CFL Week 3
The purpose of this article is to help break down the weekly CFL slate by offering insight into the players to help formulate the best lineup possible. It is imperative that you check on injury statuses before each game since it can change at any notice. I’ll list several players that I like at each position but then have my full player pool listed below.
Matchups
- EDM vs. WPG
- MTL vs. HAM
- BC vs. CGY
- TOR vs. SSK
QB
Bo Levi Mitchell (9.8)- If you are wanting a solid floor QB with some upside, BLM is your guy this week. Mitchell has a very solid supporting cast and it will only get better as the season progresses and he gets Kamar Jorden back into the fold. He has only played 1 game so far this year but ended up throwing the football 39 times (attempted 39+ passes only twice last season). We know the Calgary defense is not the exact same as it was last season so BLM will have to step up and possibly get into some shoot-outs along the way. I think with him being under 10k and in a good matchup, BLM is one of the safer QB options this week. (He has good history vs BC, throwing for 863 yards and 4 TDs in 3 games vs the Lions last year).
Jeremiah Masoli (10.8k)- We nailed the Hamilton call last week so it makes sense to go back to them this week. The Ti-Cats draw another favorable matchup against Montreal so I expect another strong offensive performance.Montreal allowed 447 passing yards in their week 1 matchup to Edmonton which compares to the Hamilton offense really well in terms of the ability to rack up yards and a bunch of big play receivers. Masoli is my top QB yet again so I would advise you to get a share of him this week.
Cody Fajardo (8.4k)- Fajardo really surprised us all last week by balling out against the Redblacks. Usually SSK is a run heavy team but they found themselves in a shootout which caused the Roughriders to open it up with the pass. Fajardo made the most of the opportunity and showed the league what he can actually do through the air. He threw for 360 yards on 34 attempts while throwing for 2 TDS and ran for 1. He does have upside due to his ability to run so it makes him very viable for GPP tournaments. It also helps that he is playing a Toronto team that just allowed 64 points in their opening game.
Trevor Harris (10.5k)- At first, I was thinking this could be the week to fade Harris. The more I dug in, the more I realized he could be a viable option for us at QB against Winnipeg. Winnipeg is a very solid and complete team all around and they will give up some passing yardage but they get very stingy on their passing defence when you are in the red zone. Harris faced the
Blue Bombers twice last season and in both games, he threw for over 300 yards with at least 1 TD. I do think there is higher upside with Masoli specifically but Harris is viable for both Cash/GPP entries.
RB
William Powell (8.2k)- Powell had a tough matchup against Ottawa and it didn’t help that a fumble caused him to see the bench while Marcus Thigpen took several carries and targets away from him.This could be a big bounce back game for Powell since he gets a Toronto team that just allowed a 100 yard performance to Sean Thomas-Erlington. SSK should win this game and I think that Powell will want to make a statement to make up for the underwhelming performance that he had last week.
Sean Thomas Erlington (7.1k)- STE broke out in a big way last week and he is showing that he can be an all around back in the CFL. He did see a significant salary increase but that shouldn’t scare you off from using him. STE is 2nd in the CFL in rushing yards and the Ti-Cats are committed to giving him his touches and looks in the passing game (avg 11.5 carries and 3 receptions per game). The Hamilton offense will be moving the ball this week so make sure you get some exposure to STE before he tops the 8k salary range!
Don Jackson (6.6k)- I am a big DJ fan and there is no better time to use him than this week. He is priced at 6.6k and is facing a Lions defense who have been shredded on the ground the first 2 games of the season. BC is allowing 142 yards per game on the ground and I think we can see Jackson break the 100 yard mark. I also think this game favors the Stamps rushing attack for several reasons. BC is struggling to move the ball efficiently and if they fall behind early due to the pocket collapsing on Reilly, the Stamps will be able to rely on high percentage throws and a constant rushing game to keep the clock going.
William Stanback (5.9k)- Hamilton has a very strong D so the thought of using Stanback is primarily for value and for any pass catching upside for your GPP lines. He is under 6k and is the primary running back for the Alouettes. Vernon Adams is getting the nod at QB so Stanback could see a little heavier dose of running just to take the pressure off of the passing game. I do think Montreal falls behind in the game which would allow for Stanback to get dump off opportunities which could rack up fantasy points. For me, he is more of a tournament play that could be lower owned.
WR
Brandon Banks (9.6k)- Banks is showing off to be the best receiver in the game so he is always under consideration. Speedy B showed off his wheels in his most recent game against Toronto, catching 7 passes for 105 yards but also having a field goal return for 113 yards and a touchdown. He is involved in multiple ways and the Ti-Cats are going to feature him every single
chance they can. Banks only faced MTL once last season but in that game, he had 5 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. I think we can see a similar output this week so make sure you get a share of Banks!
Duron Carter (7.3k)- Duron Carter is finding come consistency on the offensive end with the BC Lions. Mike Reilly has targeted DC 18 times through 2 games which ties him for the most targets in the CFL. Carter is priced at $7,300 which is a steal considering the steady amount of targets he is getting. He has yet to have a huge breakout game in terms of yardage but since the Lions could fall behind in his game, more pass catching opportunities could open up for Carter.
Greg Ellingson (9.9k)- Ellingson had a monster game this past weekend, putting up 9 catches for 14 yards while recording 2 TDs along the way. Harris and Ellingson have a special connection and it seems like it has carried over to Edmonton like we would have hoped. Ellingson had very solid games last season against Winnipeg (16 catches for 169 yards and a TD) and I think he is on track for another solid performance this week. He doesn’t carry as much upside in this week’s matchup but if you are looking for a pivot play off of Banks, Ellingson would be your guy.
D/ST
Hamilton (5.1k)- Hamilton has been off to a great so far on defence, limiting points and causing turnovers. They are heavily favored and I think they could be the safest D/ST choice thi week. Also, if you play Banks, you might as well play HAM D/ST just in case he returns a punt or field goal back for a TD like he did last week to double down on points awarded for it.
Saskatchewan (4.7k)- I am still a believer in the SSK defence. They were the best defence in the CFL last year and even though Ottawa moved the ball effectively against them last week, this defence also did a great job limiting Hamilton the week before. Also, it helps they face Toronto who lacked any type of offense last week and struggled moving the ball.
Player Pool (Giving a variety of options to help with your build)
QB- Masoli, Harris, Mitchell, Fajardo
RB- Powell, STE, Jackson, Stanback
WR1(8k+)- Banks, Ellingson
WR2(6k to 7.9k)- Addison, Rogers, Carter, Begelton, Brescacin, Daniels (If healthy to play), Evans
WR3 (Sub 6k)- Tucker (If Tasker is out), Posey, Collins Jr., Durant, Wolitarsky, Smith (If Daniels is out) Cannon, Adjei, Lawler
D/ST- Hamilton, SSK, CGY
Fav.Teams to Stack (In Order)
1) HAM
2) CGY
3) EDM
4) SSK
