The CFL on TSN will release its annual Top 50 Players on Tuesday. TSN.ca previews what the list could look like, with the risers and fallers from last year’s ranking.

Risers

Ricky Ray, QB, Argonauts (Last Year: 27)

The 38-year-old pivot continued to defy the aging curve in his first fully healthy season in three years. Ray was an East Division All-Star on route to leading the Toronto Argonauts to a Grey Cup victory and finished second in the league in passing yards (5,546) and third in touchdown passes (28).

Ray’s 2017 heroics could lead to a jump from his 27th ranking of last year.

Duron Carter, WR, Roughriders (Last Year: 35)

In a prove-it season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders last year after being released by the Montreal Alouettes in the off-season, Carter had a career-year with 73 receptions for 1,043 yards, and seven touchdowns.

The CFL All-Star was a regular on SportsCentre highlight reels and, combined with his ability to make an impact on defence, could see a big rise from last year’s 35th ranking.

Alex Singleton, LB, Stampeders (Last Year: 47)

The national linebacker is primed to become one of the faces of the league after his breakout 2017 season. Singleton was second in the league in tackles, with 123, and also had four sacks and an interception.

Last year’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player will definitely make a jump from his 47th ranking last year and could be in contention for the highest-ranked defensive player.

Taylor Loffler, S, Blue Bombers (Last Year: 40)

Loffler joined Singleton as the only two national defensive players to be named CFL All-Stars last season – and one of only seven national league All-Stars in total. The 26-year-old led the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in tackles with 75 and also finished with an interception and three forced fumbles.

Loffler had already gained significant recognition with his 40th ranking last year after his rookie campaign, but has a good chance to climb the rankings even further this time around.

Fallers

Jonathon Jennings, QB, Lions (Last Year: 5)

Jennings looked primed to join the elite level of quarterbacks after his breakout 2016 campaign and his fifth-overall ranking indicated that. He was ranked behind only Mike Reilly and Bo Levi Mitchell at the position in last year’s rankings.

But the 25-year-old struggled through injuries last year and threw a league-high 19 interceptions. With a new offensive coordinator in Jarious Jackson calling the plays, Jennings, like the rest of the Lions, will be eyeing a bounce-back season.

Zach Collaros, QB, Roughriders (Last Year: 11)

Not a lot went right in Collaros’ final season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and by the time things started to turn around in Hamilton, he was on the sidelines watching Jeremiah Masoli behind centre. Collaros finished the year with 1,767 passing yards and eight touchdowns to seven interceptions in nine games.

But the talent is still there and the 29-year-old will have a chance to redeem himself this season with a promising Roughriders’ offence – just not likely with the 11th ranking this time around.

Adarius Bowman, WR, Blue Bombers (Last Year: 3)

Bowman was already going to be hard-pressed to match his spectacular 2016 season which helped land him third in last year’s rankings, but an injury that cost him six games didn’t help.

Bowman was a surprise release by the Eskimos in early February due to salary cap implications, and the Blue Bombers, who wasted no time scooping up the 32-year-old, will be getting a motivated wide receiver.

Derek Dennis, OL, Stampeders (Last Year: 9)

Dennis parlayed his 2016 Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman honours into a big-money contract with the Roughriders and the No. 9 ranking in last year’s Top 50 Players. But he never lived up to the hype in Saskatchewan and was moved from left tackle to guard before getting released this off-season.

Now back with the Stampeders and with a clear path to the left tackle position after Randy Richards’ preseason injury, Dennis has a chance to bounce back where he’s had his most success.