This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
The CFL and DraftKings are back with a four-game slate in Week 9, one that's headlined by the Eskimos' Trevor Harris and Greg Ellingson facing their old Reblacks teammates. The Roughriders and Alouettes should also be engaged in a highly competitive matchup, making it an interesting all-around week for fantasy purposes.
With plenty to break down, let's delve into multiple options at each position across the salary spectrum for your Week 9 cash games and GPPs.
DraftKings CFL Plays- Week 9
Quarterback
Trevor Harris, EDM vs. OTT ($10,300): Harris was spectacular in last week's loss to the Stampeders, throwing for 373 yards and racking up 26.02 fantasy points. He now gets a crack at one of the most vulnerable defenses in the CFL in the Redblacks, putting him in play as my top QB play of the week if you're paying up. Harris' old Ottawa squad is tied with the Blue Bombers for most passing first downs allowed (90) and has also surrendered the second-most passing yards per game (302.1), second-most completions (172), second-highest average yards per attempt (8.7), second-most completions of 30 yards or more (11) and second-most completions on targets of 20 or more yards in depth (16). Harris is averaging 29.29 fantasy points and has a 6:0 TD:INT over his first three home games in Edmonton, and he should have an extra dose of motivation versus his former teammates this week.
Cody Fajardo, SSK at MTL ($9,700): Fajardo continues to have a safe fantasy floor due to his dual-threat capabilities. The most recent example came in Week 8, when he complemented 313 passing yards with 56 rush yards and a touchdown against the Tiger-Cats. In Week 9, he's up against the most porous pass defense in the CFL on paper. The Alouettes are allowing the most passing yards per game (328.0), along with the third-highest average yards per attempt (8.5). Fajardo leads the league in both completion percentage (74.6) and passer efficiency rating (108.1), and he has 27.12 fantasy points or more in four of his six starts. Even with a price bump, Fajardo continues to offer enough upside for cash games or GPPs in Week 9.
Antonio Pipkin, MTL vs. SSK ($6,500): Still priced like a backup, Pipkin easily makes the cut as the value quarterback play of the week. The mobile gunslinger came back from an ankle injury just in time last week against the Redblacks, as he replaced Vernon Adams Jr. in the second half when the latter suffered a concussion that will keep him out of action this week. While he only totaled 57 passing yards in emergency duty, Pipkin understandably had some rust on him after last having played in the opener. After a full week of practice with the first team, he'll take on a Roughriders defense that's allowed a 69.3 percent completion rate, the third-most completions of 30 or more yards (nine) and the most completions on targets of 20 yards or more in depth (17). Given his extremely modest price and ability to complement his passing with ground production (45 rush yards back in Week 1), Pipkin carries little risk in Week 9.
Running Back
Andrew Harris, WPG vs. CGY ($11,000): Harris' price continues to go up, but it's justifiable. He most recently totaled 39.7 fantasy points versus the Argonauts in Week 8 on the strength of 197 total yards. While he's not facing the worst defense in the CFL again this week by any stretch, the Stampeders have occasionally shown some vulnerability defending the run. They do boast the stingiest yards per carry allowed (3.9), but they've given up six rushing scores and the third-most rushing first downs (50). Additionally, Calgary has yielded the most completions (184) in the league, along with the highest completion percentage on targets of up to nine yards in depth. Those figures are especially relevant when considering an elite dual threat back like Harris, as that's precisely the passing window he's bound to see the overwhelming majority, if not all, of his targets in. Despite the five-figure investment, Harris is worthy of consideration in such a small running back pool.
Maleek Irons, HAM vs. BC ($5,300): Irons continues to generate solid production during Sean Thomas-Erlington's (knee) ongoing absence. He should be back as the top running back option this week after Anthony Coombs only gained 21 yards on nine rushes in his crack at that role against the Roughriders in Week 8. Irons had totaled 11.1 and 12.5 fantasy points, respectively, in his two games as a starter in Weeks 5 and 7, and he'd encouragingly been a part of the passing game in those contests with seven catches. The Lions make for good targets during Week 9, as BC has allowed 108.7 rushing yards per game and nine rushing touchdowns overall. Given his bargain price and ability to contribute through both the ground and air, Irons shapes up as a nice value play.
John Crockett, OTT at EDM ($5,200): The Alouettes' Jeremiah Johnson ($5,800) is also a viable option if you have a few hundred more to spend, as the veteran should be the lead back with William Stanback (lower body) already ruled out. However, Crockett continues to be the clear-cut top backfield option in Ottawa by far and sports an even more appealing price. The rookie has logged between 15 and 18 carries over the last three games, the type of steady workload that makes his current salary especially attractive. The Eskimos have admittedly been tough versus the run, but Crockett's volume and the fact Edmonton's pass rush is one of the league's most aggressive could lead to plenty of work for him.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Greg Ellingson, EDM vs. OTT ($9,100): Ellingson will be ready to return to the field this week after missing the Week 8 loss to the Stampeders with an undisclosed injury. His recent numbers admittedly don't warrant his current price, but he makes for an intriguing GPP play versus his old Redblacks squad in Week 9. Ottawa's abundance of deficiencies against the pass were highlighted in Trevor Harris' entry, and the fact the Redblacks allow over a 60.0 percent completion rate on targets of up to nine yards and on those between 10 to 19 yards plays right into Ellingson's wheelhouse, considering he's averaging a depth of target of 11 yards thus far this season.
Bralon Addison, HAM vs. BC ($8,100): Addison managed to continue producing despite the switch at quarterback from Jeremiah Masoli to Dane Evans in Week 8. He tied a season high with eight receptions and also surprisingly logged four carries. The Lions come in allowing 264.1 passing yards per game and the highest completion percentage (74.1) in the CFL. They've also been extremely generous in the first two passing windows (0-9 yards and 10-19 yards), allowing a combined 8:2 TD:INT within those distances. Addison's average depth of target has been 6.2 yards this season, making his offensive profile an ideal fit for the Lions' weaknesses.
Quan Bray, MTL vs. SSK ($7,200): Bray has been a workhorse since making his debut in Week 4, already compiling 34 targets through four games. He had his first opportunity to play with Antonio Pipkin last week and encouragingly saw four targets during the latter's second-half stint at quarterback versus the Redblacks. Bray should once again play a hefty role versus the Roughriders, and Saskatchewan's deficiencies defending the pass were already outlined in Pipkin's entry. They've also yielded a 78.6 completion percentage and a 3:0 TD:INT on pass attempts of up to nine yards in depth, while Bray is averaging 9.6 yards of depth per target thus far this season. Given his seemingly safe floor and matchup, he shapes up as a rock-solid mid-tier play.
Cory Watson, SSK at MTL ($4,700): Watson qualifies as my value play at receiver/slotback in Week 9, with both recent performance and Shaq Evans' highly questionable status playing a part in Watson's candidacy. The veteran has been steady in the last three games, logging between four and six targets and catches in those contests. The Alouettes' weaknesses against the pass were outlined in Fajardo's entry, and there would be even more targets to go around than usual if Evans does ultimately miss the contest. Given his minuscule price, Watson makes for a great way to fill a roster spot if you need the savings to fit in some studs.
Team Defense
Edmonton Eskimos vs. Ottawa Redblacks ($4,700): The Eskimos make for an intriguing defensive unit this week, even though the Redblacks have had their share of offensive success thus far this season. Edmonton leads the league in sacks (26) and two-and-outs forced (45), and they've also created a solid 16 turnovers. The Redblacks have allowed the second-most points off turnovers (58) and have thrown the second-most interceptions (13), while also surrendering the fourth-most sacks (15). The Esks are averaging an impressive 13.6 fantasy points per home contest and allowing just 16.0 points per game there, cementing their appeal as the second-cheapest defense for the week.
