This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
It's another late-season four-game slate for the CFL in Week 19, with the defensively challenged Redblacks and Argonauts back in action. Those teams have facilitated plenty of fantasy production this season and always broaden the offensive options that can be targeted that particular week. Meanwhile, some teams that have already qualified for the postseason will be looking to remain sharp and head into the playoffs with momentum. Without further ado, let's look at who'll be worthy of considering at each position this coming weekend:
DraftKings CFL Plays - Week 19
Quarterback
Bo Levi Mitchell, CGY vs. WPG ($9,600): Mitchell is priced $400 below top option Cody Fajardo and draws a highly favorable matchup against a Blue Bombers defense that's been giving up plenty through the air. The veteran quarterback fell just short of his fourth straight 300-yard game last week against the Roughriders, but he's now averaging a solid 19.02 fantasy points per contest. The Blue Bombers' pass defense has progressively slipped throughout the season, and Winnipeg is now surrendering 298.4 passing yards per game, 8.2 yards per attempt and the most completions of 30 or more yards (27). Mitchell's deep passing prowess should play particularly well in this matchup; the Bombers have allowed the second-most touchdowns on targets of 20 yards or longer in depth (12), while six of Mitchell's 16 completions on passes of that distance have gone for scores.
Vernon Adams Jr., MTL vs. TOR ($9,600): Adams has seen a $1,200 price drop overall over the last two games due to some reduced production. However, the mobile quarterback is facing one of the most generous defenses in the league in the Argonauts in Week 19, making him a potential bargain at his reduced cost. Even in those down games the last two weeks, Adams has still scored a respectable 15.24 fantasy points in each, and he's flashed a ceiling of more than 40 fantasy points on three different occasions this season. Meanwhile, the Argonauts are allowing the most passing yards per game (320.4), most completions (387), highest completion percentage (73.3), highest average yards per attempt (9.3) and most passing touchdowns (32). They've also been just as vulnerable to the run (120.9 rushing yards per game) -- especially relevant when factoring in Adams' mobility -- and they surrendered 31.8 fantasy points to Adams in their one previous encounter with him this season.
Dane Evans, HAM vs. OTT ($9,300): Evans returns to action following the Tiger-Cats' Week 18 bye, and his price surprisingly remains the same despite a 27.28 fantasy-point showing versus the Eskimos in Week 17. Evans has now surpassed 25 fantasy points in three consecutive games, and he hasn't been under 20 fantasy points since Week 11. The Redblacks facilitated a 300-yard effort for Evans earlier this season and allow 308.2 passing yards per game, along with 8.9 yards per attempt, the second-most passing touchdowns (22) and the second-highest passer efficiency rating (103.0).
Running Back
William Powell, SSK at BC ($9,200): The Blue Bombers' Andrew Harris ($10,500) is always worthy of consideration given his significant upside, but it's difficult for him to consistently provide an adequate return on a five-figure price. Meanwhile, Powell comes at a notable discount and faces a Lions defense that could be on the field frequently, given the fact backup Danny O'Brien will be under center for BC. The Lions come in allowing 109.0 rushing yards per game as well, along with 5.2 yards per rush and the third-most rushing touchdowns (17) on the campaign. BC has also surrendered nine rushes of 20 more yards and already saw Powell trample them for a season-high 40.1 fantasy points in Week 7 on the strength of a 21-rush, 146-yard, three-touchdown effort.
William Stanback, MTL vs. TOR ($7,800): Stanback appears to be ready to return in Week 19 after sitting out last week's game with an undisclosed injury. He'll walk back into what is arguably the best all-around matchup in the league for running backs if he does suit up, considering the Argonauts have yielded the most rushing yards per game (120.9), 5.5 yards per rush and the second-most rushing touchdowns (20) in the league. Toronto has also given up the third-most rushes of 20 more yards (11), a weakness the fleet-footed Stanback is well equipped to exploit. Stanback is averaging an impressive 16.62 fantasy points across six home contests and will be in good position to hit or exceed that mark in this matchup if he's healthy.
Tyrell Sutton, HAM vs. OTT ($6,000): Sutton was a hit as the Tiger-Cats' featured back in Week 17, gaining 88 rushing yards on 11 carries and also recording three receptions for 23 yards. The veteran running back is in line to prosper again following the bye, as the Redblacks have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (118.0) and most rushing touchdowns (24). The speedy Sutton is also highly capable of exploiting Ottawa's tendency to allow big plays on the ground, a trend corroborated by the CFL-high 13 rushes of 20 or more yards they've surrendered. Given he's also able to supplement his production through the air, Sutton could ultimately turn out to be one of the best fantasy-point-per-dollar plays on the slate.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Reggie Begelton, CGY vs. WPG ($9,700): Begelton has been outstanding throughout his breakout season, and as Bo Levi Mitchell's top target, he stands to thrive in a matchup versus a Blue Bombers defense that has plenty of trouble defending the pass. Begelton is averaging an impressive 20.34 fantasy points per game this season, and he's scored between 15.0 and 52.3 fantasy points in six straight contests. The Blue Bombers' weaknesses against the pass were already detailed earlier in Mitchell's entry, and Begelton is particularly well qualified to capitalize on Winnipeg's struggles defending downfield targets – he boasts an outstanding 60.0 percent catch rates on targets of 20 yards or greater and has five receptions of 30 yards or more this season.
Bralon Addison, HAM vs. OTT ($9,500): Addison has been a fantasy favorite all season while arguably becoming the "1A" receiver in Hamilton alongside Brandon Banks. He's demonstrated excellent rapport with quarterback Dane Evans and has scored between 15.6 and 45.0 fantasy points in five consecutive contests. The Redblacks have been porous in the secondary as previously illustrated in Evans' entry, and Addison, who sports a CFL-best 122.0 receiver efficiency rating, is highly capable of exploiting their weaknesses. In addition to the appeal his 63.6 percent catch rate on targets of 20 yards or deeper brings, it's also worth noting Addison will be facing an Ottawa defense allowing a CFL-high 65.0 percent red-zone touchdown success rate (34 TDs in 52 trips).
Quan Bray, MTL vs. TOR ($7,400): Bray represents some reasonably priced exposure to the Argonauts defense and offers one of the safer floors of any receiver. The first-year CFL pro has scored double-digit fantasy points in six of the last seven games, including a 20.1 fantasy-point tally against this same Toronto squad back in Week 11. The Argonauts' well-documented struggles against the pass were already detailed earlier in Adams' entry, and in addition to the numbers cited there, it's also important to note the Argos have surrendered a CFL-high 25 completions of 30 yards or greater. In turn, Bray has eight catches of that distance this season and a solid 55.5 percent catch rate on targets of 20 yards or greater.
Hergy Mayala, CGY vs. WPG ($4,800): Mayala has made a name for himself in the Stampeders' passing attack over the last two games, scoring 17.6 and 24.0 fantasy points against the Alouettes and Roughriders, respectively. The rookie will be in an advantageous position once again in Week 19, considering the Blue Bombers' various deficiencies against the pass outlined earlier. Mayala has shown excellent speed and already sports a 14.3 YPC, while Winnipeg has had difficulty preventing teams from enjoying downfield success, as explained earlier. Given he doesn't have to do an inordinate amount to justify his salary and already has Mitchell's trust, he seems to be a top value play for the week.
Team Defense
Saskatchewan Roughriders at BC Lions ($4,900): The Roughriders have been one of the more profitable fantasy defenses throughout the season and now draw one of the most appealing matchups on the Week 19 slate. As alluded to earlier, Danny O'Brien will take over at quarterback for the Lions after Mike Reilly's season-ending wrist injury. O'Brien is in his fifth CFL season but has only 137 pass attempts and an unsightly 2:9 TD:INT over that span. He threw for 103 yards in emergency duty in Week 18 after Reilly went down and had the week to prepare a starter, but the Roughriders come in second in sacks (47), fourth in two-and-outs forced (80) and second in points off turnovers (89). The Lions are also ranked second-to-last in net offensive yards per game (332.0) and average yards per play (6.0), while the Riders rank second in both categories with 300.7 yards and 5.7 yards allowed, respectively. Considering BC has generated their mostly pedestrian offensive numbers with Reilly under center and now see a downgrade, and that they also have allowed the most sacks (52), Saskatchewan's D shapes up as worth the investment in Week 19.
