This article is part of our Team Previews series.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2018 record: 8-10, lost to Redblacks in Division Final
Head coach: Orlondo Steinauer - first season
Key Additions
Cameron Marshall, RB (from Roughriders)
Notable Departures
Alex Green, RB (released)
John White, RB (to Lions) Jalen Saunders, WR (released)
Terrence Toliver, WR (not re-signed)
Chris Williams, WR (not re-signed)
Returning Fantasy-Relevant Players
Jeremiah Masoli, QB
Sean Thomas-Erlington, RB
Brandon Banks, WR
Mike Jones, WR
Luke Tasker, SB
Fantasy Outlook
The Tiger-Cats will hope that Jeremiah Masoli can build on his career-best 2018 campaign, one that saw him throw for 5,209 yards and a career-high 28 touchdowns. Masoli supplemented that production with 473 rushing yards and another pair of scores, and his dual-threat capability should once again render him a top fantasy option. He'll certainly be aided by the returns of Brandon Banks and Luke Tasker as two of his top targets, even as both look to return from injuries. Meanwhile, the backfield will be an interesting area to track, as neither holdover Sean Thomas-Erlington nor offseason acquisition Cameron Marshall are locks to hold on to the top job for the duration of the season. The division of labor may ultimately end up pretty evenly split, making it a potential fantasy dilemma week in, week out.
Ottawa Redblacks
2018 record: 11-7, lost to Stampeders in Grey Cup
Head coach: Rick Campbell - sixth season
Key Additions
Jonathon Jennings, QB (from Lions)
Caleb Holley, SB (from Roughriders)
Notable Departures
Travis Lulay (to Eskimos)
William Powell, RB (to Roughriders)
Greg Ellingson, WR (to Eskimos)
Diontae Spencer, WR (released)
Returning Fantasy-Relevant Players
Dominique Davis, QB
Mossis Madu, RB
Noel Thomas, WR
Brad Sinopoli, SB
Dominique Rhymes, SB
R.J. Harris, SB
Fantasy Outlook
The Redblacks saw a significant chunk of last year's offense depart this offseason when QB Travis Lulay, RB William Powell and WR Greg Ellingson all went elsewhere, and the dynamic Diontae Spencer was released to pursue NFL opportunities. From a fantasy perspective, the issue is that those players weren't necessarily replaced with anyone near their skill levels, although Caleb Holley does have plenty of speed and could enjoy an expansive role in the new-look passing attack. Brad Sinopoli, who produced a career-best 116-1,376 line in 2018, could be even more of a focal point in the air attack as well. However, the success of the wideouts will naturally be heavily dependent on the development of signal-caller Dominque Davis, who has massive shoes to fill in the wake of Harris' departure.
Montreal Alouettes
2018 record: 5-13
Head coach: Khari Jones - first season
Key Additions
Jeremiah Johnson, RB (from Lions)
DeVier Posey, WR (from Argonauts)
Jake Wieneke, WR (draft)
Notable Departures
Drew Willy, QB (released)
Adarius Bowman, SB (released)
Ernest Jackson, WR (released)
Returning Fantasy-Relevant Players
Antonio Pipkin, QB
Vernon Adams Jr. QB
William Stanback, RB
T.J. Graham, WR
B.J. Cunningham, SB
Eugene Lewis, SB
Fantasy Outlook
The Alouettes seemingly have nowhere to go but up after last year's disastrous season. However, they'll return much of the same personnel, although further development is expected from promising young players such as QB Antonio Pipkin and RB William Stanback. The latter makes for an especially intriguing fantasy prospect, considering he put on an ultra-efficient display last season while averaging 6.7 yards per rush and 12.5 yards per grab on his 25 receptions. On the pass-catching front, B.J. Cunningham should once again enjoy a prominent role, perhaps even more so now that both Ernest Jackson and Adarius Bowman were shown the door this offseason. T.J. Graham and Eugene Lewis, the latter who racked up a team-high 827 receiving yards in 2018, should also see plenty of targets, but Pipkin's play under center will naturally be key.
Toronto Argonauts
2018 record: 4-14
Head coach: Corey Chamblin - first season
Key Additions
Derel Walker, WR (from Eskimos)
Tyrell Sutton, RB (from Lions)
Chris Rainey, RB/KR/PR (from Lions)
Notable Departures
Ricky Ray, QB (retired)
Duron Carter, WR (to Lions)
Returning Fantasy-Relevant Players
James Franklin, QB
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, QB
James Wilder, RB
Brandon Burks, RB
S.J. Green, SB
Armanti Edwards, SB
Fantasy Outlook
The Argonauts decided an infusion of talent on the offensive end was necessary after an abysmal 4-14 showing last season, and the team largely accomplished that goal by bringing in Derel Walker, Tyrell Sutton and Chris Rainey into the fold. Each should have varying degree of importance in the offense, although James Wilder still figures in as the lead dog in the backfield for fantasy purposes. He could lose occasional carries to both Brandon Burks and Sutton, however, who could arguably start on other squads. Walker, S.J. Green and Armanti Edwards could make for one of the most dynamic pass-catching trios in the CFL, although their success will naturally be tied into the play of either James Franklin or McLeod Bethel-Thompson under center. Both players had their moments last season, and preseason usage seems to imply that it will be the latter getting the starting nod to open the 2019 campaign.
