Matt Smith/CFL.ca
The final week of the regular season means CFL fantasy users will be challenged to find sleepers during a week that is expected to see each of the six teams in action play their starters on a limited basis, if not outright sit them down.
Discovering sleepers has been a rewarding experience the previous 20 weeks, and there’s no reason Week 21 won’t be the same. We’re bound to find a fantasy gem in a schedule filled with them.
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Quarterback
Tyrrell Pigrome, Ottawa, $5,000 salary (vs. Toronto, Saturday)
Dustin Crum ($10,000) is expected to start for the REDBLACKS, but with the franchise looking to use the season finale as a jumping point for the 2024 campaign, an appearance from Pigrome is a strong possibility. Pigrome has attempted a mere seven passes yet offers a level of dual threat skills that goes beyond using him solely as a short yardage specialist. He has rushed for six majors as a rookie and will have a chance to add to that total if given the opportunity for extended playing time. Pigrome is projected at just 4.8 FP this week, yet we feel there’s a strong chance he will crack double digits in fantasy production while giving the REDBLACKS a look at the future.
Running back
Greg McCrae, Winnipeg, $3,700 salary (at Calgary, Friday)
Once Brady Oliveira ($13,800) cracks the 1,500-yard rushing mark, the Blue Bombers are expected to give McCrae and veteran back Johnny Augustine ($2,500) the bulk of the running game. Both are interesting fantasy plays this week, but McCrae comes with the added ability to impact the passing game when he’s lined up in the slot. He has caught 12 of his 17 targets this season for 161 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 122 yards on 20 carries. It’s that level of versatility that makes him worth a roster spot because we see McCrae performing well above his projected 4.7 FP.
Receivers
This week’s regular season finale could be a great springboard for Greg Ellingson to get ready for the playoffs (MontrealAlouettes.com)
Greg Ellingson, Montreal, $8,000 salary (vs. Hamilton, Saturday)
Injuries have limited Ellingson to just one game this season. However, the four-time Divisional All-Star has been at practice this week and should be available for action as the Als get ready for their Eastern Semi-Final matchup against the Ticats on Saturday, Nov. 4. Montreal will likely give Austin Mack ($10,000) and Tyson Philpot ($7,500) a breather on Saturday, opening the door for Ellingson to shake off the rust in preparation to be a post-season contributor. At just 1.8 FP projected for him, the bar is exceedingly low for Ellingson, yet if he’s atop the depth chart on Friday, fantasy users could do much worse than adding a proven veteran with five 1,000-yard seasons to his credit.
Omar Bayless, Hamilton, $3,000 salary (at Montreal, Saturday)
Bayless was sidelined in Week 19 and early indications are he will be back in the lineup for the regular season finale. Keep in mind Bayless tallied 20.1 FP against Saskatchewan in Week 18 and scored at least 8.9 FP in two of the four other games he’s appeared in since Week 14. Although the Tiger-Cats don’t appear set to use just one pivot on Saturday, putting the ball in Bayless’ direction would be a popular choice if featured pass catchers Tim White ($13,000) and Terry Godwin ($9,500) see reduced action. We have Bayless projected at 9.2 FP yet feel he can be in the neighbourhood of 13-15 FP.
Brendan O’Leary-Orange, Winnipeg, $2,500 salary (at Calgary, Friday)
Although he has appeared in each game this season, O’Leary-Orange has been seldom used, having caught just four passes for 49 yards on six targets. The six-foot-four pass catcher could see a bigger role on Friday as the Bombers will look toward their reserve receivers to carry the offence. O’Leary-Orange did have 19 catches for 233 yards and a major during his rookie season in 2022 and would be an ideal option for QB Dru Brown ($7,500) to consider when near the end zone. He’s projected for just 2.4 FP yet has a higher ceiling if he’s indeed named a starter.
