Toronto Argonauts: 5 questions ahead of the 2018 season

2) More of the same from James Wilder Jr.?

There was a point a couple of months ago, where it seemed like James Wilder Jr. might be one and done in the CFL. He threatened to sit out the entire 2018 season, with a lack of financial security being one of the main reasons.

There was also the issue of Wilder’s desire for another shot at the NFL. Argos fans were concerned, and understandably so.

The 26-year-old blazed a trail through opposing defences last year, to leave his mark on the league. He had the most 20+ yard runs in the CFL, while also leading all qualifiers with 7.1 yards per carry.

Wilder had the biggest rushing day of the season with 190 yards, as well as a 85-yard scamper which was the longest among all players in 2017. Doing all this on just 122 carries, it makes you wonder how much more he could have achieved if he handled the rock more regularly?

Well, we should find out now, after last year’s Most Outstanding Rookie agreed to new terms with the Double Blue. He signed a two-year deal, to makes him one of the highest-paid running backs in the league.

The Toronto Argonauts finished last season with the third-worst rushing attack in the league. Don’t count on that happening again in 2018, especially if Wilder has any say in the matter.

Toronto had the second-best net offence last year. We predict they will move up to first this season, due to a deadly combination that includes Trestman, Calvillo, Ray, S.J. Green and Wilder, along with All-Star linemen Sean McEwen and Chris Van Zeyl.