Week 5 Fantasy Locks: Go with what you know

TORONTO — When times are tough, sometimes you just have to play it safe.

There’s very little risk when it comes to Bombers running back Andrew Harris this weekend. The Bombers’ running back, who’s totaled 356 yards in three games this season, matches up against an Argos team allowing the second-most rushing yards in the league.

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“I know he’s a $9,400 running back, but I know he’s going to be heavily involved and when you’re going against a team like Toronto, he seems like a must-start against the Argos who I’ve got in my lineup for sure,” said Pat Steinberg in this week’s CFL Fantasy Podcast.

Steinberg submitted his lock of the week and money pick ($3,500 or less) along with podcast mates Hannah Nordman and Jeff Krever. Nordman is going with Nick Arbuckle at quarterback, while Krever is taking Ticats running back/receiver Anthony Coombs.

Arbuckle has completed 28 of his first 31 attempts (90%) in 2019 while averaging 11.5 yards per attempt after making his first career start vs. the Riders. Yet he also offers significant cap savings as one of the cheapest players at his position.

“I don’t want to agonize over who I’m starting at quarterback all week,” said Nordman. “Let’s lock in the $5,700 at quarterback, that opens up possibilities for the rest of my roster.”

Krever is also looking to save some cash with his lock, going with Anthony Coombs. The 26-year-old is listed as a receiver in Fantasy, but is expected to get plenty of work at running back in the absence of Sean Thomas Erlington.

“This is a little off the board but I love what Coombs did in that Ticats offence,” said Krever. “He is the Swiss army knife of the CFL, he can do it all, sort of like Nic Demski with the Bombers.”

CFL Fantasy Podcast, Ep. 33: Big play VA!

It was a big week in Fantasy for the Montreal Alouettes, but is a repeat in store? Plus, Pat Steinberg, Jeff Krever and Hannah Nordman set up the rematch between Mike Reilly and Trevor Harris as they get set for Week 5.

If you’re looking to save even more money, the podcast trio has targeted three pass-catchers that could vastly outperform their salaries in Week 5.

Despite catching just one pass on three targets in a win over Ottawa, Lucky Whitehead has to be on the Fantasy radar in a matchup against the Argos, who have given up a league-high eight plays of 30-plus yards. Many Fantasy players are looking for another big home run from Whitehead this week.

“I know he went from having an insane week to barely being targeted the next week, and I know there are a lot of different options in Winnipeg’s offence, but he’s got big play ability and the return on your investment could be massive,” said Steinberg.

If you’re looking for volume, look no further than the Eskimos, who ran a 2019 season high 77 plays in their recent matchup with Winnipeg. Hannah is expecting Tevaun Smith to benefit from the Esks’ high-tempo attack, as he comes in averaging five targets per game in his first CFL season.

“I’m going to follow the same strategy I have been, picking a team that I think is going to put up a lot of points and then going for my favourite $2,500 guy from that team,” said Nordman. “Right now it’s Tevaun Smith on the Edmonton Eskimos. He’s getting looks, he’s had points in every game, he had a 15-point game already. Edmonton’s going to throw the ball around a lot this week, so may as well take a flyer on Tevaun Smith.”

Rounding out this week’s money picks is Alouettes receiver Quan Bray, who had 11 targets in his first career CFL start vs. the Ticats. There’s no guarantee that carries into Week 5, but the risk pales compared to the potential reward as a $2,500 player.

“I know we’ve seen these one hit wonders, but Quan Bray, really heavily involved in that Alouettes offence, eight catches last week and I think he’s going to be involved once again in an offence that may need to go vertical against the REDBLACKS.”

A summary of this week’s locks and money picks is provided below.

Projections below powered by DailyRoto

CFL Fantasy Podcast Week 5 Locks

CFL Fantasy Podcast Week 5 Money Picks