Ticats deal Collaros to Riders for pick

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats sent quarterback Zach Collaros to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Wednesday for a second-round draft choice, shedding salary and adding to their stockpile of draft picks.

The trade comes amid a report Hamilton is close to re-signing quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who made 10 starts last season and saw action in every game. The Ticats also have former NCAA star Johnny Manziel on their negotiation list, with a green light to sign him from the CFL.

Saskatchewan gave up the 10th overall pick in the 2018 draft to get Collaros, a former Ticat starter who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in September 2015.

The Riders acquired the pick in the deal that sent quarterback Darian Durant to Montreal.

The Tiger-Cats now hold the second, 10th, 11th and 15th overall selections in the 2018 CFL draft. Hamilton has nine picks in all in the May 3 draft.

For Saskatchewan, Collaros joins a quarterbacking corps that includes Canadian Brandon Bridge and veteran Kevin Glenn.

The 29-year-old Collaros started eight games in 2017, completing 167 of 266 passes for 1,767 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.

In 59 career CFL games with Toronto and Hamilton, the six-foot 219-pounder has thrown for 13,759 yards and 83 touchdowns. Collaros was the Tiger-Cats’ nominee for Most Outstanding Player in 2014 and 2015.

“I am happy for Zach to land on his feet on Wednesday (with) a chance to be on a good team that can compete for a championship, and not a rebuilding situation,” Hamilton coach June Jones said.

“As I said during the season, Zach was put into a difficult situation, as was I, and he handled himself as a true pro. He came to work every day and tried to be the best he could be.”