The Edmonton Elks are set to sign defensive linemen Robbie Smith and Jared Brinkman once free agency starts next Tuesday according to 3DownNation writers JC Abbott and Justin Dunk.
Robbie Smith is six foot one and weighs 245 pounds. The 27-year-old from Brampton, Ontario, made 31 tackles, five tackles on special teams, and six sacks in 17 games for the Argonauts in 2024. In the 111th Grey Cup, Smith made two tackles and one sack helping Toronto beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 41-24 to win their second Grey Cup title in three seasons.
The Toronto Argonauts drafted Smith in the second round (9th pick) in the 2019 CFL Draft. Smith played five seasons making 126 tackles, 30 tackles on special teams, 20 sacks, one interception, and three forced fumbles in 72 games. He is a two-time Grey Cup champion.
Collegiately, Smith played four seasons at Wilfrid Laurier University (2015-18) with 98 tackles (62 solos, 36 assists), 26.5 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, six pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 37 games for the Golden Hawks.
In his final season, Smith had 26 tackles (23 solos, 3 assists), seven tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in eight games. He was named a two-time Second Team OUA All-Star and helped the Golden Hawks win the 2016 Yates Cup.
Jared Brinkman is six foot one and weighs 290 pounds. The 25-year-old from Iowa City, Iowa, made 17 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble in 11 games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2024. He missed most of the season with foot and ankle injuries.
In the 111th Grey Cup, Brinkman made two tackles in a Toronto 41-24 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It was Toronto’s second title in three seasons. He is a two-time Grey Cup champion.
Brinkman went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. He attended the New York Jets rookie minicamp. Next, the Toronto Argonauts signed Brinkman on September 29, 2022.
In 2022, he made two tackles in one game when Toronto beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup 24-23. In the Grey Cup, Brinkman made two tackles. In 2023, he made 12 tackles, and one sack in 12 games.
Collegiately, Brinkman played five seasons at Northern Iowa (2017-21) making 209 tackles (85 solos, 124 assists), 39.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 55 games for the Panthers. Brinkman was named a two-time Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year, Second Team All-MVFC, and multiple All-American awards.
