CFL DFS Picks and Cheat Sheet for Week 20 on DraftKings

Nathan Rourke and the Lions are set for a key Week 20 battle with the Elks, a game that informs plenty of DFS suggestions this week.
CFL DFS Picks and Cheat Sheet for Week 20 on DraftKings
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CFL DFS Picks and Cheat Sheet for Week 20 on DraftKings

Another key late-season CFL slate is on tap this weekend, with playoff spots still on the line. We're treated to four games with varying degree of relevance, and there's plenty of appealing individual matchups to focus on.

As customary, we'll break down multiple options for each roster spot and also offer a trio of core plays to consider making the centerpiece of your lineups.

Quarterback Plays for CFL Week 20

Nathan Rourke, B.C. vs. EDM ($10,000): Rourke was his usual prolific self again in Week 18 against the Stampeders with a 414-yard, four-touchdown performance through the air, his second time over the 400-yard mark this season. That game also marked Rourke's third time over the 300-yard mark in the previous four games, and after a week off, he's primed for another standout night.

Rourke has thrown for 324 and 345 yards with a combined 5:1 TD:INT against the Elks in two prior meetings this season. Additionally, Edmonton checks in allowing a CFL-high 294.6 passing yards per game and 407 completions, while surrendering the second-highest completion rate (71.9 percent) and second-most TD passes (28). 

Vernon Adams Jr., CGY vs. TOR ($9,700): Adams has put up some impressive numbers in the last two games, throwing for a combined 560 yards with a pair of touchdowns against the Lions and Tiger-Cats. While the first game was a lopsided loss that also included a trio of picks for the veteran signal-caller, Adams was mistake-free in the second contest and now draws a very appealing matchup as his team tries to lock down a postseason spot.

The Argonauts check in allowing a league-high 72.2 percent completion rate, along with a league-high 32 TD passes and 109.3 passer efficiency rating. They've also given up a league-high 35 completions of 30+ yards, while Adams has 26 completions of such distance and is averaging 9.6 yards per attempt. He also threw for 301 yards without an INT in his first meeting with Toronto this season, and given the numbers cited, is a good candidate to reach that threshold again.

Cody Fajardo, EDM at B.C. ($9,000): There should be some points scored in the Elks-Lions game, which makes Fajardo especially appealing at his salary. The veteran QB comes in having played well overall while keeping the Elks alive for a long-shot postseason bid, but a subpar showing against the Blue Bombers last time out where he threw for only 142 yards on a 54.2 percent completion rate has kept his salary down.

The Lions present as a more palatable matchup by the numbers, as B.C. is allowing a 69.9 percent completion rate and is tied with Fajardo's Elks for second-most touchdown passes surrendered (28). B.C. has also given up the second-most completions of 30+ yards (30) and third-highest passer efficiency rating (102.9), setting Fajardo up for much better numbers in another must-win game.

ALSO CONSIDER: Davis Alexander, MTL at OTT ($9,100)

Running Back Plays for CFL Week 20

Justin Rankin, EDM at B.C. ($10,000): A big part of the reason for Fajardo's quiet Week 19 was the play of Rankin, who made passing a much lesser priority in Edmonton's 25-20 win by rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The Northwest Missouri State product has a modest three 100-yard games overall, but he's averaging 5.7 yards per carry with nine rush TDs, and he also boasts a 50-632-4 receiving line.

The Lions have given up the third-most rushing yards per game (104.9) and have done so at 5.1 yards per carry. Rankin is a threat as a receiver as well as just noted, and the Lions have plenty of vulnerability against the pass, with those weaknesses enumerated in Fajardo's entry. With Rankin also leading the league with 12 runs of 20+ yards, he's a very high-upside tournament play in what should be a competitive game.

Dedrick Mills, CGY vs. TOR ($8,000): Mills is always carrying a salary below that of the elite options on the slate, but you'd be hard-pressed to find many backs more consistent than the speedy Nebraska product. He's now sitting on a career-high 1,225 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs while averaging an outstanding 5.6 yards per carry.

Like Rankin, Mills can break off big runs any time he touches the ball, and he's a very good pass catcher as well (30-227-0 line on 35 targets). The Argos have gotten better against the run as the season has gone on, but they're still yielding 103.4 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Mills' workload is locked in – he's averaging 13.7 carries and 2.2 targets per game – and he should have a chance at posting his four consecutive 80+ rushing yard performance.

ALSO CONSIDER: Brady Oliveira, WPG vs. SSK ($9,000)

Wide Receiver/Slotback Plays for CFL Week 20

Keon Hatcher, B.C. vs. EDM ($10,600): Hatcher is in play every week he's on the slate, and this Elks-Lions matchup we've been focused on is no exception. The veteran wideout comes into the contest already boasting a career-best 90-1,516-7 receiving line, and he's facing an Elks team he already lit up for 25.0 DK points last time he saw them in Week 6.

Edmonton's vulnerabilities against the pass were already covered in Rourke's entry, and in addition to the numbers cited, it's worth noting Hatcher is rested after the Week 19 bye and has accrued between 87 and 147 receiving yards along with three touchdowns over his last four games, logging a robust 29 targets over that span.

Samuel Emilus, SSK at WPG ($9,100): Both Dohnte Meyers (ankle) and KeeSean Johnson (knee) are sidelined in Week 20, as is playmaking RB A.J. Ouellette (load management). That should leave plenty of opportunities for the rest of Saskatchewan's playmakers, with Emilus being a prime candidate. The Louisiana Tech product has already eclipsed the 100-yard mark on three occasions in seven games, and he should be due for a nice boost in the 6.9 targets per contest he's already drawing.

The Blue Bombers have been very good against the pass in a certain sense, yet they've also surrendered 27 completions of 30+ yards, the third-highest figure in the league. Emilus has already taken six of his 37 receptions for 30+ yards, and he's brought in an impressive seven of the 12 targets of 20+ yards in depth that have gone his way thus far.

Ontaria Wilson, WPG vs. SSK ($7,400): Wilson came through as a value suggestion in Week 19, posting 16.5 DK points via a 4-65-1 receiving line on nine targets. The second-year pro has been a big-play asset since debuting in the CFL last season, averaging 15.3 yards per grab on the 89 catches he's posted over 23 games. 

The Riders are conceding the second-most passing yards per game (286.9), as well as the third-most touchdown passes (26). Additionally, Saskatchewan is tied with Winnipeg for the third-most completions of 30+ yards allowed (27), and Wilson already has three receptions of 30+ yards on just 18 catches.

ALSO CONSIDER: Justin McInnis, B.C. vs. EDM ($10,000)

Team Defense Plays for CFL Week 20

Montreal Alouettes ($4,400) at Ottawa Redblacks: 

The Redblacks are eliminated from the postseason, and they mostly played like a team with an early eye on the offseason on Thanksgiving Monday against this same Alouettes squad. Montreal racked up four sacks while giving up only 10 points and 244 total net yards. 

The Als have a very well-rounded defensive profile that includes 38 sacks, 14 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and three defensive touchdowns. Factoring in that Montreal will get another crack at backup QB Dustin Crum this week and have been very good about limiting big plays all season (second fewest allowed), and this unit is worth paying up for this week.

CFL DFS Cheat Sheet for Week 20

Cody Fajardo, QB

Dedrick Mills, RB

Keon Hatcher, WR

Total salary expenditure: $27.6k

This trio is going to require an investment of more than half your salary cap like many in recent weeks have, but you're looking at a solid floor across the board and plenty of ceiling. Fajardo has the matchup and the right game conditions to bounce back this week, while Mills is one of the most consistent producers at his position and continues to see a salary that isn't commensurate to that. Finally, Hatcher is going to cost plenty, but if he hits, he tends to do so in spectacular fashion.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Juan Carlos Blanco plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: jcblanco22, FanDuel: jc_blanco22, DraftPot: jc_blanco22, FantasyDraft: jc_blanco22, OwnThePlay: jcblanco22.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Winner of the FSWA 2016 Newcomer of the Year Award, Juan Carlos Blanco has been playing fantasy sports for over 20 years and covers NBA, MLB, NFL, CFL and Arena Football for Rotowire.com, including serving as the beat writer for teams in multiple sports. He has previously written for KFFL.com and remains an avid season-long and daily fantasy player in multiple sports as well.
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