After a few strange weeks, we finally have a conventional 4-game slate on the CFL schedule. With two games on Friday, and another pair on Saturday, Week 17 of the Candian Football League offers plenty of opportunities to play Daily Fantasy Sports. As always, I attempt to identify the best value players on the DraftKings platform. Last week, I made both good and bad DFS calls, but I will do my best once again.
Quarterback
Taylor Cornelius (EDM) $10,300 vs MTL
It was a busy bye week for Taylor Cornelius. The QB recently signed a contract extension to remain in Edmonton. This speaks volumes about their confidence in Cornelius. Personally, my biggest worry was that Cornelius might get benched at some point down the stretch. But given his play, it appears the Elks will give him the chance to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Edmonton held off elimination in their previous matchup. Can they do it once again here in Week 17?
Something that certainly matters more for fantasy than real football is a quarterback’s rushing ability. Cornelius currently leads all CFL quarterbacks in rushing yards (384), in spite of only starting 9 games this season. There are a couple of players priced higher in the QB section on DraftKings. However, I would argue that Cornelius has the highest upside at the entire position. In fact, other CFL DFS platforms actually have Cornelius listed as the most expensive player this week. Looks like DK provides the best value as a way to get exposure to Cornelius.
Jake Maier (CGY) $10,000 vs TOR
Fresh off of a new contract extension of his own. Jake Maier seems poised to lead the Calgary offense the rest of the way. A victory last week clinched the Stampeders a playoff spot, and Maier has done his part. Over the course of his 5 starts this season, Maier has thrown for over 285 yards 4 times (238 passing yards in the other game) and has 9 passing touchdowns over that stretch.
Last week, he failed to find the end zone. However, look for a rebound performance for Maier. Toronto has allowed the most passing yards per game (270.85) to opposing offenses. Coincidentally, Calgary is right behind with 270.0 passing yards surrendered per game. This sets up as a shootout type atmosphere. From a value perspective, give me the Stampeders starter, over the Argonauts QB who is priced at $11,000.
Running Back
AJ Ouellette (TOR) $6,700 @ CGY
It appears as though DraftKings has set clear price tiers at the RB spot. While there are a couple of elite players in the $11K and even $12K ranges, I do not want to spend that much on any player this week. Instead, I want to look further toward a difference cost tier for running backs. There could be as many as 4 lead backs in a $1K price range. At the top of that group is A.J. Ouellette. Like most of the running backs with this type of price tag, Ouellette was not expected to be Toronto’s primary RB. However, due to injury, Ouellette has become the team’s workhorse RB.
In addition to his sheer volume on the ground, Ouellette has the passing-down role in the backfield. That gives him the opportunity to receive targets and increase his fantasy output. Looking back to an earlier matchup against Calgary, Ouellette produced season-highs in catches (7) and receiving yards (92). Against the Stampeders potent pass-rush (more on that later), a dump-off RB might be a solid option for DFS.
Kevin Brown (EDM) $6,100 vs MTL
Another potential lead-back, this time from Edmonton. Kevin Brown has led the Elks in rushing yards during each of their past 3 games. However, he was not listed as the starter in any of those matchups. That being said, Brown has quickly taken over the backfield, with double-digit touches in each of those 3 games. And while he only had 1 reception in his previous game, look for Brown to enter Week 17 with another full workload.
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Brown ends up with a great matchup against the Montreal defense. Not only have they allowed the 2nd most rushing yards per game (104.46) to opponents, but they have also surrendered the most 1st-downs per game (22.23) in the league. There are less expensive options at RB. However, ideally, Brown is the further down I would target the position.
Wide Receiver
Lucky Whitehead (BC) $10,300 vs OTT
Not a player I have often recommended this season, but I think this is the week to play Lucky Whitehead. Part of the motivation is the potential of Whitehead getting more targets. With the news that a key BC Lions WR in on IR, the team will need others to step up. With his game-breaking speed, Whitehead can break a slate in the right circumstances. Against Ottawa, I believe those opportunities will present themselves. The RedBlacks defense has allowed the most yards per pass (12.87) and the 2nd most yards per play (7.19) to opposing offenses. This may be the big-play game for Whitehead who has failed to live up to his cost since Week 11. That is why I am making an unusual selection of Whitehead.
Malik Henry (CGY) $9,900 vs TOR
Nic Demski (WPG) $9,400 vs SSK
This duo, on the other hand, has often been featured in this article series and both have been very productive for most of the season. Anyone playing Jake Maier would most likely like to have Malik Henry as a stacking option alongside the Calgary QB. And while Henry does not lead the team in either targets or catches, he does however sit atop the Stampeders in both receiving yards and touchdowns. His 17.9 yards per reception mark is ridiculous considering that he has maintained it over 58 catches.
Meanwhile, Nic Demski has certainly made up for his slow start. With only 2 touchdowns through the first 11 weeks of the season, it was not the best season beginning for Demski as he dealt with injury. Since then, however, he has not stopped scoring with 5 touchdowns over the previous 4 games. Both cash and tournament lineups could benefit from having either Demski, or Henry. Perhaps even both in the same lineup.
Dillon Mitchell (EDM) $5,200 vs MTL
With the Edmonton receiving corps in need of assistance, Dillon Mitchell has emerged at the right time. Over the past 3 games, Mitchell is tied for the team lead in targets with 22. The ability to draw those kinds of opportunities is rare for a player in the $5K range. Especially in Week 17 after as most key contributors have appeared to get a price bump. Considering everything, I would argue that Mitchell is one of the best values on the entire slate.
Deep Dive
Kaion Julien-Grant (MTL) $2,700 @ EDM
Don’t look now, but suddenly the athletic Kaion Julien-Grant is climbing up the Montreal receiving ladder. Even though he is only 5th on the team in targets, and tied for 4th in receptions, Julien-Grant is ranked higher in other key areas. Namely, 3rd in receiving yards, 2nd in yards after the catch, and tied for 2nd in receiving touchdowns. The most important facet is his YAC ability. 244 of Julien-Grant’s 399 receiving yards (61%) came after the catch. The Alouettes are finding ways to get him the ball, culminating in a season-high 5 targets last week. Will this trend continue? At a sub-$3K price, he is certainly worthy of the investment to find out.
Defense
BC Lions $4,800 vs OTT
My favorite defense to play this week is the BC Lions. And this is based mostly on the matchup as they face Ottawa. In some areas, the RedBlacks offense performs decently. However, they are last in the CFL in points scored per game at 20.31. Even last week, they were switching quarterbacks in-and-out and the offense had no rhythm at all. I like the Lions to take advantage of the situation.
Calgary Stampeders $4,200 vs TOR
If you need the extra $600, I have no problem pivoting down to the Calgary defense. While the playoff-bound Toronto offense is high scoring, they are also vulnerable in key areas we look at for defensive targets. Namely, the Argonauts have surrendered the 3rd most sacks, and have the 3rd highest turnover rate in the CFL. Both rankings indicate good reasons to play the Stampeders this week. With Calgary great pass-rush, this is a great opportunity to capitalize on a decent price.
Thank you for reading CFL DFS Best Dollar Values DraftKings Week 17. Be sure to check out all of the great DFS content available on GoingFor2.com.
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