Riders free agency: who’s in, who’s out, who to watch

As free agency is set to open Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. there’s a lot to watch in Riderville.

Many are keeping their eyes on star defensive end Willie Jefferson, who has yet to re-sign with the green and white. Meanwhile, all over the league people are watching to see where the marquee quarterbacks land, including Mike Reilly, Bo Levi Mitchell and Trevor Harris. All three could end up in new colours, come the start of the 2019 season.

Late Monday night it looked like Mike Reilly had already decided: Some sports reporters were on Twitter saying that Reilly has agreed to sign a four-year deal with the B.C. Lions, opting not to join the Roughriders.

Here’s a look at how free agency has shaped up for the Riders so far and what to watch going forward.

Who’s in?

The Roughriders got out of the gate early this free agency having signed running back Marcus Thigpen in November. Thigpen’s extension was announced the day after the Riders lost to Winnipeg in the west semi-final. His deal keeps him in green and white through 2019. Thigpen has been a dynamic piece for the Roughriders not only as a running back but as a returner and is known for his blinding speed on field.

Receiver Patrick Lavoie re-upped with the team in December. Lavoie joined the Roughriders in October in a trade deadline deal that brought both him and Alouettes teammate Philip Blake to Saskatchewan. Lavoie spoke highly of his time in Saskatchewan and came in to start on the offence just days after arriving. His deal keeps him in green through 2020.

The Riders solidified the team’s secondary by locking up Louchiez Purifoy through 2019. Purifoy joined the Roughriders midway through the 2018 season after being cut by the Redblacks and made an immediate impact. Purifoy played 10 games in green and white and collected 27 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles and three interceptions. He joins defensive backs Ed Gainey, Nick Marshall, Mike Edem, who re-signed in late January, and Crezdon Butler.

In December, hometown favourite Zack Evans sealed a deal that will keep him in Saskatchewan for a long time. The Regina, Sask. native, who attended O’Neill High School, inked a deal that keeps him here through 2022. Evans started his career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, joining the team as a territorial junior. The Roughriders lost Evans in the Redblacks expansion draft, but re-signed him last season. Evans always maintained he looked best in green.

Roughriders safety and defensive every-man Mike Edem signed his two-year extension at the end of January. Edem was a bit of a defensive chameleon, moving from safety to defensive back and even to linebacker at times. He had one of his best seasons in the CFL in 2018, notching a career-high 61 defensive tackles while adding 10 special-teams tackles, two tackles for loss and two interceptions. In the playoffs he added two defensive tackles and a quarterback sack. His deal locks him up through 2020.

Defensive tackle Makana Henry returns for another season with the green and white. Henry came to the Roughriders in 2016 under head coach Chris Jones and has spent all three of his CFL seasons in Riderville. The Toronto-native registered 15 defensive tackles and a quarterback sack while playing 10 regular-season games at defensive tackle. Henry provides vital Canadian depth on the defensive line and has signed a one-year extension.

A day before free agency opened, the Roughriders locked up Canadian linebacker Sam Hurl. Hurl is more than familiar with the green and white as he’s in his second stint with the team. The 28-year-old was originally drafted by the Riders in 2012 and was part of the 2013 Grey Cup champion team. He spent three seasons in Winnipeg starting in 2015 before returning to Saskatchewan last season. Beyond playing all 18 games at middle linebacker, Hurl is a solid special teamer. In 2018 he collected 41 defensive tackles, six special-teams tackles and two tackles for loss.

Who’s out?

One of the team’s biggest stars on defence won’t be back. Linebacker Samuel Eguavoen signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins. Eguavoen was set to be a free agent on Feb. 12 and the club gave him permission to try out for NFL teams ahead of that deadline.

Try out he did: Eguavoen had auditions with the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions before settling in Miami. Eguavoen had a stand out 2018 season, making 81 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and he scored two defensive touchdowns.

Jordan Williams-Lambert wasn’t even a free agent but he likely won’t be suiting up for the green and white this season. Williams-Lambert, the Riders most outstanding rookie and top receiver, filed a grievance under the CFL’s collective bargaining agreement to obtain an NFL option window; he won. He, like Eguavoen, had a series of NFL workouts before signing with the Chicago Bears. Though unlike Eguavoen, Williams-Lambert remains property of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and will be required to return if he doesn’t make it in the NFL.

The Roughriders had two retirements this off-season and neither were much of a surprise. The first was Drew Tate, who the Riders brought out of retirement as a back-up quarterback in the post-season when it became clear Zach Collaros wouldn’t be able to play. Tate retired again once the season was over and is now the quarterbacks coach for the B.C. Lions.

Marc-Olivier Brouillette also announced his retirement. The French-Canadian safety spent the last season and a half with the green and white. Brouillette is a lawyer – and will now turn to that full time.

The Roughriders also parted ways with receiver Kenny Shaw who signed a deal with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Who to watch?

The quarterback carousel. Big name free agents like Mike Reilly, Bo Levi Mitchell and Trevor Harris will all hit the open market. Travis Lulay, Zach Collaros and Jonathan Jennings are likely to do the same.

Where the first two land could drastically change the makeup of the team they sign with. It could also throw their former teams into the quarterback hunt as they search for replacements for marquee players. If Reilly has indeed signed with the Lions, expect an announcement from the team sometime Tuesday.

The Roughriders only have David Watford under contract when free agency opens, so look for them to be in on the action.

Where’s Willie? That’s the other big question for Saskatchewan Roughrider fans right now. He was the team’s most outstanding player and most outstanding defensive player in 2018. Jefferson is a game-changer, and likely a top priority for the Riders’ brass. Jefferson was close with former head coach Chris Jones and he’s said he’s going to look at his NFL options.

Fan favourite Naaman Roosevelt hasn’t signed a deal with the Roughriders yet, which has left a lot of people wondering if he’ll be back in green for 2019. Roosevelt struggled with injuries last season, playing 14 of 18 regular season games. However, the 31-year-old still remains a force when he steps out on the field. The Roughriders are already down Jordan Willams-Lambert in the receiving corps and will need to find some talent to fill the void if the club also loses the Buffalo, NY native.

Defensive lineman Tobi Antigha burst on to the scene during his 2017 rookie season and hasn’t looked back. Formerly a receiver, Chris Jones converted him to a defensive lineman and he’s been keeping defences guessing ever since. An Antigha signing could become even more important if Jefferson walks.