We have finally arrived! The CFL playoffs are just around the corner. But first, we have a Canadian Football League DFS slate available during this final week of the regular season. So as always, I will provide my opinions about the best value players on the DraftKings platform. However, as we all know, the end of the football season can provide some complication with regards to resting players. Unlike last week, where there were still playoff spots on the line, in Week 21 there is not much to play. Not only are all six playoff teams decided, but all of them are locked into their current spots in the standings.
There is so much uncertainty as to which players will be active and how long they will be on the field. It will be as important as ever to check the final depth charts released on Friday before the first game kicks off. For now, there may be leverage to gain when looking at which teams will need to play next week. Of the teams in playing in Week 21, four of them will be resting next week, either because they have secured their respective spots in the Divisional Finals, or they have been eliminated from the playoffs. Either way, I want to focus a lot of my lineups on players from Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Toronto, and Winnipeg. All four of those team’s opponent’s will be participating in the Division Sem-Finals next weekend and may be more inclined to rest their starters.
Quarterback
Mason Fine (SSK) $7,200 @ CGY
Last week, Mason Fine got his first start of the 2022 season. As Saskatchewan looks towards to new future at QB, Fine will be given an opportunity to earn a look for that starting job next year. The Roughriders head coach has already announced that Fine will get that start for the regular-season finale. He gets another crack at Calgary, the team that Fine managed to score a touchdown against last week. While 13.3 fantasy points is not a great performance by any stretch. But considering Fine’s cost, and also the safety of knowing he will likely play the entire game, he is arguably the best QB option this week.
Chad Kelly (TOR) $6,500 vs MTL
It was announced that Chad Kelly would get his first career CFL start in the regular-season finale. Like Mason Fine, the advantage of playing Kelly is knowing he will likely be on the field for the entire game. Arguably Kelly has even higher upside because of his weapons. It is unknown how many of Toronto’s skill position players will be active for this game. But if most of them are in there it helps Kelly, but also helps DFS managers which multiple stacking option to go alongside the QB. Kelly has also scored rushing touchdowns this season, adding to his upside even more.
Running Back
Jamal Morrow (SSK) $10,400 @ CGY
The mid-season sensation is back. Jamal Morrow has made a healthy return to the Roughriders lineup. He is arguably the best option to pay up for on the entire slate. First off, there are the playoff dynamics that I mentioned in the intro. Having already been elimination from post-season contention, Saskatchewan as no incentive to rest players. This is unlike their opponent, Calgary, who has to play in the West-Semi Final only 8 days after this Week 21 meeting.
The second factor behind my enthusiasm for Morrow is the QB change. His return to the lineup last week coincided with Mason Fine’s first start of the season under center. In that contest, Morrow actually led the team in targets (8), and receptions (5). Unlike the previous Saskatchewan starter, Fine is less likely to take off himself, and instead dump off to the running back. So this week, I am advising the rare QB-RB stack for Roughriders players.
Jackson Bennett (OTT) $3,100 vs HAM
As of right now, Jackson Bennett is the least expensive starting running back on the Week 21 slate. Things can change between now and Saturday, but as of right now, Bennett is the perfect option for those looking to punt the RB spot. This is mostly a GPP or tournament play in lineups when you are looking to avoid using Jamal Morrow.
Wide Receiver
Kurleigh Gittens (TOR) $10,400 vs MTL
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If he is active, Kurleigh Gittens is my favorite pay-up option at WR. It is easy to stack him as his QB only costs the positional minimum of $6,500. Not only is Gittens pacing Toronto in every major receiving category, but he is among the leaders in the league. That includes 4th in both targets (116) and receptions (81) so far this season, as well as 6th in receiving yards (1,101). Gittens may get some strong consideration for Most Outstanding Canadian, so he has some motivation to finish out the season strong.
Rasheed Bailey (WPG) $7,500 vs BC
I want exposure to the Winnipeg offense. However, without knowing how much of the game the main starters will be playing, it is difficult to spend up. Several elite Blue Bombers options are in the five-figures range. Instead, Rasheed Bailey presents an affordable option with upside. It was a somewhat disappointing season for Bailey. However, he appears to be coming alive at the right time. In Winnipeg’s previous contest, Bailey led the team with 14 targets and 11 receptions. Against those same BC Lions, look for Bailey to have a repeat performance.
R.J. Harris (OTT) $5,000 vs HAM
R.J. Harris made his return to the Ottawa lineup and immediately established himself as an alpha. Not only did he lead the RedBlacks in targets during Week 20, but his 11 were more than double that of any of his teammates. And the 7 reception Harris caught were just one less than his previous season total. While it was mostly an injury-plagued 2022, Harris now gets to play with fresher legs than most of his opponents.
Mitchell Picton (SSK) $3,000 @ CGY
In a price range usually reserved for the Deep Dive section (which is coming up shortly), there are several interesting options. Specifically, Saskatchewan stacks to go alongside QB Mason Fine. My favorite is Mitchell Picton, as he lead all Roughriders receivers with 5 targets last week. It appears as though Fine was just fine looking Picton’s way as much as any of the veteran receivers on the team. Picton is worth such a minimal investment that he is worth the risk.
Deep Dive
Anthony Johnson (HAM) $2,500 @ OTT
For second half of the season, Hamilton has been searching for a legitimate 3rd option in the passing game. Anthony Johnson flashed earlier in 2022, but injuries cost him most of the campaign. However, in the three games since returning, he has drawn at least 4 targets in every contest. And because of his big-play ability Johnson does not need much volume to pay off his minimum price tag. In two of his three most recent games, Johnson produced double-digit fantasy points without a touchdown or more than 4 targets in either match.
Defense
Saskatchewan Roughriders $3,800 @ CGY
I am all about the value defenses this week. I see no need to pay above the $4K mark when my two favorite plays overall are also the two least expensive.
Ottawa RedBlacks $3,600 vs HAM
The least expensive defense going up against the offense with the most turnovers in the CFL. Need I say more? Sign me up for the Ottawa defense in a lot of lineups.
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