Sparked by a solid performance from quarterback Matt Nichols, the Blue Bombers finished fifth in scoring with 497 points. However, Winnipeg’s offence has the upside to be more productive, especially if All-Star running back Andrew Harris can continue to perform at a high level. Also, Nichols will be at the helm right from the start to run the offence, which is filled with talented playmakers at wide receiver.
QUARTERBACKS: Nichols took the starting quarterback job from Drew Willy in Week 4 and led the Blue Bombers to the Western Semi-Final. He achieved career-highs across the board, including 3,666 passing yards, which placed him fifth in the category. After signing a three-year extension in January, Nichols enters the 2017 season with a firm grip on the starting job, yet the franchise (and Fantasy owners) expect even bigger numbers from him this season.
Matt Nichols is looking for a repeat of his 2016 breakout season (The Canadian Press)
Nichols threw for 18 touchdowns, yet there is room for bigger numbers now that he won’t have to worry about looking over his shoulder. At times, he was either too streaky or disappointing, recording eight games in which he either tossed just one touchdown or failed to reach the end zone via the passing game. He also faltered down the stretch, throwing six of his nine interceptions in his last three regular season games.
However, his 390-yard, two-touchdown effort in the playoff loss to the Lions was an encouraging sign of what Nichols is capable of. Although he’s not the most mobile quarterback, Nichols showed a nose for the goal line by scoring six touchdowns despite running for just 90 yards on 35 carries. Dominique Davis and Dan LeFevour are the backups to Nichols. Davis has just one career start, while LeFevour is a veteran who has played with the Tiger-Cats, Alouettes and Argonauts.
RUNNING BACKS: Harris finished third with 1,608 yards from scrimmage while also leading all CFL backs with 67 receptions. A three-time All-Star, Harris will be among the highest salaried backs in Fantasy play. Overall, he is showing few signs of slowing down despite missing three games last season. A repeat of his 974 rushing yards in 2016 will put Harris across the 6,000-yard barrier for his career. However, if Nichols can elevate his game and diversify the offence, Harris may get the opportunity to hit the 1,000-yard mark for the third time in his career.
While the Blue Bombers intend to keep Harris as the focal point of the offence, the team also has plans to get Timothy Flanders more involved. The former FBS All-American back from Sam Houston State filled in wonderfully when Harris was sidelined, averaging 87.3 yards per game during his three-week stint as the starter. During that stretch, he recorded his first 100-yard game, hitting up the Argonauts for 102 yards and a score on 19 carries in Week 13. Flanders averaged 6.3 yards per carry and 9.9 yards as a receiver, making him a possible breakout candidate if the opportunity presents itself.
SLOT BACKS/WIDE RECEIVERS: For the most part, Weston Dressler was money well spent for the Blue Bombers, as he led the team with 118 targets, pulling in 80 of them for 1,003 yards. However, Dressler scored just two touchdowns and was unable to eclipse the 100-yard barrier after Sept. 10. He will a dependable Fantasy option, but his lack of scoring potential will be a turnoff for Fantasy players. Entering his 10th season, the 31-year-old Dressler still has plenty left in the tank.
Nichols turned Clarence Denmark into a go-to threat as the veteran scored a career-high eight touchdowns on 53 receptions. Denmark was at his best in the second half of the season, going five straight games with a touchdown. Like Dressler, Denmark should turn in better numbers if Nichols is able to open up the offence. Darvin Adams started just eight games last season, but had four games with more than 100 receiving yards. He’s a big target and will serve as the team’s deep threat.
Darvin Adams was productive for the Bombers when healthy in 2016 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Matt Coates is another young wideout who offers Nichols the chance to take advantage of his size (6-foot-4, 217 pounds). Former Roughrider Ryan Lankford and ex-Alouette Kenny Stafford (who’s averaged a touchdown every 7.4 catches in his brief career) will also factor in the offence.
DEFENCE/SPECIAL TEAMS: Maurice Leggett and T.J. Heath tied for the CFL lead with seven interceptions, paving the way for the team to lead the league with a combined 30 pickoffs. Leggett averaged 37.4 yards per return and scored three times. Only the Alouettes (26) produced more forced fumbles than the 25 generated by the Winnipeg defence.
However, the Blue Bombers finished with just 38 sacks, seventh in the league. Jamaal Westerman led the team with eight sacks, with no one aside from Justin Cole recording more than five. The Blue Bombers can’t rely on their luck forcing turnovers without having a more dominant pass rush, but the presence of tackle Faith Ekakitie, the first overall pick in the rookie draft, might help Winnipeg attack the quarterback more consistently. Kevin Fogg finished fourth in punt returns, averaging 14.6-yards, while Quincy McDuffie led the league in kickoff returns (27.7 yard average) and recorded the league’s only two kickoff returns for touchdowns last season.
