This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
We have an interesting Week 8 slate on tap, as there are only three games, with the first one a rare Wednesday night matchup between the Ti-Cats and Alouettes. The reduced player pool has led me to be more selective at quarterback and running back, leading me to narrow down my main suggestions to two at a pair of positions that are the scarcest to begin with each week. There are still plenty of appealing pass catchers, however, and with the Redblacks back in action, I also found it easy to hone in on a defense.
DraftKings CFL Plays- Week 8
Quarterback
Mike Reilly, BC vs. SSK ($9,200): It's hard to believe Reilly has actually gone down in salary from last week after he racked up 26.6 DK points, but he does indeed carry a $200 discount over Week 7. Reilly has now put together 300-yard efforts in three straight games and four of his last five overall, pushing his DK-points average to 22.5 for the season. The veteran completed 70.8 percent of his throws back in Week 1 against these same Roughriders, and that was when he was struggling with an elbow injury that was limiting the zip on many of his throws. Reilly appears to be in much better shape of late as his numbers imply, and he's been razor sharp while completing over 80.0 percent of his attempts the last two contests. The Riders check in allowing a robust 268.5 passing yards per game and a 68.5 percent completion rate as well, further supporting the notion of another big night.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson ($7,900) or Nick Arbuckle, TOR vs. MTL ($7,600): Arbuckle has been limited in practice twice this week with hamstring issues, so feel free to pivot to Bethel-Thompson if he's ultimately named the starter. Arbuckle has been offering excellent fantasy-point-per-dollar value on his end, most recently amassing 21.9 DK points at an $8.2K salary against the Roughriders in Week 7. He also has tallies of 25.0 and 18.3 DK points in two other contests, while Bethel-Thompson tallied 29.6 DK points as a starter back in Week 1 and brings some nice rushing upside. The Alouettes make for solid targets for either player, as Montreal is allowing 268.4 passing yards per contest and surrendering the second-highest average yards per attempt (9.4).
ALSO CONSIDER: Cody Fajardo, SSK at BC ($9,800)
Running Back
William Stanback, MTL at TOR ($8,800): The versatile Stanback broke out again in Week 7, riding a 139-yard rushing effort to 18.8 DK points in a loss to the Lions. He also a trio of 14.2 DK-point tallies in three other contests, exceeding the century mark in two of them. The Argonauts have been a tough team to run on thus far, giving up the second-fewest rushing yards per game (85.0) and tying for the second lowest yards per carry surrendered (4.8) as well; nevertheless, the speedy Stanback has essentially proven matchup-proof and can go a long way towards a strong return on one play due to his game-breaking wheels.
William Powell, SSK at BC ($8,400): Powell continues to defy Father Time each week, as the 33-year-old only seems to be getting stronger with every passing week. The veteran's latest feat was racking up 122 yards on 21 rushes in Week 7 against Toronto, which, as just mentioned, has been one of the stingier run defenses in the league. Powell is now averaging 12.5 DK points per game, and he's been consistently involved in the passing game with multiple receptions in five of six contests. The Lions gave up a rushing TD to him back in Week 1 – still the only one they've allowed all season – but BC is also surrendering a healthy 5.0 yards per rush and 100.8 rushing yards per game.
ALSO CONSIDER: Shaq Cooper, BC vs. SSK ($7,300) *if active*
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Eric Rogers, TOR vs. MTL ($9,300): Rogers has seen his salary rise only $300 after racking up 19.7 DK points against the Roughriders in Week 7 on the strength of a 4-97-1 line. The speedy veteran has either four or five catches in all but one game and has four double-digit DK-point tallies overall, while the opposing Alouettes have yielded plenty of downfield success as already noted in the entries for the Argonauts quarterbacks. It's also worth noting Montreal has given up nine completions of over 30 yards, eight TDs through the air and the league's third-highest passer efficiency rating (101.2).
Lucky Whitehead, BC vs. SSK ($6,800): Like Reilly, Whitehead is another Lions player whose salary has dropped – in his case, by $400 – following a spectacular Week 7 showing. The speedy wideout generated 28.4 DK points against the Alouettes on the strength of a 6-133-1 line. It was his second straight tally of greater than 20 DK points and fourth of the season, giving him no shortage of upside for either cash games or tournaments. The Roughriders have also been plenty generous through the air as already noted in Reilly's entry, and considering Whitehead's downfield chops, it's certainly important to note Saskatchewan is tied with multiple teams for most receptions of over 30 yards surrendered (11).
B.J. Cunningham, MTL at TOR ($6,300): Cunningham continues to profile as the steady possession option he's always proven to be, posting a 24-299-1 line through his first five games and double-digit DK-point totals in three of them. Cunningham has between four and six catches in each game and has well-established rapport with quarterback Vernon Adams, making him a very viable mid-salary play each week. The Argos have also yielded the fourth-most completions (140) and fourth-highest completion percentage (68.3) while giving up the most passing touchdowns (10), furthering Cunningham's case.
Kian Schaffer-Baker, SSK at BC ($3,800): Schaffer-Baker makes for an excellent value option if you're paying down at one spot, as he continues to increase his profile in the offense each week. The 23-year-old has produced 16 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown over his last two games, leading to DK-point tallies of 14.3 and 24.9, outstanding returns at a salary which is only $100 higher than in Week 7. With Shaq Evans (leg) and Jordan Williams-Lambert (wrist) both still out in Week 8, Schaffer-Baker could well overdeliver again in both cash and tournament lineups.
ALSO CONSIDER: Kyran Moore, SSK at BC ($7,200); Tim White, HAM at OTT ($3,900)
Team Defense
Hamilton Tiger-Cats ($5,000) at Ottawa Redblacks: The Redblacks are back on the slate this week, which leads me to my plug-and-play philosophy with whomever their opponent is. That's worked wonders thus far this season, and the opposing Tiger-Cats already make for a solid pick regardless of the team on the other side. Hamilton is averaging 9.2 DK points per game, and the Ti-Cats come into the Week 8 matchup already having put together a well-balanced line of six interceptions, 10 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three defensive touchdowns. They've also forced 13 turnovers overall and have the second-most points off turnovers (43), while Ottawa checks in having allowed the second-most sacks (18) and sporting an ugly -9 in turnover differential.
