{"id":164320,"date":"2025-09-23T17:39:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/164320\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T17:39:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:39:12","slug":"highlighting-the-leagues-best-performers-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/164320\/","title":{"rendered":"Highlighting the league\u2019s best performers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The CFL season is heating up, and each week, we\u2019re diving into the numbers to spotlight the league\u2019s top performers.<\/p>\n

Thanks to consistent demand from fans, we\u2019re bringing you the top 10 highest-graded CFL players who played significant snaps, based on PFF\u2019s grading system.<\/p>\n

From quarterbacks dissecting defenses to defensive linemen wreaking havoc in the trenches, these are the athletes who stood out above the rest in Week 16. We’ll be highlighting this group every week of the season, so CFL fans can keep track of the top-tier talent making an impact across the league.<\/p>\n

Want to dig deeper into the data? Click here for full season-level PFF grades across the CFL.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Grading Highlight of the Week: RB Zander Horvath, B.C. Lions<\/p>\n

Heading into last weekend, B.C. Lions<\/a> rookie running back Zander Horvath<\/a> had just one carry on the season \u2014 a 4-yard rush back in Week 5. But with starter James Butler sidelined due to injury, Horvath stepped into the spotlight and delivered in a big way.<\/p>\n

The rookie exploded for 156 yards on 13 carries, including a 70-yard touchdown run, and finished as PFF\u2019s highest-graded running back of the week. Still, his overall grade came in at a solid \u2014 but not elite \u2014 79.7. So why the discrepancy?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the positives. Horvath earned an impressive 89.3 rushing grade, forcing three missed tackles and averaging a staggering 10.3 yards after contact per attempt. He gained positive yardage on every carry and even had a 36-yard run with two broken tackles wiped out by a penalty. As a pure runner, Horvath was exceptional.<\/p>\n

Where Horvath\u2019s overall grade dipped was in the other phases of the game. PFF evaluates running backs across four key areas: rushing, receiving, pass blocking and run blocking. While Horvath excelled as a rusher, the rest of his performance dragged down his composite grade.<\/p>\n

He ran 22 routes but was targeted just once and dropped that lone opportunity. That single drop across so many receiving snaps resulted in a 39.1 receiving grade.<\/p>\n

In pass protection, Horvath stayed in to block on four snaps. Although the sample size was not large, he allowed a quarterback hurry on one of them, which earned him a 49.1 grade in that area. He did not earn a formal run-blocking grade, as his only blocking reps came on quarterback sneaks, leading to a default grade of 58.8.<\/p>\n

Altogether, Horvath posted grades of 89.3 (rushing), 39.1 (receiving), 49.1 (pass blocking) and 58.8 (run blocking). Rushing performance carries the most weight in a running back\u2019s overall grade, with receiving and pass protection factored in to a lesser degree. That explains why his final mark of 79.7 reflects a strong but not elite showing \u2014 an outstanding game on the ground, offset by struggles elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Quarterback<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeNathan RourkeB.C. Lions4493.4Dru BrownOttawa Redblacks6284.4P.J. WalkerCalgary Stampeders2078.5Bo Levi MitchellHamilton Tiger-Cats6169.1McLeod Bethel-ThompsonMontreal Alouettes5265.0Cody FajardoEdmonton Elks5162.7Chris StrevelerWinnipeg Blue Bombers4659.5Jarret DoegeToronto Argonauts5558.5Vernon Adams Jr.Calgary Stampeders3133.3<\/p>\n

Running Back<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeZander HorvathB.C. Lions4679.7Stevie Scott IIIMontreal Alouettes5668.2Justin RankinEdmonton Elks4566.2Brady OliveiraWinnipeg Blue Bombers4665.4Greg BellHamilton Tiger-Cats6065.0Dedrick MillsCalgary Stampeders5262.7Daniel AdeboboyeOttawa Redblacks4059.4Spencer BrownToronto Argonauts5359.3<\/p>\n

Wide Receiver<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeKeon HatcherB.C. Lions4890.9Justin McInnisB.C. Lions4874.9Eugene LewisOttawa Redblacks5873.7Tevin JonesCalgary Stampeders6172.8Justin HardyOttawa Redblacks6271.0Tim WhiteHamilton Tiger-Cats6171.0Tyler SneadMontreal Alouettes5370.0Kiondre SmithHamilton Tiger-Cats6268.1Kurleigh Gittens Jr.Edmonton Elks5167.6Jake HerslowToronto Argonauts5565.4<\/p>\n

Offensive Tackle<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeDino BoydOttawa Redblacks6267.4Quinton BarrowHamilton Tiger-Cats6266.9Drew DesjarlaisOttawa Redblacks6265.1Brett BoykoEdmonton Elks5263.0Kendall RandolphWinnipeg Blue Bombers4662.9Stanley BryantWinnipeg Blue Bombers4661.6Jamar McGlosterMontreal Alouettes5659.9Nick CallenderMontreal Alouettes5859.8Chris SchleugerB.C. Lions4859.5Martez IveyEdmonton Elks5258.4<\/p>\n

Offensive Guard<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeJacob RubyOttawa Redblacks6272.6Donald VentrelliMontreal Alouettes5664.8Sam CarsonOttawa Redblacks6264.7Pier-Olivier LestageMontreal Alouettes5863.7Patrick NeufeldWinnipeg Blue Bombers4663.7Christy NkanuCalgary Stampeders6263.5Brandon RevenbergHamilton Tiger-Cats6263.0Carter O’DonnellEdmonton Elks5260.9Zack WilliamsCalgary Stampeders6260.1Liam DobsonHamilton Tiger-Cats6259.9<\/p>\n

Centre<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeDavid BeardEdmonton Elks5270.0Coulter WoodmanseyHamilton Tiger-Cats6266.5Peter GodberOttawa Redblacks6265.8Christopher FortinCalgary Stampeders6264.9Chris KolankowskiWinnipeg Blue Bombers4658.0Peter NicastroToronto Argonauts5556.7Michael CoutureB.C. Lions4855.7Justin LawrenceMontreal Alouettes5846.4<\/p>\n

Interior Defender<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeJonah TavaiB.C. Lions3285.9Jaylon HutchingsCalgary Stampeders4077.3Anthony Lanier IIToronto Argonauts5574.8Mustafa JohnsonMontreal Alouettes4073.7Tomasi LaulileB.C. Lions3072.9Nathan CherryB.C. Lions2970.3Miles FoxHamilton Tiger-Cats2568.8J-Min PelleyToronto Argonauts3866.0Dylan WynnMontreal Alouettes2665.6Ricky CorreiaToronto Argonauts3964.3<\/p>\n

Edge Defender<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeAndrew Chatfield Jr.Toronto Argonauts3888.9Clarence HicksCalgary Stampeders3980.0Julian HowsareHamilton Tiger-Cats5279.4Isaac Adeyemi-BerglundMontreal Alouettes5073.2Levi BellB.C. Lions3871.7James VaughtersWinnipeg Blue Bombers5470.6Derek ParishToronto Argonauts3470.6Mathieu BettsB.C. Lions4469.7Lorenzo Mauldin IVOttawa Redblacks2866.5Brandon BarlowEdmonton Elks5366.0<\/p>\n

Linebacker<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeAdarius PickettOttawa Redblacks4685.3Jovan Santos-KnoxOttawa Redblacks3782.0Tyrice BeveretteMontreal Alouettes5573.9Reggie StubblefieldHamilton Tiger-Cats5173.4Najee MurrayMontreal Alouettes5571.2Tony JonesWinnipeg Blue Bombers5970.1Micah AweB.C. Lions5768.1Kyrie WilsonWinnipeg Blue Bombers4668.0Ben HladikB.C. Lions2067.7Darnell SankeyMontreal Alouettes5567.2<\/p>\n

Cornerback<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeLorenzo BurnsMontreal Alouettes5272.5Jonathan MoxeyHamilton Tiger-Cats5170.1J.J. RossEdmonton Elks6270.1Tyrell FordEdmonton Elks6269.9Garry PetersB.C. Lions6069.7Shakur BrownOttawa Redblacks4665.3Demerio HoustonWinnipeg Blue Bombers6265.0Kabion EntoMontreal Alouettes5564.9Jamal Parker Jr.Winnipeg Blue Bombers4463.5Dexter Lawson Jr.Winnipeg Blue Bombers2862.7<\/p>\n

Halfback<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeWesley SuttonMontreal Alouettes5579.0Deatrick NicholsWinnipeg Blue Bombers6178.4Jackson FindlayB.C. Lions5574.4Evan HolmWinnipeg Blue Bombers6273.9Deandre LamontOttawa Redblacks4673.4Tarvarus McFaddenToronto Argonauts5870.8Kobe WilliamsEdmonton Elks6270.1DaShaun AmosHamilton Tiger-Cats5266.7T.J. LeeB.C. Lions6265.5Darrius BrattonToronto Argonauts5864.9<\/p>\n

Safety<\/p>\n

NameTeamSnapsOverall GradeKordell JacksonEdmonton Elks6277.5Marc-Antoine DequoyMontreal Alouettes5576.4Jackson FindlayB.C. Lions5574.4Deandre LamontOttawa Redblacks4673.4Derek SlywkaToronto Argonauts5571.9Cam AllenWinnipeg Blue Bombers6260.2Stavros KatsantonisHamilton Tiger-Cats5154.9Damon WebbCalgary Stampeders4852.9<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The CFL season is heating up, and each week, we\u2019re diving into the numbers to spotlight the league\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":164321,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[49,48,521,522,520,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-164320","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cfl","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-canadian-football-league","11":"tag-canadianfootballleague","12":"tag-cfl","13":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=164320"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/164320\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/164321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=164320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=164320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=164320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}