Jason Halstead/CFL.ca
All is forgiven, Edmonton. In the minds of Fantasy users heading into Week 7 of TSN CFL Fantasy Football Presented by Leo Vegas, the Eskimos have a golden opportunity to make everyone forget last week’s Fantasy dud against the Alouettes by doing what every other offence has done this season: rack up yards and points at the expense of the Toronto defence.
Redemption is why Trevor Harris ($11,503) remains atop the standings at quarterback and while C.J. Gable ($8,696) ranks second among running backs. It’s also the driving force behind three Eskimos receivers ranked in the top 12 and why the Edmonton defence is a strong value play.
As for the rest of this week, keep a close eye on Saskatchewan’s receiving corps as they get a second straight shot against a BC secondary they lit up on Saturday. Week 7 also has the makings of a potential breakout for Calgary’s Ka’Deem Carey ($5,500), and while the Argos continue to struggle defensively, hopes lie true for Derel Walker ($7,827) and Armanti Edwards ($7,506).
With all that in mind, here’s this week’s breakdown.
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QUARTERBACKS
Matchup Rank (Position Rank) | Player | Value | Opponent |
1 (1) | Trevor Harris, EDM | $11,503 | TOR |
2 (2) | Jeremiah Masoli, HAM | $11,126 | TOR |
3 (5) | Matt Nichols, WPG | $9,076 | HAM |
4 (3) | Mike Reilly, BC | $11,053 | SSK |
5 (7) | Cody Fajardo, SSK | $6,815 | BC |
6 (8) | Nick Arbuckle, CGY | $6,798 | OTT |
7 (12) | McLeod Bethel-Thompson, TOR | $5,670 | EDM |
8 (10) | Jonathon Jennings, OTT | $6,158 | CGY |
9 (11) | Chris Streveler, WPG | $5,895 | HAM |
10 (T-13) | Will Arndt, OTT | $5,000 | WPG |
Last week’s shaky performance means expectations from Nick Arbuckle ($6,798) must be tempered. The touchdowns should be there, but the miscues make him too much of a risky play. McLeod Bethel-Thompson ($5,670) has gone from 33 to 39 to 42 attempts in his three starts.
There’s little reason to think he won’t increase that number if the Argonauts find themselves down early again. Chris Streveler ($5,895) outscoring Jonathon Jennings ($6,158) wouldn’t be a shock. This may be the week Matt Nichols ($9,076) adds the extra gravy of yardage to go along with the main dish of multiple passing majors, as both he and Jeremiah Masoli ($11,526) could keep the scoreboard busy.
It’s time to trust Cody Fajardo ($6,815) as a reliable pivot. He’s also scored a rushing major in each of his first five games, much to the chagrin of William Powell ($8,232) users. Harris won’t repeat last week’s 8.4 Fantasy points, not against an Argos defence that has allowed a league-high 11 completions of better than 30 yards and 12 passing majors. He’s in need of a rebound, having gone three straight games without amassing at least 20 FP via his passing.
RUNNING BACKS
Matchup Rank (Position Rank) | Player | Value | Opponent |
1 (1) | Andrew Harris, WPG | $1,013 | HAM |
2 (3) | C.J. Gable, EDM | $8,696 | TOR |
3 (4) | William Powell, SSK | $8,232 | BC |
4 (11) | Ka’Deem Carey, CGY | $5,500 | OTT |
5 (2) | James Wilder Jr., TOR | $9,117 | EDM |
6 (5) | John White, BC | $5,009 | TOR |
7 (16) | John Crockett, OTT | $4,500 | CGY |
8 (17) | Maleek Irons, HAM | $4,000 | WPG |
9 (7) | Mossis Madu, OTT | $5,995 | CGY |
10 (9) | Marcus Thigpen, SSK | $5,677 | BC |
11 (13) | Brandon Rutley, BC | $4,998 | SSK |
12 (15) | Terry Williams, CGY | $4,624 | OTT |
13 (12) | Chris Rainey, TOR | $5,422 | EDM |
14 (17) | Christion Jones, SSK | $2,837 | BC |
15 (18) | Martese Jackson, EDM | $3,071 | TOR |
16 (19) | Branden Burks, TOR | $2,981 | EDM |
Andrew Harris has scored at least 11 fantasy points as a receiver in three straight games. He’s well overdue for a rushing major, which is why he’ll be worth the investment in Saturday evening’s high stakes showdown against Hamilton. Toronto allows 139.6 rushing yards per game and nearly six yards per carry, so yes, you’re going to find room for Gable and his upside for putting up 100+ yards from scrimmage. The REDBLACKS have given up a league-high nine rushing touchdowns, and if Carey can continue the momentum he had at the end of last week, the Stamps’ rookie could thrive in the red zone.
James Wilder Jr. ($9,117) has been a huge disappointment on the ground, and while he’s been productive as a receiver, it’s still hard to justify his salary considering Toronto is last in rushing and has yet to record a rushing major this season.
If John White’s ($7,832) continues to limit his time on the field, then Brandon Rutley ($4,998) will make for a solid RB2 who will get his share of targets since Mike Reilly ($11,053) continues to run for dear life behind BC’s porous offensive line.
Marcus Thigpen ($5,677) took a kickoff all the way last week and will see his usage increase. If you’re looking for “most likely to return a kick/punt for a major,” look toward Martese Jackson ($3,071) as he faces a Toronto return unit that allows a staggering 33.1 yards per kickoff return.
RECEIVERS
Matchup Rank (Position Rank) | Player | Value | Opponent |
1 (1) | Brandon Banks, HAM | $14,000 | HAM |
2 (6) | Bryan Burnham, BC | $7,773 | SSK |
3 (5) | Derel Walker, TOR | $7,827 | EDM |
4 (4) | Greg Ellingson, EDM | $8,625 | TOR |
5 (16) | Shaquelle Evans, SSK | $6,044 | BC |
6 (14) | Reginald Begelton, CGY | $6,241 | OTT |
7 (15) | Kyran Moore, SSK | $6,203 | BC |
8 (20) | Ricky Collins, EDM | $5,719 | TOR |
9 (22) | Bralon Addison, HAM | $5,500 | WPG |
10 (10) | Darvin Adams, WPG | $5,948 | HAM |
11 (8) | Armanti Edwards, TOR | $7,506 | EDM |
12 (9) | DaVaris Davis, EDM | $7,447 | TOR |
13 (7) | Eric Rogers, CGY | $7,532 | OTT |
14 (13) | R.J. Harris, OTT | $6,469 | CGY |
15 (28) | Juwan Brescacin, CGY | $4,362 | OTT |
16 (19) | Kenny Stafford, EDM | $5,786 | TOR |
17 (32) | Lucky Whitehead, WPG | $3,945 | HAM |
18 (3) | Luke Tasker, HAM | $8,632 | WPG |
19 (11) | Brad Sinopoli, OTT | $6,977 | CGY |
20 (17) | Lemar Durant, BC | $5,914 | SSK |
21 (18) | Nic Demski, WPG | $5,889 | HAM |
22 (25) | Dominique Rhymes, OTT | $4,762 | CGY |
23 (30) | Duron Carter, BC | $4,232 | SSK |
24 (12) | S.J. Green, TOR | $6,633 | EDM |
25 (27) | Markeith Ambles, CGY | $4,550 | OTT |
26 (23) | Naaman Roosevelt, SSK | $5,030 | BC |
27 (26) | Drew Wolitarsky, WPG | $4,653 | HAM |
28 (38) | Shaquille Johnson, BC | $3,114 | SSK |
29 (34) | Natey Adjei, EDM | $3,745 | TOR |
30 (T-41) | Noel Thomas, OTT | $2,500 | CGY |
Brandon Banks ($14,000). Next. Bryan Burnham ($7,773) is the one constant in the Lions’ passing game and should rack up his third game of at least 100-yards, although Fantasy users won’t mind if he scored a touchdown or two. Walker has 22 targets over the past two games and is tied for second with five receptions of better than 30 yards. He’ll get a big play or two against his former Edmonton mates, who lead the league with 181.8 passing yards allowed per game.
Greg Ellingson ($8,625), like the rest of the Eskimos receivers, will have huge rebound potential against the Argos, who could set up DaVaris Daniels ($7,447) for a big Thursday evening. Shaquelle Evans ($6,044) and Kyran Moore ($6,203) both average at least 17.5 yards per catch (Evans leads the league with 20.4) and are the reason why Fajardo leads the league with 11 completions of 30+ yards. Bralon Addison ($5,500) and Darvin Adams ($5,948) would make for a good combo for users looking to get a piece of the action in the Bombers-Ticats matchup.
It’s a coin toss when it comes to the top option in Calgary, but while Reginald Begelton ($6,241) and Eric Rogers ($7,532) are both solid plays, look for Juwan Brescacin ($4,362) to be the money play against Ottawa. Speaking of the REDBLACKS, it’s hard to invest in their receiving corps when the production from the pivot is shaky. If R.J. Harris ($6,469) sits for a second straight game, then it’s best to avoid them as they face a Stampeders defence that has yet to allow a completion of more than 30 yards.
Lemar Durant ($5,914) has gone ghost the past two games, which has allowed Duron Carter ($4,232) and Shaquille Johnson ($3,114) to become more involved. Rookie Jevon Cottoy ($2,500) scored his first major last week and could be the Lions receiver with the highest ceiling as the season goes on.
DEFENCES
Calgary ($5,281) gets an Ottawa offence that is last in yards per game (319.8) and yards per play (5.2). Considering how the REDBLACKS offence looked last week, this could be another solid week to run with the Stamps. The Roughriders ($4,637) recorded five sacks last week against the Lions and could repeat that effort. Edmonton ($3,531) is a strong value play against the Argonauts and their -13 turnover ratio.