The 2024 season is upon us.
As is the case every year, there has been change in the Argos lineup. Several familiar faces have left, while a host of newcomers – some familiar, some not so much – have taken their places.
Argonauts.ca will provide a breakdown of this year’s Argonaut team starting with the offence. A look at the defence and special teams will be posted in the next couple of days.
QUARTERBACKS (4): Cameron Dukes will be the starter to begin the season, with a pair of veterans in support.
Cameron Dukes: Established himself as the primary backup in 2023 with some solid appearances in relief of Kelly, completing 66 percent of his passes. He started two games last season; a win in Ottawa, and a game in Winnipeg that the Argos were leading when he was lifted in the fourth quarter. Like Kelly, he rushed for eight TDs, one off the league high.
Bryan Scott: Slotted in to begin the year at QB3. He gives the Argos solid depth with a CFL season under his belt, combined with his background as a successful starter in USFL. In 2022 he was leading that league in passing yards and touchdowns before suffering an injury.
Nick Arbuckle: The veteran signed with the Argos on May 19, giving them additional experience at the position. Arbuckle was an Argo in 2021 before being traded to Edmonton. He played last year in Ottawa.
Chad Kelly: The league’s returning Most Outstanding Player has been suspended by the CFL for at least the first nine games of the season. Kelly threw for over 4,100 yards last year with 23 touchdowns against just a dozen interceptions. He also rushed for eight touchdowns, one behind the league leaders.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): One of the Argos main off-season priorities was to make sure the CFL’s best offensive line remained intact. That mission was accomplished as all five starters are back, as are two talented Canadian backups. Hunter, Ciraco, Nicastro, Allen, and Giffen have all signed deals beyond 2024.
The Argos allowed just 19 sacks last year, 14 fewer than Winnipeg’s second-lowest total of 33, while allowing the Boatmen to become one of the CFL’s most successful rushing teams.
Isiah Cage: There is little doubt about Cage’s ability, his only problem has been staying healthy. Last year he started a career-high 10 games for the Double Blue, plus the Eastern Final. The 6’3”, 313-pounder is slotted in as the starting left tackle once again. He arrived in Toronto in 2018 and is the only Argo left on the roster from that season.
Ryan Hunter: If Dejon Allen was the league’s best offensive lineman last year, then Hunter may have been the second best. The North Bay, Ontario native is a versatile veteran who could play any of the five positions along the line but is best suited for the interior. He was recognized for his outstanding play last year by being named a CFL all-star.
Darius Ciraco: His first year as an Argo and fifth in the CFL was the Burlington native’s best to date. Recognized for the first time as the league’s all-star centre, he agreed to remain an Argonaut by signing a multi-year deal just before the opening of free agency.
Peter Nicastro: Returned to form last year after missing the entire 2022 season with an injury. In 2021 he was named the Argos Outstanding Offensive Lineman and Most Outstanding Rookie and was also recognized that year as the East’s top rookie and all-star centre. He’ll be back at right guard this year.
Dejon Allen: In 2023 he was the best of the best. The league’s defending Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman can play either the tackle or guard spot on either side of the line but loves playing in space and has thrived at right tackle. He’ll be back at that position this year.
Gregor Mackellar: Mackellar started a dozen games for the Argos in 2022 but was relegated to a backup role last season. It wasn’t because of his play mind you, but the return of Nicastro and the addition of Ciraco saw the team’s first-round pick of 2022 get caught in a numbers game. He’s a valuable depth player who sees the field often on short-yardage situations when Hunter lines up as a tight end.
Dylan Giffen: Giffen has improved every year since the Argos selected him in the third round of the 2020 draft. At 6’8”, 325 pounds, Giffen is an important part of the team’s short yardage unit and like Mackellar, provides excellent depth.
Anthony Vandal: The team’s eighth-round pick in 2023 is a three-time RSEQ all-star, and a 2022 All-Canadian who can play either guard or centre. The 6’4”, 300-pounder played for new Argos running backs coach Dominic Picard at Sherbrooke.
John Bosse: The second of the Argos three third-round selections in this year’s draft. A giant of a man at 6’4”, 335 pounds, the University of Calgary product is in a great situation to learn from some of the best offensive linemen in the league.
RUNNING BACKS (3): The Argos lost a fan favourite to free agency in the off season but replaced him with the man who led the league in rushing two years ago. The team rushed for 113.7 yards per game last season and led the league with 30 rushing touchdowns, 10 more than second place Winnipeg.
Ka’Deem Carey: Carey joins the Argos from Calgary, where he was a two-time all-star before an injury limited him to 10 games last season. He led the CFL in rushing in 2022 with 1,088 yards and 10 touchdowns. Carey left Arizona as the leading rushing in school history, despite heading to the NFL after his junior season. The 31-year-old spent three seasons with the Chicago Bears before joining the Stampeders.
Dan Adeboboye: One of the team’s best special teams players showed he’s also capable of rushing the football at the pro level. He averaged 7.0 yards-per-carry last season to lead all CFL running backs with at least 20 carries (he had 41).
Deonta McMahon: An absurdly talented back at the NCAA level, the former McNeese State star will get the chance to compete for more carries this season, or perhaps an opportunity to show off his talents as a returner. He scored 3 rushing touchdowns for the Argos in limited action last year.
RECEIVERS (11): Bolstered by a pair of former Blue Bombers, it’s an excellent mix of experience and youth. The Argos arguably boast the league’s best group of Canadian receivers.
DaVaris Daniels: A veteran short-side receiver who recorded his first 1,000-yard season in ’23. Named an East Division All-Star last year, he averaged 19.4 yards per catch, second in the CFL only to teammate Damonte Coxie. He’s penned in as a starter this season.
Damonte Coxie: Had a breakout season with 787 receiving yards in just 14 games. He led the CFL with an average reception of 20.2 yards. Was recognized by TSN as having the CFL’s top play of the year, his one-handed, diving TD catch against the Alouettes in Montreal. He’ll start on the short side with Daniels.
Dave Ungerer III: Perhaps one of the league’s brightest surprises of 2023. The sure-handed Ungerer played the wide side wideout to near perfection, finishing with 579 receiving yards and catching 75.9% of passes thrown his way, fourth best among the CFL’s top 30 receivers.
Dejon Brissett: The Mississauga native re-signed with the Argos just before the free agency period. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft is ready for a bigger role with the departure of Kurleigh Gittens Jr. Last year he set career highs with 38 catches for 594 yards and tied for second on the team with 5 TD catches.
Tommy Nield: The McMaster product saw more playing time last season and didn’t look out of place. A physical receiver, he missed the first half of the season with an injury, but in the eight games in which he played he caught 32 passes for 384 yards. He’s also a major contributor to special teams.
Rasheed Bailey: A late February free agent signing, Bailey caught 46 passes for 508 yards and 6 touchdowns last year with Winnipeg. Not only is Bailey a top-flight pass catcher, but he’s an exceptionally good blocker. He’ll start in the “R” position, one of the slotbacks on the wide side of the field.
Richie Sindani: A big receiver at 6’2”, 220 pounds, Sindani was signed by the Argos last September. In the three games he played he caught eight passes for 90 yards. Entering his sixth CFL season, he provides experience and solid Canadian depth.
Justin Marshall: Another big body at 6’2”, 210 pounds, Marshall starred at the University of Buffalo after transferring from Louisville. He signed with the Argos in October last year after being released by Atlanta.
Kevin Mital: Among the most dominant U SPORTS receivers ever. The Argos made the Laval product the fifth-overall pick in this year’s CFL draft. Best suited to play inside, the team will look at him in the “R” receiver spot. He won the 2022 Hec Crighton Award winner as the best university player in the country. His last name is pronounced mee-TAHL.
Makai Polk: Comes to the CFL after NFL stops with the Ravens and Giants. In 2021 he led the SEC with 105 catches for Mississippi State, a school record. The 6’3” receiver finished with 1,046 receiving yards and 9 touchdown catches that year.
Janarion Grant: A speedster who will be the team’s primary returner, Grant will also provide a deep threat when used on offense. He’ll best be remembered in Toronto for a 102-yard punt return against the Argos in the 2022 Grey Cup game, and a remarkable touchdown on a punt return last year against Saskatchewan. He has eight return touchdowns in his CFL career.
FULLBACKS (2): A pair of veterans, both Ontario natives, will play the position this season.
Albert Awache: A hometown product and University of Toronto grad, he returns home after spending the first six seasons of his career in Saskatchewan. At 6’4” he provides a solid receiving option out of the backfield. His last name is pronounced ah-wah-SHAY.
Brandon Calver: A converted linebacker, the Laurier product provides a physical presence as a blocker, or tight end in short-yardage packages. The London native a solid special teams player.
