DraftKings CFL: Week 10 Value Plays

The CFL and DraftKings are back with a four-game slate in Week 10, one that could bring a potential fantasy goldmine for the Edmonton Eskimos in a matchup against the Toronto Argonauts, as well as a big test for the improving Montreal Alouettes against the defending-champion Calgary Stampeders.

With plenty to break down, let's delve into multiple options at each position across the salary spectrum for your Week 10 cash games and GPPs.: 

DraftKings CFL Plays- Week 10

Quarterback

Trevor Harris, EDM at TOR ($10,200): Harris has been one of the most consistent fantasy producers at the position on the season and draws a matchup that should certainly help facilitate another strong performance. The Argonauts have had trouble overall on defense and come into the matchup allowing the third-most passing yards per game (291.7) despite giving up the second-fewest passing attempts (229). That disparity can largely be traced to Toronto surrendering the highest average yards per attempt (8.9), tying with Ottawa for most completions of 30 yards or more allowed (12) and surrendering the second-highest passer efficiency rating (108.4). The Argos have also allowed the second-most passing touchdowns (13) and Harris has thrown for 298 yards or more in three straight contests. Given the matchup, Harris' upside is substantial in the road matchup.

Nick Arbuckle ($9,600) or Bo Levi Mitchell ($9,400), CGY vs. MTL: Arbuckle has been very serviceable as Mitchell's backup during the latter's shoulder injury. Mitchell's status is considered firmly up in the air for Saturday night's game after he opened the week with a full practice followed by a limited session. Therefore, I'm taking the unusual step of listing both quarterbacks here, as I consider either one the play at the price range they're in. The Alouettes are yielding the second-most passing yards per game (304.9) and third-highest average yards per attempt (8.5). They're also tied with the Lions for third-most completions of 30 or more yards allowed (10), and both Arbuckle and Mitchell are highly capable of exploiting their weaknesses downfield. Arbuckle particularly has shown a knack for connecting deep during his interim starting tenure, generating a 52.0 percent completion rate on targets of 20 yards or longer, good for second in the CFL.

Matt Nichols, WPG vs. BC ($8,400): The Tiger-Cats' Dane Evans ($8,600) is also intriguing in this price range after two solid starts. However, Nichols is $200 cheaper and almost the forgotten man at quarterback this week, with his highly appealing price making him a potentially sneaky value play in GPPs. Granted, he's earned a progressive price drop due to some lackluster performances recently, but that trend could reverse in Week 10. The Lions have been only average defending the pass this season, allowing 263.6 passing yards per game and 186 completions, both middle-of-the-road numbers. They're also surrendering the second-highest completion percentage (73.5) and the highest passer efficiency rating (113.9), and especially notable in Nichols' case, they've given up the most touchdown passes on attempts of 20 yards or longer (nine). In turn, Nichols' eight touchdown passes on attempts of that length lead the CFL, and he also boasts the highest completion percentage in the CFL (85.2) on targets of up to nine yards. That also dovetails well for fantasy purposes with BC's defensive profile, as they're allowing an 80.7 percent completion rate and second-most touchdowns (five) in the shorter passing window. 

Running Back

Andrew Harris, WPG vs. BC ($11,000): Harris once again validated his five-figure cost in Week 9, racking up 25.4 fantasy points against a normally tough Stampeders defense. Thursday, he'll face a Lions defense he already trampled to the tune of 25.5 fantasy points back in the season opener. Harris also has at least five receptions and as many as eight in all but one game this season, and his elite receiving ability makes him a perfect match for the Lions' weaknesses defending the short pass as just described in Nichols' entry. Then, the Lions are also yielding 107.0 rushing yards per game, 5.1 yards per carry and 10 rushing touchdowns overall on the season, further cementing Harris' candidacy as the top back to pay up for.

C.J. Gable, EDM at TOR ($8,800): Gable offered a tangible reminder of his dual-threat upside in Week 9, carving up the Redblacks for 150 total yards and totaling 34.0 fantasy points.  Gable has at least four catches in all but two contests this season and has double-digit fantasy points in six of eight games as well. The Argonauts have struggled to stop the run all season, checking in allowing the most rushing yards per game (145.6), highest yards per carry (6.1) and the third-most rushes of 20 or more yards (six). Gable's production has admittedly been up and down at times, but his matchup Friday calls for serious consideration and could well produce one of his better games.

John Crockett, OTT vs. HAM ($5,600): Crockett continues to offer a rare combination of consistent performance and reasonable price. The first-year back's most recent solid effort came in Week 9 against the Eskimos, when he rushed for 89 yards and added 19 more through the air on his way to 12.8 fantasy points. Crockett has yet to find the end zone, but he's essentially had a locked-in workload with double-digit carries in four straight games. The Tiger-Cats are allowing the third-most rushing yards per game (117.1) at a clip of 5.6 yards per carry, the second-highest figure in the CFL. They're also tied with Crockett's own Redblacks for most rushing touchdowns allowed (13), a weakness that could result in Crocket finally crossing the goal line for the first time in his pro career.

Wide Receiver/Slotback

Brandon Banks, HAM at OTT ($10,800): Banks enjoyed a successful return to action in Week 9, as he totaled 39.7 fantasy points versus the Lions on the strength of a 9-137-2 line. Banks has now exceeded 30 fantasy points on four occasions this season, including one instance over 40. His role is such that he's an elite cash game or GPP play, and his numbers last week with Dane Evans under center certainly provide some peace of mind with respect to how well his upside would hold up without Jeremiah Masoli (knee) at the controls. He'll enjoy a premium matchup in Week 10 against Ottawa, as the Redblacks are allowing the most passing yards per game (305.3), most completions (205) and second highest average yards per attempt (8.7). Perhaps just as important, they're also tied with the Argonauts for most completions of 30 or more yards allowed (12), a vulnerability that Banks (CFL-high 10 catches and 21 targets of 20 or more yards) is well equipped to exploit.

Ricky Collins, EDM at TOR ($8,300): Collins displayed some game-to-game inconsistency in his production early in the season, but he's been much better in that regard of late. The veteran has notched at least four grabs in four consecutive games and has 78 receiving yards or more in three of those contests. The Argonauts' extensive troubles defending the pass were already highlighted in Harris' entry, and Collins has quickly proven to be one of Trevor Harris' most reliable targets. Collins has been even better on the road (17.9 fantasy points per game and both of his touchdowns over four contests) and should once again be in Harris' cross-hairs frequently Friday.

Eric Rogers, CGY vs. MTL ($8,400): Rogers' position mate Markeith Ambles is now questionable for Saturday's game after suffering an ankle injury this week. That enhances Rogers' already solid value in a favorable matchup against one of the more vulnerable secondaries in the league. The Alouettes' weaknesses versus the pass were detailed earlier in the entry covering the Stampeders' quarterbacks, and Rogers has scored double-digit fantasy points in six of his last seven games. He's demonstrated solid upside in both cash games and GPPs, with the latest example of a 17.8 fantasy-point tally versus the Blue Bombers on a 6-58-1 line in Week 9. He's averaging a solid depth of target of 13.4 yards, making him a viable threat against a Montreal team that has given up some big plays downfield.

Chris Matthews, WPG vs. BC ($5,500): If you need further savings, the Argonauts' Rodney Smith ($4,400) is also a viable option versus the Eskimos. Meanwhile, Matthews' price remains very affordable, and with a matchup on tap versus a defense that's consistently struggled to defend the pass, he sets up as one of the best potential fantasy-point-per-dollar values of the week.  The Lions' vulnerabilities in the secondary were detailed in Nichols' entry earlier, and their weakness in the medium passing window (league-high 76.7 percent completion rate allowed on targets of 10 to 19 yards in depth) and CFL-high 73.0 percent red-zone success rate allowed dovetail well for Matthews when considering his 11.3 YPC for the season.

Team Defense

Edmonton Eskimos at Toronto Raptors ($5,400): Given their performance this season, it's difficult to move off the Eskimos' defense regardless of opponent. However, when it's the Argonauts on the ledger, Edmonton's elite unit becomes even more attractive. Toronto's list of offensive ineptitude is long – fewest points per game (14.7), fewest first downs (133), second-most two-and-outs (47), most turnovers committed (28) and most points off turnovers allowed (76). Conversely, the Eskimos are allowing the fewest points per game (17.3), fewest first downs (126), fewest plays from scrimmage per game (48.5) and fewest yards per play (5.2). Edmonton has also recorded the most sacks (26) and two-and-outs (52), giving its elite defense multiple paths to success. The Eskimos are also averaging a solid 9.8 fantasy points per four road games, while five of their six fumble recoveries this season have also come when traveling.