This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
Quarterback
Travis Lulay, BC vs. SSK ($10,000): Naturally, this selection applies only if Lulay gets the starting call once again in place of Jonathon Jennings ($10,300), who has missed the last two-plus games with his shoulder injury. If Lulay does take the field, he will face off against a Roughriders defense that has yielded a respectable 264.0 yards per game through the air, but 12 passing touchdowns in just five games as well. Lulay has scored between 26.86 and 39.14 fantasy points in the three games he's seen action in, throwing for over 400 yards in two of those contests. If Lulay were to head back to the bench and Jennings is declared to be at full health, he makes for a fine pivot.
Matt Nichols, WPG at OTT ($9,800): Nichols scored 29.26 and 27.52 fantasy points in his last two games, firing five touchdowns through the air and recording another on the ground. The Redblacks give up the third-most passing yards per game (339.8), and they've grabbed just two interceptions while allowing 10 passing touchdowns through five games. Nichols brings some rushing upside (over 20 yards on the ground in the last two games) as well, and Andrew Harris also serves as a lethal check-down option that can help him pile up the fantasy production.
Ricky Ray, TOR vs. CGY ($9,500): Ray has already topped 25 fantasy points in three games and 30 in another, so his price remains a relative bargain. The future Hall of Famer has multiple touchdown passes in three of his past four contests and has thrown for no less than 327 yards while tallying at least 38 pass attempts in each game. The Stampeders have been tough against the pass, (264.5 passing yards allowed per game) but Ray's 24.3 fantasy points per-game average is too good to pass up at a four-figure price.
Running Back
Jerome Messam, CGY at TOR ($7,600): It seems as if Messam is going to get the rock regardless of game script, as he even managed to log 11 carries and score three touchdowns in last week's shellacking of the Ti-Cats. He has posted double-digit carries in all but one contest this season and has scored well over 20 fantasy points in each of the last two games. The Argonauts have been more vulnerable on the ground, where they are allowing the fourth-most rushing yards (80.8) per game in the CFL and have yet to force a fumble. Given the fact that the dangerous Ricky Ray will be prowling the opposite sideline, Calgary may also choose to play a bit of keep-away by trying to grind out some long drives with Messam at the helm.
Andrew Harris, WPG at OTT ($7,600): If there was ever any doubt about Harris being a must-play each week, last Thursday's contest versus the Alouettes pretty much sealed the deal. Harris was the hero by scoring the winning touchdown as time expired, but he amassed 34.4 fantasy points overall while once again enjoying a particularly impressive night through the air. The veteran racked up 21 receptions for 178 yards in just his last two games and chalked up four rushing scores over the last three contests as well. While the Redblacks have been stingy overall against the run, Harris will be poised to take advantage of the 339.8 yards per game they have allowed through the air.
Chris Rainey, BC vs. SSK ($6,200): Rainey is typically in play each week due to his involvement in multiple phases of the game. He has scored 30.5 and 16.5 fantasy points in the last two weeks while racking up at least 100 return yards in all but one game this season. Rainey is usually best to deploy in games that are likely to have a bit of back-and-forth to them, and a matchup against the prolific Kevin Glenn and the Roughriders certainly qualifies. It's also worth noting that the Riders have already allowed four 100-yard-plus kickoff return games and one 100-yard-plus punt return performance in five games this season.
Cameron Marshall, SSK at BC ($5,900): Marshall continues producing, and his price remains stagnant, making him worthy of either a cash or tournament flyer once again this week. The first-year CFLer set a new career high with 110 rushing yards in Week 6 and has scored between 14.1 and 20.3 fantasy points in his last three contests -- solid returns on his price. He has also been a presence in the passing game (19 receptions) and encouragingly saw 18 carries last week versus the Argonauts, his second game with double-digit totes.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Greg Ellingson, OTT vs. WPG ($9,000): The Redblacks and Bombers could well be locked in one of the higher-scoring games of the week, which makes Ellingson an appealing cash or GPP play. The FIU product already has 39 receptions through five games and should be well-rested coming off a bye week. He has already crossed the century mark in receiving yards three times in the first five contests and will run his routes against a Blue Bombers defense that is giving up the second-most passing yards (344.0) per contest, along with nine touchdowns through the air.
S.J. Green, TOR vs. CGY ($8,200): Green's teammate Armanti Edwards (undisclosed) will miss Thursday's game, opening up even more targets for Green than usual. The veteran had no fewer than five receptions and 68 yards with Edwards in the lineup the last three weeks, and is coming off a game in which he scored 18.8 fantasy points in Week 6. He has already flashed a ceiling of 40.0 fantasy points, and should see a nice uptick in volume with Edwards' absence.
Vidal Hazelton, EDM vs. HAM ($7,000): Hazelton wowed in Week 6 with a 159-yard receiving effort that produced 34.9 fantasy points. However, he had been steady in the games prior as well, posting scoring double-digit fantasy points in each contest. While teammate Brandon Zylstra ($9,300) is always in play as well, Hazelton provides some cheaper exposure against a Hamilton secondary that has surrendered the most passing yards (383.0) per game in the CFL.
Marken Michel, CGY at TOR ($5,300): Kamar Jorden has hit the injured list with a knee injury and Michel's Week 7 price doesn't reflect what should be an increased role. In fact, if last week is any indication, he might be one of Bo Levi Mitchell's primary targets, considering he compiled 34.7 fantasy points on the strength of a six-reception, 190-yard receiving night after Jorden got hurt in Week 6. Michel could conceivably see some return opportunities as well, and at his price, he presents as one of the true potential steals of the week.
Jeff Fuller, TOR vs. CGY ($4,500): As with Green above, Fuller is certainly worth a look this week, given what should be an uptick in targets with Armanti Edwards taking a seat. Like Michel, Fuller's price also greatly reduces the risk, and he has already shown some nice big-play potential this season with a 100-yard receiving effort anda 45-yard reception.
Team Defense
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Ottawa Redblacks ($4,700): Trying to hone in on a defense is probably the most challenging part of building a CFL DFS lineup, and this week is no different. Naturally, the Eskimos ($5,200) are the most expensive unit, and with good reason, facing a Tiger-Cats team that looked completely lost while getting blasted by a 60-1 score last week. They would be the easy choice to recommend, and are obviously a very viable option if you have the cash to spend. However, for those looking for a bit of an under-the-radar selection – albeit one that may give up some yardage -- consider a Blue Bombers unit that has snagged a CFL-high nine interceptions while also checking in third in sacks (12.0). Meanwhile, the Redblacks have committed the third-most turnovers (nine) and will have to deal with Winnipeg ball-hawk T.J. Heath, who leads the league with four interceptions and has a whopping 11 total picks in just 21 career games.
