BEST OF THE BEST
With a record number of players set to test the CFL free-agent market Tuesday, here’s a look at our top five players available at each position (*Canadian player):
QUARTERBACK
1. Rakeem Cato, 24, Montreal Alouettes Key 2016 stat: 1 fight with teammates Talent-wise, Cato can play in the CFL. Maturity is the issue right now.
2. Dan LeFevour, 29, Toronto Argos Key 2016 stat: 155 rushing yards He’d be a capable backup and a weapon in a short-yardage role.
3. Jeff Mathews, 25, Hamilton Tiger-Cats Key 2016 stat: 29 attempts Kent Austin’s former QB crush deserves more time to develop.
4. Mitchell Gale, 27, Saskatchewan Roughriders Key 2016 stat: 57.7% completion rate He didn’t looked completely overwhelmed in his Regina cameo.
5. Johnny Manziel, 24, Hamilton Tiger-Cats Key 2016 stat: Released by Cleveland Browns There’s not much on the market, so we’ll leave you with a name that resides on the Ticats’ neg-list. With Zach Collaros entrenched, someone may trade for his rights.
RUNNING BACK
1. Shakir Bell, 24, Edmonton Eskimos Key 2016 stat: 6.3 YPC Not many touches behind John White, but Bell has flashed.
2. *Kienan LaFrance, 25, Ottawa Redblacks Key 2016 stat: 12 receptions Remember his 157-yard rushing effort in the East Final?
3. Brandon Whitaker, 31, Toronto Argos Key 2016 stat: 1,009 rushing yards Scott Milanovich loved his pass protection. Maybe another coach will, too.
4. Kendial Lawrence, 25, Hamilton Tiger-Cats Key 2016 stat: 1 touchdown Coming off a disappointing season, Lawrence could be a bargain.
5. Travon Van, 25, Ottawa Redblacks Key 2016 stat: 100 offensive touches The shifty Van scored twice and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. There’s upside.
RECEIVER
1. Ernest Jackson, 30, Ottawa Redblacks
Key 2016 stat: 0 drops Sure-handed slot scored 10 TDs and didn’t record an official drop.
2. Terrell Sinkfield, 26, B.C. Lions
Key 2016 stat: 18.6 YPR He has it all. Game-changing speed, youth and production.
3. Kenny Shaw, 25, Toronto Argos
Key 2016 stat: 77 receptions The silky smooth Florida State product knows how to get open.
4. Diontae Spencer, 24, Toronto Argos
Key 2016 stat: 71 receptions If the NFL doesn’t snag the 5-foot8, 163-pounder, he’ll be a CFL star. 5. Chris Williams, 29, Ottawa Redblacks Key 2016 stat: 1,246 receiving yards in 14 games Coming off a torn ACL, you might not get a full season from C-Will.
OFFENSIVE LINE
1. Derek Dennis, 28, Calgary Stampeders Key 2016 stat: Best offensive lineman in the CFL His award says he’s the best in the league, and he’ll get paid like it.
2. *Nolan MacMillan, 26, Ottawa Redblacks
Key 2016 stat: 7 games played Redblacks’ first pick when they returned as a franchise has upside.
3. *J’Michael Deane, 30, Ottawa Redblacks
Key 2016 stat: 16 games played Ottawa’s starter at left guard in the Grey Cup should attract offers.
4. *Jeff Perrett, 32, Montreal Alouettes
Key 2016 stat: 18 starts Cut by the Als two weeks ago, he’s the most experienced option.
5. Greg Van Roten, 26, Toronto Argos
Key 2016 stat: Starts at OT, OG, C He has attractive versatility, but is he a legit starting tackle?
DEFENSIVE LINE
1. *Cleyon Laing, 26, Ottawa Redblacks
Key 2016 stat: Grey Cup winner His Canadian passport is the prize, but he’s still eyeing the NFL.
2. Mic’hael Brooks, 25, B.C. Lions
Key 2016 stat: 1 sack Despite lack of sack production, he’s a problem inside for O-lines.
3. *Michael Klassen, 25, Montreal Alouettes
Key 2016 stat: 7 games played Injuries have kept this University of Calgary product off scouts’ radars.
4. *Jabar Westerman, 27, B.C. Lions
Key 2016 stat: 5 sacks His ability to play both end and tackle makes him a valuable piece.
5. Euclid Cummings, 25, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Key 2016 stat: 3 sacks Was better in 2015 with eight sacks, but lots of upside.
LINEBACKER
1. Khalil Bass, 26, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Key 2016 stat: 4 forced fumbles All he’s done for two seasons is make impact play after impact play.
2. Winston Venable, 29, Montreal Alouettes
Key 2016 stat: 7 sacks He’s got 191 tackles and 12 sacks over the past two seasons.
3. *Cory Greenwood, 31, Toronto Argos
Key 2016 stat: He’s still Canadian. When he’s not hurt, the oft-injured linebacker is solid. 4. Glenn Love, 27, Calgary Stampeders Key 2016 stat: 21 special-teams tackles He’s not an elite starting option, but he’s a demon on special teams.
5. *Marc-Olivier Brouillette, 31, Montreal Alouettes
Key 2016 stat: 33 tackles Versatile Canadian can dabble at safety or linebacker.
1. Abdul Kanneh, 26, Ottawa Redblacks
Key 2016 stat: 3 interceptions Teams will be happy to see an allstar halfback hitting the market.
2. Emanuel Davis, 27, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Key 2016 stat: 5 interceptions It’s tough to find quality cover-halfbacks. Davis will earn some money.
3. John Ojo, 26, Edmonton Eskimos
Key 2016 stat: 0 games played If not for a torn Achilles in camp, he’d be NFL-bound. One-year deal?
4. Johnny Adams, 27, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Key 2016 stat: 1 interception An up-and-down season may provide a bargain if the NFL doesn’t scoop him.
5. *Matt Webster, 24, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Key 2016 stat: 4 special-teams tackles Primarily a special-teamer, the Queen’s product has upside.