This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
Quarterback
Mike Reilly, EDM vs. MTL ($11,900): Reilly gets the plum matchup of the week against the Alouettes, who he lit up for a season-high 415 yards and four touchdowns in Week 7 on his way to 44.2 fantasy points. The litany of metrics that speak to the Alouettes' vulnerabilities in the passing game is extensive and includes the most passing touchdowns (19), most passing first downs (122), most passing yards per game (329.1) and most completions (205) allowed. Reilly threw multiple touchdowns in three of his last four games and has scored on the ground in three straight. With Montreal also having given up the second most completions of over 30 yards (16), Reilly could be primed for another explosive output at Montreal's expense.
Travis Lulay, BC at TOR ($9,600): Lulay turned in a solid but unspectacular outing in Week 9, compiling 12.36 fantasy points against the Eskimos. The veteran could be in for a much bigger haul against an Argonauts defense that has been almost as vulnerable to the air attack as the Alouettes. Toronto has allowed the second most passing yards per game (298.6), highest average yards per pass (9.5) and the highest completion percentage (72.1), along with 13 passing touchdowns and 14 completions of greater than 30 yards. Lulay eclipsed 300 yards in two of his first four starts, and he has thrown for at least one score in each contest. In what could be back-and-forth affair, he could post one of his best returns yet.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, TOR vs. BC ($8,200): Bethel-Thompson was the talk of Week 8 after racking up 356 total yards and four touchdowns versus the Redblacks in a spectacular comeback win. The 30-year-old brings a running dimension as well, making him the potential bargain of the week at his modest price. The Lions shape up as an appealing matchup, considering BC has allowed the third highest passing yards per game (297.0), a robust 64.9 completion rate, 8.5 yards per pass and 13 completions of greater than 30 yards. It's also worth noting that the Lions have yielded the third highest average yards per rush (5.2) and are tied with the Eskimos and Blue Bombers in allowing the most rushing touchdowns in the league (11), particularly relevant stats considering Bethel-Thompson's mobility.
Running Back
James Wilder, Jr., TOR vs BC ($8,200): Wilder eclipsed 20 fantasy points in four of the last five games, supplementing his strong work in the running game with his pass-catching acumen. The star running back should see plenty of work once again against the Lions, which have allowed 114.1 rushing yards per game at a clip of 5.2 yards per carry. As mentioned earlier in Bethel-Thompson's entry, they're also in a three-way tie for most rushing touchdowns allowed (11) on the season, and they've yielded seven rushes of over 20 yards, second most in the CFL. Given that they're also vulnerable to the pass, Wilder should be in a good position to extend his streak of recording at least four catches to five games.
C.J. Gable, EDM vs. MTL ($7,200): The Alouettes are about as bad against the run as they are versus the pass, allowing 126.4 yards per game on the ground and the most rushing first downs (68) in the league. Gable has scored double-digit fantasy points in three straight games and logged double-digit carries in six consecutive contests, so the workload has consistently been there. If the Eskimos manage to jump out to a sizable lead – certainly a possibility given the tantalizing matchup – Gable could see plenty of touches in the second half, setting him up for one of his best games of the season.
*Editor's Note - Gable seems unlikely to play this week. Look for confirmation to come Friday morning.
Tyrell Sutton, MTL at EDM ($6,400): We've seemingly said it every which way possible this season – Sutton manages to contribute in virtually any scenario, with head coach Mike Sherman even affording him a solid workload in blowout losses. The veteran was back to double-digit fantasy points again (11.8) in Week 9 after a rare single-digit tally in Week 8. Sutton's excellent hands out of the backfield also help make him one of the safer cash game plays each week, as he typically supplements his rushing production with 3-to-4 catches per contest on average. The Eskimos check in tied for most rushing touchdowns allowed (11) and have also yielded the second-most rushing first downs (62). Moreover, they've yielded the most pass plays of more than 30 yards, making them a target for Sutton's handiwork through the air.
Tre Mason, SSK vs. CGY ($5,200): Marcus Thigpen will not play in the Week 10 tilt against the Stampeders due to suspension, which makes Mason's price even more appealing than it already was. The shifty back is coming off a Week 8 performance against the Eskimos in which he amassed 124 total yards (62 rushing, 47 receiving, 15 return), an effort that netted 18.65 fantasy points. Although the matchup versus Calgary is less than ideal, Mason should log plenty of touches with which to provide a solid return on his modest price.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Derel Walker, EDM vs. MTL ($9,600): Trying to decide between Walker and teammate D'haquille Williams ($9,700) as the top receiver play is a weekly dilemma, and lately, it's been Walker who has stepped to the forefront as the better play. The speedster put up totals of 30.4 and 25.7 fantasy points the last two weeks, and he shapes up as an attractive play once again versus an Alouettes defense that has been the most vulnerable in the league to big passing plays next to Walker's Eskimos. Montreal has allowed a CFL-high 150.9 passer efficiency rating on pass attempts of more than 20 yards downfield, along with a league-high eight touchdowns. In turn, Walker has impressively hauled in eight of 11 targets of that distance this season, and has six receptions of more than 30 yards on the campaign overall.
S.J. Green, TOR vs. BC ($7,700): Green showed excellent rapport with first-time starter McLeod Bethel-Thompson in Week 8, totaling nine catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns on his way to 37.4 fantasy points. The veteran has another appealing matchup awaiting in Week 10, with the Lions' vulnerabilities to the pass already detailed earlier in Bethel-Thompson's entry. Green had trouble posting consistent production earlier in the season with James Franklin at the controls, but his performance with Bethel-Thompson under center was highly encouraging and merits his selection as a tournament option in a solid matchup.
Nic Demski, WPG vs. OTT ($6,900): Demski has carved out a solid niche in the Blue Bombers' attack with his ability to contribute in multiple phases. The veteran has posted double-digit fantasy points in four straight games, totals he's generated in part by rushing for over 30 yards in two of those contests and by also racking up 134 return yards in Week 9. He will have a chance for another strong performance in Week 10, considering the Redblacks have allowed 272.4 passing yards per contest, along with the third most completions (164) – including third most over 30 yards (14) – and the third highest passer efficiency rating (94.8). A sub-$7K price for a player that could potentially see touches as a rusher, receiver and returner is certainly worth a shot in GPPs. Demski's recent production has been such that he merits consideration for cash games as well, especially with Weston Dressler (lower body) out this week.
Kenny Stafford, EDM vs. MTL ($6,800): The Redblacks' Dominique Rhymes ($3,900) is interesting as a tournament punt play, but it's difficult to know whether he will see the same degree of opportunity as he did in Week 9. Meanwhile, Stafford has been a steady presence in the offense all season, logging at least four catches in five of eight games and seeing a total of 50 targets thus far. The Alouettes' extensive troubles defending the pass have already been detailed, and Stafford is another player capable of taking advantage of their susceptibility to the big play – he's brought in six of 13 targets of greater than 20 yards.
Team Defense
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Calgary Stampeders ($4,100): As was the case the last time these two teams met in Week 6, you can always go with the chalky choice of the Stampeders ($5,600), but it will cost you a pretty penny. Meanwhile, the Roughriders are $1,500 cheaper and are averaging the exact same number of fantasy points (11.7) per contest, largely on the strength of an impressive five defensive touchdowns. One of those came against the Stampeders in Week 6, when Saskatchewan managed to still muster a solid 11.0 fantasy points by also sacking Bo Levi Mitchell twice and picking him off once. The Stampeders' quarterback struggled against Saskatchewan over the last several meetings, and a matchup at Mosaic Stadium– where the Roughriders defense averages 12.75 fantasy points per game – could lead to more of the same.
