Shannon Vizniowski/CFL.ca
Week 10 of TSN CFL Fantasy Football Presented by LeoVegas is highlighted by the potential return of Bo Levi Mitchell ($9,069), James Wilder Jr. ($8,781), William Stanback ($8,275) and R.J. Harris ($6,263), giving Fantasy users the chance to utilize four of the more productive players in the league. The week could also include potential quarterback changes in Montreal and Toronto along with just how is Calgary going to use four quality running backs short of adapting the Wishbone formation.
Nearing the midway point of the regular season, this week’s Start/Sit throws caution in the wind, as Fantasy users looking for an opportunity to either break away from the pack or become a strong contender in their respective leagues will need to get creative. That’s why we’re here.
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BC at Winnipeg
Thursday | 8:30 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Line: Winnipeg (-11)
O/U: T:52
Start: Kenny Lawler, WR, Blue Bombers, $2,500 Salary
Someone has to step up and give Matt Nichols ($7,791) a legitimate deep threat in the absence of Darvin Adams ($6,712). While no one expects the Bombers to throw deep at will, the inability to stretch defences will allow opponents to stack up on Andrew Harris ($10,980) and take away Winnipeg’s short-to-intermediate passing game. Lawler has the potential to be that player, having averaged 16.5 yards on just 15 receptions. If Nichols can get Lawler involved early, the rookie can exploit a Lions secondary that has allowed nine touchdown passes on attempts of longer than 20 yards downfield.
Sit: John White, RB, Lions, $8,154 Salary
White has a pair of 100-yard games this season, but it’s hard not to forget he was held to just four yards on four carries in the regular-season opener against the Blue Bombers. Granted, the BC offensive line paved the way for White to rush for 124 and two touchdowns in last week’s loss to Hamilton, but Winnipeg remains the league’s top run defence at 66.4 yards per game. The Bombers have allowed just three runs of better than 20 yards this season, and there’s a strong chance this game could become a Mike Reilly ($10,155) pass-fest in a bid to keep the Lions from falling to 1-8. In short, this isn’t the week to roll with one of the league’s more underrated backs.
Edmonton at Toronto
Friday | 7:30 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Line: Edmonton (-8)
O/U: T:50.5
Start: Ricky Collins Jr., WR, Eskimos, $6,723 Salary
With little fanfare, Collins enters Week 10 second only to Hamilton’s Brandon Banks ($14,000) in receiving yardage with 670. Collins also ranks among the league leaders with 16.8 yards per catch and has six receptions of better than 30 yards. What makes him a must-start is that Collins faces an Argonauts pass defence that allows an 83.4% completion rate on pass attempts of 0-9 yards. While Collins can make things happen when Trevor Harris ($10,034) goes up top, it so happens that Collins leads the league with 298 yards after the catch. With Toronto focused on keeping Edmonton from going deep, Collins can just as easily help Fantasy users with his ability to find open spaces once the ball is in his hands.
Sit: James Wilder, RB, Argonauts, $8,781 Salary
The Argos get their most potent offensive weapon back into the lineup, but Fantasy users shouldn’t be in a rush to add his steep salary to their rosters. Wilder’s value has been in his receiving this season, having recorded two games of better than 20 Fantasy points on pass-catching alone. As a runner, though, Wilder has a combined total of 16.1 Fantasy points with two games of under 1.5 FP. Edmonton is second in rush defence (82 yards allowed per game) and is tied with the Roughriders with a league-low two rushing scores allowed. Wilder, who has yet to record a rushing major this season, may be stuck with zero for at least another week.
Hamilton at Ottawa
Saturday | 4:00 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Line: Hamilton (-2.5)
O/U: T:49.0
Start: Bralon Addison, WR, Tiger-Cats, $6,192 Salary
Addison’s versatility will make him a solid fantasy choice. Not only did he catch seven passes in the Week 9 win over BC, he also added five carries for 38 yards. Although Cameron Marshall ($4,922) is expected to be listed as the starting back on the depth chart, Addison’s bonus touches will come in handy against a REDBLACKS defence that is eighth in yards allowed (413,9 yards per game) and is seventh in offensive touchdowns allowed (22). Addison, who hasn’t scored a major since his three-TD effort against the Argonauts in Week, is overdue for an end-zone visit, so don’t be shocked if it ends Saturday evening.
Sit: Luke Tasker, WR, Tiger-Cats, $6,267 Salary
Not only has Tasker yet to score on any of his 20 receptions, his status in the Hamilton receiving pecking order is being threatened by rookie Jaleon Acklin ($2,500), who also has 20 catches but has a major to go along with his 13.4 yards per catch average. Dane Evans ($5,897) could easily get Tasker back to his All-Star self, but Tasker’s salary and lack of production make it difficult for Fantasy users to suddenly pin their hopes on a breakout.
Montreal at Calgary
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Line: Calgary (-7)
O/U: T:51.5
Start: Bo Levi Mitchell, QB, Stampeders, $9,069 Salary
Remember, he’s expected to start. Should he make his return to the starting lineup for the first time since a right pectoral muscle tear in Week 3, Mitchell will get the Stamps’ offence back to doing Stamps things, such as going up top to receivers Reggie Begelton ($7,111) and Eric Rogers ($7,205). Calgary, which led the league in completions of better than 30 yards last season, has just seven this year, tying them for seventh in the league. That will change, especially since the Alouettes have allowed 10 such completions and are eighth in passing yards allowed (304.9 yards per game). Add Markeith Ambles ($4,361) as another Stamps receiver giddy with glee now that BLM Airlines is back.
Sit: All Stampeders running backs
Don Jackson ($5,514) and Ka’Deem Carey ($5,500) returned to practice on Tuesday and could join Terry Williams ($5,553) and Romar Morris ($2,716) in what will be a very crowded backfield. Friday’s depth chart will tell everything, but it’s somewhat disappointing not to be able to confidently select one of the Stampeders’ talented quartet. Williams’ return skills makes him the most valuable of the four and considering the Alouettes have allowed 15.9 yards on punt returns, he would have to be the most valuable. For now.
