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Riders sign 2016’s Most Outstanding Lineman Dennis

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed Derek Dennis, the team announced Tuesday.

Dennis, 2016’s Most Outstanding Lineman, helped anchor an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the CFL last season – Bo Levi Mitchell was taken down just 20 times – and helped Jerome Messam to becoming the league’s leading rusher:

The 28-year-old from Queens, N.Y. played his rookie campaign in 2015, when he suited up for just five games in Calgary. It was last season that the left tackle was fully pressed into action, starting all 18 regular season games and helping the Stampeders finish with one of the top records of all-time, 15-2-1.

Dennis also started at left tackle in the 104th Grey Cup, an eventual overtime loss to the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

The Riders, who will have a much different look on offence in 2016, can immediately benefit from Dennis’ presence on the O-line. Dennis is expected to protect Glenn’s blind side on a unit that, last season, allowed 57 sacks — the second-most in the CFL.

Addressing the offensive line was considered one of the top priorities for the Riders this off-season.

Checking in at 6-foot-3, 341 pounds, Dennis was considered the only elite offensive lineman left on the board heading into Feb. 14. He was originally the sixth-ranked free agent overall according to CFL.ca’s top 30 pending free agents, released back in January.

RELATED:
Pending Free Agents | CFL.ca’s Top 30 Pending FA List | FA Rumour Mill