February 4, 2022
Elks 2022 free agency primer
The free agent floodgates are set to officially open on Tuesday at 10 a.m. MT, as teams across the league set their eyes on adding some of the pieces they hope will yield a memorable 2022 season.
Free agency will have a different feel this season for the Green and Gold, as new general manager and head coach navigates his first free agency at the helm of the Elks.
To get you set for what is always an interesting day in the CFL, here’s a refresher on the status of the Elks’ free agents, along with a bit of history on what Jones did in his previous CFL stop as general manager in Saskatchewan from 2016 to 2018.
ELKS FREE AGENT TRACKER
| PLAYER | 2021 TIDBITS | STATUS | |
 |
ANDERSON, Nathan NAT/ DL / Missouri |
Spent the entirety of the 2021 season rehabbing an ACL injury. | Released 01/27/22 |
 |
BEDARD, Martin NAT / LS / UConn |
Joined the Elks Oct. 11 after injuries to starting LS Chad Rempel. | Released 12/28/21 |
 |
BETTS, Mathieu NAT / DL / Laval |
Played 13 games for the Elks, registering 12 defensive tackles. | PENDING FA |
 |
BOATENG, Kwaku NAT / DL / Wilfrid Laurier |
Played 12 games for Edmonton, registering 15 defensive tackles and a forced fumble. | PENDING FA |
 |
BROWN, Darrell AMER / OL / LA Tech |
Spent 2021 on the team’s suspended list. | PENDING FA |
 |
EDWARDS, Armanti AMER / WR / App. State |
Appeared in six games after being limited due to injury/illness. Recorded 16 catches for 31 yards. | Released 12/28/21 |
 |
ELLINGSON, Greg AMER / WR / Florida Int. |
Edmonton’s leading receiver with 687 yards on 47 catches. Recorded one TD in 10 games. | PENDING FA |
 |
HOOVER, Jordan NAT / DB / Waterloo |
Appeared in 13 games, recording 46 defensive tackles and five on special teams. One interception on the season. | Extended 01/11/22 |
 |
JONES, Mike NAT / WR / Southern |
Played 11 games for the Elks last season, registering 394 yards and a pair of touchdowns. | Extended 01/20/22 |
 |
MONCRIEF, Derrick AMER / LB / Oklahoma State |
Signed Sept. 7 after stint in the NFL. Went on to record 23 defensive tackles, including four sacks, in nine games. Edmonton’s most outstanding defensive player. | PENDING FA |
 |
O’DONNELL, Matthew NAT / OL / Queen’s |
Played all 14 games for the Elks on the offensive line. Named CFLPA All-Star. Edmonton’s most outstanding offensive lineman. | Retired 02/03/22 |
|
PERKINS, David AMER / DE / Illinois State |
Spent the 2021 season on the club’s suspended list. | Extended 01/26/22 |
 |
REMPEL, Chad NAT / LS / Saskatchewan |
Appeared in eight games before injuries ended his season. | PENDING FA |
 |
RENFROW, Justin AMER / OL / Miami |
Played eight games for the Elks, with seven starts at right tackle. | PENDING FA |
 |
ROGERS, SirVincent AMER / OL / Houston |
Limited due to injuries, playing three games for the Elks. | Released 12/28/21 Retired 01/28/22 |
 |
ROSE, Jonathan AMER / DB / Nebraska |
Played 13 games, recording 27 defensive tackles. | Released 12/28/21 |
 |
ROUYER, Maxime GLO / LB / McGill |
Limited this past season due to a toe injury that kept him out of the lineup. His lone appearance came Week 10 vs. Winnipeg. | Extended 01/06/21 |
 |
SIMMONS, Antonio AMER / DE / Georgia Tech |
Acquired for Trevor Harris Oct. 17. Played in nine games (five with MTL, four with EDM) collecting 14 defensive tackles and three sacks. | Extended 01/31/22 |
 |
SMALLS, Albert AMER / DB / N. Illinois |
Appeared Week 6 for the Elks vs. Calgary, recording one special teams tackle. Spent remainder of the season on suspended list. | PENDING FA |
 |
SMITH, Tevaun NAT / WR / Iowa |
In 13 games (10 starts) last season he recorded 324 receiving yards on 27 receptions. | Extended 01/20/22 |
 |
TUCK, James NAT / FB / York |
Appeared in all 14 games last season, registering one defensive tackle, four special teams tackles, plus 45 receiving yards. | Released 12/28/21 |
 |
VANDERVOORT, Daniel NAT / WR / McMaster |
Recorded three catches for 54 yards in 2021, with two of those receptions being touchdowns in Edmonton’s Week 14 game against Saskatchewan. | Extended 29/12/21 |
 |
WALKER, Derel AMER / WR / Texas A&M |
531 receiving yards on 44 catches in 11 games. | PENDING FA |
 |
WASHINGTON, Trumaine AMER / DB / Louisville |
His five interceptions were a personal best and were good enough to give him the league lead in picks, one of which he returned for a touchdown. | PENDING FA |
 |
WHYTE, Sean NAT / K / Santa Monica JC |
Went 28-of-32 on field goals while appearing in all 14 games. His 87.5 FG percentage was second in the CFL amongst starting kickers. Edmonton’s nominee for most outstanding special teams and Canadian awards. | PENDING FA |
 |
WILDER, James AMER / RB / Florida State |
996 total yards and three touchdowns in 2021. He finished third in CFL rushing yards (770) last season and was named the Elks’ most outstanding player. | Extended 01/24/22 |
 |
WILLIAMS, Terry AMER / RB / Kutztown |
Featured primarily as Edmonton’s return man in 2021. 240 yards on 34 punt returns, plus 493 yards on 27 kickoff returns. | Released 12/28/21 |
 |
WOODMAN, Josh NAT / DB / Western |
Inked with Edmonton in September last season. Played seven games and recorded one special teams tackle. | Extended 29/12/21 |
CHRIS JONES’ FREE AGENCY HISTORY
While Jones doesn’t have any history guiding the Elks through a free agency, fans can get a sense of what Jones’ approach may be based on his approach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2016 to 2018.
Here’s a high-level look at the moves Jones made over his previous three seasons as a CFL general manager:
- 2016 free agency
- Pending free agents: 31
- Free agents retained: 8
- Players signed on free agency opening day: 5
- Total players signed in first week of free agency: 14
- 2017 free agency
- Pending free agents: 22
- Free agents retained: 5
- Players signed on free agency opening day: 2
- Total players signed in first week of free agency: 11
- 2018 free agency
- Pending free agents: 22
- Free agents retained: 10
- Players signed on free agency opening day: 1
- Total players signed in first week of free agency: 6