After a strange week, we will hopefully get some return to normalcy in the CFL. On the Week 8 schedule, there are 4 games, with a rare Sunday match. A DFS main slate spread out over 4 days is unusual, but there is still value to be had in all matches this week. As always, I am attempting to identify the best value prices on the Daily Fantasy Sports site DraftKings, specifically for the Week 8 CFL slate.
Quarterback
Caleb Evans (OTT) $9,400 @ TOR
Starting off with a high-risk value play. Caleb Evans has stared the previous two games for Ottawa. In those two matches, he combined for 6 total touchdowns and averaged 30.7 fantasy points per game. However, the RedBlacks lost both of those matchups. And with newly acquired Nick Arbuckle waiting in the wings, there is risk that Evans could be pulled from any game. But Evans has played well in both losses. Ottawa has simply not gotten the job done and are currently winless through 6 games. So if you think Evans can play the majority of Week 8, than he is probably well worth a sub $10K price tag. But it could still be a risky proposition.
However, there is also a different context with CFL quarterbacks. Even if Evans is benched, he could still maintain some production throughout the rest of the game. One of the many rules that differ between the NFL and CFL is the neutral zone. In the CFL, the defense lines up 1 full yard back from the line-of scrimmage. This makes short-yardage plays more likely to succeed. Therefore, when teams get near the goal-line, they will often send in a backup QB to score the rushing TD. Because of his rushing skill set, Evans could produce monster numbers with multiple opportunity to find the end zone.
Trevor Harris (MTL) $8,400 @ HAM
With news of his teammate and fellow QB placed one the injured-list, Trevor Harris has no risk of being benched this week. That makes him a solid floor option. In fact the biggest risk to Harris’ potential upside is getting vultured for touchdowns by the short-yardage QB. That even happened three times during Montreal’s Week 7 win. However, Harris himself was able to produce 29.04 fantasy points thanks to a pair of passing touchdowns and a season-high in passing yards (341).
And with his sub $9K price tag, Harris is also in the perfect range to stack with many of his teammates. And in this main slate, there are certainly plenty of stackable Alouettes pass-catchers, in a variety of different costs. You could pay between $10,800 and $2,900 for a starting Montreal WR. Selecting Harris at QB creates versatility for the lineup, while still having great upside stack chances.
Running Back
Ka’Deem Carey (CGY) $10,500 vs WPG
Before their bye week, Calgary suffered a 26-19 loss at the hands of the undefeated Blue Bombers. In spite of the close score, Winnipeg dominated in most offensive categories. One exception is rushing, as the Stampeders out-gained the Winnipeg 110 yards to 45 yards on the ground. Even against a formidable defensive front, Ka’Deem Carey produced all of those rushing yards himself as he dominated Calgary’s RB touches.
One area where the Blue Bombers dominated in the Week 6 encounter was 2nd-down conversion and time of possession. Calgary went 4-for-16 on 2nd downs (25% compared to 59% for Winnipeg) and lost the clock battle with only 22:45 of possession. Maybe both of those problems can be solved with more opportunities for Carey. And not just more carries, although given his efficiency during the Week 6 matchup 12 rushing attempts seems low. Alongside additional work on the ground, Calgary could also benefit by throwing more to their RB, as Carey only has 9 receptions so far this season. If he can maintain his Week 6 efficiency, and get a couple more targets, than Carey is my favorite play among the $10K running backs.
Andrew Harris (TOR) $8,900 vs OTT
In back-to-back games against Saskatchewan, Andrew Harris was in tough. Through seven weeks of CFL action, the Roughriders have allowed 74.43 rushing yards per game, fewest in the league. And that is after Harris produced 143 rushing yards in Week 7 against Saskatchewan, his best output yet this season. Entering Week 8, it appears to be an easier matchup for Harris as Toronto takes on Ottawa. The RedBlacks are on the opposite end of the spectrum from the Roughriders as they have surrendered the 2nd most rushing yards per game so far this season with a 113.67.
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Arguably, the most important aspect to Harris’ game is his receiving ability. During prior seasons, Harris was often the leading CFL RB in receptions, and on certain occasions, the leading receiver overall on his team. Before Week 7, he had yet to establish that fully consistent workhorse role. Last week, he caught a season-high 7 receptions, and it not only did wonders for his fantasy points, but also helped the Argonauts get the win. In fact, during all the of Toronto’s victories this season, Harris has caught at least 3 passes.
With so much value on the slate, this might be another week to pay for multiple running backs. Normally in a PPR format like DraftKings, I would want to play as many receivers as possible. But I think Harris’ price in particular makes this interesting. One could combine Harris alongside a $10K RB and still still have access to viable wide receivers. If Harris can command another 7 targets like last week, he will not only have a safe floor with opportunity, but also a high ceiling in the event he were to score a TD. Harris did produce 29.7 fantasy points last week without finding the end zone. Imagine if he were to finally score his first TD of 2022.
Wide Receiver
Dominique Rhymes (BC) $8,900 vs HAM
I recommended Dominique Rhymes in my Week 7 value article. The boom-or-bust receiver unfortunately fell on the bust side with only 4 catches for less than 50 yards. During Week 7, the BC Lions produced their lowest scoring output of the season. Even though they got the win, 17 points was the Lions first sub-20 point game. Is that an outlier, or a trend? We shall find out, but Rhymes has remained productive nonetheless. He is 2nd on the Lions in catches, and 1st in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. At sub-$9K, if Rhymes has another boom week, he will be well worth the price.
Malik Henry (CGY) $7,300 vs WPG
So far in 2022, Malik Henry is currently Calgary’s leading receiver in fantasy points. Yet, his cost is $2,500 less than some of his teammates. That alone is enough to consider him a value. But this is also a matchup I want to target. Not so much because I want to pick on the Winnipeg defense, but simply repeating a narrative from a few weeks ago. The Blue Bombers and the Stampeders are arguably the two best teams in the CFL. As mentioned in the RB section, if Calgary can better control the time of possession, I expect an even higher scoring game than last time. This could be the game you want to to have exposure to in your lineup.
Dalton Schoen (WPG) $6,700 @ CGY
And since I want a piece of the Winnipeg-Calgary game, might as well shed some light on the other side of the matchup. Through a variety of injuries, Dalton Schoen has become the de facto top receiving option for Winnipeg. He even put up a monster performance during Week 7. However, there is some concern stemming from his previous matchup against the Calgary defense. During Week 6, Schoen produced only 24 yards on 3 catches vs the Stampeders. But Schoen also only saw 4 targets. Considering that as many as 3 of the top Blue Bombers pass-catchers could be out, the team will have no choice but to provide Schoen with a bunch of targets.
Reggie White (MTL) $5,800 @ HAM
Another blast from the past, as I am repeating yet another Week 7 WR. However, I would say that Reggie White worked out well last week as he produced a season-high 99 receiving yards. His week-to-week consistency finally paid off, as he has at least 4 catches in all but one game this season. However, White has also failed to find the end zone this year. Because of this White has a solid floor but limited ceiling. I think he makes for the perfect stack with Montreal QB Trevor Harris. But only in 50/50 or cash games where a safe floor is desired. I may avoid this stack altogether in GPP or tournaments contests.
Deep Dive
Lemar Durant (HAM) $2,500 vs MTL
During Week 8, Lemar Durant will make his 2022 debut with Hamilton. He immediately finds his way into the Tiger-Cats starting lineup playing slot back. Durant is likely filling in the void left by the injured Papi White. We are not quite sure of what to expect after an injury absence, but when he played last year, Durant was typically double his current price. Instead, DraktKings is relying on the unknown of Durant’s role and health coming off of the injury. He is priced at the minimum $2,500, so you literally can’t find a deeper dive. Given such little risk to a lineup budget, I’d would say it is well worth that upside in case Durant starts strong right out of the gate.
Defense
Montreal Alouettes $4,400 @ HAM
This week, I believe the value on defense can be found i the mid-and-lower tiers of the position price range. Specifically a pair of teams playing on the road. For starters, Montreal travels to take on the Tiger-Cats. Hamilton happens to lead the league in offensive turnovers with 1.06 per game. So far this season, they are the only team averaging more than 1 turnover per contest (the next closest is Edmonton at 0.83).
In addition to the big play potential of a turnover, the Alouettes defense could also capitalize in the pass rush. Through 7 weeks of the CFL season, the Tiger-Cats have surrendered 3.2 sacks per game, the 2nd highest rate in the league. At only $4,400, the Montreal defense provides potential for a high ceiling performance for a tournament contest, but also the safe floor needed in a cash game.
Ottawa RedBlacks $3,200 @ TOR
In order to maximize the rest of the lineup, one could consider paying all the way down for the cheapest defense. My favorite value defense on the week is Ottawa’s unit. While facing a division leading team on the road may sound daunting, in reality the RedBlacks defense have some favorable opportunities. First off, Ottawa is tied for 2nd in the league (alongside Montreal) with 2.5 sacks per game. Meanwhile, the Toronto offense has allowed the 5th most sacks per game so far this season. While not a horrible line, they are not elite either. The Ottawa pass-rush may get some solid opportunities for sacks.
Furthermore, the Argonauts offense has the 3rd highest turnover rate in the league (0.74 turnovers per game). Toronto has also scored the 3rd fewest points per game in the CFL with a 21.2 average. These facts bode well for the Ottawa defense, especially in 50/50 or cash games.
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