Dakoda Shepley, former Riders first-round pick, inks deal with Toronto Argonauts after NFL run

The Toronto Argonauts have signed Canadian offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley following a six-year stint in the National Football League, according to sources. The deal reportedly makes Shepley the highest-paid offensive lineman in the CFL.

A Windsor, Ontario native, Shepley became a free agent after being released with an injury designation by the Dallas Cowboys in August. He was originally selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the first round, fifth overall, of the 2018 CFL Draft. That same year, he attended New York Jets training camp but was waived after the preseason.

Shepley joined the Roughriders in 2019, appearing in 18 regular-season games and establishing himself as a full-time starter at guard. He helped Saskatchewan finish first in the West Division with a 13-5 record, as Cody Fajardo emerged as a star quarterback. Standing six-foot-five and weighing 290 pounds, Shepley opted out of the 2020 CFL season to pursue NFL opportunities.

The move paid off, with Shepley earning nearly $2 million USD during his time with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, and Indianapolis Colts. He appeared in 16 NFL regular-season games: eight with Seattle, seven with Dallas, and one with San Francisco.

At the 2018 CFL combine, Shepley impressed scouts with 27 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, a 5.15-second 40-yard dash, a 4.72-second shuttle, an 8.01-second three-cone drill, a 31-inch vertical jump, and an 8-foot, 9.5-inch broad jump. His performance, along with his Eastern Michigan pro day, attracted NFL attention.

Shepley played four seasons at the University of British Columbia (2014–2017), starting 31 of 32 regular-season games. He lined up at left tackle and right guard for the Thunderbirds, earning Canada West all-star honors in 2017, playing in the U Sports East-West Bowl, and winning the 2015 Vanier Cup.