This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
The CFL's march to the postseason continues in Week 18 with another four-game slate. The Lions are still battling for a playoff spot, while the Argonauts and Redblacks could produce one of the best fantasy environments of the week. There are good potential point-per-dollar values at each position as well, so without further ado, let's break down multiple options for your cash game and GPP lineups:
DraftKings CFL Plays- Week 18
Quarterback
Cody Fajardo, SSK at CGY ($10,300): Fajardo has excelled as a dual threat all season and continues to sport one of the best fantasy floors for any quarterback. Fajardo scored over 20 fantasy points in three consecutive contests and has upped his passing yardage over that of the previous game for three straight games as well. This week, he faces a Stampeders defense that continues to allow plenty of high-percentage passes. Calgary has yielded the most completions (363) and third-highest completion percentage (72.7) in the CFL, which dovetails well with Fajardo's respective 77.4 percent and 72.5 percent completion rates in the short and intermediate passing windows.
Vernon Adams Jr., MTL at WPG ($10,000): Speaking of elite dual threats, Adams certainly fits the bill and comes at an $800 price drop over last week. Prior to a mediocre 15.04 fantasy-point showing versus the Stampeders in Week 17, Adams had scored between 24.16 and 46.32 fantasy points in the previous five contests. The Blue Bombers have been generous through the air, surrendering 300.6 passing yards per contest, 8.2 yards per attempt and a CFL-co-high 25 completions of 30 yards or more. That latter vulnerability is one Adams is well equipped to exploit, considering he boasts a CFL-high 35 completions, 46.7 percent completion percentage and 1,167 yards on targets of at least 20 yards downfield, while also tying with several other players for most touchdown passes (nine) on throws of that depth.
Chris Streveler, WPG vs. MTL ($9,200): Streveler is yet another quarterback that offers elite rushing production, which has helped him maintain a strong floor, especially relative to his current price. Streveler has scored 19.06 to 36.6 fantasy points in five of the last six games, and he's averaged 279.0 passing yards per contest over the last two. The Alouettes have been generous to quarterbacks all season and come in allowing the second-most passing yards per game (319.9) and second-most completions (360), along with the second-highest completion percentage (73.2), average yards per attempt (9.1) and passer efficiency rating (103.0). Streveler also just produced 36.6 fantasy points against Montreal in Week 15 on the strength of 264 total yards and four total touchdowns, furthering his appeal as a value play.
Running Back
James Wilder, TOR vs. OTT ($8,100): The Eskimos' C.J. Gable (knee) is out in Week 18, while William Powell ($8,800) is a bit overpriced for his role. However, Wilder is usually involved as both a rusher and receiver, and he draws one of the better matchups of the week. The Redblacks check in allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (119.4) and third-most pass yards per contest (308.8) as well, giving Wilder multiple paths to success. Furthermore, Ottawa has faced the most rushing attempts (328) and yielded the most rushing touchdowns (23), while also tying with the Lions for highest red-zone success rate allowed (63.0 percent). While game script has derailed Wilder's last three games, there's less of a chance of that happening this week considering the opponent and McLeod Bethel-Thompson's return under center for the Argos. Moreover, Wilder's ceiling games exceed 20 fantasy points, so he's certainly worth a roll of the dice at his price, especially at lower ownership after several unproductive games.
John White, BC at EDM ($7,900): White has been highly efficient the majority of the season and is coming off a 121-yard rushing day against the Argonauts in Week 17. The veteran back also has multiple receptions in three straight contests, which has led to him scoring between 17.6 and 20.4 fantasy points over that span. The Eskimos have been tough to attack through the air but more vulnerable on the ground, allowing 100.9 rushing yards per game, the second-highest average yards per carry (5.5) and the fourth-most rushes of 20 yards or more (10). Then, it's also worth noting the Edmonton has allowed a CFL-high 103.5 efficiency rating and eight touchdown passes on targets of up to nine yards in depth, which is the passing window that White's looks would normally come in.
Shaquille Cooper, EDM vs. BC ($5,300): With Gable out with his knee injury, Cooper gets another shot at the starting running back job he handled extremely well earlier in the season. The second-year back received a spot start back in Week 7 against the Argonauts and gained 128 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries while adding five catches for 48 yards. He'll face a Lions defense that's surrendered the third-most rushing yards per game (107.9) and rushing touchdowns (16), along with nine rushes of 20 or more yards. Cooper's ability as a receiver out of the backfield could also come into play here, considering BC is allowing a robust 76.0 percent completion rate on targets of up to nine yards in depth.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Bryan Burnham, BC at EDM ($10,200): Burnham seems to transcend matchup, as he's mostly gotten the best of any secondary put in front of him lately. The veteran has no fewer than 77 receiving yards in any of his last five contests and has eclipsed the century mark on three occasions over that span. Burnham has actually been more productive in road games as well, averaging 21.7 fantasy points and 98.9 receiving yards across seven away tilts. The Eskimos have been stingy versus the pass all season, but they have allowed 17 completions of 30 or more yards. In turn, Burnham has a CFL-high 12 catches of that length, giving him a chance to exploit that weakness.
Derel Walker, TOR vs. OTT ($8,500): Walker has been one of the few bright spots for the Argonauts this season, even as he's sometimes fallen victim to the team's instability at quarterback. He remains a risky cash game play due to the issues under center for Toronto, but he makes for a great GPP target in Week 18 against one of the more vulnerable secondaries in the league. The fact McLeod Bethel-Thompson returns under center helps Walker's chances, as he's enjoyed his most prolific days this season with the veteran quarterback. The Redblacks have also been accommodating to receivers all season, surrendering 308.8 passing yards per game, 21 completions of 30 or more yards and 20 touchdowns through the air overall. Walker has the profile to capitalize, having recorded 10 catches of 30 or more yards and a CFL-high 37 targets of 20 yards or more in depth.
Dominique Rhymes, OTT at TOR ($7,200): Targeting the Argonauts defense has been a profitable strategy in CFL DFS circles all season, and Week 18 is no different. Rhymes is an explosive receiver that has just the type of skill set that's given Toronto's porous secondary plenty of trouble. The Murray State product posted 17.8 fantasy points on an 8-98 line against Toronto back in Week 13 and has a pair of 100-yard efforts in his last three games. Meanwhile, the Argos come in allowing the most passing yards per game (322.7), highest completion percentage (73.9), most passing touchdowns (30) and a co-CFL-high 25 completions of 30 or more yards. Rhymes has seen 31 targets of at least 20 yards in depth, setting him up for a potential game-breaking play or two in this matchup.
Kyran Moore, SSK at CGY ($6,800): With Lemar Durant (foot) now out for the season for the Lions, Duron Carter ($6,700) is also a very viable option at just $100 less than Moore. However, the Roughriders pass catcher is a solid play in his own right in a matchup against a Calgary defense that's allowed plenty of short and mid-range completions, as already illustrated in Fajardo's entry. Moore has actually been at his best in road games, averaging 14.18 fantasy points per six away contests. He's also capable of profiting from Calgary's vulnerability in the short passing window, considering the majority of his targets have come at that distance.
Team Defense
BC Lions at Edmonton Eskimos, ($4,200): We've honed in on the Lions' defense as a viable value play with positive results on more than one occasion. This week is no different, as BC is facing an ailing Logan Kilgore (leg) and an Eskimos offense that will also be missing Gable, as previously referenced. The Lions are still pushing for the postseason, and their defense has scored double-digit fantasy points in three of the past four games. They've done it on the strength of four straight contests with multiple sacks and forced turnovers, and they now take on an Edmonton squad that's tied for the second-most turnovers committed (31) and third-most points off turnovers allowed (62). The Esks are also now averaging the third-fewest points (23.3) after playing several games with Kilgore at quarterback and are coming off a forgettable 12-point showing versus the Ti-Cats in Week 17 that highlighted their current limitations without Trevor Harris (upper body).
