This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
Quarterback
Bo Levi Mitchell, CGY at MTL ($11,400): Mike Reilly ($11,600) is also on the slate, but I like Mitchell's prospects much better in a matchup against the league's most vulnerable secondary in the Alouettes. Montreal continues to rank at or near the bottom in every pass defense metric again this week, including passing touchdowns (26), passing first downs (211), passing yards per game (321.0), completions (356) and completion percentage (69.5) allowed. Mitchell has averaged a healthy 24.17 fantasy points per game on the road, and he already lit up this same Montreal squad for 20.68 fantasy points earlier this season. And finally, the Als' propensity for giving up big plays in the passing game (24 completions of more than 30 yards) dovetails perfectly for Mitchell, who benefits from the Stamps' CFL-high 69.0 percent pass ratio and who's thrown 16 touchdowns of more than 20 yards this season.
Trevor Harris, OTT vs. WPG ($10,500): Harris is a perpetually reliable selection, as he's scored between 19.32 and 27.04 fantasy points in five of the last six games. The Blue Bombers come in having allowed the third-most passing first downs (161), second-most completions (316) and third-highest completion percentage (65.2), and they already surrendered 27.04 fantasy points to Harris in one prior meeting this season, a game in which the veteran completed 74.4 percent of his 39 attempts on his way to a 361-yard effort. Despite the five-figure price tag, Harris plethora of pass-catching weapons and consistency make him worth the investment if you're paying up.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, TOR at BC ($8,200): Bethel-Thompson continues to be a solid value play despite his team's shoddy record, and his price has actually dropped $200 despite the fact he generated 16.72 fantasy points in Week 16 against the Stampeders. Bethel-Thompson has scored between 14.4 and 35.48 fantasy points overall in his last six games, and he brings some decent rushing upside to the table as well. The Lions have respectable numbers against the pass, but they have allowed the fourth-highest average yards per attempt (8.1) and 21 completions of greater than 30 yards on the season. Additionally, with James Wilder (leg) ruled out of the Week 17 matchup, Bethel-Thompson could have more responsibility and will also have the luxury of an elite pass-catcher out of the backfield in Dexter McCluster on the field more often.
Running Back
William Powell, OTT vs. WPG ($8,300): Powell has assumed the mantle of top CFL fantasy running back this season, already amassing 1,141 yards and seven touchdowns. He's averaged 18.5 fantasy points over six home games thus far in 2018, and he's scored 22.2 to 34.5 fantasy points in four of his last five games, providing a glimpse at his expansive ceiling. One of the tallies in that sample came against this same Winnipeg squad, which he touched up for 32.2 fantasy points on the strength of 146 total yards and a touchdown back in Week 10. The return matchup shapes up well for him, as the Bombers have allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns (17) in the league and 5.0 yards per rush. Given his solid passing-game usage as well (37 receptions), he boasts one of the safest floors in the league.
Don Jackson, CGY at MTL ($6,900): Jackson has proven a reliable play himself when he's been healthy, averaging 6.3 yards per tote. The Nevada product has been even better on the road, averaging 17.8 fantasy points in the away contests he's played while gaining 9.4 yards per carry. The Alouettes shape up as appealing targets as well, allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (112.6), most rush attempts (326) and 11 rushes of greater than 20 yards. Jackson has four rushes of that distance and already has a trio of 100-yard efforts, making him a high-upside play at a sub-$7K price.
C.J Gable, EDM at SSK ($6,700): Gable has been hamstrung by game flow over the last two games, yet he's still averaged 6.8 yards on 17 carries over that span. The veteran typically has a steady role in the passing game as well, although he was held without a reception in Week 16 for the first time this season. Gable has logged double-digit carries in eight of the last 10 games, and he posted 14 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown versus the same Roughriders squad in a Week 8 matchup. Saskatchewan also comes in allowing a robust 5.1 yards per rush, furthering Gable's value at a reasonable price.
Dexter McCluster, TOR at BC ($4,800): McCluster finally made his CFL debut in Week 16 and had an immediate impact, tallying 119 total yards on 10 touches from scrimmage and another three on returns. McCluster's opportunities should only rise in Week 17, considering James Wilder, Jr. will miss the game with a leg injury. With an expanded role that should include plenty of work from both scrimmage and special teams – and considering the Lions have allowed 10.7 yards per punt return and 23.1 yards per kickoff return - he's the bargain of the week at a sub-$5K price.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Diontae Spencer, OTT vs. WPG ($9,100): Spencer offers a nice discount off the price of D'haquille Williams ($9,700) and offers a safe floor due to his additional duties on special teams. Spencer has supplemented his fantasy production with over 100 yards in returns in three of his past four games, and he's racked up a combined 199 receiving yards over the last pair of contests. He totaled 18.15 fantasy points in his one previous encounter with the Blue Bombers this season, while Winnipeg's vulnerabilities to the pass were already detailed in Harris' entry.
Kyran Moore, SSK vs. EDM ($6,700): Moore has provided the previously pedestrian Roughriders passing game with a big-play component, as he's totaled at least one catch of over 20 yards in five of the six games he's played. The Austin Peay product is averaging an impressive 16.5 yards per grab, and he's totaled 20.35 and 32.25 fantasy points, respectively, over the last two games. Moore could have another busy day in store versus the Eskimos, which typically force opposing teams to remain aggressive through the air in an effort to keep up with them. Edmonton has allowed the third-most passing yards per game (273.6) and second-highest average yards per pass (8.9), while also drawing even with the Alouettes for most completions of over 30 yards allowed (29).
Bryant Mitchell, EDM at SSK ($6,100): As customary, Mitchell offers you cost-effective exposure to the prolific Eskimos passing attack, and he's flashed a nice floor recently with between six and eight catches over his last four games. The 26-year-old wideout sports a solid 13.2 average depth of target on his 44 looks, while the Roughriders come in having allowed 23 completions of over 30 yards, third-most in the CFL. That could spell some downfield success for Mitchell, which would potentially allow him to pay off his very modest price handsomely, especially if Williams misses the game with the shoulder injury that's currently caused him to miss multiple practices this past week.
Juwan Brescacin, CGY at MTL ($5,700): Brescacin is underpriced for what should be an expanded role in a plum matchup, as the Stampeders receivers continue to drop like flies. Reggie Begelton became the latest casualty in Week 16, suffering a broken arm in the first quarter against the Argonauts. Brescacin stepped up with a 5-64-1 line that netted 17.4 fantasy points. A week earlier, the Northern Illinois product had totaled five catches for 109 yards against the Tiger-Cats as well, and he's already seen 43 targets on the season at an average depth of 14.2 yards. Brescacin's big-play ability is also evidenced by his solid 45.5 percent catch rate on pass attempts of greater than 20 yards, which is a good fit for fantasy purposes with the Alouettes' susceptibility to big passing plays that was detailed in Bo Levi Mitchell's entry earlier.
Team Defense
Ottawa Redblacks vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers ($4,600): The Redblacks defense comes in averaging a solid 8.67 fantasy points at home, totaling six interceptions, four fumble recoveries and 13 sacks over those six games. They're allowing almost six less points per contest at TD Place Stadium (18.3, as compared to 24.1 on the road), and they walloped this same Winnipeg squad for 14.0 fantasy points back in Week 10. The Blue Bombers have also been particularly mistake-prone, committing the third-most turnovers (30), including the second-most interceptions (17). Ottawa also comes in allowing the second-fewest first downs (253) and points per game (22.5), while Winnipeg has had trouble putting together sustained drives, posting the third-most two-and-outs (67) in the CFL.
