When the 2023 edition of Free Agency officially begins on Tuesday, February 14th, 2023, it will be all systems go for the nine teams in the Canadian Football League.  

Just like all teams during this time of the year, it is the most aggressive day for all clubs to either add onto their current respected rosters; or add more depth. In some cases, build their roster to have a more relevant season in 2023.

Building a relevant and or competitive team is exactly what the Edmonton Elks need to do heading into the 2023 CFL Season. With that said, here are six players the Edmonton Elks should take a strong look at to add to their current roster. 

MICAH AWE

Obtaining Micah Awe will be a depth move for the Edmonton Elks’ defence. Edmonton fans will say Micah Awe has not been the same in the last two seasons due to injury.

And yes, you’re right.

However, at the age of 29, he still has a few years left where he is still capable of contributing to the defence. Let us face it, if the last two seasons were horrible on the team record alone, the majority of that was the man games lost on any given week. Especially last season where the Elks lead the league in man-games lost.

Micah Awe is still one of the hardest hitters in the game. What he could bring is depth at Linebacker and relief for Adam Konar, Mathew Thomas (who also plays on the Defensive Line pending weekly injuries), along with Enock Makonzo.  

Either way, it will be a win-win situation as Micah Awe brings a wealth of experience to an Elks team. 

FRASER SOPIK 

If the Elks can sign Fraser Sopik, it would be the possible steal of a free agent signing. The product of the Western Ontario Mustangs is showing a lot of promise and growth in the CFL since he arrived playing for the Calgary Stampeders.

In 44 games thus far, Fraser Sopik has a career of 31 defensive tackles, 30 special teams tackles, 4 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles since arriving in 2019.

Not only is he young and productive, but he will also help out with the Candian Ratio. He is a player that can be part of a long-term solution for the future of the Edmonton Elks moving forward. Moreover, his vision when playing Linebacker will only be beneficial for a team that had many difficulties in stopping the run in 2022.

THOMAS COSTIGAN  

Thomas Costigan and Jake Ceresna had great chemistry on the defensive line on a really bad football team in 2023 while he was with the Edmonton Elks.

Having said that, he was traded to the Montreal Alouettes on August 31st, 2022 along with Defensive Back Nafees Lyon. In return, the Elks obtained Defensive Lineman Avery Ellis, along with a third-round draft pick.  

He will add valuable depth on the defensive line and will relieve some of the workloads off of the front seven as a whole. Furthermore, he has a lot of football left in him. At only 25 years old, he has all the tools to become a solid pass rusher in the CFL along with Jake Ceresna.

MARKEITH AMBLES

Since we covered three players that can bolster the Elk’s defence, let us focus now on adding some depth on the opposite side of the ball.

The Elk’s offence did look a lot better in the last 7 games of the 2022 season with which the likes of Taylor Cornelius improved as QB1, along with WR Dillon Michell, and RB Kevin Brown.

Having said that, Kenny Lawler will be off the books from his 1-year $300,000 contract as he will sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  

Enter Markeith Ambles. He is a consistent a very reliable player when it comes to the passing attack on the offence. Since coming to the CFL in 2018, his production has only got better statically. For a team that is looking to add onto the offence with a player that can be a clutch and explosive player, Markeith Ambles could do that for the Edmonton Elks.

CALEB EVANS 

Now Edmonton fans might not like this or think why.  

And that is true.

But let us look at what occurred in the 2022 season. Nick Arbuckle was unable to accomplish what he did wearing the Green and Gold and struggled to the point in which he was an interception machine. Add in where injuries occurred at the quarterback position in which Kai Locksley would come into relief (also playing wide receiver), Taylor Cornelius, and Tre Ford, were all on injured reserve for a substantial amount of time during the 2022 Edmonton Elks season. It got to the point where it was possible that Mike Beaudry would possibly start at the rate of the injuries that occurred for Edmonton at the QB position.

Caleb Evan still has a lot of work to do in his passing game, but his running ability is very much effective for an offence. He had a total of 16 rushing touchdowns in 2022. Most of that was in short yardage from inside the 10-yard line. With that said, Caleb Evans does have a good eye for when and where to attack the open space.

EUGENE LEWIS 

This is without a doubt the motherload for an Edmonton Elks signing. He will be one of the most highly sought players for the 2023 Free Agency period.

As reported by Marshall Ferguson via cfl.ca, it appears that Eugene Lewis will not be signing with the Montreal Alouettes.

The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native is most likely been at home after the 2022 Grey Cup in Regina, Saskatchewan with his family. Also factoring that his hometown Philadelphia Eagles are in the big dance tomorrow against the Kanas City Chiefs; Eugene Lewis will be at his cozy confines at home when the phones begin to ring.

There is not much that has to be said about the quality and athletic ability that Eugene Lewis brings to the table. He is a player that can change your franchise around, or be a piece to get you over the hump in winning a Grey Cup.  

If the Edmonton Elks are able to pull this one off, this would be a big splash for the team going into the 2023 season prior to the 2023 CFL Draft.

Let’s go Edmonton Elks fans. Antler Up! 

It’s an exciting time in Edmonton to see the Elks only move forward. Because after all, the only good thing about being at rock bottom is that you cannot go down any further. The only direction you can go is up.

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