This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
Quarterback
Trevor Harris, OTT vs. HAM ($10,200): Harris scored more than 25 fantasy points in three of his past five games, posting a 10:4 TD:INT ratio over that span. Notably, one of those contests was a 394-yard effort versus this same Tiger-Cats squad back in Week 9 on the road. Hamilton continues to rank last in passing yards (332.5), completions (426), average yards per pass (8.8), passing efficiency rating (107.2) and passing touchdowns (30) allowed on the season.
Jeremiah Masoli, HAM at OTT ($9,700): Masoli is in a good spot, considering the Redblacks check in allowing the third-most passing yards per contest (309.4), along with the second-most completions (423). Masoli scored between 23.7 and 31.3 fantasy points in the last four games, and eclipsed 20 fantasy points in five of the last six contests. That stretch includes an ongoing three-game streak of 300-yard efforts, and with Ottawa looking to still secure first place in the East Division, Masoli and his teammates should be primed to play spoiler.
Kevin Glenn, SSK vs. MTL ($8,800): There's admittedly plenty of risk associated with rostering Glenn, considering that head coach Chris Jones has shown no hesitation in pulling the veteran fairly early in games if he feels the offense is stagnant. However, Glenn should be especially motivated facing his former Alouettes teammates, and the matchup works in his favor as well. Montreal is tied with the Blue Bombers for the second-most passing touchdowns (29) allowed, while also surrendering 301.1 passing yards per game, the third-most completions (420) and the highest completion percentage (70.6) and opposing QB rating (95.6). Glenn proved he's still capable of big fantasy production when playing all four quarters just two games ago, lighting up the Redblacks for 24.48 fantasy points in Week 17.
Running Back
Jeremiah Johnson, BC at WPG ($7,200): Johnson notched double-digit fantasy points in five of the last seven contests, and he averaged 6.1 yards per carry against the Blue Bombers in a Week 17 road tilt. Winnipeg checks in allowing 96.9 rushing yards per game and surrendering the second-highest average yards per rush (5.4), second-most rushing touchdowns (17) and second-most rushes over 20 yards (10). Johnson also has a consistent role in the passing game, as evidenced by a pair of six-catch tallies over the last three contests.
Jerome Messam, CGY at EDM ($7,000): Messam takes aim at an Eskimos defense that is allowing the most rushing touchdowns (18) and runs over 20 yards (13), along with the highest average yards per rush (6.0). They're also surrendering the second-most rush yards per contest (101.5). Messam has already racked up 19.1 fantasy points against this defense in one prior game this season and typically sees a double-digit carry workload that enables him to return solid value.
Chris Rainey, BC at WPG ($6,400): Rainey is a viable play for his all-around upside, as he has scored between 15.2 and 20.0 fantasy points in three straight games on the strength of some stellar efforts in the return game and some side work as a receiver. He's bound to see a handful of rushing attempts this week as well – which could certainly help his production, considering the Blue Bombers' aforementioned issues defending the run – and he's poised to rack up some yardage against a Winnipeg squad that is allowing the highest kick-return average (23.7 yards) in the CFL.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Brandon Zylstra, EDM vs. CGY ($9,500): The Stampeders' secondary is usually one to avoid, but Zylstra has seemingly cracked the code on them this season. He posted 30.7 and 31.7 fantasy points, respectively, against them in Weeks 11 and 12, compiling a combined 19 receptions for 314 yards and a touchdown. He had a down week against the Lions in Week 18, but it was still good enough to generate 11.32 fantasy points. He had scored between 29.4 and 37.35 fantasy points in five of his six previous contests, making him a very viable GPP option that could be a tad lower-owned than usual this week.
Greg Ellingson, OTT vs. HAM ($8,900): Ellingson has one 10-catch, 155-yard outing against the Tiger-Cats already this year, and Hamilton's considerable vulnerability to the passing game was detailed earlier in Harris' entry. Ellingson has been prone to occasional downturns in production, but an upside north of 30 fantasy points makes him a GPP option each week.
Brandon Banks, HAM at OTT ($7,600): Banks' transition to a full-time receiving role has been a rousing success, as he has now rattled off four consecutive 100-yard efforts, scoring between 21.05 and 39.45 fantasy points in those contests. He also made a successful return to an expanded special teams capacity in Week 18, amassing 111 yards and a touchdown on four punt returns. Given the Redblacks' vulnerabilities in the passing game described earlier -- and their propensity for giving up long completions in particular -- Banks is certainly in play for either cash contests or GPPs this week.
Chris Givens, WPG vs. BC ($5,100): Givens is one of two discounted receiver plays with some upside for tournaments this week. The former NFL wideout made his CFL debut last week against the Argonauts and accumulated 13.6 fantasy points on the strength of a four-catch, 41-yard effort that was supplemented by 110 return yards. The Lions have given up 25 passing touchdowns and the fourth-highest kickoff return average (22.1) in the CFL, helping make Givens a viable value play if you need to spend less at one of your WR or FLEX spots.
Caleb Holley, SSK vs. MTL ($5,000): There are a couple factors working in Holley's in Week 19. Naaman Roosevelt has already been ruled out of Friday night's contest, and Duron Carter may only face his former teammates on the defensive side of the ball, as he is slated for another run at cornerback this week. With that being the case, the speedy Holley steps to the forefront alongside teammates Bakari Grant ($6,900) and Chad Owens ($6,300), who are also worth considering at higher price points. Holley has the downfield speed to capitalize on the Alouettes' significant weaknesses against the pass that were cited in Glenn's entry, and he has produced back-to-back double-digit fantasy point efforts in a lesser role than he's likely to play Friday.
Team Defense
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. BC Lions ($5,000): Selecting a defense in CFL DFS is not always about who will give up the least points, especially considering the pass-happy nature of the league. It's often about turnovers and game-changing plays, and the Blue Bombers are set up for a potentially big performance in that regard Saturday afternoon. The Winnipeg defense has averaged a solid 9.9 fantasy points over eight home games, racking up 15 sacks, 12 interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one safety and five defensive touchdowns in the process. Some of those totals came against this same Lions squad in Week 17, when they racked up a season-high 22.0 fantasy points on the strength of two sacks, two interceptions, a safety and two defensive scores. Meanwhile, the Blue Bombers also lead the CFL in interceptions (21) and have compiled 33 sacks, while the Lions have allowed the quarterback to be taken down a CFL-high 42 times. They're also second only to Montreal in turnovers committed (35), while the Bombers' 137 points off turnovers is a league-leading figure. Lions quarterback Jonathon Jennings' mistake-prone play (15 interceptions) is a bad recipe against one of the CFL's most opportunistic defenses.
