{"id":726086,"date":"2026-06-09T22:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T22:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/726086\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T22:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T22:10:14","slug":"zachs-scouting-report-collaros-top-6-defenders-to-play-against","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/726086\/","title":{"rendered":"Zach’s Scouting Report: Collaros’ top 6 defenders to play against"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros ranked the defences in the CFL ahead of kickoff of the 2026 season.<\/a><\/p>\n

This week, we\u2019re looking at Collaros\u2019 list of top defenders to play against. His list included shutdown defensive backs and versatile defensive linemen, some of whom he\u2019s already played against in the young 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n

As with Zach\u2019s other scouting report, he was asked to compile this list not including any of his teammates, and instead list defenders he\u2019s faced in game action.<\/p>\n

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\u00bb Zach\u2019s Scouting Report: Collaros ranks the CFL\u2019s defences<\/a>
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\u00bb\u00a0Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates<\/a><\/p>\n

FOLARIN ORIMOLADE | DEFENSIVE LINEMAN | CALGARY STAMPEDERS<\/p>\n

The first player Collaros mentioned was Folarin Orimolade<\/a>, the Stampeders defensive end. The five-foot-11, 235-pounder missed the second half of last season with a torn Achilles, but still tallied four sacks and 19 defensive tackles in 12 games.<\/p>\n

Orimolade didn\u2019t play in Week 1\u2019s contest against the Bombers, so Collaros didn\u2019t have to line up across from him, but he\u2019s likely to return to action soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can bend like no other,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cHe\u2019s low to the ground, he\u2019s fast, and he has a blend of everything that you want to see and then you layer on top of his effort, he just doesn\u2019t quit. To me, he\u2019s been very underrated over the years, because his sack totals have never been the top, probably, but he\u2019s always the guy who\u2019s affecting everything and you have to account for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

STAVROS KATSANTONIS | DEFENSIVE BACK | HAMILTON TIGER-CATS<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This weekend Collaros will face the next player on his top defenders list, Stavros Katsantonis<\/a>, when the Bombers host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cStavros is one of those guys,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cBecause I think he\u2019s very savvy, he\u2019s got speed to really cover a lot of ground from a defensive back standpoint.\u201d<\/p>\n

DAMON WEBB | DEFENSIVE BACK | CALGARY STAMPEDERS<\/p>\n

Damon Webb<\/a> was someone that Collaros says is hard to play against, and the Stamps defensive back proved the Bombers pivot\u2019s point in Week 1. Webb, in his second season in Calgary, tallied four tackles and two knockdowns in the contest against Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamon Webb<\/a> is a guy that you need to know where he\u2019s at because he\u2019s really savvy and he understands the defence they play really well,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cHe\u2019s a great player, a great talent. He played boundary halfback and now he\u2019s playing free (safety). He can play everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

WESLEY SUTTON | DEFENSIVE BACK | MONTREAL ALOUETTES<\/p>\n

Montreal Alouettes defensive back Wesley Sutton<\/a> is another player Collaros always accounts for, especially because of the defender\u2019s versatility.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s rangy,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cHe plays the middle of the field, sometimes he plays the boundary, they can pressure him. They use him in a myriad of ways that really can affect the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

MARCUS SAYLES | DEFENSIVE BACK | SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n

Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles<\/a> is tough for quarterbacks to play against because, according to Collaros, he can change his style of play depending on the offence he\u2019s playing.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarcus plays in that boundary, and he kind of plays a certain way versus some teams and he plays a certain way versus other teams,\u201d Collaros said. \u201cIt makes it really difficult for the quarterback.\u201d<\/p>\n

MALIK CARNEY | DEFENSIVE LINEMAN | EDMONTON ELKS<\/p>\n

Turn over on downs#GoElks<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/KqEqMjr91c<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) June 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Malik Carney<\/a>, who signed with the Edmonton Elks as a free agent this off-season, was next on Collaros\u2019 list. Since he joined the CFL in Hamilton (2021-2023), and then went on to play for two seasons in Saskatchewan, Carney has been known for his versatility. He\u2019s athletic enough that he can drop into coverage or rush the quarterback, making it difficult for anyone playing against him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ask the offensive line, they probably tell you that he\u2019s one of those guys you really got to prepare for,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cIf he\u2019s on one side by himself and trying to get you to slide the other way, it\u2019s probably something you don\u2019t want to do, because he can really wreck a game. He\u2019s done it a bunch in his career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Collaros also said his team has two defensive linemen that, like Carney, other teams really need to plan for and keep an eye on in Jake Ceresna<\/a> and Willie Jefferson. Both had excellent Week 1 performances: Ceresna tallied three sacks while Jefferson had a sack and two knockdowns.<\/p>\n