No. 30 SAM Patrick Levels, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The 26-year-old was an East Division all-star in 2019 with the Montreal Alouettes, recording 86 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Though the Als nominated middle linebacker Henoc Muamba for the award, there were pundits who believed Levels should have been considered for East Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Levels is one of the best strong-side linebackers in the CFL, though he’s also capable of playing cornerback, halfback, and safety. His combination of athleticism, physicality, and versatility makes him one of the league’s best defensive backs.
No. 29 DT Almondo Sewell, Edmonton Football Team
He may have recently turned 34, but Sewell has established himself as one of the greatest defensive tackles in the history of the CFL.
The six-time CFL all-star recorded 36 total tackles, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 2019 and remains a highly-effective against the run and pass.
Sewell will likely be testing free agency in 2021 for the first time in his career after spending his entire nine-year career in Edmonton.
No. 28 REC Eric Rogers, Calgary Stampeders
The six-foot-four, 215-pound target somehow finds a way to fly under the radar even after two 1,000-yard, ten-touchdown seasons with the Stamps.
Rogers is a two-time West Division all-star who has made 27 touchdown receptions in just 45 career regular season games, making him easily one of the CFL’s best red zone targets.
Barring a change in contract negotiations, 3DownNation insider Justin Dunk has reported that Rogers will be looking for a new home in free agency.
No. 27 QB Cody Fajardo, Saskatchewan Roughriders
The 28-year-old was one of the CFL’s top performers in 2019, passing for 4,302 yards and 18 touchdowns en route to being named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Player.
Fajardo is just as effective with his legs as he is with his arm, rushing for 611 yards and ten scores on 107 carries a season ago.
The only knock on the Nevada product is that he’s only had success for one CFL season. Fresh-off a contract extension through 2022, Fajardo will get a chance to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder in Riderville.
No. 26 RB William Powell, Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Kansas State product has established himself as a perennial 1,000-yard rusher in the CFL and has twice been recognized with divisional all-star honours.
Powell also remains underrated as a receiver out of the backfield, making 49 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns in 2019.
The Riders have one of the strongest running games in the league and that’s unlikely to change with Powell back in the mix for 2021.
3DownNation is unveiling its list of the top 100 active CFL players. To read the criteria for player eligibility, click here. The list to date can be found below.
34. QB Vernon Adams Jr., Montreal Alouettes
35. DB Nick Marshall, Saskatchewan Roughriders
36. DB Aaron Grymes, B.C. Lions
37. LB Larry Dean, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
38. OL Ucambre Williams, Calgary Stampeders
39. DB Ciante Evans, Montreal Alouettes
40. K/P Justin Medlock, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
41. REC DaVaris Daniels, Toronto Argonauts
42. DT Micah Johnson, B.C. Lions
43. OL Shane Bergman, Calgary Stampeders
44. SAM Don Unamba, Ottawa Redblacks
45. DB Ed Gainey, Saskatchewan Roughriders
46. DB Tommie Campbell, Toronto Argonauts
47. LB Adam Bighill, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
48. REC DeVier Posey, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
49. DT Cleyon Laing, Ottawa Redblacks
50. OL Matt O’Donnell, Edmonton Football Team
51. REC Kyran Moore, Saskatchewan Roughriders
52. SAM Kenny Ladler, Free Agent
53. DE Jackson Jeffcoat, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
54. SAM Dexter McCoil, Free Agent
55. OL Sean McEwen, Calgary Stampeders
56. REC Eugene Lewis, Montreal Alouettes
57. DB Greg Reid, Montreal Alouettes
58. DT Mike Moore, Edmonton Football Team
59. OL Ryker Mathews, B.C. Lions
60. DB Tunde Adeleke, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
61. LB Jameer Thurman, Free Agent
62. QB Matt Nichols, Toronto Argonauts
63. DB Jamar Wall, Calgary Stampeders
64. DB Loucheiz Purifoy, Saskatchewan Roughriders
65. REC Lemar Durant, B.C. Lions
66. OL Brendon LaBatte, Saskatchewan Roughriders
67. OL SirVincent Rogers, Edmonton Football Team
68. QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Free Agent
69. DB/RET Frankie Williams, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
70. DB T.J. Lee, B.C. Lions
71. QB Zach Collaros, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
72. SAM Anthony Cioffi, Free Agent
73. DB Shaquille Richardson, Toronto Argonauts
74. REC Kamar Jorden, Calgary Stampeders
75. OL Darius Ciraco, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
76. REC Jalen Saunders, Free Agent
77. QB Dane Evans, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
78. REC Brad Sinopoli, Ottawa Redblacks
79. RET Janarion Grant, Free Agent
80. DE Avery Ellis, Ottawa Redblacks
81. DE Cordarro Law, Calgary Stampeders
82. DB Brandon Alexander, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
83. OL Jermarcus Hardrick, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
84. DB Branden Dozier, Free Agent
85. SAM Otha Foster, Saskatchewan Roughriders
86. DB Antoine Pruneau, Ottawa Redblacks
87. RB John White, B.C. Lions
88. LB Avery Williams, Ottawa Redblacks
89. LB Jovan Santos-Knox, Free Agent
90. DB Richard Leonard, Calgary Stampeders
91. REC Armanti Edwards, Edmonton Football Team
92. RB C.J. Gable, Free Agent
93. DT Mike Rose, Calgary Stampeders
94. REC S.J. Green, Free Agent
95. DB Mike Edem, Saskatchewan Roughriders
96. DE John Bowman, Montreal Alouettes
97. DB Taylor Loffler, Montreal Alouettes
98. QB Nick Arbuckle, Ottawa Redblacks
99. ST Mike Miller, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
100. DE Chris Casher, B.C. Lions
