The Hamilton Tiger-Cats started the 2023 free agency by signing proven playmakers to their offence and defence. On the first official day of free agency, the Tiger-Cats signed wide receiver Duke Williams, linebacker Chris Edwards, defensive back Javien Elliott, and wide receiver Llevi Noel. Williams and Edwards both come to the Tiger-Cats as established playmakers in the CFL.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the newest Tiger-Cats and see what each brings to Hamilton.
Duke Williams is a 6’2″, 225-pound receiver that is a four-year veteran in the CFL. Williams played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the last two seasons and the Edmonton Elks during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. In 2022, Williams played eight games for the Roughriders and produced 29 catches for 480 yards and four touchdowns. During his four years in the CFL, Williams has accumulated 180 catches for 3,059 yards and 20 touchdowns. Williams played collegiately at Auburn University and in five games for the Buffalo Bills during the 2019 and 2020 NFL seasons.
Former Argos strong-side linebacker Chris Edwards signs a one-year contract with the Tiger-Cats after helping Toronto win the Grey Cup in 2022. Edwards played with Toronto for two seasons; in 2022, he produced 36 tackles, two interceptions for touchdowns, and one forced fumble while playing in 13 games. Edwards also had four tackles and two sacks during the Argonaut’s run to the Grey Cup in the playoffs. During his CFL career, Edwards has played for Edmonton, BC, and Toronto and has accumulated 185 tackles, 9 interceptions, five of those interceptions for touchdowns, five forced fumbles, and four sacks while playing in 80 games.
Additional Free-Agent signings
In addition to the Tiger-Cats signing Williams and Edwards, Hamilton also signed former Stampeders defensive back Javien Elliott. The 5’10”, 185-pound Elliott started four games for Calgary during the 2022 season. During those four starts, he produced eight tackles. Before coming to the CFL, Elliott played college football at Florida State and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016. Elliott appeared in 36 games and had seven starts for Tampa Bay from 2016 until 2018. He accumulated 30 tackles, four for loss, one interception, and deflected two passes. In 2019, Elliott played in 16 games for the Carolina Panthers and produced 38 tackles, one for loss, one interception, and one deflected pass.
Hamilton also signed 31-year-old National wide receiver Llevi Noel. Noel comes to the Tiger-Cats after playing 11 games for the Elks during the 2022 season. Edmonton traded with the Ottawa Redblacks during the 2022 season in return for their seventh-round 2023 CFL Draft pick. In 2022, Noel had one catch for nine yards and six special teams tackles. Noel is a former USports athlete who played collegiately for the University of Toronto. The Toronto Argonauts selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 CFL Draft.
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David Tress
February 15, 2023 at 10:56 am
Duke Williams is arguably the best receiver in the CFL when he is healthy. He is worth $300,000 a year and is one of the few CFL players who has NFL regular season playing time. The Roughriders should have kept him.