Photo courtesy: Steven Chang/B.C. Lions

It’s time to rank the CFL’s top pending defensive linemen ahead of free agency.

There are still some marquee names left unsigned in this class as we inch towards the opening of the market, though the most recognizable are also the longest in the tooth. That doesn’t necessarily preclude them from making an impact with a new team, however.

The league’s free agency communications window, often referred to as the legal tampering window, will be open from Feb. 1-8. During this time, all pending free agents will be allowed to negotiate with teams across the CFL without restrictions.

Some players will agree to terms on contracts with new teams during this time, though they can’t be signed until free agency officially gets underway on Feb. 10.

3DownNation has already ranked this year’s pending free-agent quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks, receivers, and offensive linemen. Check back tomorrow for our linebacker rankings.

These rankings were made based on feedback from 3DownNation contributors as well as CFL personnel people, who were granted anonymity.

Please note that “N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians), “A” denotes American players, and “G” denotes Global players.

Defensive tackle

1) Jake Ceresna, Edmonton Elks (A)

2025 was an uncharacteristically down year for Ceresna, who was limited to a career-low 16 tackles and one sack after commanding huge dollars to join the Elks’ defensive line. The 31-year-old appeared in just 11 games before undergoing season-ending surgery, but is on track for a healthy return for training camp. With 46 career sacks to his name and the unique inside-outside positional flexibility, the two-time All-CFL pass rusher is a safe bet to bounce back.

Photo courtesy: CFL.

2) Mike Rose, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

Rose could easily have topped this list and was more effective than Ceresna last year, notching 17 defensive tackles, six sacks, and a forced fumble for the eventual Grey Cup champions. However, the 33-year-old falls a spot behind due to the extra tread on his tires, not that it has held him back yet. The NC State product has managed 42 career sacks and three All-CFL selections since entering the league in 2017 with the Stampeders.

3) Anthony Lanier II, Toronto Argonauts (A)

The six-foot-five, 285-pound interior disruptor is on the back half of his career and is unlikely to recapture his 2022 peak, when he posted eight sacks in 11 games for Saskatchewan. However, the move to Toronto proved that the 32-year-old can still be effective, producing a respectable 30 tackles and three sacks.

4) Blessman Ta’ala, Ottawa Redblacks (G)

The first overall pick in the 2023 CFL Global Draft has quietly carved out a meaningful role for himself over three seasons in Ottawa, playing 472 defensive snaps last year. The native of American Samoa notched 16 tackles and four sacks, proving that he can be an effective rotational contributor. In an era where most teams are playing two Globals and dress eight defensive linemen, the 26-year-old has value.

5) Dylan Wynn, Montreal Alouettes (A)

The three-time East Division all-star’s days as a full-time starter have been over for several seasons, but Wynn has played quality minutes as a rotational contributor. In 14 games for the Alouettes in 2025, the 32-year-old recorded 20 defensive tackles and a sack — just his second in the past three seasons. The Concord, Cal., native could be a depth addition for a team lacking veteran experience.

6) J-Min Pelley, Toronto Argonauts (N)

The Calgary, Alta., native lacks the stamina to be an every-down player, but his raw power at six-foot-five and 350 pounds is unique for a Canadian defensive tackle. In 15 games last season, Pelley produced 12 tackles and two sacks — career highs for the 27-year-old. The former Calgary Dino may not have reached his peak, and provides valuable disruption.

Best of the rest: Charbel Dabire, Saskatchewan (N) | Joe Wallace, Free Agent (A) | Jamal Woods, Winnipeg (A)

Defensive ends

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders/Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards

1) Malik Carney, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

Carney doesn’t produce eye-popping sack numbers, setting a career-high with eight last season, and has yet to receive all-star recognition. However, his down-to-down consistency puts him in the category of elite pass rushers, and he finished last season as Pro Football Focus’ second-highest graded defensive end. The 30-year-old will be looking to cash in after playing a key role in the Riders’ Grey Cup victory, which appears to have put him at a stalemate with the team.

2) Habakkuk Baldonado, Saskatchewan Roughriders (G)

A product of Rome, Italy, Baldonado could be the first Global player to command substantial money in free agency. He secured 17 defensive tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble in rotational minutes last year in Saskatchewan, recording the sixth-best pass rush grade of any defensive end from PFF. At 26 years old, he is primed to take the next step into a full-time starting job.

3) James Vaughters, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Even though he’ll be 33 in June, Vaughters continues to produce at roughly the same clip as he did when arriving in the CFL as a raw rookie. The Stanford product has never produced fewer than five sacks and matched a career-high with six last year, all while putting up 36 defensive tackles and his first touchdown. He’s a reliable, veteran presence off the edge that probably won’t break the bank.

4) Derek Parish, Free Agent (A)

A surprise release by the Toronto Argonauts on Monday, Parish has been reasonably productive over his first two years in the CFL, collecting 55 defensive tackles and 11 sacks. The 27-year-old is reliable against the run and has some pass-rush upside, with plenty of time left to develop his game. That could make him a worthwhile depth addition for a team looking to beef up its rotation.

Photo: Aru Das/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

5) Lorenzo Mauldin IV, Calgary Stampeders (A)

The 2022 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player saw his production decline massively in 2025, finishing with 26 tackles and just two sacks after being traded mid-season from Ottawa to Calgary. However, the 33-year-old has continued to grade out relatively highly according to advanced analytics, suggesting that he could return to the mean in the right system. That could be worth one more “prove-it” contract for a player who has done that time and time again.

6) Shane Ray, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

The former NFL first-round pick will turn 33 in training camp and is coming off a season-ending injury, but showed flashes as a pass rusher when reunited with Corey Mace. Ray notched 14 tackles, five sacks, and a forced fumble in 13 games for the Green and White, nearly equalling his totals from before returning to the NFL, but would be best suited in a rotational role.

7) Bryan Cox Jr., Toronto Argonauts (A)

The market for Cox was softer than some anticipated last offseason, and that is unlikely to change after he missed the entirety of 2025 with a non-contact foot injury suffered during the preseason. The 31-year-old was coming off a career year in 2024, where he produced six sacks for Saskatchewan, but may have to wait for the musical chairs to play out this offseason.

8) Jonathan Kongbo, Edmonton Elks (N)

The former fifth overall CFL pick spent the entire 2024 season out of football, but returned in 2025 to set a new career high with four sacks. At 29 years old, Kongbo is what he is at this stage, but he has proven he can produce in a limited capacity as a rotational rusher. That has value as a Canadian, though he doesn’t do as much on special teams as you might hope.

9) Kene Onyeka, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Onyeka has had some success as a rotational pass rusher in the past, notching 11 career sacks, but he played only 38 defensive snaps all season last year, despite Ottawa’s struggles getting after the quarterback. The 29-year-old still managed to produce on special teams with 11 tackles and could do more if given the opportunity.

10) Benoit Marion, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)

Now a two-time Grey Cup champion, Marion is a size mismatch on special teams and set a new career-high in 2025 with 13 tackles in kick coverage. The 30-year-old offers very little defensive upside at this point, but is the type of depth body needed to flesh out a roster.

Best of the rest: Shawn Lemon, Montreal (A) | Thiadric Hansen, Toronto (G) | Daniel Joseph, Calgary (N) | Nigel Romick, Ottawa (N)