The Ottawa Redblacks have acquired veteran American midfielder Niles Morgan from the Edmonton Elks in a trade at the 2026 CFL Draft.
Ottawa is sending Edmonton a third-round pick, No. 21 overall, and a fourth-round pick, No. 35 overall, as well as a third-round pick, No. 23 overall, and a fifth-round pick, No. 41 overall. He is under contract through the 2026 CFL season.
Morgan, 29, played 62 games over five seasons with Edmonton from 2021-25. He has 377 defensive tackles, nine special teams tackles, seven quarterback sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception. The Chicago, Illinois native played in 11 games last season, recording 52 tackles on defense, one special teams tackle and one forced fumble before suffering a season-ending leg injury.
“Niles is a player I have enjoyed watching from afar over the past few seasons and I am thrilled that he will be a key part of our defense next season. He has been a premier midfielder in this league for a number of years, combining elite athleticism, football IQ and natural leadership. We look forward to what he will bring to our football club both on and off the field,” Ottawa head coach and general manager Ryan said in a statement. Dinwiddie.
The University of Notre Dame graduate has surpassed 100 tackles twice in his three-loss league career, including a CFL-best 111 defensive tackles in 2024. During his time with the Elks, he earned two team honors as he was named the franchise's nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie (2021) and Defensive Player (2024). Before moving north of the border, the six-foot, 230-pound linebacker spent time in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears (2018) and Tennessee Titans (2018).
Meanwhile, Edmonton moves forward with Nick Anderson and 2024 CFL No. 1 overall draft pick Joel Dublanco at weakside linebacker and middle linebacker. Dublanco, 27, had 80 defensive tackles in 12 games last season.
