This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
Quarterback
Jeremiah Masoli, HAM at TOR ($11,500): Masoli did it again in Week 12, racking up 33.6 fantasy points on the strength of a season-best 385-yard passing day against this same Argonauts squad. A rematch sets him up as the top quarterback play once again in Week 13, especially considering Masoli has actually averaged more fantasy points on the road (25.42) than at home (21.45). Toronto now comes in allowing the second-most passing touchdowns (17), second-most passing first downs (136), second-most passing yards per game (307.6), highest completion percentage (71.0) and highest average yards per pass (9.6), with Masoli having played a role in some of those numbers worsening to those levels last week. Masoli also logged another pair of completions over 30 yards against Toronto in Week 12, pushing them into a tie with the Eskimos for most completions of that distance surrendered (22).
Zach Collaros, SSK vs. WPG ($8,100): Collaros turned in another steady performance in Week 12, totaling 14.0 fantasy points against the Blue Bombers while throwing a touchdown pass for the third consecutive game. The veteran now draws a rematch against a Winnipeg squad that continues to allow the third-most passing first downs (127), second-highest number of pass attempts (394), second-most completions (261) and third-highest completion percentage (66.2). Collaros has scored between 11.7 and 15.54 over the four games he's played since returning from a concussion, giving him an unspectacular but steady floor that's commensurate to his affordable price.
James Franklin, TOR vs. HAM ($6,700): Nick Arbuckle ($6,800) is also interesting in this price range if the Stampeders' Bo Levi Mitchell misses with his knee injury, but Franklin makes for an intriguing option for those that have a tolerance for a bit of risk and want to load up elsewhere. The former starter has been providing sneaky value since being benched, as he's seemingly become the Argos' preferred goal-line option. That much was evident in Week 12 against this same Ti-Cats squad, when Franklin compiled an impressive three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing), leading to 16.92 fantasy points. He's scored three other short rushing touchdowns since being benched prior to Week 8, leading to solid fantasy-point totals relative to his minuscule price. While this is strictly a risk-laden tournament play, it's one that could pay off nicely and significantly differentiate your lineups.
Running Back
William Powell, OTT at BC ($7,900): For those that have the cash to spend, Andrew Harris ($8,500) carries some intrigue after ripping off 158 rushing yards against the same Roughriders squad he'll face in Week 13. However, Powell makes for a viable alternative versus a Lions defense that's allowed the third-most rushing touchdowns (13) and seven runs of over 20 yards. Powell has four such runs this season and a quartet of 100-yard efforts as well, and he also touched up BC for 24.1 fantasy points back in Week 6. The veteran tallied seven receptions for 61 yards that day in addition to 50 rushing yards and a touchdown, and it's worth noting that the Lions come in allowing a robust 71.4 completion percentage on passes of between four and nine yards, a depth of target that would be in Powell's wheelhouse.
Alex Green, HAM at TOR ($7,900): Green is boasting one of the safest floors of any back in the CFL at present, logging no fewer than 15 carries in any of the four games he's seen action in while racking up a whopping seven touchdowns over that span. With the reins of the lead-back role firmly in hand, he brings guaranteed volume without necessarily breaking your bank, and he draws a rematch against an Argos squad he thrived against in Week 12. Green racked up a whopping 33.3 fantasy points on the strength of 143 total yards and three touchdowns in that contest, worsening Toronto's already questionable run defense metrics. The Argos also check in allowing the second-most rushing yards (116.5), second-most rush attempts (227) and third-highest average yards per rush (5.1), along with 10 scores on the ground.
C.J. Gable, EDM vs. CGY ($7,100): Gable has been very steady in his own right, scoring 13.1 to 17.3 fantasy points in his last four games. Like Green, his workload has been reliable, and he generated the high end of that fantasy-point range versus this same Stamps squad in Week 12. Gable could well be one of the Eskimos' best alternatives for moving the ball this coming week as well, considering Derel Walker has hit the injured list with the knee injury he suffered last week, and the Calgary secondary is one of the best in the CFL to begin with. While the Stamps have been defensively stout all the way around, Gable demonstrated that he was able to make inroads on the ground against them a week ago, making him a viable mid-tier play again this week.
Marcus Thigpen, SSK at WPG ($5,700): Thigpen's status heading into a Week 12 matchup against this same Blue Bombers team was cloudy, but he ultimately suited up and tallied 18.85 fantasy points on the strength of 125 all-purpose yards. Thigpen's shiftiness in space can wreak havoc on any defense, but especially one like Winnipeg's that's allowed the most rushing touchdowns (16), eight rushes of over 20 yards, 15 completions of more than 30 yards and three punt and kickoff returns apiece of more than 30 yards as well. Those are all areas in which Thigpen can do damage, and with no clear lead back in place in Saskatchewan, he projects for double-digit touches from scrimmage again in Week 13.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Brandon Banks, HAM at TOR ($9,900): Jalen Saunders will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, boosting Banks' already strong fantasy prospects further. The speedster lit up the same Argonauts secondary he'll face in Week 13 last week for a season-high 40.9 fantasy points, a performance during which he touched the ball as a rusher, receiver and both a punt and missed field-goal returner. The spectacular effort offers a snapshot of the upside Banks brings each week, and with Saunders now sidelined, Banks impressive floor is even safer. The Argonauts' numerous poor pass defense metrics were already illustrated in Masoli's entry, but the numbers that perhaps make Banks' case the most are those from his aforementioned Week 12 tally – nine receptions, 135 yards and two touchdowns.
DaVaris Daniels, CGY at EDM ($9,200): Daniels' stock was already soaring after scoring for the fifth time in five games against the Eskimos in Week 12, but the unfortunate news that teammate Kamar Jorden is lost for the season with a leg injury suffered in that contest makes Daniels even more of an elite option. The 25-year-old racked up a season-high 116 receiving yards versus Edmonton last week as well, and he's totaled 25.3 and 27.6 fantasy points, respectively over the last two weeks. The Esks continue to give up a fair amount through the air, and perhaps most important -- given Daniels' speed -- is the fact they're tied with the Argonauts for most completions of over 30 yards allowed (22). While a potential absence on Bo Levi Mitchell's part is admittedly a concern, Daniels has to be afforded consideration given that he'll serve as the No. 1 receiver moving forward.
Luke Tasker, HAM at TOR ($8,100): Jalen Saunders' season-ending injury also improves the outlook for Tasker, not that it wasn't already bright after the last pair of games. The sure-handed veteran has posted 17 receptions for 300 yards and two touchdowns over that stretch, a tally that includes an eight-catch, 143-yard, one-touchdown trampling of the same Argonauts secondary he'll face in Week 13. With a price that lags behind his recent level of production, Tasker shapes up as highly appealing way to gain exposure to the potent Hamilton passing attack in Week 13.
Kevin Elliott, BC vs. OTT ($5,200): With Walker out of commission for the Eskimos, Kenny Stafford ($5,600) and Vidal Hazelton ($4,700) are both options above and below Elliott, although the stingy Stamps secondary puts somewhat of a damper on their outlook. Meanwhile, Elliott has a chance at an expanded role himself with Emmanuel Arceneaux sitting in Week 13 with a knee injury, an absence that affords Elliott a start at slotback. The Redblacks have allowed 15 passing touchdowns and 17 completions of over 30 yards, and they're about league average in most other major pass defense categories. Elliott doesn't need an otherworldly performance by any means to justify his highly affordable price, and Travis Lulay is more than competent enough to help lead him to a solid return.
Team Defense
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers ($4,600): The pricing algorithm's adversarial relationship with the Roughriders defense continues for another week, as Saskatchewan checks in with the fifth-lowest price tag among the eight units in action. This, despite the fact that they remain the highest-scoring fantasy defense in the league (12.9 fantasy points per game) and draw the same matchup that yielded an impressive 15.0 fantasy points last week. The Riders check in with the third-most forced turnovers (26) – including the most fumble recoveries (14) -- and the most points off turnovers (87), with the 10 points they managed following Blue Bombers miscues last week vaulting them from third place to the top spot in the latter category. They've also allowed the second-fewest fewest yards per play (5.9) while compiling the second-most sacks (26) and most two-and-outs (67). Meanwhile, Winnipeg has been guilty of both the second-most interceptions thrown (11) and fumbles lost (nine), making them an excellent target for the aggressive Riders defense yet again.
