Here we are for another week of CFL action, which means more opportunities to win playing Daily Fantasy Sports. There were a few elements that were completely correct in my Week 8 article. Of course, there were the inevitable misses, most notably from the lower-priced players. So I need to do better, especially in the Deep Dive section towards the end of the article. Let’s give it our best shot with the CFL DFS DraftKings Week 9 value article.
Quarterback
Nathan Rourke (BC) $12,500 vs BC
This is less of a value play, and more just letting you know that this appears to be a good week to play Nathan Rourke. At this point of the season, you just have to decide whether or not to pay the $12K+price. We are a far cry from Rourke’s Week 1 cost back when it was still in four figures. But that opening game against Edmonton changed everything. Not only did the BC Lions win at home in Week 1, but they also devoured the Elks by a score of 59-15. Rourke himself scored 5 total touchdowns and showcased arguably the highest ceiling in the league.
Playing against the Elks again is a solid reason to select Rourke in Week 9. But perhaps more importantly, the value at other positions offers the ability to pay up at QB while still having a solid lineup. I would especially recommend paying down at RB, a stark departure from last week’s strategy of paying up for two elite backs.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson (TOR) $9,200 vs HAM
For those looking to avoid the massive pay-up at QB, McLeod Bethel-Thompson is my recommended value QB. In a strange quirk to the 2022 CFL schedule, Toronto and Hamilton will play each other four times in the next five weeks. Before that streak starts, there is obviously less clarity on how the teams will perform against one-and-other. But to start things off in the Argonauts and Ti-Cats rivalry series, I want to favor the home team from a DFS standpoint. That means Bethel-Thompson as a QB in the four-figure price range.
After a slow start to the season, Bethel-Thompson has thrown 7 touchdowns and has three 300-yard passing games over the last four contests. This is in spite of some injuries to Toronto receivers. Nevertheless, a pair of Argonauts pass-catchers have emerged as reliable targets for Bethel-Thompson (I will feature one of those receivers later in the WR section).
Running Back
Brady Oliveira (WPG) $6,600 @ MTL
This may be arguably the best value on the entire slate. In each of the last two games, Brady Oliveira has gotten double-digit carries, indicating that he is taking over this backfield. But he really upped the efficiency in Week 8 with his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. This week, Oliveira will face Montreal, one of the three teams in the CFL that allowed over 100 rushing yards per game to opponents. And there appears to be less of a timeshare risk since the backup RB is questionable entering Week 9. So there are plenty of reasons to believe that Oliveira can maintain his production.
Jeshrun Antwi (MTL) $4,700 vs WPG
Sticking with that same game, Jeshrun Antwi is certainly on the lower end of the price spectrum for starting running backs. At under $5K, he is a great compliment to a $12K QB. However, starting RB he may be, his price clearly indicates that Antwi is not a workhorse back. He has only received double-digit carries once so far this season. But what stood out from last week was a career-high 5 catches in a single game. It appears Antwi has earned the trust of his coaches on passing downs. With a safe PPR floor, Antwi would likely fit best in 50/50 or cash games this week.
Wide Receiver
Reggie Begelton (CGY) $9,600 @ OTT
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Last week, I featured Calgary’s RB as one of the top options on the slate. That worked as he produced a pair of rushing touchdowns. But this week, that same player is questionable with a hamstring injury. So this time around, I think the play is actually to invest in the Stampeders’ passing attack. For the first time this season, I am recommending paying up for the most expensive Calgary WR. Reggie Begelton has strung together some productive games of late with three 70+ yard games over his last four matches. And that includes only his 2nd TD of the season within the stretch. Look for Begelton to continue his productive ways.
Kurleigh Gittens (TOR) $7,800 vs HAM
So far this season, Kurleigh Gittens is leading Toronto in both catches and receiving yards. On a team with many high-priced wide receivers, Gittens is standing out among the group. In the last three games especially, the team has found ways to feature him not only in the passing and running game but also briefly in the return game. Clearly, the Argonauts are placing a priority on getting the ball in Gittens’ hands. For those paying down at QB for McLeod Bethel-Thompson, don’t be fooled by the presence of a $9K WR on Toronto. The alpha on the team in Gittens at $7,800 and he offers the best stack to pair with the QB.
Keon Hatcher (BC) $6,100 vs EDM
Speaking of stacks, in my opinion, the best range for BC Lions receivers is around $6K. For those playing up for QB Nathan Rourke, it is important to get stack in GPP or tournaments in order to maximize the potential outcome of a monster output from the Lions. Keon Hatcher and Jevon Cottoy would be the best candidates, but my answer lies with Hatcher. He is moving up the Lions ranks with solid volume each and every week. Hatcher is now second on the team in targets with 37 through 6 games. Last week, he produced his third 7-catch game of the season so far. And while Hatcher failed to find the end zone in Week 8, he still scored over 20 fantasy points. That type of ability is rare to find this low in the price range.
Emmanuel Arceneaux (EDM) $4,500 @ BC
If you are going with the Lions stack, it makes a lot of sense to attack the other side of the matchup as well. And arguably the best value on Edmonton’s roster is Emmanuel Arceneaux. The 10-year CFL veteran has had somewhat of a career resurgence with the Elks. In only 7 games played in 2022, Arceneaux already has more receptions and yards than his previous stop in Saskatchewan back in 2019. However, he has only scored 1 TD so far this season. So his ceiling is capped, but he is still playable in GPP or tournament contests, simply because of his price.
Deep Dive
Ryan Davis (OTT) $3,300 VS CGY
So lesson learned from last week. My Week 8 Deep Dive was playing in his first game of the season and failed to record a reception. Therefore, this time I am selecting an individual coming off of his first game of the season, instead of playing in it. Last week, Ryan Davis returned to the RedBlacks lineup and was second on the team in all major receiving categories. And while he only produced 41 yards, what really stands out was the fact that Davis caught all 6 of his targets. But it says something, that in Ottawa’s first win of the season, Davis was trusted with 6 targets. If he sees a similar opportunity in Week 9, look for Davis to outproduce his cost. And that’s what we should strive for with these value players.
Defense
BC Lions $5,000 vs EDM
This week, (and frankly most weeks in CFL DFS) I think it is best to target the offenses that struggle to protect the football. For Week 9, I am picking on the three teams with the most turnovers per game. Second on that list is Edmonton (more on the other two teams later). But the Elks are actually last in the league in a few key categories: points per game (18.7), total yards per game (315.7), and yards per play (5.9).
I like the Lions to contain Edmonton’s offense for this game in BC Place. But I do not necessarily recommend the full Lions stack with QB-WR-DST. If you are paying up for Rourke, I would prefer to save about $1K and pay down at defense. However, for those avoiding the $12K QB in lineups, the best hedge bet might be with BC’s defense.
Toronto Argonauts $4,200 vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats $4,000
Maybe one could consider this hedging the bets, but truthfully, both of the best value defenses are in this Hamilton @ Toronto matchup. All three of the defenses below $4K mark are all playing arguably the three best teams in the CFL. More specifically, three of the best quarterbacks in the league. Meanwhile, the Tiger-Cats and Argonauts are fighting for first place in the East division. But the strengths of both teams might be the defense.
And while both offenses are talented, turnovers have been a major factor (especially for Hamilton). Both Toronto and the Tiger-Cats are among the top three offenses in turnovers committed. The reality is, a defensive TD is what we are looking for DFS and fantasy football in general. And both of these teams can provide ample opportunities with turnovers. If I had to pick one team, it would be the Argonauts. First off, Toronto is the home team. But perhaps more importantly, Hamilton is the only CFL team with over 1 offensive turnover per game so far in 2022.
Thank you for reading this CFL DFS DraftKings Week 9 article. Be sure to check out all of the great football content available on Going For 2.
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