After a strange schedule last week, we have another interesting structure to a CFL DFS slate. In Week 5 there are only 3 games, with 3 teams on bye. But there is still plenty of DraftKings contests to play for CFL Daily Fantasy Sports. So here are what I consider to be the best DK dollar value prices for the Week 5 CFL slate.
Quarterback
Bo Levi Mitchell (CGY) $9,600 @ EDM
After Week 1 ended with an injury scare for Bo Levi Mitchell, he has turned out two 20+ fantasy points performances since. One of those games was against Edmonton, his upcoming Week 5 opponent. The Elks have surrendered a league-worst 35 points per game so far this season. Considering how expensive Calgary’s RB is this week, I prefer to exploit that with the Stampeders QB.
Tre Ford (EDM) $7,900 vs CGY
The young Tre Ford got his first career CFL start in Week 4. It ended with Edmonton’s first win of the season, which likely means that Ford will receive a long leash in Week 5. One of the most appealing parts of his game is his mobility. That was certainly on display last week as Ford ran for 61 rushing yards. With his sub $8K value, and high floor rushing ability, Ford is a perfect target in 50/50 or cash games. However, the upside is also there to the point where Ford is playable in tournaments as well.
Running Back
James Butler (BC) $10,000 vs WPG
James Butler has had an incredible start to the season. It all began back in Week 1 as he produced 47.1 fantasy points against the Edmonton defense. A lot of those points came from the fact that Butler scored 4 touchdowns in that game. After a bye and a Week 3 contest, where Butler left early with an injury, he return strong with 2 more touchdowns last week.
Against Winnipeg, it may be difficult for Butler to produce multiple touchdowns, but the volume is inescapable. Coming off that injury, Butler received 19 carries and saw 6 targets during Week 4. It was the BC Lions’ first close contest yet this season and Butler showed that he can be trusted in any game script. As one of the top pass-catching options on his team, Butler should be able to maintain a solid PPR floor for cash games, while the TD upside helps him in tournament contests.
Jamal Morrow (SSK) $9,100 vs OTT
This might be the week to play two elite running backs. Normally, I would want to play four wide receivers in the DraftKings format and only one RB per week. However, with only three games on the slate, there are less WR options available. So instead, I would prefer to focus my funds and pay up for two running backs as the anchors of the lineup. At $9,100, Jamal Morrow is the best price to be that 2nd RB option in a lineup that includes a $10K RB. Or he could be the anchor RB himself in a different type of build. Either way, Morrow has received double-digit touches in all but one week so far this season. For Week 5, he comes in at a relative discount compared to others at the position.
Morrow also has the added bonus of being a return man for Saskatchewan. And with no such thing as the fair catch in CFL rules, the kickoff and punt returners will usually accumulate consistent return yardage throughout the game. A combination of his high volume, passing-down work, and kick return role has allowed Morrow to produce consistently. So far, he has two 30+ fantasy point performances this season, with only 1 TD scored in each contest. Morrow has high weekly upside, even without needing to find the end zone multiple times. And in the four-figure range, I would argue Morrow is the best RB value on the Week 5 slate.
Wide Receiver
Darvin Adams (OTT) $7,800 @ SSK
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Going for 2 expensive running backs, as I outlined in the previous section, requires saving elsewhere. This week, I do not recommend paying $8K or more for any singular WR. There are several very viable options available in the $7K price range and below. In my opinion, the top option is Ottawa’s leading receiver, Darvin Adams. While he has yet to score a TD, he has consistently caught passes at a higher yardage rate throughout his career. In 9 CFL seasons, Adams has an average of 14.75 yards per reception. And he’s doing it again by leading the RedBlack receiving corps with over 16 yards per catch this season.
Adams, and the Ottawa passing attack in general, just needs the TD tables to turn. Through three games this season, the RedBlacks have only once found the end zone through the air. This may be the week for Ottawa to score multiple passing touchdowns. At least, they will likely need to in order to beat Saskatchewan. The Roughriders have allowed a league-low 54.5 rushing yards per game. So, this will likely set up a higher passing volume game script for Adams and his teammates.
Rasheed Bailey (WPG) $7,600 @ BC
Winnipeg is currently sitting 4-0 but with a combined 87 points scored. Compared that to the BC Lions, the team that they face in Week 5. The Lions have scored a league-best 137 points in only 3 games. If the Blue Bombers want to keep their undefeated streak alive, they will likely need to up the scoring pace. Specifically, perhaps this is the Rasheed Bailey breakout game that I have been predicting since Week 1. With health questions for several other Winnipeg wide receivers, Bailey may be counted on even more than usual. And he already leads the team in targets with 24.
Malik Henry $5,800 (CGY) @ EDM
When DraftKings first set the Week 5 prices, it appeared that there would be two particularly great options to stack alongside QB Bo Levi Mitchell. However, after one of those sub $6K receivers was declared out, that leaves the other as the preferred option. So far in 2022, Malik Henry is the only Calgary pass-catcher with multiple receiving touchdowns on the season. He has also produced a team-high 238 receiving yards, and 75 yards after the catch. With his big-play ability, Henry makes for the perfect stack with Mitchell, especially in GPP or tournament contests.
Keon Hatcher (BC) $4,300 vs WPG
In a price range normally reserved for the deep dive section, I want to feature Keon Hatcher in the WR portion of the article. The Lions have certainly chosen to feature him early in this season. Take Week 4 for instance. Hatcher caught all 7 of his targets, for 166 receiving yards and 1 TD. He became to go-to-guy with other options either out or injured. Look for the Lions to continue to lean on Hatcher in Week 5. And without a massive price increase coming off his recent monster game, Hatcher is arguably the best value at WR on the entire slate.
Deep Dive
Ante Milanovic-Litre $2,900 / Sherman Badie $2,800 (EDM) vs CGY
This week’s deep dive is comprised of two players. With Edmonton’s starting RB on IR, the lead back role is open. Last week Ante Milanovic-Litre and Sherman Badie both split the carries, with Milanovic-Litre also getting two targets. Against his former, Calgary team, and with his CFL pass-catching experience, Milanovic-Litre would likely be the better pick. But the point is, both are below $3K. So if you believe in my 2-RB theory for this week, but you don’t want to pay up for the second option, taking a bet on either Elks back makes sense.
Defense
Calgary Stampeders $5,200 @ EDM
Even though I outlined the Edmonton QB early in this article, I still think it could be a smart play to bet against him in his second career CFL start. Especially if you chose not to play Tre Ford in a lineup, I would suggest the Stampeders as a solid option. And while the young QB did get the win in Week 4, he still threw an INT. Any turnover can lead to the score needed to push a fantasy defense over the edge. If you can afford to pay up for them, I think Calgary has that upside this week.
Ottawa Red Blacks $4,100 @ SSK
While I did select Jamal Morrow in the RB section, I have less faith in the passing game right now. There could be as many as three of the team’s top receivers out this week. And even Cody Fajardo himself got a little banged up in Week 4. The usually mobile QB only had 1 rushing attempt and may be limited outside the pocket in Week 5. That could mean a lot of sacks for the Ottawa defense. And as the cheapest option on the Week 5 slate. The RedBlacks make the most sense as the value defense.
Thank you for reading CFL DFS Best Dollar Values DraftKings Week 5. Be sure to check out all of the great football content available on Going For 2.
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