There is plenty of uncertainty around the CFL heading in to Week 9 with injuries taking their toll across the league. The Toronto Argonauts looked like a different team without their quarterback Ricky Ray, which has led to plenty of question marks about the viability of their skill position players in fantasy heading in to a rematch with the Montreal Alouettes. Meanwhile, the BC Lions welcomed back Jonathon Jennings to the lineup last week but he threw four interceptions in a 41-8 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. We evaluated this week’s matchups and came up with the following rankings for our DFS breakdown heading in to Week 9 of the CFL season. Let’s take a closer look at the DFS options at each position for the week.
Quarterbacks
Mike Reilly @ Winnipeg, $11,300
Reilly has completed 72.7% of his pass attempts for 2,329 yards and 13 touchdowns so far this season. There is no reason to expect him to slow down in a key matchup against Winnipeg. The Blue Bombers have allowed the second-most points in the West division this season. Reilly should be primed for another strong start but he also comes in at a high price tag, so that’s something that you’ll have to consider.
Trevor Harris @ Hamilton, $10,700
Harris leads the CFL in passing yards so far this season with 4,468 in eight games played. Now he will have the opportunity to pad that total against a Hamilton defense that has been absolutely torched this season. The Tiger-Cats have allowed a league-worst 273 points in 2017. No other team in the league has allowed more than 229 points, which shows just how bad the Ti-Cats defense has been.
Bo Levi Mitchell @ BC, $10,300
Mitchell’s numbers would look a lot better right now if the opponents of the Stampeders were able to keep the scores closer than they have so far this season. Still, Mitchell has thrown for 2,081 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Lions should be able to provide a challenge for Calgary at home so Mitchell should put up a decent fantasy score this week.
Matt Nichols vs. Edmonton, $9,600
Nichols is the only quarterback on this list with a DraftKings price at under $10K. That makes him a good value at home versus Edmonton. Nichols has thrown for 2,024 yards and 13 touchdowns so far this season. He should be in for a strong start against a tough Eskimos side.
Running Backs
Jerome Messam @ BC, $7,600
Messam leads the CFL with 490 rushing yards through seven games played. He has averaged 5.1 yards per carry and chipped in six touchdowns for Calgary so far this season. There is no doubt he is the most dangerous running back in the CFL right now. He will get every opportunity to add to his stats in BC this weekend.
Andrew Harris vs. Edmonton, $7,300
Harris has been very consistent for the Blue Bombers. He has averaged 4.9 yards per carry while rushing for 390 yards and four scores. Winnipeg will need to lean on him even more this week at home versus Edmonton. He makes for a strong No. 2 running back on the board for Week 9. It’ll be a tough task for him against the Eskimos defense but at this price, he’s worth considering.
Jeremiah Johnson vs. Calgary, $7,500
Johnson actually ranks second behind only Messam in rushing yards this season with 476. He also has five rushing scores. Johnson will have his toughest test of the season with the Stampeders in town. However, he has the talent to make the most of the situation and still put up big numbers against Calgary.
LaDarius Perkins @ Winnipeg, $5,900
The tremendous drop in price tag from the rest of the field to Perkins makes him an even better option this week. The Eskimos starter has averaged 4.5 yards per carry and will have more opportunities this week in the No. 1 role versus Edmonton.
Wide Receivers
Greg Ellingson @ Hamilton, $9,700
Ellingson remains the class of the CFL at the wide receiver position as he is up to 48 receptions for a league-leading 749 yards and five touchdowns. An attractive matchup against the Hamilton defense should make Ellingson a lock in most fantasy competitions this week.
Vidal Hazelton @ Winnipeg, $8,400
Injuries have somewhat clouded the wide receiver position in fantasy but Hazelton remains a strong option. The veteran pass-catcher has 39 receptions for 523 yards and four touchdowns this season. He should be in for another strong performance against the Blue Bombers this weekend.
Ernest Jackson @ Toronto, $7,200
Jackson will be looking to double down against the Argonauts following a strong performance against them in last week’s 21-9 win. Jackson had four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. He is easily capable of putting up better numbers versus Toronto this week.
Chris Williams, vs. Calgary, $8,800
Williams will have a tough task trying to help the Lions keep up with Calgary at home this week. However, he has the talent to put up big numbers and Johnson will be looking for redemption following last week’s disaster. Williams could be an underrated wide receiver option this week.
Defense/Special Teams
Montreal @ Toronto, $4,800
The Alouettes defense absolutely beat up on Jeff Mathews and Cody Fajardo while holding Toronto to nine points in their Week 8 win. Nothing has changed heading in to Week 9 as the Montreal defense is clearly the best option on the board this week.
Calgary @ BC, $4,900
Calgary is coming off the bye with a full two weeks to prepare for the Lions offense. After watching Johnson struggle in last week’s loss to Saskatchewan, it only makes sense that the Stampeders defense would be this high in the rankings.
Edmonton @ Winnipeg, $4,800
The Blue Bombers will have a much tougher time scoring points against Edmonton than they did against Hamilton last week. The Eskimos have allowed the third-fewest points in the CFL so far this season.
Winnipeg vs. Edmonton, $4,400
Winnipeg will rely on its defense to keep this showdown with Edmonton close. It won’t be easy, but the Blue Bombers have done an excellent job in the turnover department this season and should be able to make just enough plays to justify their ranking on this list for Week 9.
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