This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
CFL DFS Picks and Cheat Sheet for Week 6 on DraftKings
After an exciting first five weeks of the season, the CFL hits Week 6 with another four-game, four-day slate that sees a pair of clubs seeking to keep their record unblemished and one other team still trying to break through with its first victory. We have plenty of appealing individual matchups as well, leaving us poised for another exciting week of DFS play.
Quarterback Plays for CFL Week 6
Vernon Adams, B.C. vs. SSK ($12,300): Another week, another slate where Adams is my top play by a relatively wide margin. The veteran signal-caller simply continues to earn the honor each week, as he appears to be in the midst for what could be the most prolific season by a CFL quarterback if he's able to remain healthy. Adams already has four 330+yard games, and he's mustered an 11:1 TD:INT over the first five contests. The Roughriders have forced plenty of teams to the air by shutting down the run at a league-best rate, leading to Saskatchewan allowing a league-high 313 passing yards per game. The Riders have also been excellent at getting their hands on the ball (CFL-high nine INTs), but Adams' play thus far and the fact he's at home keeps me confident in his ability to pile up plenty of production.
Cody Fajardo, MTL vs. TOR ($10,000): Fajardo helped keep the Alouettes undefeated with a gutsy comeback victory in Week 5, one that saw the veteran quarterback throw for a whopping 374 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Fajardo continues to show mastery over the offense despite often working with a lackluster running game, and he'll be set up well for a pass-heavy night against an Argonauts squad that's funneled plenty of action to the air. The Argonauts have yielded the second-most passing yards per game (307.5), a league-high 74.6 percent completion rate and a league-high 117.1 passer efficiency rating, brightening Fajardo's outlook plenty.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, EDM vs. OTT ($9,600): Bethel-Thompson has had a bye week to build further chemistry with his pass catchers, as well as to give his veteran arm some rest. The Elks are still looking for their first win, but MBT has gotten his Edmonton tenure off to a good start by throwing for at least 300 yards in three of his first four games. The Redblacks present a relatively inviting matchup, as Ottawa is surrendering 282 passing yards per game and has particularly had trouble preventing downfield plays. The Redblacks are tied with the Argos for second-most 30+ yard completions allowed (seven) despite playing only four games, and Bethel-Thompson has already attempted 25 passes of 20 yards or more in depth, completing 13 of them for 369 yards and three touchdowns in the process.
Running Back Plays for CFL Week 6
Brady Oliveira, WPG vs. CGY ($9,600): Oliveira will carry a questionable tag into Friday's contest due to a shoulder injury, but the versatile back finished the week with back-to-back full practices and is expected to play. If Oliveira takes the field as expected, he'll be looking to build on a season-best performance in Week 5 against the Redblacks, when he posted a 23-129 line on the ground and his second straight 5-37 tally through the air. On paper, he's in an even better position against the Stampeders, which have given up 103.5 rushing yards per game at a league-high 6.1 yards per carry. Winnipeg is also still dealing with several receiver absences, which should once again lead to a heavy workload for Oliveira.
A.J. Ouellette, SSK at B.C. ($8,800): Ouellette's Roughriders career got off to a sluggish start, but the standout back seems to be getting more comfortable with Saskatchewan's offense with each passing week. After gaining just 72 yards on 29 carries in his first two games, Ouellette has rattled off 165 rushing yards on 38 carries while adding 53 receiving yards on five catches in his next pair of contests. The big-bodied back should be in a solid position to continue his strong stretch of play in Saturday night's showdown, as B.C. has allowed 83.2 rushing yards per game and 6.4 yards per play, and Ouellette is likely to have some pass-catching opportunities while working with back-up quarterback Shea Patterson.
ALSO CONSIDER: Dedrick Mills, CGY at WPG ($7,500)
Wide Receiver/Slotback Plays for CFL Week 6
Tyson Philpot, MTL vs. TOR ($10,400): The secret is out on Philpot after several dominating performances, leading to a major salary bump over the last couple of weeks. Philpot checks into Thursday's Week 6 battle with a 25-374-2 line on 29 targets in his last three contests, working himself into the top receiver role in Montreal while locking in the trust of veteran quarterback Cody Fajardo. He'll now be in prime position to deliver another strong return, as in addition to the vulnerabilities of the Argos defense against the pass that were already outlined in Fajardo's entry, Toronto is also tied for second-most touchdowns (nine) and second-most completions of 30+ yards (seven) allowed, despite playing just four games.
Justin McInnis, B.C. vs. SSK ($10,000): Much like Philpot, McInnis is enjoying an ascendant campaign that has him on pace for career-best numbers. The big-bodied target has worked in perfect unison with Adams, becoming one of the quarterback's most trusted pass catchers alongside Alexander Hollins while recording at least 91 receiving yards in four of the first five games. McInnis has also averaged just over nine targets per game, and the Roughriders check in allowing a 68.3 percent completion rate and six completions of 30+ yards in four contests.
Dillon Mitchell, EDM vs. OTT ($5,800): Mitchell comes out of his Week 5 bye still sporting a very reasonable salary for a player that's recorded at least 81 receiving yards in three of the first four contests and a very respectable 61 yards in the other game in that sample. The speedster is averaging an impressive 16.9 yards per catch and is one of Bethel-Thompson's most trusted weapons. With the Redblacks surrendering plenty of deep passing as already outlined in Bethel-Thompson's entry -- and Mitchell already recording four 30+ yard catches and logging 10 targets of 20 yards or more in depth -- he could find himself in an ideal matchup to deliver handsomely on his salary.
Rasheed Bailey, TOR at MTL ($3,900): Bailey has taken well to his new Toronto digs after several impressive seasons in Winnipeg, and he comes into Thursday's Week 6 battle off his best game yet in an Argos uniform. Bailey produced a season-best seven receptions and 66 receiving yards on nine targets against the Roughriders in Week 5, and he has a 16-176-2 line overall in four games. The Alouettes have been far from an inviting matchup through the air by most metrics, but they have given up the third-most completions (115) and have surrendered most in the short-to-medium passing windows Bailey often operates in.
ALSO CONSIDER: Alexander Hollins, B.C. vs. SSK ($11,200); Kurleigh Gittens Jr. EDM vs. OTT ($6,900)
Team Defense Plays for CFL Week 6
B.C. Lions ($4,000) vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders: The Lions added another three sacks to their totals in Week 5 against the Tiger-Cats, pushing their tally to a league-high 11. B.C. did give up a lot of passing yards to Bo Levi Mitchell, but the Lions once again did a very impressive job limiting big plays and consequently still co-lead the CFL with the defending champion Alouettes in fewest completions of 30+ yards (three) and fewest big plays (five) allowed. The Lions have also compiled the second-most tackles for loss (12), and this week, they'll face a Roughriders squad with fill-in quarterback Shea Patterson since Trevor Harris (knee) is on the injured list. While Saskatchewan still has plenty of playmakers, a Lions defense at home and out to keep the team's strong play going could put plenty of pressure on Patterson and force a fair share of turnovers.
CFL DFS Cheat Sheet for Week 6
Cody Fajardo, QB
A.J. Ouellette, RB or Dedrick Mills, RB
Tyson Philpot, WR
Total salary expenditure: $29.2K (w/ Ouellette) // $26.9K (w/ Mills)
Unlike last week's very cost-effective trio, this week's group is going to require a heftier investment. However, they could well be worth it, especially if the Fajardo-Philpot connection pays off with a touchdown or two. Meanwhile, Ouellette has a solid matchup and robust dual role, which should give him an excellent floor. However, for those in need for a bit more savings, pivoting to the Stampeders' Mills, who's recommended as an alternate in the RB section above and who faces a Blue Bombers team that's surrendered a league-high 111.6 rushing yards per game, is a very viable option.
