CFL Prominent Names and Signings

Banks had always been a dangerous return man, but grew into a total game-changer during the Tiger-Cats run to the 102nd Grey Cup and If not for an illegal block in the back, Banks would also have Grey Cup hero on his free agent resume. Banks made it no secret his first priority was a return to the NFL, but either didn't recieve an offer or opted instead for the security of a three-year deal. There's no doubt the 27-year-old instantly makes your team more dangerous and the Ticats apparently have forgiven his late-game pouting in the Grey Cup.

2014 Stats: 42 receptions, 529 yards, 5 TDs; 30 KR, 701 yards, 1 TD; 60 PR, 618 yards, 1 TD 

Brown has always been known as a ball hawk, usually finishing years at or near the top of the both the Alouettes' and the league's interception leaders. The veteran defensive back has recently begun picking up all-star accolades as well, being named a league All-Star in 2013 and an East Division All-Star last year. Age wasn't a concern for the Alouettes, who re-upped with the 34-year-old Glenville State product for one year.

2014 Stats: 65 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack, 4 fumble recoveries

Teammate Brett Jones was named Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman this past season, but Bryant deserved some consideration for the award as well. Jones is a top free agent this off-season as well, and while he holds the coveted Canadian passport, Bryant plays, and excels at, the more important position on the line - left tackle. Bryant has played left tackle the past two years, finishing both as a league All-Star. He helped paved the way for both Bo Levi Mitchell's and Jon Cornish's strong seasons this year and hoisted the Grey Cup in late November. 

2014 Stampeders' Stats: 143.9 rushing yards per game (first), 26 quarterback sacks allowed (first)

Curran's 2014 wasn't as effective as his breakout 2013, when he recorded 70 tackles and two sacks, and two interceptions filling in for the injured JC Sherritt, but still showed flashes with 53 tackles, second most on the team. While Curran may be blocked in Edmonton by the likes of Sherritt and now Dexter McCoil, there are plenty of teams without a Sherritt that saw how effective the 26-year-old was replacing his two seasons ago.

2014 Stats: 53 tackles, 7 special teams tackles

The entire province of Saskatchewan rejoiced when Dressler returned to the Roughriders after his failed stint with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, hoping it wasn't a short reunion. The 29-year-old produced just 327 receiving yards and three combined touchdowns playing catchup in his half-season with the Riders last year, but is a proven 1,000-yard receiver and effective punt returner. The game-changer has spent his entire CFL career with the Roughriders and was a big part of the team's 101st Grey Cup win on home soil.

2014 Stats: 27 receptions, 320 yards, 1 TD; 27 PR, 338 yards, 2 TDs

Giguere never hit the level many expected he would after finally joining the Tiger-Cats, the team that drafted him, once with NFL stint ran it's course. Still, the 29-year-old accumulated 1,543 yards and three scores in his three years with Hamilton as a National starter. He may not be the top pass catcher on the market, but his Canadian passport means he can be a solid starter for any team.

2014 Stats: 41 receptions, 520 yards, 1 TD

The lustre wore off Kevin Glenn a little last year as his only middling results with the Lions, but the truth is in a league where quarterback play is so important, Glenn offers teams a backup they can plug in when injury strikes and still win with. On seven of nine CFL teams at least one backup saw significant action last season. He'll be 36-years-old when the season starts, but still has gas left in the tank - he finished second in passing yards last year with 3,918 - to help a team either in a reserve role or to push an incumbent.

2014 Stats: 302/479, 3,918 passing yards, 17 TDs, 17 INTs 

The second lineman on the list, Heenan doesn't match Bryant's accolades, but does have the valued Canadian passport. The former first overall pick isn't just a National however, he's a dominant force that can play both guard and right tackle, and good enough for the Indianapolis Colts to take a shot on him.

2014 Roughriders' Stats: 132.2 rushing yards per game (third), 49 quarterback sacks allowed (fifth)

Hickman's play was quiet upon returning to the Tiger-Cats from the NFL, recording just one sack in eight games played. But before his two and a half year tenure with the Indianapolis Colts, Hickman was one of the most feared pass rushers in the league, leading the CFL with 13 sacks in 2011. Hickman will be 30 this year so should still have plenty of gas left in the tank for another run with Hamilton.

2014 Stats: 9 tackles, 1 sack

Jackson had a breakout season at just the right time. The 28-year-old fell short of 1,000 yards for the year but was still a top International receiver on the market after proving what he could do seeing regular action in the starting lineup.

2014 Stats: 49 receptions, 813 yards, 3 TDs

Jones has only been in the league two years but has won back-to-back big awards at the year-end ceremonies - Most Outstanding Rookie in 2013 and Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2014. He's not a left tackle, but he may be just as important given his National status. It's been reported Jones will sign with the NFL's Giants when he officially becomes a free agent.

2014 Stampeders' Stats: 143.9 rushing yards per game (first), 26 quarterback sacks allowed (first)

Right behind Bryant on the must-have list is SirVincent Rogers out of Toronto. Like Bryant, Rogers is 28 and while he doesn’t have Bryant’s resume, has looked solid in his two years manning Ricky Ray’s blindside for the Argonauts. He was thought to maybe be a consolation prize to Bryant, but signed before the Stampeders LT, landing in Ottawa.

2014 Argonauts Stats: 91.1 rushing yards per game (seventh), 42 quarterback sacks allowed (third)

Willis had a bit of a career rejuvenation in his second season in Edmonton, finishing tied for second in the league in sacks with 13, which also tied his career high. It hadn't been since he was known as Mayor of Swaggerville that he notched double digit sacks (11 in 2010, 13 in 2011), recording just six in his one season in Saskatchewan, and nine two years ago with the Eskimos. Willis just turned 30 so he should have a least a couple high performance seasons left in him.

2014 Stats: 32 tackles, 13 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery

Injuries robbed the veteran of almost all of last season but the year before the Hamilton Tiger-Cat was an East Division All-Star and team nominee for Most Outstanding Lineman. Wojt also has two years' experience in Edmonton gained prior to his Tiger-Cats stint.

2014 Tiger-Cats' Stats: 91.2 rushing yards per game (sixth), 65 quarterback sacks allowed (eighth)