As we hit late August, winds are changing in the CFL. Thursday Night Football is no more as the schedule will focus mostly to Friday and Saturday games (with a few exceptions of course). But here we are in Week 11 of the CFL season, and there is yet another chance to win big playing Daily Fantasy Sports. As part of my DraftKings article series, I attempt to identify the best value plays at every position. Last week, there were a few big hits but also some misses. For now, read on to the next chapter.
Quarterback
Cody Fajardo (SSK) $10,400 vs BC
Part of the appeal of Cody Fajardo‘s game for fantasy football has always been his running ability. Not just for the consistency rushing brings to fantasy production, but also the ceiling for having extra TD potential. However, Fajardo has been dealing with injuries this season. And while he has mostly played through them, he was clearly not 100% in certain contests. That impacted his rushing ability more than anything. During the previous two CFL seasons, Fajardo averaged over 30 rushing yards per game. So far in 2022, he has only eclipsed 20 rushing yards twice. Not coincidentally, those were his two best fantasy performances of the season. Now the good news is one of those games was last week against Edmonton. So after having a bye week, Fajardo appears rested and recovered.
Not is only the Roughriders QB getting closer to full health, there are a couple of receivers who could potentially make their return to the lineup shortly. Perhaps not soon enough, as Saskatchewan hosts the red-hot BC Lions in Week 11. If the Roughriders have any shot to take revenge for a 32-17 defeat earlier in the season then Fajardo will likely need to be the answer. That means a lot of passing attempts, but also with the knowledge that Fajardo could keep the ball on any play and take off.
Taylor Cornelius (EDM) $8,200 @ OTT
One of the picks I got right last week was Taylor Cornelius at QB. While it was not a pretty passing performance (56.5% completion, 0 TD), he got the job done in DFS with 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. With the team’s top QB still on IR, Cornelius should still get the track for an entire game. And while he has some great receivers to throw to, that is almost second to his rushing potential in terms of importance for DFS. Especially in 50/50 or cash games.
Looking at run defense matchups, it’s a shame that Cornelius plays on Edmonton. The Elks are last in a lot of major rushing categories, so that would be the ideal matchup to play him in. Luckily for Cornelius, he takes on the RedBlacks in Week 11. While their run defense has not been as bad as Edmonton’s, they are not far off either. Ottawa has allowed 102.25 rushing yards per game this season, one of three teams surrendering more than 100 yards per contest. Perhaps more importantly for a QB who can take advantage of any situation, the RedBlacks are one of two teams allowing opponents to produce more than 7 yards per play (7.27 to be exact). The matchup is there for Cornelius to repeat last week’s success.
Running Back
A.J. Ouellette (TOR) $3,500 vs CGY
The strategy I am advising this week is to pay up for multiple elite wide receivers in the $9K+ range. Part of that strategy hinges on finding great RB value on the slate, especially if you are paying up for Fajardo and going for a Saskatchewan-BC stack. Luckily, there are several backup running backs slated to take over the starting spots on the depth chart.
With the news that their starting RB will likely be out at least a month, Toronto will have to turn to their backup A.J. Ouellette. After taking over last week, Ouellette received 10 carries and 4 targets. This demonstrated that he could handle the full workhorse duties. As long as he is given a similar opportunity in Week 11, Ouellette should be one of the best values on the entire slate overall. His $3,500 cost was set before the injury news was released. Take advantage and get Ouellette in your lineups as a cheap RB option.
Devonte Williams (OTT) $3,500 vs EDM
Same price, same principal. Like A.J. Ouellette, Devonte Williams is a backup RB who may be in line for a workhorse role in Week 11. But I did say maybe. Unlike Ouellette, where the starter has been announced out for 4-6 weeks, the situation surrounding Williams is less clear. While William Powell has not yet been announced as out, he has still yet to practice this week with a knee injury.
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This one will definitely require checking the depth charts before kickoff. Williams has only been active twice this season. Both of those were games where Powell was inactive. And in both of those contests, Williams received the majority of the RB carries (as well as some targets). Since then, he has been a healthy scratch. So it appears that Ottawa is approaching Williams as either the starting RB for a game, or a healthy scratch. Again, check the depth charts to find out which one this week. But if he is starting, Williams should be a great value at only $3,500.
Wide Receivers
Jaelon Acklin (OTT) $10,000 vs EDM
I am usually opposed to paying up for Jaelon Acklin on DraftKings. Simply because he is as much as $2K cheaper on other DFS sites with similar scoring. However, this week the stars align for Acklin to fit into the idea roster construction, to go along with the great matchup. As mentioned in the RB section, the Edmonton defense is near the bottom of the league in most rushing categories. Well, they are not much better against the pass, as evidenced by the 3rd most passing yards per game (257.1) surrendered to opposing offenses. Even worse is the 2nd most yards per pass allowed at 12.9 yards per play. Finally, and the most important for the seemingly TD dependent DFS contests, the Elks defense has surrendered 36 points per game to opponents. Much worse than the next closest at 27.2 points allowed. That’s a lot of potential touchdowns conceded.
During Week 9 against Calgary, Acklin was held in check. However, before that, he had produced three straight 100+ yard games, as well as three straight performances with over 20 fantasy points. As mentioned, Edmonton’s defense is very vulnerable. Certainly a much worse unit than the Stampeders. So while Acklin was held down during his previous CFL game, I expect a bounce-back in Week 11.
Dominique Rhymes $9,900 / Bryan Burnham $9,500 BC @ SSK
A strategy that I might employ almost every week, is to take at least one player from the BC Lions. After all, they are leading the CFL in several key offensive per game categories including first downs (25), total yards (467.75), yards per play (8.13), and time of possession (32:51). And not only are the Lions pacing the league in all of those stats, but by a significant margin. Most importantly, the Lions lead the league in scoring (36.88), while only one other team has more than 30 points per game (Calgary at 30.75 points per game). All to say, there is plenty of production to go around on this Lions offense.
Like I mentioned, I want exposure to the Lions in most, if not all of my lineups. And a pair of pass-catchers play right into the elite WR roster construction. Using the value running backs, it is possible to get multiple wide receivers above $9K while still being able to pay up at QB. Specifically Saskatchewan signal-caller Cody Fajardo. In both cash and tournament contests, I want a SSK-SSK-BC stack. Playing Fajardo with one of his pass-catchers, alongside a BC Lions WR. For Week 11, my Lions picks would be either Dominique Rhymes or Bryan Burnham. Both have put up great production of late, and yet neither is the Lions most expensive WR. As long as both are below five digits cost, I view Burnham and Rhymes as values plays.
Duke Williams (SSK) $9,300 vs BC
Completing the stack strategy is Duke Williams. While the Roughriders receiving corps appears to be getting healthier, they are still awaiting reinforcements. Meanwhile, Williams is currently leading this team in receiving yards (438) and receiving touchdowns (4). He has also led Saskatchewan in targets during 3 of his last 4 games.
It may seem expensive, but I believe this is a week to pay up for Williams. Not only that, but also stack him alongside his QB Fajardo. The RB values that I mentioned in the previous section make it possible to have this expensive SSK stack, all while getting exposure to other elite options. Specifically the BC Lions wide receivers that I just outlined.
Nate Behar (OTT) 4,900 vs EDM
For those that do not want to pay up for Jaelon Acklin, might I suggest his teammate Nate Behar for half the price. Behar has quietly put up a decent season so far in 2022. He is currently 2nd on Ottawa in receptions (37) and tied alongside Acklin for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (2). Behar is being learn on in the passing game, especially of late, with 20 targets over the previous three contests.
The same defensive analysis that I gave for Acklin applies to Behar. The Edmonton defense is one I would target whether you are paying up at WR or not. But considering all of the high-priced players I just recommended, I felt I should also offer a good value option at wide receiver.
Deep Dive
Kiondre Smith (HAM) $2,800 @ MTL
As this 2022 season has progressed, Kiondre Smith has gained a bigger and bigger role in the Hamilton offense. Now, because of injuries to the WR corps, Smith will likely be a fixture in the starting lineup. Among the rules that differ between the CFL and the NFL is the ratio. There is a minimum number of Canadian born players that must be on the active roster, and must be on the field at all times. Since Smith is born in Markham, Ontario, he counts towards the 7 Canadian players on the field. The Tiger-Cats typically play with either 2 or 3 Canadian receivers in the starting lineup, so Smith certainly has a spot to latch on to.
Now looking at Smith’s production, the CFL rookie is coming off a career-best 9.9 fantasy point performance. That may not seem that impressive but it is only his 3rd game as part of the offense. Each week, Smith has gotten more catches and yards. He is outproducing other Canadian wide receivers on the team, one of whom I recommended as a Deep Dive a few weeks ago. It appears as though Smith is carving out a more permanent role on this team.
Defense
Hamilton Tiger-Cats $4,100 @ MTL
My strategy on defense this week is to pay down. Much like the RB spot, I want to target the cheaper options n order to maximize funds towards the quarterback and the wide receivers. At $4,100, Hamilton is at the ceiling of price I’m looking to pay at defense. They have a decent matchup against Montreal, specifically when it comes to the pass rush. Back in Week 8, the Tiger-Cats produced a season-high 5 sacks against the Alouettes offensive line. Also, look for Hamilton to get back to taking the ball away as that Week 8 contest was the last time the defense forced a turnover.
Ottawa RedBlacks $3,600 vs EDM
My ideal play at defense is simply to pay the way down to the least expensive unit. And while they are only $3,600, I like the upside of Ottawa’s defense in this matchup Edmonton. The Elks are last in the CL in several key offensive per game categories, including points (18.67), total yards (310.44), and yards per play (5.98). Ottawa is arguably the best defensive value on the slate.
Thank you for reading CFL DFS Best Dollar Values DraftKings Week 11. Be sure to check out all of the great DFS content available on Going For 2.
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