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January 30, 2025

CFL Free Agency Preview: Linebackers

EDMONTON, AB – Who will be racking up tackles in the middle of the Elks defence in 2025?

CFL Free Agency is quickly approaching with the festivities set to begin at 10:00 a.m. MT on Feb. 11.

To prime Double E fans for the weeks to come, GoElks.com has compiled a list of all the players currently under contract with the club, those whose contracts will expire on Feb. 11, and a list of the top CFL free agents at each position as compiled by the league.

For the fourth of the 2025 instalments in the series, we’ll take a look at the linebackers.

Currently under contract for 2025: Nick Anderson, DK Bonhomme, Michael Brodrique, Joel Dublanko, Clayton Isbell, Eteva Mauga-Clements, Olivier Muembi, Josiah Schakel, Jacob Taylor

Pending free agents: Les Maruo, Derrick Moncrief, Nyles Morgan

CFL top 30 free agents: Nyles Morgan (21) Edmonton Elks, Jameer Thurman (11) Saskatchewan Roughriders (extended), Wynton McManis (3) Toronto Argonauts

WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT & WHO’S AVAILABLE?

The heart of the Elks defence features a core group of returning players, including last season’s CFL Most Outstanding Rookie Nick Anderson.

The 25-year-old is fresh off one of the best first seasons by a defender in franchise history, leading the CFL in total tackles with 116 en route to being named to the All-CFL Team. He will be joined by a pair of former first-overall picks in Joel Dublanko (2024 CFL Draft) and Eteva Mauga-Clements (2024 Global Draft). Both players played a pivotal role on the Elks special teams last season and could be in line for expanded playing time with a full season of Canadian Football under their belt.

The returning group is rounded out by several other top CFL Draft picks including Michael Brodrique, DK Bonhomme, Olivier Muembi, Josiah Schakel, and Jacob Taylor — whom were all selected within the top 21 picks of the previous three drafts.

When it comes to the market, the Elks will have decision to make on two experienced CFL veteran in Nyles Morgan and Derrick Moncrief. Morgan has been a fixture of the Double E’s linebacking core for the last four seasons, with back-to-back 100+ tackle seasons under his belt. He is also one of the CFL’s top rated free agents, coming in at #21 in the CFL rankings.

Moncrief was the elder statesmen in the Double E’s linebacking core, but he provided a stabilizing presence in his 14-game return to the Green and Gold last season. The two-time West Division All-CFL linebacker racked up 50 tackles, three sacks, and an interception as the Elks defence made their second half improvements.

As far as potential replacements if either player were to reach free agency on Feb. 11, the top ranked linebacker available is two-time All-CFL and three-time Grey Cup Champion backer Wynton McManis – who slots in at #3 in the league rankings. The 30-year-old is expected to be one of the prizes of free agency after leading the Toronto Argonauts defence to a dominating performance in their Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg.