This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
Quarterback
Mike Reilly, EDM at BC ($11,300): We once again have a decision to make at the top of the quarterback pool between Reilly and Jeremiah Masoli ($11,600). While both are fine plays, I'll save the $300 and go with Reilly in a matchup against a Lions defense that he already lit up for 37.54 fantasy points earlier this season on the strength of a 326-yard effort that included four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). Reilly brings just as much rushing upside as Masoli as well, and he's coming off a resurgent 369-yard tally against the Redblacks in Week 18. The Lions have been fairly solid offensively, but they've the allowed third-most points per game (25.3), along with 22 completions of greater than 30 yards. They've also yielded a CFL-high 68.2 percent red-zone success rate, while the Eskimos counter with a CFL-best 69.6 percent figure in that area of the field on offense.
James Franklin, TOR vs. MTL ($9,300): Franklin seems intent on making his latest go-around as the starting quarterback a successful one, as he kicked it off with a season-high 22.08 fantasy points versus the Tiger-Cats in Week 18. The young signal caller was proficient through both the ground and air, racking up 292 passing yards and another 44 with his legs. He now draws a matchup versus an Alouettes defense that's been much better recently, but that still checks in allowing the second-most passing touchdowns (26), most passing first downs (222), most passing yards per game (312.9), most completions (376), highest completion percentage (68.9) and second-highest passer efficiency rating (99.7). Franklin appeared a lot more confident against a tough secondary last week, and the softer opposition this week could lead to handsome return on his very reasonable price.
Travis Lulay, BC vs. EDM ($9,100): Speaking of value options, Lulay is even more of a bargain than Franklin, checking in $200 cheaper in a matchup versus an Eskimos defense that's allowed the second-most completions of over 30 yards (31). The Lions have 28 such aerial connections this season, and Lulay has five of his eight touchdowns on passes of over 20 yards. Edmonton has also allowed the third-most passing first downs (187), third-most passing yards per game (273.8) and second-highest average yards per pass (8.8). Lulay has a CFL-low 3.0 interception percentage as well, another point in his favor in what should be a competitive late-season affair.
Running Back
William Powell, OTT vs. HAM ($8,200): Powell disappointed for the first time in a long time in Week 18 with a modest 4.0 fantasy points. However, game flow was at fault, as the Redblacks fell behind by a notable margin to the Eskimos and the running game was largely marginalized as a result. Powell's price consequently went down $300, making it a good week to jump on him at what's likely to be at least slightly lower ownership than usual. What's more, the matchup works in his favor, considering the Ti-Cats come in allowing 109.3 rushing yards per game and a CFL-high 5.7 yards per rush. Powell has also ripped off an impressive eight runs of greater than 20 yards, while Hamilton has allowed a league-high 14 such rushes.
C.J. Gable, EDM at BC ($7,300): Similar to Powell, Gable often offers a safe floor and nice ceiling, and he checks in $900 cheaper than the former this week to boot. The veteran needs just 60 yards to tally the first 1,000-yard season of his career, so he should have a bit of extra motivation Friday against a Lions defense that's allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (109.9) in the CFL, along with the fourth-highest average yards per rush (5.3). Gable posted 23.9 fantasy points in Week 18 versus the Redblacks, and given his involvement in both the running and passing game, he shapes up as a solid value at his price tag.
Tyrell Sutton, BC vs. EDM ($6,800): Sutton made quite the splash in his Lions debut in Week 18, racking up 26.4 fantasy points against the normally stingy Stampeders defense. He impressively accomplished it all through the ground as well, gaining 106 yards and scoring twice. Given Sutton's pass-catching acumen, we may not have seen his ceiling in that contest. He'll have an opportunity to build on that effort versus an Eskimos defense that's allowed the third-highest average yards per rush (5.4), most rushing touchdowns (18) and second-most completions of over 30 yards (31). That final number comes into play when considering Sutton due to his past involvement in the passing game, and the 22 carries he logged last week also offers some assurances about his relatively ample workload in his new digs.
Alex Green, HAM at OTT ($6,000): If you have the extra $400, the Argos' Brandon Burks ($6,400) is also very appealing in this range in what will be another start for James Wilder (leg). However, Green could fly a bit under the radar in Week 19 despite being listed as the starting running back, considering he's missed multiple games with an arm injury. He's priced down for a critical matchup against a Redblacks squad that's yielded 106.1 rushing yards per game and the third-most rushing touchdowns (14) in the CFL. Green has averaged 20.0 fantasy points and scored five of his eight touchdowns on the season over three road games, and he should enjoy a normal workload now that he's back to full health.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Brandon Banks, HAM at OTT ($10,000): Banks has proven time and time again he's worth the five-figure price tag, and this week is no different. The dynamic veteran tore up the Argonauts secondary for the third time this season in Week 18, compiling 34.8 fantasy points on the strength of a 178-yard, one-touchdown performance. It's been a season of big plays and spectacular returns for Banks, who's eclipsed 20.0 fantasy points on a whopping 10 occasions. One of those was against this same Redblacks team in Week 7, when he posted nine receptions for 113 yards. Ottawa comes in having allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (23), along with 266.4 passing yards per game and the fourth-most completions (323). Meanwhile, Banks is tied with the Eskimos' D'haquille Williams for most touchdowns (10), and he leads the CFL in both catches of over 30 yards (11) and 100-yard games (nine) He also boasts a catch rate of 54.0 percent on targets of over 20 yards, adding to his big-play upside.
D'haquille Williams, EDM at BC ($8,900): Speaking of Williams, the time is now to grab the prolific Eskimos wideout at a bargain price. Williams' cost has come down $1,200 since Week 16, when he was a five-figure player. A pair of sub-par sub-40-yard efforts have been responsible for the freefall, but Williams remains a high-upside play heading into a matchup against a Lions defense whose vulnerabilities to both the deep passing game and in the red zone were detailed in Reilly's entry. Both of those areas just happen to constitute the most successful aspects of Williams' game, talents he promptly put on display versus this same BC defense back in Week 3 when he generated 31.9 fantasy points virtue of a six-catch, 129-yard, one-touchdown performance.
Adarius Bowman, MTL at TOR ($5,400): You could have your pick of several capable wideouts on the Alouettes, including Geno Lewis ($6,200) and Ernest Jackson ($5,800). However, since they've all been producing at around the same clip and Johnny Manziel is still difficult to trust at quarterback, it makes sense to grab the lowest-priced option. That would be Bowman, who's posted 11.7 and 10.8 fantasy points, respectively, over the last two games, and who's tallied 10 catches in the last three contests overall. Those numbers aren't spectacular, but at his price tag, you're essentially looking for something in that range to consider it solid value. The matchup lines up well, as the Argonauts have allowed the most passing touchdowns (30), second-most passing first downs (196), second-most passing yards per game (297.5), second-highest completion percentage (68.8), highest average yards per pass (9.7) and most completions of over 30 yards (30).
Markeith Ambles, CGY vs. SSK ($5,000): Ambles is one of several interesting low-cost options at the receiver pool in Week 19, with accomplished Marquay McDaniel ($4,000) also a very intriguing tournament dart throw at his price tag. Ambles has been making waves in recent games in the wake of multiple injuries to Stamps receivers, collecting eight receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown over the last pair of contests. He should see ample snaps again in Week 19 versus a Roughriders defense that's generally been tough this season, but that's allowed 8.0 yards per pass and the third-most completions of over 30 yards (28). At his price, anything approximating his Week 18 haul of 17.0 fantasy points would be considered an excellent return.
Team Defense
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders ($4,100): It's rare that the cheapest defense on the slate is truly viable, but such is the case in Week 19. The Roughriders have been a bit inconsistent of late, but they're still averaging 12.5 fantasy points per contest and have tormented the Stampeders on two other occasions this season. Saskatchewan compiled a combined two interceptions, four fumble recoveries and seven sacks in that Week 6 and Week 8 home-and-home series, averaging an impressive 18.0 fantasy points in those games. The Riders have been stingy against the pass overall while allowing the second-highest completion percentage (61.4), while the Stamps check in with a CFL-low completion rate (60.4). The Riders are also tied with the Eskimos for most sacks (43) and have recorded the most two-and-outs (95), and their 14 fumble recoveries and 119 points off turnovers both rank third-highest in the league.
