As we head into 2016 training camp, let’s take a closer look at each position.

Quarterbacks

Returnees: Bo Levi Mitchell*, Drew Tate*, Bryant Moniz*

Newcomers: Andrew Buckley

Departures: None

Analysis: Mitchell heads into training camp as the consensus No. 1 pivot for the second consecutive season after winning the starting job prior to the 2014 campaign. Dressing for all 18 games and making 17 starts a season ago, he threw for 26 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. Mitchell led the Stamps to more wins than any CFL quarterback before being named a West Division all-star and the West nominee for Most Outstanding Player. Meanwhile, Tate started the regular-season finale in 2015 when he went 18-of-22 for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He also had three touchdown passes and one interception in relief duty last season to go along with nine rushes for 14 yards and one touchdown along the ground. Tate served as Mitchell’s backup for both playoff games. Buckley returns to Stampeders’ training camp after attending last season as a seventh-round draft pick in 2015. He then returned to the University of Calgary Dinos and went on to win his second-consecutive Hec Creighton Trophy as the national player of the year.

Running backs

Returnees: Rob Cote, Tory Harrison*, William Langlais, Jerome Messam, Tim St. Pierre, Charlie Power

Newcomers: Roy Finch*, Lache Seastrunk*, Reggie Whatley*

Departures: Tim Brown*, Jon Cornish, Matt Walter

Analysis: On one hand, it will feel strange not having Jon Cornish on the roster but at the same time, the standout had unfortunately missed many games over the past few years so the Stamps already have a good idea of how to proceed without No. 9. It helps that Jerome Messam, a Canadian who was one of just three CFLers to rush for 1,000 yards in 2015, is entering his first full season with the Stamps. Messam was acquired in a late-season trade with Saskatchewan and cracked the 100-yard mark in his Calgary debut. He was a free agent over the winter but opted to stay with the Stamps. The Stamps brass believes the team will have more flexibility to use an international at tailback this season which means Tory Harrison, who dazzled in spot duty as a rookie, may get more work. Harrison had five receiving touchdowns a a part-timer and made an impression with his speed and shiftiness. Lache Seastrunk, a college star at Baylor and a Washington Redskins draft pick, and former Ottawa RedBlack Roy Finch are among the newcomers. The fullbacks are a veteran crew with starter Rob Cote returning along with young apprentices William Langlais and Charlie Power.

Receivers

Returnees: Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, Skye Dawson*, Lamar Durant, Kamar Jorden*, Marquay McDaniel*, Anthony Parker, Joe West*, Greg Wilson*

Newcomers: Juwan Brescacin, DaVaris Daniels*, Bakari Grant*, Josh Harper*, Carlton Mitchell*, Jamal Nixon*, Matthew Norzil

Departures: Jabari Arthur, Jeff Fuller*, Eric Rogers*

Analysis: It was inevitable that the NFL would come calling after Eric Rogers’ dazzling 2015 season and so the Stamps watched their leading receiver go to the San Francisco 49ers. However, Calgary’s other 1,000-yard slotback, the steady Marquay McDaniel, returns. Former Ticat Bakari Grant was signed as a free agent in the off-season and the Stamps love his catching skills as well as his willingness to get his nose dirty as a blocker. Canadian Anthony Parker posted career-best numbers a season ago and the Stamps were very encouraged by the first-year showing of 2015 draftee Lemar Durant. The national content also includes Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, whose 2015 season was hampered by a leg injury. Joe West has also battled injuries during his Stamps career but he’s generally been productive when healthy. Kamar Jorden shared time on the practice roster with Rogers back in 2014 and both were highly regarded but Rogers had first crack at regular playing duty and obviously capitalized on the opportunity while Jorden had to keep biding his time. He hopes it’s his turn now. Greg Wilson also looks for a larger role in 2016 after making 20 catches in six games during his first CFL season. New faces include second-round pick Juwan Brescacin, former Notre Dame star DaVaris Daniels and Carlton Mitchell, who has both CFL and NFL experience.

Offensive linemen

Returnees: Shane Bergman, Derek Dennis*, Brad Erdos, Dan Federkeil, Roman Grozman, Pierre Lavertu, Karl Lavoie, Randy Richards*, Spencer Wilson

Newcomers: Roman Grozman, Quinn Horton, Byron Pinkston*, Ucambre Williams*

Departures: Brander Craighead, Edwin Harrison*, Paul Swiston, Garry Williams*

Analysis: The Stampeders’ 2015 offensive line featured a new man in the middle as all-centre Brett Jones, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2014, departed for NFL pastures. Brander Craighead, one of their projected starters at guard, never played a down and ultimately retired due to concussion symptoms. Two other starters, Dan Federkeil and Edwin Harrison, went down with serious leg injuries in the third game of the season. Karl Lavoie, the team’s first-round pick in 2015, was limited to a single regular-season appearance because of a couple of medical ailments and Brad Erdos, one of the team’s top backups, finished the season on the disabled list. And yet, Pat DelMonaco’s group survived all the lineup changes — included emergency appearances by converted defensive linemen Quinn Smith — to have a great season. Led by Pierre Lavertu, Shane Bergman and CFL all-star Spencer Wilson, the Stamps offensive line that allowed a league-low 31 sacks in 2015 and paved the way for three different tailbacks to record 100-yard games. Those three are back and the Stamps are looking for better health for Federkeil, Lavoie and Erdos. In-season acquisitions Derek Dennis and Randy Richards enter camp as the leading candidates for the left-tackle spot, which figures to be an international position. An interesting rookie is Concordina product Roman Grozman, who was born in Israel before moving to Canada and taking up football relatively late.

Defensive lineman

Returnees: Frank Beltre*, Brandon Boudreaux*, Ben D’Aguilar, Charleston Hughes*, Micah Johnson*, Junior Turner, Quinn Smith, Derek Wiggan

Newcomers: Quayshawne Buckley*, Josh Francis*, Uriah Grant*, Michael Kashak, Marcus Thompson*, Brandon Thurmond*, Ridge Wilson*

Departures: Freddie Bishop III*, DeQuin Evans*, Corey Mace

Analysis: Since 2008, Charleston Hughes has been a fixture at one defensive end position. The other has featured a rotating cast but nevertheless steady production. In 2013, it was Cordarro Law. The following season, Shawn Lemon stepped in and starred. In 2015, it was Freddie Bishop III’s turn. All three left the Stamps to try their luck in the NFL, so the job is wide open once again. Holdovers Frank Beltre and Brandon Boudreaux have the inside track on the position. On the inside, international Micah Johnson and Canadians Quinn Smith, Derek Wiggan and Junior Turner return, although Turner will be sidelined for the start of camp as he finishes his recovery from shoulder surgery. Brandon Thurmond, Uriah Grant and Quayshawne Buckley spent time on the Stamps’ practice roster in 2015 and will be looking for roster spots in camp.

Linebackers

Returnees: Max Caron, Maleki Harris*, Glenn Love*, Deron Mayo*, Corbin Sharun

Newcomers: Pierre-Luc Caron, James Green, Cameron Ontko*, Taylor Reed*, Alex Singleton

Departures: Karl McCartney, Juwan Simpson*

Analysis: The second level of the Stamps defence will definitely be younger and quieter in 2016 following the release of chatty middle linebacker Juwan Simpson. Free-agent acquisition Taylor Reed will get a long look to fill that position as will Maleki Harris, who acquitted himself nicely in a reserve role as a rookie in 2015. Deron Mayo is entrenched as the weak-side linebacker spot. The Stamps have good depth with veteran Glenn Love and second-year man Cameron Ontko. The position features a number of Canadians who figure to see lots of action on special teams including 2016 first-round pick Alex Singleton, James Green, Corbin Sharun and Max Caron, who hopes his injury woes are finally behind him after missing his first two seasons with ruptured Achilles tendons.

Defensive backs

Returnees: Joshua Bell*, Fred Bennett*, Joe Burnett*, Adam Berger, Ciante Evans*, Jeff Hecht, Dexter Janke, Brandon McDonald*, Adam Thibault, Brandon Smith*, Jamar Wall*

Newcomers: Jean-Philippe Bolduc, Malcolm Brown*, Tommie Campbell*, Mylan Hicks*, Travis Manning*, Osagie Odiase*

Departures: Tevaughn Campbell, Keon Raymond*

Analysis: Despite the defection of veteran SAM-position player Keon Raymond to Toronto, the secondary is a veteran-laden crew. Safety Joshua Bell was a CFL all-star in 2015 while halfbacks Jamar Wall and Brandon Smith were bestowed the same honours the previous season. Fred Bennett looks to reclaim one of the corner spots after missing the final month of the season with an injury while Brandon McDonald is the top candidate at the other corner. Former NFLer Tommie Campbell is among the off-season additions and will vie for a starting job and second-year Stamp Ciante Evans made three starts as a rookie and is also in the mix. Ex-Eskimo Joe Burnett, who impressed the Stamps with his versatility in his first season in Red and White, will get first crack at Raymond’s vacated position. Canadians Jeff Hecht and Adam Berger saw a good number of defensive snaps in 2015 and will also be featured players on special teams, as will fellow Canucks Adam Thibault and Dexter Janke.

Kickers/Long Snappers

Returnees: Rob Maver, Rene Paredes, Tim St. Pierre

Newcomers: Pierre-Luc Caron

Departures: Randy Chevrier

Analysis: Rene Paredes led the West Division with 152 points and 41 field goals in 2015 and he had three game-winning field goals including two on the final play of the game. Paredes was 41 of 47 on field goals (87.2 per cent) including 13 of 16 from 40 yards out or longer and was the West Division finalist for the league’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player award. Rob Maver is a two-time CFL all-star whose 45-6-yard average in 2015 was second best in the country. Tim St. Pierre looks to claim the long-snapper job’s after missing the entire 2015 campaign because of injury. Draftee Pierre-Luc Caron will also contend for the long-snapping job that became available after veteran Randy Chevrier’s contract expired.

*Denotes international