With the CFL offseason officially underway, it's time to take a look at which players could get NFL opportunities over the next few months.
Nearly 20 CFL Players Earned NFL Workouts Last OffseasonSeven of them signed contracts – Saskatchewan receiver Ajou Ajou, Edmonton defensive lineman Elliot Brown, Toronto defensive lineman Ralph Holley, Edmonton punter Jake Julien, Toronto receiver Makai Polk, Saskatchewan offensive lineman Trevor Reid and Winnipeg receiver Ontaria “Pokey” Wilson.
The New York Jets have already welcomed three CFL players. for training, so here's a preview of who might be heading south over the next few months.
The list was compiled based on feedback from more than a dozen league sources, many of whom are asked to provide lists of possible candidates for NFL teams each year.
Players are listed alphabetically by last name.
REC Damien Alford, Calgary Stampeders
The six-foot-six, 224-pound target ran the forty-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at last year's Big 12 pro day, although NFL teams may have been put off by his ineffectiveness at the University of Utah. Now that Alford has shown he can perform at the pro level, catching 20 passes for 407 yards and five touchdowns in 15 regular-season games with the Stampeders, the NFL should draft him.
OL Jacob Brammer, Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Richmond, Texas native will turn 27 in February but has never played in the NFL and has just two years of professional experience. Brummer started at right guard on Saskatchewan's robust offensive line in 2025, earning All-CFL honors and helping the team win the Gray Cup. After starting out mostly as a tackler at the collegiate level, NFL teams could take a closer look at Brummer now that he has experience playing defense.
DB Robert Carter Jr., BC Lions
The Robert Morris University product went viral this year when he did what may have been one of the greatest interceptions in the history of professional football. Carter Jr. improved markedly as the season progressed, finishing first as a professional with 51 defensive tackles, five interceptions, one forced fumble and one touchdown. He is also one of the youngest active players in the CFL at 22 years old, which should work in his favor.
OL Payton Collins, Saskatchewan Roughriders
The six-foot-six, 301-pound blocker started 12 regular-season games at left tackle, becoming arguably the best offensive line in the CFL, producing a 3.0 percent pressure rate while blocking 429 passes. Professional Football (PFF). The 24-year-old Columbus, Ohio native signed with the Roughriders straight out of Eastern Kentucky University despite a successful collegiate career and was never graded in NFL training camps.
D.B. Jackson Findlay, BC Lions
The North Vancouver, British Columbia native was not a starter for the rest of this season, but he was excellent at safety, making 26 defensive tackles, 12 special teams tackles and four interceptions. Findlay performed well after graduating from Western University, but now has professional film showing NFL teams, which is very important for a U Sports prospect. The six-foot-two, 207-pound guard also won't turn 22 until December.
LB Kyler Fisher, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The 24-year-old had 60 tackles on defense, nine tackles on special teams and one sack in 14 regular-season games in 2025, his first year as a career starter. Throughout his collegiate career at the University of Iowa, Fisher was only a part-time starter, but midway through his rookie season he earned Hamilton's starting job at weakside linebacker, showing NFL teams that he could be a starter.
DL Clarence Hicks, Calgary Stampeders
The six-foot-two, 229-pound defensive tackle is on the cusp of being too old for the NFL – he turns 27 next month – but is coming off a breakout season in which he made 28 defensive tackles, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles to be named All-West Division. Hicks attended training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022, but the Pensacola, Florida native has since proven that he can consistently disrupt the passer off the edge.
DL Jaylon Hutchings, Calgary Stampeders
The 25-year-old was arguably the CFL's best defensive player in 2025, with 39 tackles, eight sacks and one forced fumble on the interior of Calgary's defensive line. Hutchings had to undergo knee surgery late in his college career at Texas Tech University, which likely derailed his interest in the NFL. Ultra-strong and athletic interior defenders are hard to come by, so expect Hutchings to generate a lot of interest in the NFL.
REC Donte Meyers, Saskatchewan Roughriders
The five-foot-ten, 190-pound target had a breakout season for the Roughriders, making 65 catches for 1,056 yards and eight touchdowns to be named All-West Division. Meyers had never previously had an NFL contract or played at the FBS level during his collegiate career, splitting his time between Presbyterian College and Delta State University. The 25-year-old could very well be considered an NFL diamond in the rough.
LB Jacob Roberts, Calgary Stampeders
The Charlotte, North Carolina native spent his first full season as a CFL starter, recording 93 defensive tackles, nine special teams tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble. The 24-year-old cornerback has no previous NFL experience, coming to the Stampeders straight from Wake Forest University in 2024. Roberts has particularly excelled at stopping the run, which matters more in four-down football than in the Canadian game.
DB JJ Ross, Edmonton Elks
The 24-year-old has developed into one of the top defensemen in the CFL. PFF recorded 52 defensive tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles this season. Ross has never had an NFL contract — he only received a rookie minicamp invite from the Detroit Lions out of Western Illinois University — and has rare size for a defensive end: six-foot-three and 195 pounds.
DB Derek Slivka, Toronto Argonauts
The Waterloo, New York native played for the Indianapolis Colts last year but participated in the team's training camp as a receiver. This year, Slivka played safety with the Argonauts (the same position he played at Ithaca College) and shined, making 46 defensive tackles, six special teams tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two touchdowns, while also contributing as a kick returner.
DL Jon Tavai, BC Lions
The five-foot-ten, 283-pound defensive back lacks the typical size that NFL teams strive for, but his film is special. Tavai was arguably the most productive defensive lineman in the CFL during the second half of the 2025 season and has proven he can be effective both inside and outside the game. Despite being under contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, Tavai was never properly valued as he was waived due to a non-football injury.
KR Trey Vaval, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The 25-year-old was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player after leading the league in punt return yards, punt return yards and kick return touchdowns and ranking third in all-purpose yards. The speedster from Blue Springs, Missouri also contributed in other games on the field, recording 21 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles and one interception.
LB Devin Veresuk, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Native of Windsor, Ontario. attracted NFL interest after covering last year's University at Buffalo Pro Dayalthough there were some questions about his student film. The six-foot-two, 240-pound defensive back put those concerns to rest this year, making 66 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble to earn an East Division nomination as Most Outstanding Rookie.
KR Isaiah Wooden, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The 25-year-old missed part of the season with an injury but still made an impact on special teams, averaging 26.3 yards on 42 kick returns, 15.0 yards on 38 kick returns and three return touchdowns. The San Diego, California native had brief stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, but may be worth another look at the NFL given the renewed importance of the return game in the South.
Others on the list: QB Davis Alexander, Montreal Alouettes; OL Brendan Bordner, Hamilton Tiger-Cats; L.B. Isaac Darcangelo, Toronto Argonauts; REC Aiden Eberhardt, BC Lions; DB Anthony Johnson, Calgary Stampeders; REC Jalen Philpot, Calgary Stampeders; REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal Alouettes; REC Kalil Pimpleton, Ottawa Redblacks; REC Makai Regiment, Toronto Argonauts; O.L. Kendall Randolph, Winnipeg Blue Bombers; RB Justin Rankin, Edmonton Elks; L.B. Tyrell Richards, Montreal Alouettes
