It is that time of year again. The time when the CFL top 50 players are announced. It is hard to believe it is a year since the list last came out.
Noticeably the top two have swapped placed and now Bo Levi Mitchell is considered the league’e marquee player ahead of Mike Reilly.
It only makes sense that the 2017 and 2018 MOP winners would start in prime position the following season.
Team Leaders
Rather than list all 50 players I thought it might be interesting to see who has been thought of as the best player on each team.
Alongside our guide to teams and players to look out for it’s all part of preparing you for the 2019 CFL season.
West Division
BC Lions
For the Lions it is prized off-season acquisition Quarterback Mike Reilly who is the number one player on this list.
Years in the league: 8 Games Played: 103 Where in the top 50? Number 2
Stats: 2174 of 3271 for 27,625 yards 148 Touchdowns 84 interceptions
Rushing: 512 carries for 3162 yards and 47 touchdowns
Calgary Stampeders
For the Stamps, League MOP & defending Grey Cup MVP Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is considered top of the pile.
Years in the league: 7 Games Played: 104 Where in the top 50: Number 1
Stats: 1851 of 2865 for 24,473 yards 150 Touchdowns 59 interceptions
Rushing: 156 carries for 723 yards and 14 touchdowns
Edmonton Eskimos
In Esk country the theme continues, with the team’s newly minted Quarterback Trevor Harris being considered the man.
Years in the league: 7 Games Played: 72 Where in the top 50: Number 11
Stats: 1512 of 2149 for 18,155 yards 104 Touchdowns 46 interceptions
Rushing: 133 carries for 567 yards and 3 touchdowns
Saskatchewan Roughriders
For the Riders it’s all about the defense and their own off-season capture from Calgary, DL Micah Johnson.
Years in the league: 6 Games Played: 81 Where in the top 50: Number 4
Stats: 158 defensive tackles, 2 Special teams tackles, 41 sacks, 2 interceptions and 6 forced fumbles.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Again it’s the D taking centre stage. The 2018 defensive MOP Adam Bighill is Winnipeg’s top rated player.
Years in the league: 7 Games Played: 117 Where in the top 50: Number 3
Stats: 594 defensive tackles, 70 Special teams tackles, 37 sacks, 10 interceptions and 12 forced fumbles & 2 touchdowns.
East Division
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
When it is considered the ‘most important position’ in the game it is perhaps no surprise we are back with the Quarterbacks.
This time it is Hamilton trigger man Jeremiah Masoli.
Years in the league: 6 Games Played: 44 Where in the top 50: Number 6
Stats: 890 of 1363 for 11,534 yards 61 Touchdowns 38 interceptions
Rushing: 207 carries for 1244 yards and 14 touchdowns
Montreal Alouettes
The Als may not be having the best preparation for the coming CFL season, but they still have some great players. According to this list, top of the pile for them is linebacker Henoc Muamba.
Years in the league: 7 Games Played: 91 Where in the top 50: 24
Stats: 375 defensive tackles, 75 Special teams tackles, 11 sacks, 5 interceptions and 12 forced fumbles & 1 touchdown.
Ottawa REDBLACKS
For Ottawa it’s a player who set records in 2018 whilst reminding us of receivers of the past. Wide Receiver Brad Sinopoli is their highest ranked player.
Years in the league: 8 Games Played: 122 Where in the top 50: 15
Stats: 437 catches for 5,070 yards & 16 touchdowns.
Rushing: 4 carries for 36 yards & 1 touchdown.
Kickoff Returns: 2 for o yards.
Punt Returns 3 for 31 yards.
Toronto Argonauts
For the Double Blue it’s another receiver & another blue chip off-season acquisitions making the list. This time it’s Texas A&M alum Derel Walker.
Years in the league: 4 Games Played: 49 Where in the top 50: 13
Stats: 297 catches for 4,208 yards & 26 touchdowns.
Rushing: 5 carries for 34 yards & 1 touchdown.
What does it all mean?
Two main themes emerge from the players currently ranked number 1 on their respective teams. Firstly that a good quarterback is critical for success. Secondly that it was no accident the players CFL teams targeted in free agency.
Of course this is all subjective and even fans of each team may make arguments for other players on their rosters. It’s all just fun to build up with until they play for real.
As another season is played out the list will no doubt change again based on the players exploits in 2019. Let’s all just sit back and enjoy it!
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