Three Toronto Argos that Pinball needs to bring back in 2027

Adarius Pickett (LB) – 103 Defensive Tackles, 13 Special Teams Tackles, 3 Sacks

Adarius “The Party Starter” Pickett had a great year for the Argos, nearly winning Most Outstanding Defensive Player and making a huge impact on this roster. Whether it was tackles for loss, big sacks, knockdowns or huge tackles that got fans out of their seats, it felt like Pickett was involved in almost every big defensive play. I also love that he contributes on special teams. To me, that shows just how much this guy loves football. You need players like Pickett to win Grey Cups, and considering he hasn’t won one yet, you know he’s hungry to get his first. His leadership is another reason I’d bring him back. Losing “Mr. Great Business” Wynton McManis left a big hole both on and off the field, and I feel Pickett really stepped up to help fill that void.

With so many young players in Toronto’s defensive group, having someone with Pickett’s experience, energy and leadership in the locker room is a must moving forward.

David Ungerer III (WR) – 85 Receptions, 1,118 Receiving Yards, 7 Touchdowns

Ungerer had a real breakout year, recording his first 1,000-yard season, but what stands out to me is his consistency. He makes the catches he’s supposed to make, runs smart routes and works hard. Being Canadian also helps with the ratio, which makes him even more valuable to the Argos. What I really like about Ungerer is that he seems to get better every year. Progression is huge to me, and at just 31 years old, he should still have plenty of good football ahead of him. He’s also contributed as a kick returner with some decent success, showing his versatility. Hearing teammates, including quarterback Nick Arbuckle, talk about him, it sounds like he’s one of the hardest workers on the team.

When it comes to his next contract, I think Toronto could be in a good spot. He’s not going to be dirt cheap, but I also don’t see him costing as much as some other 1,000-yard receivers, considering this was his first season reaching that mark.

You need smart, reliable route runners like Ungerer on your team. Why go looking for something new when what you already have works just fine?

Janarion Grant (KR/PR) – 826 Punt Return Yards, 942 Kick Return Yards, 3 Return Touchdowns

Now, this might be a hot take to some. The fumble in the East Semi-Final was crushing, and you could argue it cost Toronto the game. However, in my opinion, there were a lot more issues that contributed to that loss. You can read my full take on that HERE.

When a player makes a costly mistake like that, I’d love to see his redemption story. Give Grant another chance to do what he’s been doing for years. He’s still in his early 30s, so I believe he has plenty of good football left in him. But bringing Grant back isn’t just about giving him a chance to make up for that mistake. Janarion had another outstanding season, scoring three return touchdowns and recording over 1,700 combined return yards. His ability to make game-changing plays is something you can’t ignore. Even when he doesn’t score, the field position he gives Toronto’s offence can make a huge difference.

To me, Grant is a future Hall of Famer who will go down as one of the best return specialists in CFL history. Why not bring him back for another year and give him a chance to help Toronto make a deep playoff run in 2027?