The Canadian Press
Week 1 is upon us, as is the opening of the TSN Fantasy game. Information is vital to success, so let’s look at who the best players are to plug into your lineup along with those who are best off on your opponent’s roster.
The first week offers four straight days of games to help ease fans into the swing of things. There’s still plenty of time until Thursday’s kickoff, so set your roster while also keeping in mind the following information that will give you an edge over your fellow Fantasy opponents.
Saskatchewan at Montreal
Thursday | 7:30 p.m. ET
Coming off a disappointing 2016 season, Glenn could be one to avoid on Thursday (The Canadian Press)
Start: Alouettes Defence/Special Teams ($5,137): Defence wasn’t the problem for the Alouettes last season, as they led the league in forced fumbles, were second in fewest points allowed and fourth in sacks. While this isn’t the same offence that ranked last in scoring, keep in mind the Roughriders allowed 57 sacks and committed 42 turnovers last season. Kevin Glenn will be a difference maker for Saskatchewan, yet there’s little reason to expect he will be able to light up the scoreboard against an active and aggressive Alouettes D. This should be a low-scoring affair, which plays right into the hands of Montreal’s defensive dozen. They’ll be worth the salary.
Sit: Roughriders QB Kevin Glenn ($8,093): According to the stat work of Billy Harrell of Stats Dont Lie?!, Glenn’s 2016 touchdown pass percentage rate was just 4.09 per cent, meaning the Riders pivot found the end zone once every 24.4 attempts. Granted, Glenn has a good receiving corps centered around Naaman Roosevelt and Duron Carter, yet it’s well worth mentioning Glenn’s 13:11 TD:INT ratio from last season and that he managed just two games of more than 300 passing yards. Glenn was never a true running threat in his prime and has rushed for just two touchdowns since 2011. When you put it all together and add that he’s facing one of the best pass rushes in the league, it’s safe to say Glenn doesn’t belong in the lineup.
Calgary at Ottawa
Friday | 7:30 p.m. ET
Stamps receiver Kamar Jorden could hold value in his matchup vs. Ottawa (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
Start: Stampeders WR Kamar Jorden ($3,881): Jorden had a more prominent role in the Stampeders’ offence in post-season play last November and there’s a strong hunch here suggesting he’s going to have a breakout season. DaVaris Daniels and Marquay McDaniel are going to get their usual share of targets from Bo Levi Mitchell but with Bakari Grant now in Saskatchewan, Jorden will emerge as a receiver who can also make things happen after the catch. He’s a good bargain who also pulled in a pair of conversion plays last season and should also be frequently targeted as the Stampeders push near the goal line.
Sit: REDBLACKS QB Trevor Harris ($9,256): This may be one of the few times we suggest benching a quarterback who operates one the league’s best offences, yet it’s best to sit Harris out. Save for his 485-yard outing against BC in Week 15, much of Harris’ best work was done early in the season, with nine of his 16 touchdown passes coming in his first three weeks. We also expect to see Mossis Madu more involved, as the REDBLACKS will seek to control the ball in hopes of wearing down the top defence in the league.
Make no mistake, the Stampeders’ pass rush will be coming after Harris from the first snap. Ottawa also would prefer not to have Harris firing away all night, as he only had four games in which he attempted at least 35 passes. Again, we envision a big season from Harris, but we’re not too optimistic about his season opener.
Edmonton at BC
Saturday | 10 p.m. ET
Second-year receiver Brandon Zylstra is the fantasy sleeper everyone’s talking about (The Canadian Press)
Start: Eskimos WR Brandon Zylstra ($4,163): Ranked near the top of potential breakout candidates, Zylstra is primed to put up monster numbers as the Eskimos’ WR2. Of course, Adarius Bowman will get the bulk of looks from Mike Reilly, yet Zylstra will be able to pick up where he left off last season when he caught 34 passes for 508 yards and three touchdowns in six starts after being promoted off the practice roster. Prorate those numbers over a full 18-game slate and Zylstra’s totals are 102 catches, 1,524 yards and nine touchdowns. Who wouldn’t take that kind of production at his current salary?
Sit: Lions WR Chris Williams ($6,951): While the speedy playmaker said there was “light at the end of the tunnel” regarding his still-healing torn ACL, it’s probably best not to plug him into your roster until there’s cause to do so. We’re all waiting to see the first time Williams runs under a deep pass from Jonathon Jennings but it’s not going to be on Saturday night. If you’re looking to a Lions receiver not named Emmanuel Arceneaux or Bryan Burnham, Nick Moore ($4,320) is a good option in a contest that will see plenty of scoring.
Hamilton at Toronto
Sunday | 4:00 p.m. ET
Fantasy players may opt for a wait-and-see approach with new Argo S.J. Green (Bea Serdon/Argonauts.ca)
Start: Tiger-Cats QB Zach Collaros ($9,098): If Collaros stays healthy, he will be a fantasy star this season. Again, that’s if he can answer the call each week. Collaros has thrown 43 touchdowns in his last 22 games during the past two seasons and has the talent around him to light it up each week. This is a great week to play him, as the Tiger-Cats visit the defence that allowed a league-worst 568 points last season, and it’s also the same Argonauts D that Collaros carved up for 359 yards and four touchdown passes in Week 11 last season.
Sit: Argonauts SB S.J. Green ($3,777): His comeback from an ACL injury that many thought was a potential career-ender is amazing, and while a receiver as prolific as Green is sitting at a bargain, it’s best to stay away from him in the early going. The Boatmen will ease him into the swing of things, so it’s likely Green will be on a limit of snaps in the opener. Jeff Fuller ($3,175) will be the best option for fantasy-playing Argonauts fans, but look for Green to return to the form that made him an All-Star at Montreal for most of the past decade.
