Five players to watch as free agency opens Tuesday

This year's CFL free agency period, which opens Tuesday at noon Eastern, had tons of promise initially. Back in December, nine league all-stars (and plenty of other solid players) were set to become free agents, making this look like a remarkable crop. However, only two of those league all-stars are left, with the rest signing new deals with their current teams or heading to the NFL. That trend has been replicated in the ranks of other intruiging players, too, meaning that this year's gone from what looked like a free agency gold mine to one where there likely will be less movement than normal. There are still some excellent players out there, though, and they could help change teams' fortunes in 2015. Here's a look at five of the most interesting players set to become free agents Tuesday.

Stanley Bryant, offensive lineman, Calgary Stampeders: With teammate Brett Jones reportedly heading to the NFL, Bryant is the only one left amongst the nine league all-stars who were pending free agents back in December. The others have either gone to the NFL (Jones, Delvin Breaux, Duron Carter) or signed new deals with their current teams (Bear Woods, Odell Willis, Brandon Banks, Tyron Brackenridge, Brandon Smith). Bryant, a 28-year-old American tackle who was a key part of the Stampeders' line that allowed a league-low 26 sacks this season, could well cash in big in free agency. There will definitely be several teams looking to bring him in.

Samuel Giguere, receiver, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: There were high hopes for Giguere when he signed with Hamilton in 2012. He was initially taken eighth overall in the 2008 CFL draft, but wound up spending four years in the NFL first with the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants. When he elected to come to the Ticats in 2012, the expectation was that he would be an impact Canadian receiver. The stats haven't really been there, though; Giguere has posted just 116 career catches for 1,543 yards over three seasons. Is that a function of Hamilton's depth at receiver, or is he better-suited as a complementary part rather than a featured player? We'll see, but with Giguere still just 29, it appears likely another team may make him a better offer and see if they can get more production out of him.

Dan LeFevour, quarterback, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: We don't typically see many notable quarterback moves in free agency (although that happened with a few players last year), but the 27-year-old LeFevour represents an intriguing backup at the very least. He was a great dual-threat quarterback at the NCAA level, and he did very well in a starting role for the Ticats while Zach Collaros was hurt last year. LeFevour performed at a high level in four games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. Collaros appears well-entrenched in Hamilton, and the Ticats both have other interesting quarterbacks and have spent substantial money elsewhere, so they may not be willing and/or able to spend to bring him back. There may not be a starting role out there for LeFevour right now, but if he could wind up in a city where there are health and/or age concerns with the starter (perhaps B.C. or Ottawa), he might yet have a shot to show he can be a great player in this league. At the least, he looks like an excellent backup option for most teams.

Sam Hurl, linebacker, Saskatchewan Roughriders: With the amounts of Canadian linemen going to the NFL, some teams may have to get more creative with their import ratio, and Hurl might present an interesting option there. The 24-year-old linebacker was taken twelfth overall in the 2012 CFL draft, and he's been a valuable special-teams presence for Saskatchewan over the last few seasons, but he showed this year that he also might be capable of being a regular defensive starter. As with most Canadians at unconventional positions, this really only works if you have a capable backup as well, but teams looking to work Canadians into their linebacking corps might well take a run at Hurl.

Glenn January, offensive lineman, Winnipeg Blue Bombers: January's case is an unusual one, as his current team doesn't appear terribly interested in bringing him back. Exactly why is unclear; yes, his 2014 was beset by injuries, but from 2011-2013, he earned three divisional all-star nods at tackle. He's also just 31. The Bombers may be going in a different direction, and there isn't a shortage of capable tackles on the market (including Bryant and Toronto's SirVincent Rogers), but January will still likely have some suitors. He may yet make the Bombers regret not bringing him back.

Other interesting free agents: Spencer Watt, Canadian receiver, Toronto; Rennie Curran, import linebacker, Edmonton; Bakari Grant, import receiver, Hamilton.

Stay tuned to 55-Yard Line Tuesday for free agency coverage!