Ticats trade QB Collaros to Roughriders

The Hamilton TigerCats 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 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 selections in the 2018 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 TDs 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.

As for Manziel, the CFL announced in late December it would approve a contract for the controversial QB. The 25-year-old was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy while at Texas A&M but failed to impress in the NFL as stories about his off-field activities overshadowed his play.

Hamilton finished out of the playoffs last season at 6-12. Saskatchewan (10-8) lost 25-21 in the East Division final after crossing over and winning the semifinal.

The Riders finished fifth in passing yards (5,416) during the 2017 regular season, but led the league in passing touchdowns (35).