It didn’t take long for the Toronto Argonauts to sign one of the ten players on their annual winter negotiation list. The Argos announced on Tuesday the signing of rookie wide receiver Xavier Malone. The Henderson State standout spent time this summer and early fall with the Atlanta Falcons.

It’s an impressive signing by the Boatmen’s front office, considering the fact that Malone is still technically in the NFL cycle as a pro rookie. After all, It’s possible that he could end up back on an NFL roster before the 2024 CFL season arrives in June. However, getting Malone to sign with Toronto at this stage indicates that the player has a strong interest in joining the CFL as an Argo.

For a deeper dive into all ten of the Argonauts’ negotiation list players, You can check out this link here.

‘Zay’ Malone was Pro Football Focus’s highest-graded offensive player for Atlanta this preseason. He paced the team in receiving, averaging twenty yards per reception in three games played. The 5’9 pass catcher with 4.3 timed speed just missed the final cut in September before latching onto the Falcons practice squad. He would be elevated to Atlanta’s active roster in October.

 Xavier Malone brings a skill set that is largely missing from the Argonaut’s receiving corps. Although only 5’9, Malone has recorded 4.3 speed.

After two seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College, Malone transferred to Division 2 Henderson State, where he played from 2021 to 2022. In just 22 games for the ‘Reddies,’ Malone recorded 135 receptions for 2,352 yards and 18 touchdowns. It was enough to rank him third all-time at Henderson State in career receiving yards, fourth in touchdowns, and fifth in receptions.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS ADD ATLANTA FALCONS ROOKIE WR XAVIER MALONE

TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today they have signed American WR Xavier Malone.

Malone, 23, played one game for the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 after signing with the NFL team in May of this year. The 5’9, 180lb pass-catcher from Mississippi attended Henderson State University from 2021-2022, where he recorded 135 receptions for 2, 352 yards and 18 touchdowns while being named First Team All-Conference in 2022 and Second Team in 2021. The speedster who ran a 4.36 at his pro day attended Northeast Mississippi Community College from 2018-2020, tallying 40 receptions for 693 yards.