TORONTO — It’s not often one of the CFL’s top players hits free agency in his prime. Yet Stamps offensive lineman Derek Dennis truly is one of the league’s best and, at age 28, the Stamps’ left tackle could be about to go on the market.

The mammoth 6-foot-3, 341-pound lineman helped Calgary surrender a league-low 20 sacks throughout 2016, also paving the way for CFL leading rusher Jerome Messam (1,198 yards).

And while Most Outstanding Player Bo Levi Mitchell had a season to remember and the Stamps’ defence also rose to the occasion throughout the year, much of the credit for Calgary’s historic 15-2-1 record belongs to the offensive line.

It was Dennis, the second-year Stampeder, protecting Mitchell’s blind side the entire way, allowing the Stamps’ pivot to stand mostly unscathed while throwing for 5,385 passing yards and a league-best 32 touchdowns.

Dennis is the sixth-ranked player pending free agency according to CFL.ca’s Top 30 Pending Free Agents:

6 DEREK DENNIS OL | CGY Derek Dennis anchored arguably the league’s top offensive line throughout 2016 (Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca)
FA RANKINGS OVR – 6 TEAM – 2 POS — 2	2016 BY THE #’S GP – 18 STARTS – 18

Some will talk about Dennis’ nationality when evaluating his value on the market. Yes, Canadian tackles are ratio-breakers — we just witnessed the value of a Chris Van Zeyl, who secured a three-year contract at age 33. But it may not matter where he’s from if he’s the best, which Dennis could well be.

Jovan Olafioye for the Lions might have been the most coveted free agent had he not been extended in January of 2016.

Stamps fans should also remember Stanley Bryant, a two-time CFL All-Star with the team before joining the Bombers in 2015 — a marquee signing in Winnipeg.

John Hufnagel may not be willing to pay for an American tackle, just like we saw with Bryant a couple of years ago. If not, Dennis should get plenty of attention on the open market.