Can you believe we arrived? The final week of the CFL regular season is here. All six playoff teams have been decided. Most final spots are locked in except in the East division. Both the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Montreal Alouettes are fighting for second place in the East. The two teams will face each other in the first round of the playoffs, but this week is all about determining who gets to host that game. Therefore, expect to see a lot of Hamilton and Montreal players in the article. Since they are the only teams truly playing for something, neither side should pull any starters unexpectedly, a fear I have for most other teams.
This week, more than any, it is important to check the official depth charts for each team. They are released roughly 24 hours before kickoff and will indicate if any more players are inactive.
Quarterback
Jeremiah Masoli (HAM) $11,600 vs SSK
Trevor Harris (MTL) $8,600 vs OTT
Is the most expensive player on the slate really a value? Well, as mentioned in the intro, I want to target the teams still fighting for playoff positioning. Therefore, my two most rostered quarterbacks this week will be from Hamilton and Montreal. So even though Jeremiah Masoli is at a season-high price, I still think he can be worth it. After suffering an injury of the first month of the season, he has put up some monster numbers over the past month. A season-low 55% completion in the last game was not good. But Masoli still produced 19.74 fantasy points without scoring a TD.
While I believe Masoli can be a value, he also carries a risk at such a high cost. Honestly, the one QB I want more than anything this week is Trevor Harris. At sub 9K$, he would likely be the answer even if most CFL teams were fighting for playoff positioning. When you add in all of the usual starters who will not play in Week 16, it leaves Harris as one of the few viable options. Since being traded to the Alouettes, Harris has not found the fantasy ceiling he had in Edmonton. He is, however, coming off of his second-best fantasy game of the season. Can he take that momentum into the regular-season finale? Looking at my lineups, I obviously am banking on that very thing.
Running Back
William Stanback (MTL) $11,000 vs OTT
In Week 16, William Stanback will face Ottawa’s defense which has allowed the 2nd most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. More specifically, the RedBlacks have surrendered the most rushing yards per game to opponents. That works just fine for Stanback who leads the CFL with 1,131 rushing yards. There is so much value in the lower tiers of other positions. That makes it all the more easier to pay up for Stanback.
James Butler (BC) $8,300 vs EDM
While not quite as bad as the Ottawa defense, Edmonton’s unit is also vulnerable on the ground. They are the only two teams in the CFL that have allowed more than 115 rushing yards per game. This has translated to fantasy success for opponents as the Elks have surrendered the 3rd most fantasy points per game to running backs.
During each of the last 3 games, James Butler has received double-digit carries. Over that time span, he has also produced 16 receptions, fully taking over the workhorse RB role for the BC Lions. In the final contest of the season, and with a backup QB (more on that later) look for Butler to carry the load all game.
Wide Receiver
Steven Dunbar (HAM) $7,300 vs SSK
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Tim White (HAM) $6,600 vs SSK
There are Hamilton wide receivers all over the price ranges. I prefer to stick to the middle tier with both Steven Dunbar and Tim White. With only $700 separating the two, it may come down to personal preference to determine who is the best value. If you prefer big-bodied receivers who can make tough catches, Dunbar is your man. Now, if you prefer the quick and shifty slotbacks, then White provides that explosiveness in open space.
RJ Harris (OTT) $6,400 @ MTL
I have focused a lot on both Hamilton and Montreal players. While Saskatchewan is preparing for the playoffs next week, Ottawa is not. You know those players will want to end the season on a high note. So if you are looking for any run-it-back options for either Tiger-Cats or Alouettes stacks, I prefer to lean towards the RedBlacks. Specifically, R.J. Harris and his team-leading 572 receiving yards will likely be the veteran leader that is relied on in this spot.
Janarion Grant (WPG) $5,000 @ CGY
While Winnipeg will have a backup QB in the game, this may not affect special teams. And that is where Janarion Grant truly shines. In fact, the WR has 0 receptions this season. This might the game to get him involved in the offense as the Blue Bombers prepare to host the West Final. More importantly, if Grant can return a kick for a TD he will certainly pay off his price. Interestingly, Calgary is one of only two teams to allow a kickoff return for a TD this season.
Jalen Toliver (EDM) $4,000 @ BC
It is up in the air who will be Edmonton’s QB for the season finale. Regardless, Jalen Tolliver has been on a hot streak of late averaging over 15 fantasy points per game over the last 3 outings. Even if he just hits that average for one more week, he will be well worth the 4K$ cost. And there is good reason to think that production is replicable. In those games, Tolliver was tied for either first or second on the team in targets.
Reggie White Jr. (MTL) $3,800
Reggie White is likely to be my most rostered player overall in Week 16 CFL DFS. First, he is playing for Montreal and I want to target players on teams with something on the line. Secondly, in only 4 CFL games, White has carved out a role in the offense. After finding the end zone in back-to-back weeks, White now possesses some TD upside. Furthermore, unlike Hamilton where there are WR prices all over the map, three of White’s Montreal WR mates are in the 7K$ range or above. With a sub 4K$ price tag, White can fit into most lineups and types of builds.
Deep Dive
QB – Nathan Rourke (BC) $6,900 vs EDM
Usually, this deep dive section is reserved for running backs and wide receivers. This week, however, I thought it would be best to highlight a real value at QB. Nathan Rourke will be starting for the BC Lions in Week 16. With a nice price at only 6.9K$, Rourke would be quite a value with a mildly productive fantasy output. Given his skill set, Rourke can also create a ceiling with his ground game upside. He has 2 rushing touchdowns over the last 3 games, demonstrating his short-yardage and goal-line abilities. If Rourke can find the end zone multiple times (either through the air or on the ground) then he will be quite the value.
Defense
Hamilton Tiger-Cats $5,600 vs SSK
Calgary Stampeders $4,700 vs WPG
What a week for fantasy defenses. A couple of teams have already indicated that they will rest their starting QB. I want to target those teams specifically playing either the Hamilton or Calgary defenses. The Tiger-Cats are my top DST this week, partially because they are playing for the home-field advantage in round one of the playoffs. However, for about 1K$ less, you can also play the Stampeders.
Watch for more news about any more starting quarterbacks not playing in Week 16. Their opponent’s defenses could be solid options in DFS this week as well.
Thank you for reading DFS CFL Best Player Values Draft Kings Week 16. Be sure to check out all of the great DFS content available on Going for 2.
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