Argos selected the Laval product with the fifth overall pick. His best position is inside, thus the team will consider him in the “R” receiver spot. He was named the nation’s top collegiate athlete and received the 2022 Hec Crighton Award. Pronounce his last name as mee-TAHL.
Makai Polk: Leaves the NFL to play for the Giants and Ravens before joining the CFL. He set a school record in 2021 when he led the SEC with 105 catches for Mississippi State. That year, the 6’3″ receiver totaled 1,046 receiving yards and 9 touchdown catches.
Janarion Grant: A speedster who can play both offense and defense, Grant will be the team’s main return specialist. In Toronto, he’ll be most known for his incredible touchdown on a punt return against Saskatchewan last year and his 102-yard punt return versus the Argos in the 2022 Grey Cup game. In his CFL career, he has eight return touchdowns.
FULLBACKS (2): This season, two seasoned players who are both from Ontario will occupy the position.
Albert Awache Having spent the first six seasons of his career in Saskatchewan, the University of Toronto alumnus comes home. He offers a reliable receiving option out of the backfield at 6’4″. Pronounce his last name as “ah-wah-SHAY.”