This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
We have a three-game DraftKings slate for the second straight week, as the Week 9 opener between the Redblacks and Elks on Tuesday night was only available for single-game contests. We have two squads in the Stampeders and Blue Bombers coming off byes, not to mention a notable season debut by an explosive receiver that has made his way into my suggestions this week.
DraftKings CFL Plays- Week 9
Quarterback
Cody Fajardo, SSK at CGY ($10,400): Fajardo does require a hefty investment, but on an especially compact three-game slate, he may be a necessity to get a top-shelf score in tournaments. The versatile veteran always brings plenty of upside due to his work on the ground, and although interceptions have been somewhat of an issue for him, he's still averaging an impressive 20.6 DK points per game. He exceeded the 20 threshold in two straight games as well, and the opposing Stampeders check in allowing the most passing yards per game (281.1), along with the third-highest completion percentage (68.9), average yards per attempt (8.7) and passer efficiency rating (104.1).
Zach Collaros, WPG at BC ($7,800): Collaros makes for an excellent option if you're opting to save some cash at quarterback in Week 9. The steady veteran is averaging a solid 16.1 DK points per contest, falling into a single-digit tally just once all season. He comes into this Week 9 matchup displaying excellent efficiency of late as well, as he's completed at least 70.0 percent of his throws in three straight. The Bombers are also coming off a bye week and are facing a vulnerable pass defense, as the Lions are giving up the third-most passing yards per game (276.1) and have allowed the second-most completions (169), furthering Collaros' chances of exceeding value on his modest salary.
ALSO CONSIDER: Mike Reilly, BC vs. WPG ($8,800)
Running Back
William Stanback, MTL at HAM ($9,100): Stanback has turned into a plug-and-play option at this point, as he's exceeded 100 rushing yards in three straight games and on four occasions overall in his first six games. The speedy back finally was incorporated back into the passing game in Week 8 against the Argos after excelling in that capacity over his first two seasons, with the four grabs he recorded in that contest helped push his DK-point tally to a season-high 28.4. The matchup against the Tiger-Cats is a bit more difficult on the ground statistically, as Hamilton is allowing a respectable 90.9 rushing yards per game at a respectable 4.7 yards per carry. However, Stanback is averaging 17.8 DK points over four road contests and is worth serious consideration for either cash or tournaments.
Shaq Cooper, BC vs. WPG ($7,900): Cooper finds himself in a strong statistical matchup on paper in Week 9, as the Bombers have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (106.6) along with the highest average yards per rush (5.7) and the second-most rushing touchdowns (six). Cooper only carried twice in the Week 8 loss to the Roughriders, but he scored a touchdown on one of those totes and also contributed seven receptions on his way to 16.7 DK points. The minuscule involvement on the ground should prove to be an outlier, and given Cooper had already averaged over 5.0 yards per rush in two of three previous games this season, he could be set for a big night Friday.
ALSO CONSIDER: Andrew Harris, WPG at BC ($9,000)
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Bralon Addison, HAM vs. MTL ($8,600): Addison will be making his season debut after coming off the six-game injured list and could immediately step back into the significant role he occupied in the Ti-Cats offense back in 2019. The versatile 27-year-old produced a fantastic 95-1,236-7 line across 16 games in that campaign, adding 218 rushing yards and another score on 36 attempts. The Alouettes check in allowing 264.3 passing yards per game and surrendering the league's highest average yards per attempt (9.6), setting up the speedy Addison for a potentially fruitful return at what should be a fairly low rostering rate given his extended absence.
Lucky Whitehead, BC vs. WPG ($8,200): There's very much an argument to be made for Whitehead to carry the highest salary on the slate given his outstanding work this season, which has included five games with over 20 DK points, including one over 30. He's eclipsed 100 yards through the air in two straight as well, and despite a significant salary bump this week, he's well worth the investment. The Blue Bombers have been relatively tough against the pass, but they've allowed the third-most completions (161) and Whitehead's role in the passing game is extremely reliable at this point.
Kamar Jorden, CGY vs. SSK ($7,000): Jorden had a down game against the Tiger-Cats in Week 7 with just a pair of grabs, but that was due to him exiting the contest with a hamstring injury in the first half and not returning. The Stamps' Week 8 bye therefore came at a fortuitous time for the veteran, who doesn't carry an injury designation head into Week 9. Jorden had eviscerated the Elks for a 12-159-1 line in Week 6, which followed a 9-123 tally in Week 5. Therefore, the upside is certainly there if he's healthy, especially with Jorden averaging just over 11 targets per contest over his last three full healthy games. Moreover, the Riders have been just middle of the pack with 267.1 passing yards per game allowed, along with a 68.3 percent completion rate and 8.6 average yards per attempt yielded as well.
Nic Demski, WPG at BC ($5,600): Demski has been overdelivering on his modest salaries this season, as he's scored double-digit DK points in all five games he's suited up for. The 27-year-old hasn't logged more than five targets in any of his last three contests, which is a bit of a concern; however, Demski has consistently demonstrated an ability to get open downfield – he's averaging a career-high 15.0 yards per grab – and he's actually seen his salary drop $600 from his Week 7 figure before the bye. Meanwhile, the Lions have exhibited some weaknesses against the pass as already detailed in Collaros' entry, furthering Demski's case.
ALSO CONSIDER: Brayden Lenius, SSK at CGY ($3,800)
Team Defense
Saskatchewan Roughriders ($5,000) at Calgary Stampeders: While Jorden remains a solid play at his salary against Saskatchewan, I don't see a lot of Stampeders having a great deal of success against the Riders defense. Saskatchewan has averaged an interception and fumble recovery per game while accumulating a CFL-high 22 sacks and scoring two defensive TDs, leading to an average of 11.0 DK points per contest. The Riders have also forced the second-most two-and-outs (39) and scored the second-most points off turnovers (52), while Calgary has an ugly -9 turnover ratio and has allowed a CFL-high 59 points off those miscues thus far. Additionally, the Riders' ability to completely shut down the run – they're allowing a league-low 66.7 rushing yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry – ups their chances of disrupting opposing offenses by rendering them almost completely one-dimensional.
