Edmonton Elks top 25 players: Ranking the roster before Week 12

There’s been no lack of impressive performances from the Edmonton Elks through their first 11 games of the season. They’ve been somewhat of a surprise, going 7-3, holding the top spot in the West Division, scoring the fourth-most points per game offensively, and allowing the fewest against per game.

Led by quarterback Cody Fajardo, the offence is flying on all cylinders, with the fourth-most passing yards and rushing yards per game. The defence has been stingy, holding opposing teams to the third-fewest rushing yards against per game and the fifth-fewest passing yards against per game. Where the defence has made their mark, however, is in creating turnovers, leading the league with 16 interceptions.

Ahead of Friday night’s matchup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, let’s look at the Edmonton Elks’ 25 best players so far this season.

1. Tyrell Ford:

I think he’s been the best Edmonton Elk this season, and he’s in the running for Defensive Player of the Year, tied for the lead league in interceptions. It was kind of a slow start to the season, but he’s quickly proven he’s still the best field corner in the CFL.

2. Vincent Blanchard:

It’s always a little lame to put a kicker this high on these lists (sorry Vincent), and as I read back this ranking to myself, even I was like “Really man?”, but he has been lights out for the Elks this season. 29/31 on field goals with a long of 57 that walked off the game in Mosaic Stadium in Week 8. He has arguably been the Elks’ most consistent offensive player this season, even if it’s not always the most exciting, and that’s why I have him THIS high on this list.

3. Carter O’Donnell:

Putting a guard this high on a list is always something you do to prove you have ball knowledge. Because even if you don’t and you put a guard this high, anyone reading it would be like, “Wow, he must really be seeing something I’m not seeing.” I hope that’s not the case here with me, but to my eye he’s been the best OL for this team so far this season. He’s obviously missed some time due to injury, and he and Brendan Bordner both didn’t have a banner day last week against Toronto, but the Elks’ reliance on him in the running game with the amount of inside runs they run has been huge. He’s also been beyond solid in pass pro, though obviously drawing less tough assignments than tackles generally speaking. 

4. Cody Fajardo:

He’s second in the league in passing yards and is doing it at a 71.4 per cent completion percentage, which is basically his career average, but a very good clip. He’s also the ultimate dog and leader.

5. Austin Mack:

He’s third in the league in receiving yards, second in receiving touchdowns, and leads the Elks in targets and receptions. He’s everything we were told he would be when he came over in free agency. 

6. Kordell Jackson:

He’s the ultimate utility man, playing three positions for the Elks. he leads the Elks in tackles, tackles for a loss, and is tied for the lead in fumble recoveries, in addition to having two interceptions and a forced fumble this season. 

7. Justin Rankin:

There’s no question he’s slowed down since their fifth game of the season in Week Six. He has more yards rushing in his first three games of the season than in the last seven. But even when the totals may not be the most impressive, he seems to always find a way to make an impact in moments it really matters. And I don’t think the playcalling always benefits him.

8. Noah Taylor:

I think he’s been the best DL for the Elks this season. The four sacks are obviously the most impressive part of his season, but his speed off the line and ability to make it uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks is where he really thrives. There are a lot of stats that don’t show up in traditional box scores that only show up in PFF stats such as pressures and hurry rate, and that’s where he excels. He’s been the best DL (so far) for a second straight season.

9. Malik Carney:

Just a shade behind Taylor I’ll have Malik Carney. His numbers are actually mostly better — more tackles, more tackles for losses, more fumble recoveries, and also four sacks. I think you feel Taylor more consistently, which is why I gave him the edge. 

10. Jake Julien:

Again, it’s so lame to put punters on this list (sorry Jake), but it’s deserved. He actually could probably be higher. He’s third in the league in punting average, but the two guys ahead of him (both in Toronto) have combined for nearly 20 fewer punts than he has. He’s had some wobblers, but more often than not he can flip the field.

11. Joel Dublanko:

I’ve never seen someone who loves tackling as much as he does. Guy’s a monster.

12. Kobe Williams:

I think he’s been the most underrated player for the Elks this season. Whether it’s sure tackling, pass breakups or hand-on-hip coverage, he’s been lights out. I think he has been the Elks’ best DB for at least four or five weeks until Tyrell Ford really exploded with the season he’s had. Obviously, I had Kordell Jackson higher than him as well, who’s spent the majority of his time at defensive half-back, but semantics aside, I think Williams has been so, so good. I almost wish I had put him higher.

13. JJ Ross:

He’s just like if you could build a defensive back in a lab. Three picks, two forced fumbles, and 32 tackles. I kind of wish I had put him higher too, but it gets to the point where it’s hard to pick between guys.

14. Jared Brinkman:

Nothing about Brinkman’s statline this season is going to really blow your hair back, but similar to Williams he’s quietly been so so so solid. Rarely makes a mistake, and always does the right thing.

15. Nick Anderson:

Anderson’s in a weird spot. I actually think you could make the argument he’s the most purely talented player on this team. But he’s also only played four games, and best ability is availability.

16. DK Bonhome:

He’s tied for third in the league in special teams tackles, and when you watch the Elks coverage units, he is always involved in some capacity. There’s also something to be said for “If you were starting a team and all 25 of these players were available, would you probably take the other 24 over him?” And yeah, maybe you would. Is he the 15th best player on this team in a vacuum? Probably not. But that’s not what this is about. This is about him fulfilling his role. Special teams is a wildly important part of the game. Ask any coach, and they’ll tell you. He fills that role the best on this team. 

17. TJ Luther:

Such an easy Rookie of the Year call for this team. He’s emerged in recent weeks as such a “go-to” guy for Cody Fajardo. There’s really nothing not to like about his game, outside of some drops. Which, to be fair, is a huge knock against a receiver, but he finds soft spots in zone, he’s got a bit of a bag in regard to yards after the catch capability, and for his size, I think he has an underrated catch radius.

18. Kenny Logan Jr.:

Another ultimate utility guy in the realm of Kordell Jackson. I think he’s really so much better than the 17th best player on his own team, which makes me realize how much of a testament this is to the Elks talent. One thing I love about his game is that he’s a patient blitzer. 

19. David Beard:

With how improved this offensive line has been this season you could make an argument that the next OL behind Carter O’Donnell should have been higher than 18. But again—testament to this team’s talent. I think he’s also clearly been the second best OL. I like Mark Korte a lot, but I thought there was a noticeable difference when it was him vs Beard at centre. 

20. Javon Leake:

Again, nothing about his stat line is necessarily going to jump off the page at you. He’s middle of the pack in regard to most punt and kick return yardage stats, but he is getting over 10 on every punt return on average. That’s a first down, and the coach will take that all day. He’s averaging about six yards a carry, but most of the time he’s come in on offence; it’s been an immediate impact. I also think they’ve had the most success in play action when he’s been in the backfield. And any double-back sets seem to warrant results as well. He forces defences to have to worry about him when he’s out there, and more specifically when he’s out there with Rankin.

21. Chelen Garnes:

Garnes has been a really good player. Was their rookie of the year nominee last season for a reason. Really solid stat line this season. A lot of people might tell you he deserves to be higher than 21. Probably right.

22. Dariel Djabome:

He had a horror of a first start this season in Week 5 against the BC Lions. Since then, he has ascended every week. His first step has improved leaps and bounds since that game.  Something about linebackers on this team who love to tackle. I get that that’s the job of a linebacker, but the linebackers on this team are really committed, and Djabome follows that mould. You see why the Elks were so high on him and drafted him 3rd overall in this past year’s draft.

23. Brendan O’Leary-Orange:

I would make the argument he’s the most reliable receiver on this team. His target to reception ratio would support that. I mentioned this for TJ Luther, but with Brendan O’Leary-Orange I think it’s at another level – he has the best catch radius on the team. And he is so reliable on any second and like seven. Brings the ball right into his chest.

24. Jordan Murray:

I like Jordan Murray. Had some really good pass blocking sets. Had a couple he’d probably want back. Pretty much everyone has. 

25. Cam Carter:

Now this may be the one that has everyone scratching their heads – and this may be the one that proves that I don’t know ball. Because Cam Carter is no longer on the active roster after coming in for Coulter Woodmansey following his Week 1 injury. He is very much back down on the practice squad. But I thought he played well when he was up here – not to the level of Carter O’Donnell, or a healthy Coulter Woodmansey, but I thought he played very well. Obviously I’m missing something because he’s not playing anymore, but as I said – I thought he played very well when he was here.