With free agency in full swing, I wanted to take a crack at the top 10 pass-catchers available on the prospective market.<\/p>\n
However, the more I went through the names listed for 2025\u2019s end-of-season club shopping spree, the more I realized this is a list full of interesting decisions, more than one chock-full of superstar names in high demand.<\/p>\n
RELATED There are tiers to these kinds of things. From superstar, to emerging standout, potential-filled underutilized weapon and rarely targeted newcomer, however you define the varying levels of performance and where you slot individuals, the reality is everyone has decisions to make in the coming months.<\/p>\n Obviously, as other names sign extensions and 2026 rosters begin to take form, the gravitational pull of quarterbacks like Trevor Harris<\/a> in Saskatchewan and Bo Levi Mitchell<\/a> in Hamilton will affect the market. The names below are those I increasingly believe have more to consider, and more at stake, than just a quarterback connection.<\/p>\n SHAWN BANE JR.<\/p>\n A talented receiver who has shown major explosive playmaking abilities, Shawn Bane Jr.<\/a> fell to an even more major injury in September of 2024. But he rallied back to play out the last four games of this season for the Grey Cup champion Roughriders.<\/p>\n You\u2019d expect Saskatchewan to give him a cautiously optimistic deal after just four catches in four games, but the flip side is that Bane Jr. has clearly displayed, when in the rhythm of a campaign, that he can be a game-breaker after he caught 93 passes \u2014 the Roughriders\u2019 eighth-best single-season total \u2014 for 1,104 yards in his first year with Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n Should he cash in now elsewhere, or trust the surroundings and attempt to grow back into the player he knows he can be?<\/p>\n BRALON ADDISON<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve long been a fan of Bralon Addison<\/a> for his multiple skill set, calm demeanour, resilience through injury and huddle presence.<\/p>\n I know Ottawa fans and coaches feel the same, but the question here for \u2018BA\u2019 is whether he trusts the plan in Ottawa with Dru Brown<\/a> and Ryan Dinwiddie, or if he could maximize his opportunities elsewhere and grow beyond being the change of pace or package player many people believe he\u2019s been in Tommy Condell\u2019s playacting the last couple years.<\/p>\n KURLEIGH GITTENS JR.<\/p>\n Certain times in Toronto were epic, and brief flashes of brilliance in Edmonton have flickered into existence through an inconsistent quarterback situation before Cody Fajardo<\/a> signed an extension earlier this week.<\/a><\/p>\n The question here for one of the game\u2019s best Canadian receivers is whether to stay and lean on the consistency of Fajardo, or dream big and wonder what else is out there to statistically run with the likes of the Philpots, Justin McInnis<\/a>, Kiondr\u00e9 Smith, etc.<\/p>\n TOMMY NIELD\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Young, up and coming, name notoriety after a massive playoff moment, and measurables that suggest there is plenty of unlocked potential available for Tommy Nield.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not a betting man, but if I was I would say the best days of Nield are still ahead of him, and now he needs to find a team who values his contributions to their scheme and can give him the chance to flourish.<\/p>\n DOMINIQUE RHYMES<\/p>\n Dominique Rhymes<\/a> knows he can be a top three CFL receiver. We\u2019ve all seen it between Ottawa and BC. But at times, as I was calling a Stampeders game this season, I began to wonder where he had gone.<\/p>\n The catch streak has been special, but I\u2019d rather see a player with his abilities have several big plays a game than limp to a consecutive game catch streak.<\/p>\n Is Calgary the best place for him to do that?<\/p>\n NIC DEMSKI<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Hometown heartstrings will pull, but so will offers and the potential idea of creating a \u2018next chapter\u2019 in a special career.<\/p>\n Zach Collaros<\/a> says he\u2019s back again next season, so I could see Nic Demski<\/a> running it back with the Bombers core on a one, or maybe two, year deal, but this might be the last one if Nic internally yearns for a new opportunity.<\/p>\n DALTON SCHOEN<\/p>\n Injuries, injuries and more injuries.<\/p>\n The game of professional football can be cruel, and it has been widely unfair to Dalton Schoen<\/a> since his stellar rookie CFL season. Is it time to swap out the scenery for a mental refresh? That\u2019s a tough ask for someone who has done so much rehabilitation work to get back on the field in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n STEVEN DUNBAR JR.<\/p>\n Hamilton to Edmonton, to Hamilton\u2026 to Edmonton.<\/p>\n In 2025 Steven Dunbar Jr. had CFL career lows in targets, yards and touchdowns. Is he a true number one receiver, a solid two, or an exceptional three? The answer to that will determine not only his paycheque in 2026, but his location of employment.<\/p>\n SHEMAR BRIDGES<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Kenny Lawler<\/a> is THE man, Kiondr\u00e9 Smith has an increased role, Tim White<\/a> is the 1B to Lawler\u2019s 1A IF he returns, which leaves Shemar Bridges<\/a> as a savvy and seasoned CFLer who could likely have a better role and more targets elsewhere.<\/p>\n The question here is whether Bridges\u2019 self-belief and urge to be more involved is stronger than his sense of Hamilton\u2019s Grey Cup potential, all of which likely rests on how delicious the theoretical offers coming in will be.<\/p>\n JUSTIN HARDY<\/p>\n All Justin Hardy does is produce catch after catch after catch. Hardy is a remarkably humble and down-to-earth person, which allows his game to speak for itself and it has for years in Ottawa.<\/p>\n
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