This year’s receiving class was so good in our opinion that we had to widen it to the Top 10 instead of the Top 5. Find out if another team will make a RedBlacks’ type splash this offseason.
Top 10 WRs
10. Fred Stamps Best Bet: 1 Day Contract (Edmonton)
Fred Stamps is probably the most accomplished name on this list but, at 34, he is past his prime. After his release from Montreal, look for him to linger in the free agent pool for awhile then sign a 1 day contract with the Green and Gold to retire an Eskimo.
9. Shamawd Chambers Best Bet: Toronto Argonauts
The Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Canadian will hit the open market and reportedly wants to move close to home. He will have more opportunities in Toronto than Hamilton ( especially if some of their National linemen move on) so look for Chambers to end up a Boatman.
8. Sam Giguere Best Bet: BC Lions
Giguere was severely under utilized in Montreal and as a former NFL receiver (as well as a National) he has the potential to be an impact player. With the departure of Andrew Harris, the Lions will need to lean more heavily on a consistently underperforming National receiving corps and Giguere might just be the type of name that could spice it up.
7. Bakari Grant Best Bet: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Grant had an All Star start to the season in Hamilton last year before injuries kept him out of the line-up. He is a highly talented receiver, poised for a break out and a raise. Saskatchewan has money and no receivers so he could land in Riderville.
6. Kenny Stafford Best Bet: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Stafford excelled as Edmonton’s third receiver last year but with Derel Walker around for a full year, he may want to go elsewhere to be a #1 target. With few receivers on the roster, Chris Jones could seek out Stafford’s services for the second time in two years.
5. Andy Fantuz Best Bet: Resigned- Hamilton
Injuries have plagued Fantuz these last few years but he is still a reliable target when healthy and a great locker room leader. I can see him resigning in Hamilton for a reduced cost.
4. Nick Moore Best Bet: Calgary Stampeders
Winnipeg wants to move on from the underperforming Nick Moore but Calgary lost their top target to the NFL and need a big name replacement. Nick Moore could fit nicely into the Stampeders offence and would be relatively affordable given his inconsistencies in Winnipeg.
3. Ryan Smith Best Bet: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Weston Dressler Lite aka Ryan Smith will test free agency and it is reported that the Bombers have interest in him and believe he has more upside than his older counterpart. The Dressler/Smith could light up Investors Group field with a healthy Drew Willy.
2. Jeff Fuller Best Bet: Resigned- Calgary
I know there is talk of Fuller heading to Saskatchewan but, in my opinion, Calgary’s International receiving corps is just too depleted without Eric Rogers to let Fuller walk. Hufnagel will have to pay more than he’d like but such is life.
l. Chad Owens Best Bet: Hamilton Tiger Cats
There has been shockingly little talk as to where Chad Owens may end up, perhaps because people simply can’t imagine him not an Argo. Here’s a theory, the Ti-Cats lost a dynamic receiver/return man when Terrell Sinkfield signed in Minnesota and Chad Owen is a dynamic receiver/return man (albeit with a bit more mileage) who has history with Zach Collaros. Its a logical fit if Owens takes slightly less money than he’s probably worth after a down year.
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