This week, there are 4 games of CFL action. However, because one of those in on (Canadian) Thanksgiving Monday, only three games are actually part of the DraftKings main slate. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of opportunities to win big playing Daily Fantasy Sports, and the CFL is no exception. Here are the players I consider to be the best DFS values on DraftKings in Week 18.
Quarterback
Cody Fajardo (SSK) $9,900 @ HAM
As I have mentioned a few times throughout this season, Cody Fajardo offers a weekly ceiling to match any QB in the league. That is because most teams bring in a separate short-yardage QB to handle goal-line duties. If you look at the 2022 CFL Rushing TD leaders, you will find 6 backup quarterbacks in the top ten overall, including the top two players. However, you will also find Fajardo with 8 rushing touchdowns, good enough to be fourth in the league overall, and first among starting quarterbacks. Unlike most starting quarterbacks, Fajardo runs the short-yardage offense, giving him the opportunity to put up rushing scores.
Of course, it’s not just about the rushing with Fajardo. He is a capable passer who has produced several 300+ yard games this season. That includes a 311 passing yard performance against Hamilton earlier this season. It is also really easy to stack Fajardo with any of his top three wide receivers (I will share my favorite later).
Vernon Adams (BC) $9,000 @ TOR
Since every starting QB is listed at $8,900 or higher, there is no true value play this week. However, I have been impressed enough with Vernon Adams to give him the shot this week. In his 3 starts with the BC Lions, Adams is 2-1, with good quality QB play in both victories. Fantasy-wise, the only problem with his first start against Calgary was the fact that he did not find the end zone. However, last week, Adams demonstrated his ceiling going against a defense other than the Stampeders. He efficiently scored 27 fantasy points on only 22 passing attempts, thanks to a pair of touchdowns.
So far this season, the tendency from most teams has been a pass-heavy approach against the Toronto defense. The Argonauts have actually allowed the 2nd-most passing yards per game to opponents this season. But again, the key for Adams will be finding the end zone. And he might have the weapon in the CFL most capable of doing just that (more on that later).
Running Back
Brady Oliveira (WPG) $8,800 vs EDM
Brady Oliveira is one of the few starting running backs who has held his job all season. Almost every team has suffered injuries to their lead back, but Winnipeg’s guy just keeps on running. However, Oliveira has struggled to hit double-digit fantasy points of late with only one such performance in his previous five games. He has not found the end zone since Week 10, but that may change here. In Week 18, the Blue Bombers will host Edmonton, and it sets up as a great matchup for Oliveira. The Elks have allowed the most rushing yards per game to opponents (115.2) and have surrendered the most points per game (32.8). This looks like the recipe for Oliveira’s bounce back game.
AJ Ouellette (TOR) $7,300 vs BC
While Oliveira is my favorite choice at RB this week, A.J. Ouellette is an interesting option. First off, he is $1,500 cheaper than Oliveira, which is a significant enough saving. However, Ouellette is still a workhorse back getting most of team’s carries, while also contributing to the passing game. On the surface the matchup appears tough against the Lions defense. However, that unit is not so efficient on a play-per-play basis. Only three teams in the CFL are allowing opponents to run at over 5.2 yards per play and the BC Lions are one of those them.
Wide Receiver
Dominique Rhymes (BC) $11,200 @ TOR
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If there is one player I want to pay up for this week, it’s Dominique Rhymes. With injuries to other key players in the BC Lions receiving corps, Rhymes will likely be tasked with an even bigger role. And he already held a significant role before this. Currently Rhymes is one of only two players in the CFL with double-digit receiving touchdowns on the season. His upside is reliant on finding the end zone to pay off his price. Because of that, I mostly want to play Rhymes when I am stacking him with his QB Vernon Adams. The way I see it, if we are banking on Rhymes scoring touchdowns, might as well play him alongside the QB likely to throw him those passes.
Nic Demski (WPG) $9,700 vs EDM
No, you are not experiencing déja vu. Yes, I am suggesting Nic Demsk as a value play once again. I am aware of the fact that I wrote up Demski last week, as well as several other instances beforehand. However, I have been correct as Demski has been on a TD tear of late. Seven scores in five games is certainly impressive, but not so surprising considering that Winnipeg has the reigning Most Outstanding Player (the CFL’s version of the MVP) who continues to sling the touchdowns. I will keep playing Demski on this hot streak.
Kyran Moore (SSK) $7,000 @ HAM
In the QB section, I selected Saskatchewan’s signal-caller as a value play. I also mentioned that there are several solid stacking options among the Roughriders receivers. Some of them even put-up solid fantasy numbers against the Tiger-Cats earlier this season. However, my favorite value is actually the Saskatchewan WR who missed the early part of the season recovering from injuries. But now that he is back, Kyran Moore has been a magnet for the football of late as he has led the Roughriders in targets during three of the past four games. Moore is a great volume play, especially in 50/50 or cash games.
Cam Phillips (TOR) $5,100 vs BC
With so many expensive options in this value article, here is a true value WR. As the fifth receiving option on the team, Cam Phillips runs the risk of being ignored, but the young receiver has been able to break through and contribute. And after returning from injury last week, it appears as though Phillips is close to fully healthy. In the four games before his injury, Phillips had three touchdowns. Can he recapture that momentum? At his current price, I am willing to risk that and play him in lineups.
Deep Dive
David Ungerer (HAM) $2,500 vs SSK
As Hamilton attempts to make a push for the playoffs, somebody will need to step up in the receiving corps. Since Bralon Addison’s Achilles injury, the Tiger-Cats have only had two reliable receivers to target. And in the spread-out offenses of the CFL, teams need more than just two receivers contributing. For a while, it looked rough in Hamilton, but then David Ungerer emerged. In their most recent game, Ungerer was tied for second on the team in targets, and tied for the Tiger-Cats lead in catches. Spending only the minimum $2,500, Ungerer is well worth the cost to see if he can repeat that performance.
Defense
Winnipeg Blue Bombers $5,300 vs EDM
BC Lions $4,800 @ TOR
Unlike my usual strategy with the position, I want to pay up at defense this week. That is why I am recommending the two most expensive units. Not only are the Winnipeg and BC defenses great on their own merit, but I also love their matchups in Week 18. First off, the Blue Bombers will face Edmonton, the team surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing defenses. When a great defensive line like Winnipeg meets a struggling offense like the Elks, it is easy to understand why they are priced above $5K.
For a slight cost reduction, I also like the Lions this week. Yes, Toronto can put up points some weeks, but other times their offense can get shut down. The Argonauts also allow a lot of sacks, and the offense does turn the ball over at the second-highest rate in the league.
Thank you for reading CFL DFS Best Dollar Values DraftKings Week 18. Be sure to check out all of the great DFS content available on GoingFor2.com.
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