One of the few impact names remaining on the CFL free-agent market is providing a plot twist.

After tweeting a tiger emoji way back in February shortly after free agency began, most believed 26-year-old receiver Terrell Sinkfield Jr. would be headed back to Hamilton if he couldn’t find another NFL offer to his liking.

Considering Sinkfield was a dangerous weapon for Tiger-Cats head coach Kent Austin in 2015 — 69 receptions for 1,030 receiving yards and six touchdowns in only 15 games — the fit seemed logical and ideal for both sides.

While that might still end up being the case when all is said and done, the 26-year-old is apparently considering all sorts of fits, one of which includes attempting to convert to defensive back south of the border.

During the University of Minnesota pro day on Monday, Sinkfield, who spent last summer in Minnesota Vikings’ training camp before returning to the CFL late in the season with the B.C. Lions, was spotted running around on the opposite side of the football.

“It was my first time doing some (defensive back) drills in front of some scouts, so I just wanted to show them that I can play DB, too,” Sinkfield told the Vikings website, adding he played defensive back in high school. “I’ve been a receiver for a couple of years, but I’m transitioning to that.”

It’s clear Sinkfield is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to securing another NFL gig before re-engaging in serious talks with CFL clubs.

“Whatever they want to bring me in as, that’s what my focus would be,” Sinkfield told the website. “But as far as training and all that, I’m doing receiver and cornerback work.

“I’m a free agent now and I’m just trying to get signed.”

OLAFIOYE ON THE BLOCK

There’s always collateral damage when a team spends money in free agency.

On the West Coast, Wally Buono’s February spree may result in left tackle Jovan Olafioye’s days with the B.C. Lions coming to an end.

First reported by TSN’s Farhan Lalji, the Lions have engaged in trade talks with at least one East Division team about the two-time all-star offensive lineman, one of the CFL’s highest-paid American offensive linemen.

While the Montreal Alouettes have been rumoured to be interested, the Toronto Argonauts also have a gaping hole on the left side of their line after striking out on free-agent prize Derek Dennis.

FULL BOAT

Speaking of the Boatmen, there’s no such thing as having too many quality Canadian offensive linemen, but there is such a thing as being able to smartly deal from a position of strength.

That may be what new Toronto Argonauts GM Jim Popp is thinking after signing the last remaining national starting option on the market in 30-year-old guard J’Michael Deane, who has spent the first six years of his career with the Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa RedBlacks, winning a Grey Cup last November.

That leaves the Argos with projected Canadian starters at left guard (Tyler Holmes), centre (Sean McEwen), right guard (Corey Watman) and right tackle (Chris Van Zeyl).

Add in veteran guards Peter Dyakowski and Wayne Smith, Deane, and 2016 draft picks D.J. Sackey (13th overall), Jamal Campbell (22nd overall) and Chris Kolankowski (49th overall) and you have 10 Canadian options on the roster.

Of course, Popp has never hid his affinity for starting five Canadians up front, but finding one capable of playing left tackle isn’t easy.

GOING NATIONAL

Five players moved on from last Friday’s Eastern Regional Combine at Concordia University to the main combine in Regina.

Heading to Saskatchewan to strut their stuff with the other top prospects from March 23-25 are Carleton receiver Malcolm Carter, Montreal defensive tackle Mathieu Dupuis, Calgary-born Harland Hastings, out of Acadia University, and the University of Sherbrooke duo of linebacker Alexandre Chevrier and running back Anthony Gosselin.

Carter, who spent last year toiling with the Ottawa Sooners of the Canadian Junior Football League, was the standout, checking in at an impressive 6-foot-6 with a 40-inch vertical and the second-best 40-yard dash time (4.65).

Perhaps the best story, however, was Montreal Carabins kicker Felix Menard-Briere amazingly posting the top overall times — out of 43 players — in the 40, the shuttle and the three-cone.

SLOW PRO

Simon Fraser linebacker Jordan Herdman was so disgusted by his 4.97-second showing in the 40-yard dash at his pro day that he has reversed course and decided to go through the testing drills at the CFL Combine.

That’s wonderful news for CFL teams, who are eager to get a look at a potential top-five pick whose NFL interest took a serious hit with his pro day crawl.

According to one scout, Herdman, who impressed during a surprise trip to the Senior Bowl showcase in January, needed to run in the 4.65 range.

Usually, Herdman’s NFL stock falling would help him in rise in the CFL draft, but 4.97 is awfully slow even by three-down standards.

QUICK HITS

After four unremarkable seasons with the New York Jets, Geno Smith’s name popped up in CFL circles this week when New York Daily News columnist Manish Mehta suggested the QB’s best route back to relevance would be through Canada. Currently an NFL free agent, the 2013 second-round pick was not on a CFL negotiation list as of Tuesday ... University of Maine LB Christophe Mulumba won’t attend the CFL Combine in Regina due to his school’s NFL pro day being scheduled for March 23. Mulumba was ranked No. 8 on the latest CFL scouting bureau list ... At 6-foot-6 and 256 pounds, Laval TE Antony Auclair ran a 4.82-second 40-yard dash at his pro day despite a nagging hamstring injury. He’s firmly on the NFL radar.

smitchell@postmedia.com