2026 CFL free agent rankings: defensive backs

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

There is plenty of depth with this group and some marquee names as well. Though many are in the latter stages of their career, sometimes a veteran ballhawk is just what’s needed to push a defence over the hump.

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, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and linebackers. Check back tomorrow for our specialist rankings, as well as an updated top 50.

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 backs

1) Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Critics will argue that Dequoy isn’t quite the same player who captured back-to-back All-CFL honours in 2023 and 2024, but being a hair under the best in the league still makes you pretty damn good. The 31-year-old still possesses unique game-breaking ability for a Canadian safety, finishing with 34 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, three sacks, and a pick-six. Seeing the Ile Bizard, Que., native play anywhere other than Montreal might feel wrong, but it looks like an increasing possibility.

Photo courtesy: Edmonton Elks

2) Kobe Williams, Edmonton Elks (A)

Despite his diminutive five-foot-nine, 174-pound frame, Williams has established himself as a reliable boundary halfback over five seasons in the CFL. The Arizona State product was a constant on the Elks backend last season, amassing 54 defensive tackles and six more on special teams. Even with 66 games under his belt, the Long Beach, Cal., native is still only 27 years old and should have plenty of tread on the tires.

3) Jonathan Moxey, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Even at 30 years old, Moxey has proven that he can be effective as a field corner, finishing the 2025 season with the fifth-highest PFF grade at the position. The native of West Palm Beach, Fla., notched 40 defensive tackles, three interceptions, and a forced fumble for the top seed in the East Division, even if he was often overshadowed by Jamal Peters to the boundary.

4) DaShaun Amos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

One of the league’s most reliable takeaway artists, Amos snagged four more interceptions in 2025 to bring his career tally up to 20, while adding 45 defensive tackles. The 31-year-old brings a veteran presence to his field halfback spot and has now earned divisional all-star recognition with all three teams he’s played for: Calgary, Toronto, and Hamilton. He very well could make it four if he hits the market again.

5) Demerio Houston, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Off-the-field issues kept Houston out of the league for the first half of 2025, but he has since been cleared to return and started five games for the Bombers to end the year. The 29-year-old is just two years removed from an All-CFL campaign in 2023 where he led the league in interceptions, and has produced 14 picks in 50 career games. That type of production makes him worth consideration at cornerback.

6) Darrius Bratton, Free Agent (A)

The Toronto Argonauts hoped that Bratton would take the next step after two seasons in Edmonton when they signed him in free agency, but he was benched by the end of the year and eventually released. The 28-year-old did make 37 tackles in 16 starts, primarily at field halfback, and has a thick build at six-foot, 200 pounds that appeals to teams.

7) Devodric Bynum, Edmonton Elks (A)

Bynum showed a lot of promise in his rookie season with the Elks in 2024, notching five interceptions and establishing himself as a starter at cornerback. However, the 26-year-old was limited to five games by a chest injury last year and now finds himself on the outside looking in. Given his age, there is plenty of time to rebound with a change of scenery.

8) Deandre Lamont, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

The 27-year-old has been a jack of all trades, master of none during his time with the Redblacks, seeing action at safety, strongside linebacker, halfback, and cornerback at various points. For whatever Lamont’s limitations are, that versatility and his 41 games’ worth of experience are valuable commodities for teams searching for depth.

Photo: B.C. Lions/David Dermer

9) Jalon Edwards-Cooper, B.C. Lions (A)

The Texas A&M-Commerce product showed a lot of promise early in his career with the Lions as the yin to Garry Peters’ yang, but has since seen his impact diminished due to injury and has played just 12 games the last two years. The soon-to-be 29-year-old still offers veteran experience and the ability to contribute at both corner and halfback.

10) Terrell Bonds, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

The 29-year-old was starting to emerge as the cornerback that the Bombers had been missing, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in August that could jeopardize the start of next season as well. In 26 games with Winnipeg, the five-foot-eight, 185-pounder has made 46 defensive tackles with just one interception.

11) Ciante Evans, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Evans’ lone All-CFL season in 2017 feels like an eternity ago, but the 33-year-old can still bail you out at cornerback in a pinch — much like he did for the Alouettes last season. In nine games, he produced 18 tackles and graded out respectably, but is unlikely to be anyone’s first call due to his age.

12) T.J. Lee, B.C. Lions (A)

At 34 years old, Lee is a living legend, but he doesn’t seem to have any desire to retire and rest on his laurels. He also understands that he may have to wait around to be an emergency replacement option, much as he was for the Lions last year. The five-time all-star made five starts last year that happened to coincide with a massive B.C. winning streak, producing 31 tackles, a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble after getting the call late in the season.

13) Justin Howell, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Howell’s career-long battle with injuries has become more pronounced at 32 years old, but in a weak crop of National talent, he’s one of the few you’d be comfortable starting at safety in a pinch. The former seventh-round pick has carved out a respectable seven-year career for himself, and could have one last run in him.

2026 CFL free agent rankings: defensive backs

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