Preseason is almost over. Roster cuts will be due on Saturday, and then the real action gets going on June 6th. There has already been conversation about where each team will fall in the standings this year, but there seem to be some teams that people agree on. But where might each team fall in 2024? Here's the Pre-Week One Power Rankings.
#1: BC LIONS
Home Grey Cup year? Check.
Stacked roster filled with talent? Check.
Stable ownership situation with a guy who just brought in 50 CENT for their season opener? Check.
The coming season looks to be full of optimism for Lions fans, and for good reason. They have one of the best rosters in the league, a gunslinger quarterback, and a Grey Cup at home to add motivation. Overall, look for the Lions to be a force to contend with in 2024.
#2: WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
While they might not be the team to beat anymore in 2024, the Bombers will still be dominant. Look at their roster, with guys like Brady Olivera, Zach Collaros, Nic Demski, and Kenny Lawler, just to name a few.
The newly dubbed Princess Auto Stadium may once again prove to be a very tough place for teams to win with the largely unchanged Bombers looking to return to glory.
#3: MONTREAL ALOUETTES
The first eastern team on this list is the Grey Cup champions from 2023. No one believed in them last year, so how will they fare in the year when everyone knows they're a contender?
They may be the team everyone wants a shot at taking down in 2024. If they can shine through the pressure and become diamonds, next season may be another good one in the nest.
#4: SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
The new-look Riders seem to be the opposite of last year's disaster.
Under the leadership of newly-appointed head coach Corey Mace, Riders practices have been full of energy, competition and accountability. With new acquisitions like RB AJ Ouellette, RT Jermarcus Hardrick, Malik Carney, Jameer Thurman, and Ryan Sceviour, the Riders are looking to forget all about the misery of 2024.
#5: EDMONTON ELKS
"This is nice" said Edmonton fans everywhere after hearing the news of McLeod Bethel-Thompson signing with the Elks.
Edmonton fans are hoping it will be nice.
With McBeth in the backfield, along with Kevin Brown, Kurleigh Gittens Jr, Eugene Lewis, and Loucheiz Purifoy, the Elks can be a playoff-contending team in 2024.
They just need to stay out of their own way.
The Elks gave up FIVE turnovers in their game versus the Riders on Saturday, three of which went for touchdowns and one let the Riders kick the game-winning field goal. This wouldn't be a super major concern if they were both playing second stringers, but all three turnovers for touchdowns came in the first half, with the Elks starters playing the Riders prospects. Still, it's only preseason, but that may be a concern in 2024.
#6: HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
The TiCats NEED Bo Levi Mitchell.
If he can play to his glory days standards like he played for the Stamps, the TiCats might be even higher than #6 on this list. However, from the glimpses we saw last season of him before he went down with injury, he's going to need to be a lot better. He threw for 1,031 yards, with 6 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The rest of their roster looks solid, but we'll have to see how well Bo Levi fares.
#7: TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Oh, Chad Kelly.
This ranking is solely based on the quarterback play they will have for half the season. Cameron Dukes will start the first half of games for the Argos. He has what it takes to be a CFL backup quarterback, but can he execute as the starter? They can make the playoffs at 3rd in the east, but they won't do much better than that.
#8: OTTAWA REDBLACKS
They've been in purgatory for so long, and no one sees that changing this year.
They added some nice pieces in free agency, namely Dru Brown and Adarius Pickett. Does Brown have what it takes? It may be a rocky road for the first-year starter. Unfortunately for Redblacks fans, it doesn't seem like this year will be much different for them. Maybe one more win on their record this year?
#9: CALGARY STAMPEDERS
The league-wide consensus is that the Stamps will be the worst team in the CFL this year.
With Jake Maier at the helm, it may not be a great season for the Stamps. Quite a few Stamps fans are already done with Maier, despite him stepping into the starting role just two years ago. Their receiver situation leaves something to be desired minus Reggie Begelton, they released one of their best players in Jonathan Moxey, and they have a bit of an RB situation after free agent signing Jamal Morrow failed his physical. No one sees them reaching the playoffs in 2024.
By Bruce Chimirri-Olson
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