CFL franchises continued building their rosters in the days leading up to the March 27-29 Edmonton Combine, with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and several other clubs confirming transactions that reflect the final phase of pre-draft roster shaping.

Hamilton added three players to their defensive unit: lineman Brandon Bowen, lineman Charbel Dabire, and defensive back Stephen Douglas. The Tiger-Cats' off-season has been oriented around defensive depth, with the Tre Ford and Wynton McManis signings on offense already confirmed from the February 10 free agency opening. The defensive additions reflect the organization's evaluation of where they need bodies ahead of a combine process where interior linemen and defensive backs are traditionally the deepest position groups.

Elsewhere in the league, the Montreal Alouettes confirmed the signing of wide receiver Sean Ryan on a two-year deal running through the 2027 season. The Calgary Stampeders extended offensive lineman D'Antne Demery through 2027, a retention decision that adds stability to a unit that anchored the Stampeders' running game in 2025. The Edmonton Elks signed defensive back Michael Dowell. The Toronto Argonauts added wide receiver SeVonne Rhea.

The volume of pre-combine transactions reflects the standard pattern of the CFL offseason: organizations fill depth positions through free agency and target premium positions — quarterback, national-designation skill players, first-round projected prospects — through the draft process. The Edmonton Combine on March 27-29 will provide the first formal evaluation data for the 2026 U Sports class. The eight prospects who advanced through the Waterloo Invitational Combine are among the most closely watched players entering Edmonton.

The CFL Draft follows on April 28. All nine franchises have confirmed attendance in Edmonton.

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Sources: "CFL News Hub — Hamilton Tiger-Cats transactions," CFL News Hub | "CFL Combine and Draft highlight 2026 offseason," CFL press | "3DownNation CFL transactions," 3DownNation