CFL DFS Picks and Cheat Sheet for Week 16 on DraftKings
The stretch run of an exciting 2025 season continues with a four-game Week 16 slate that kicks off with an Alouettes-Argonauts clash on Friday night and concludes with a Elks-Tiger-Cats battle on Saturday night.
As customary, we'll break down multiple options for each roster spot and also offer a trio of core plays to consider making the centerpiece of your lineups.
Quarterback Plays for CFL Week 16
Nathan Rourke, B.C. at CGY ($11,400): Rourke carries the highest salary on the slate with good reason, considering his average of 25.3 DK points per contest. The mobile superstar has eclipsed 300 passing yards in four of the last five games alone, and he's only been under 20 twice this season. Friday night, Rourke gets his first crack at a Stampeders defense that has generally been tough against the pass, but that isn't likely to pose too much of an obstacle given how matchup-proof he's proven.
Calgary has allowed a league-low 265.0 passing yards per game, but the Stamps have also surrendered the third-most completions (300) and a 69.6 percent completion rate. Rourke has been aggressive irrespective of what defense he's faced, as evidenced by his 20 TD passes, 23 completions of 30+ yards and league-high average of 10.0 yards per attempt. With star running back James Butler also ruled out due to his thigh injury, Rourke could also be even busier than usual, both through the air and as a runner.
Chris Streveler, WPG at OTT ($9,800): Streveler is confirmed for a second straight start in Saturday afternoon's road trip to Ottawa, as Zach Collaros will remain out due to his head injury. The mobile veteran put together a solid performance against the Tiger-Cats in Week 15 in Collaros' stead despite tossing a pair of interceptions, amassing 27.8 DK points on the strength of 323 total yards and both a passing and rushing TD.
After another week of taking first-team reps, Streveler should be even better equipped to lead Winnipeg's offense in what lines up as a favorable matchup. The opposing Redblacks have surrendered the third-most passing yards per game (284.0), along with a 69.4 percent completion rate and 23 completions of 30+ yards. Ottawa has also given up a league-high 6.97 yards per play, and Streveler is always a threat to supplement his work through the air with his legs.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, MTL at TOR ($8,000): Bethel-Thompson's salary makes him easily the best potential fantasy-point-per-dollar play of the slate, as the veteran signal-caller is coming off a stellar showing in an upset of the Roughriders and now faces an Argonauts secondary that's allowed big plays all season. Bethel-Thompson threw for 379 yards and three touchdowns in the 48-31 victory over Saskatchewan, compiling 31.4 DK points in the process.
MBT now gets a crack at his old Argonauts squad, who have struggled preventing chunk plays through the air. Toronto is surrendering 278.2 passing yards per game on a league-high 73.2 percent completion rate, along with the second-most TD passes (23). Then, the Argos have given up a league-high 111.1 passer efficiency rating as well, setting Bethel-Thompson up for a potential second straight breakout effort.
ALSO CONSIDER: Bo Levi Mitchell, HAM vs. EDM ($10,400)
Running Back Plays for CFL Week 16
Brady Oliveira, WPG at OTT ($9,200): Oliveira continues to boast what might be the safest week-to-week floor of any CFL back, as he's averaged 16.8 touches per game through his first 11 contests. That's helped Oliveira to a very secure fantasy baseline as well, as he's averaging 16.1 DK points per game and has provided at least 15.4 on seven occasions thus far. He's now set to operate with the mobile Streveler as his quarterback for the second straight game, which could actually be a benefit in terms of keeping the defense off balance.
The Redblacks have solid numbers against the run, allowing just 89.0 rushing yards per game at 4.6 yards per carry. However, Oliveira is averaging 5.6 yards per tote and already boasts 21 runs of 10+ yards, including four explosive runs (20+ yards). When paired with his significant role as a receiver (47-434 line on 59 targets), Oliveira shapes up as a strong play under any circumstance.
Greg Bell, HAM vs. EDM ($8,900): Bell had been enjoying a solid season coming into a Week 14 matchup against the Alouettes, but his work on the ground had been capped at 13 carries in terms of single-game highs. The Tiger-Cats had a philosophical shift, however, feeding Bell 20 and 22 carries over the subsequent pair of contests, which he parlayed into 293 rushing yards and a pair of rush TDs. He also extended his season-long streak of games with multiple catches in those contests, leading to outstanding 30.5 and 34.8 DK-point tallies.
Bell should be in a good position to extend his torrid streak of play to three games, considering the Elks' body of work on defense this season. Edmonton is allowing a league-high 378.2 yards of net offense per game while tying for the third-most offensive TDs surrendered (33). The Elks are also allowing a league-high 296.1 passing yards per game, and Bell's outsized pass-catching role (43-332-1 line on 53 targets) could dovetail perfectly with that vulnerability.
ALSO CONSIDER: Dedrick Mills, CGY vs. B.C. ($8,000); Stevie Scott III, MTL at TOR ($6,300)
Wide Receiver/Slotback Plays for CFL Week 16
Keon Hatcher, B.C. at CGY ($10,300): Hatcher is not only one of Rourke's most trusted targets in the Lions' prolific air attack, but he's also one of the league's most reliable receivers in both a real-world and fantasy sense. The accomplished veteran is enjoying what could turn out to be his finest season, as he's only 57 receiving yards away from eclipsing the career-best 1,226 he amassed back in 2023. Hatcher is already averaging a career-high 16.5 yards per reception, and he's averaging a robust 8.1 targets per contest.
Hatcher is already averaging a career-high 16.5 yards per reception as well, along with a robust 8.1 targets per contest. As mentioned in Rourke's entry, Calgary has given up a high number of completions, and Hatcher also checks in with league-high figures in receptions (71), receiving yards (1,170) and targets (105), along with eight catches of 30+ yards and an impressive 10 receptions on the 17 targets of 20 yards or more in depth that he's seen.
Tim White, HAM vs. EDM ($8,500): White is in the midst of another impressive season, one that's seen him average 13.7 DK points per contest while generating 63 receptions for 728 yards and five touchdowns, along with three rushes for 58 yards. The veteran pass catcher is averaging a solid 7.1 targets per contest as well, and he's had a couple of spike performances of over 23 DK points.
As alluded to in Bell's entry, the Elks have been generous through the air this season, and White actually had a hand in Edmonton's crooked metrics against the pass – he generated a season-high 26.8 DK points via a 7-78-2 tally back in Week 9. With a solid 68.5 percent catch rate and as the recipient of plenty of high-percentage looks from veteran Bo Levi Mitchell, White sets up well in this spot again.
Jake Herslow, TOR vs. MTL ($9,500): It could be quipped that NFL Hall of Famer Chris Carter has nothing on Herslow, who's racked up eight touchdown receptions on only 29 catches this season, including six in his last three contests alone. The second-year pro has also averaged 16.0 yards per grab, and he's up to 17.6 DK points per game after scoring between 26.4 and 36.9 in the aforementioned three-game sample.
Herslow will be playing without Nick Arbuckle (calf) in this game, but the Alouettes haven't been an elite pass defense (280.0 passing yards per game allowed at a 70.6 percent completion rate). Herslow has a solid 72.5 percent catch rate and is being utilized all over the field, keeping in play despite the switch under center to Jarret Doege, who he's had a chance to practice all week with.
Erik Brooks, CGY vs. B.C. ($6,400): Hitting on the right value receiver/slotback is always an interesting and imperfect exercise, but we'll take a stab at it with a high-upside piece in Brooks this week. The second-year pro has put together a 35-458-2 line on 46 targets, displaying a solid degree of efficiency while averaging 13.1 yards per catch and posting 18.9 and 25.0 DK-point tallies in the last pair of contests.
The Lions have surrendered a 70.7 percent completion rate, as well as a co-league high 24 touchdown passes. B.C. has also given up a league-high 26 completions of 30+ yards, and while Brooks hasn't been targeted downfield much, he does have above-average speed and is clocking a solid 5.0 yards after the catch per reception; in turn, the Lions have given up the second-most YAC (1,513) this season.
ALSO CONSIDER: Tyson Philpot, MTL at TOR ($10,000); Nic Demski, WPG at OTT ($9,600)
Team Defense Plays for Week 16
Montreal Alouettes ($3,800) at Toronto Argonauts:
The Alouettes have been about a middle-of-the-pack defensive unit for most of the season from both a real-world and fantasy perspective, but conditions may be right for one of their higher-percentile performances Friday night. The Als are averaging 6.5 DK points per road game, and they've flashed some solid upside with 13- and 15-DK-point performances.
The Argos will be forced to turn to Jarret Doege for this game due to Nick Arbuckle's calf injury. Doege has limited pro experience, having put just nine attempts over the last two regular seasons after posting a lackluster 4:4 TD:INT as a rookie with the Elks back in 2023. Montreal checks in with a well-rounded defensive profile that includes 28 sacks, 12 interceptions, a co-league-high 12 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, and a pair of defensive TDs.
The Als have also surrendered the third-fewest offensive points per game (24.2) and are conceding the second-fewest yards per play (6.5). Montreal has also surrendered the third-fewest big plays (20+ yard rushes, 30+ yard passes). Meanwhile, Toronto has allowed the second-most sacks (35), and that's been with a more experienced hand under center in Arbuckle.
CFL DFS Cheat Sheet for Week 16
Brady Oliveira, RB
Keon Hatcher, WR
Total salary expenditure: $27.5K
There's no question CFL fantasy production can be a bit volatile, especially at running back and receiver, so this week I'm advocating spending up for some security in the form of three rock-solid veterans. Bethel-Thompson is line to start once again and draws a very favorable matchup against an Argonauts squad that's had trouble with the kind of aggressive downfield throws MBT is prone to make if given the opportunity. Then, Oliveira's workload and corresponding production has been outstanding, and he could once again benefit from playing with a rushing threat in Chris Streveler. Finally, Hatcher is one of the most trusted options in a prolific passing offense that could be even more high volume than usual due to Butler's absence.
