Ottawa Redblacks acquire rights to DL Vilain in deal with Toronto Argonauts

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luiji Vilain runs a drill at the NFL football team's practice in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

The Ottawa Redblacks acquired the rights to Canadian defensive lineman Luiji Vilain from the Toronto Argonauts on Tuesday.

Ottawa also picked up a 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 31 overall) in the CFL draft in the deal. Toronto acquired a 2026 pick (No. 23 overall) and a conditional 2027 third-round selection.

Vilain, a 28-year-old Ottawa native, played five games over two NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2022-23) and Carolina Panthers (2023), registering four total tackles.

He also spent time with the Cleveland Browns (2024) and Dallas Cowboys (2024-25).

Toronto selected the six-foot-four, 250-pound Vilain in the third round (No. 25 overall) of the 2021 CFL draft. He finished his NCAA career at Wake Forest in 2021 with 34 tackles (10 for loss), a team-leading nine sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Vilain began at Michigan, appearing in 12 games over two seasons (2019-20) with 11 tackles (one for loss) and a forced fumble.

“Any time you have the opportunity to add a player of this calibre, it’s something you jump at,” said Ryan Dinwiddie, Ottawa’s head coach and general manager. “Luiji is a high-level talent who fits the identity we want to build on the field.

“On top of that, him being a national player who can perform at a high level adds valuable flexibility to our roster.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2026.

The Canadian Press