Montreal has had a ton of turnover on defense, to combat this they have begun signing lesser known players that have high upside to try and fill these holes.

Darius Williams DB

Williams spent the 2021 season with Edmonton as a rotational player. He appeared in all 14 games picking up 30 defensive tackles, 6 special teams tackles, and 1 forced fumble. The 23 year old cornerback stands 5’10 195 lbs. He attended Carson-Newman College. Despite appearing in the East-West Shrine Game, and playing four years in college he wound up going undrafted in the NFL deciding to sign with Edmonton. In 41 games he racked up 179 tackles, 1 sack, 8 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries, showing he can be a capable player given the chance. 

Jarnor Jones DB

Jarnor Jones is the 6’3 209lb DB, is the kind of versatile playmaker you could see drop into coverage or sink into the box as an extra linebacker. He’s a physical freak, lining up at safety, CB, and linebacker depending on the situation.

After spending the 2019 and 2020 season under contract with Montreal he spent 2021 trying to latch on with the NFL participating in The Hub Football Camp, which hosted such names as former NFL players Brandon Marshall, and Jonathan Cyprien. He however didn’t latch on anywhere for the year, ultimately landing right where his career began. 

Jawuan Johnson LB

Jawuan Johnson joins Allouettes after spending 2019 season in the NFL on the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks. He would have an extremely busy 2020 season. First he played for the XFL’s New York Guardians, before the league shut down. Following the shut down he jumped to The Conquerors of The Spring League, before signing with The Ottawa Redblacks in December of 2020. He ultimately never appeared in a game for Ottawa before signing in Montreal. 

This group of guys is a perfect example of low risk high reward type signings. These guys are the type that will have to fight for a roster spot for the 2022 season with nothing gifted to them. They’re also the type of signings good teams make to attempt to fill holes created by free agency prior to the draft. There is always the potential Montreal readdresses these positions with direct competition in the draft. Only time will tell if they are able to stick with the Allouettes this season, let alone make a substantial impact.