CFL DFS Picks and Cheat Sheet for Week 7 on DraftKings
We're back to a four-game late in Week 7, one that features the return of one starting quarterback and a Week 6 rematch that serves as the platform for several of this week's selections.
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 7
Nathan Rourke, BC vs. SSK ($10,700): Outside of his injury issues, Rourke has had a near-perfect season from an individual standpoint. Following a stellar showing against the Elks in Week 6 where only four of his 30 pass attempts fell incomplete, Rourke is now completing 67.4 percent of his passes and averaging 22.6 DK points per contest. The mobile signal-caller has eclipsed 300 passing yards in three of his four games, and he has nine total TDs (seven passing, two rushing) as well.
The Roughriders present a highly appealing matchup, as Saskatchewan has surrendered the second-most passing yards per game (327.6) and second-highest completion percentage (72.7). The Riders are also tied for the second-most touchdown passes allowed (nine), making it close to an airtight scenario for Rourke from a fantasy perspective.
Bo Levi Mitchell, HAM at OTT ($10,400): Mitchell fell a bit short of his very lofty expectations in Week 6 against these same Redblacks, but in a testament to how high a standard he's already set this season, he still netted 20 DK points on the strength of 266 passing yards and a pair of touchdown passes to Kenny Lawler. He's now eclipsed 20 DK points in three of five games, putting him at an average of 22.9 going into his rematch with Ottawa.
The Redblacks are giving up 269.2 passing yards per game, along with the third-highest passer efficiency rating (101.8). Ottawa is also tied with the Argonauts for the most completions of 30+ yards (13) allowed, while Mitchell is leading the CFL in completions (124), pass attempts (186) and touchdown passes (11).
Davis Alexander, MTL vs. TOR ($9,100): Alexander used the Alouettes' Week 6 bye to complete his recovery from his hamstring injury, leaving him poised for his first start since Week 3. The first-year full-time starter was rolling along before his two-game absence, and he eclipsed the 20 DK points in the last two contests before his absence. Now well-rested and ready to roll, Alexander should be in position to pick up where he left off.
The opposing Argonauts have allowed 261.4 passing yards per game and done so at a completion rate of 71.5 percent, the latter qualifying as the league's third-highest figure. Toronto is also surrendering the CFL's second-highest passer efficiency rating (117.5) and has surrendered a co-league-high 13 completions of 30+ yards, affording Alexander no shortage of upside in his return.
ALSO CONSIDER: Zach Collaros, WPG vs. CGY ($10,300)
Running Back Plays for CFL Week 7
A.J. Ouellette, SSK at BC ($9,200): Ouellette came up short of expectations in Week 6 despite an appealing matchup, as game script conspired to limit him to six carries. However, those same circumstances also afforded him an expanded opportunity in the passing game, as Ouellette finished with a 6-58 receiving line. While he still netted 12.7 DK points, Ouellette should be in a very good spot to bounce back in Week 7 against what has been the most generous run defense in the league most of the season.
While he still netted 12.7 DK points, Ouellette should be in a very good spot to bounce back in Week 7 against what has been the most generous run defense in the league most of the season. The Lions come in allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (124.7) and 5.4 yards per carry, the latter figure a co-CFL-high number. Ouellette just trampled the Lions for a season-high 139 rushing yards in Week 4 as well, which netted him a stellar 25.1 DK points.
James Butler, B.C. vs. SSK ($8,300): Butler put together a Derrick Henry-like performance in Week 6 against the Elks, logging a whopping 29 carries for 172 yards and adding three receptions for 35 yards on his way to 32.7 DK points. He also has tallies of 18.0 and 28.9 DK points on his resume this season, affording him plenty of upside at his current salary despite having to face a solid Roughriders run defense.
Saskatchewan has allowed just 80.0 rushing yards per game, but they've done so at 4.9 yards per carry. As covered in Rourke's entry, the Roughriders have also surrendered plenty of passing yards, and Butler's ability to get out in space and do damage as a pass catcher when Rourke checks down to him. While a 29-carry workload is very unlikely to be replicated, Butler's floor should be safe given his versatility.
ALSO CONSIDER: Dedrick Mills, CGY at WPG ($9,100)
Wide Receiver/Slotback Plays for CFL Week 7
Eugene Lewis, OTT vs. HAM ($8,700): Lewis is the epitome of a professional receiver, producing with impressive consistency season after season and as of this season, with three different teams. The veteran is coming off a season-best effort, as he generated a 7-128 line on 14 targets, netting 22.8 DK points against the Tiger-Cats. That was Lewis' second straight 20-plus DK-point tally, and he now he gets another crack at Hamilton's secondary.
The Ti-Cats are my recommended defense this week and do have impressive metrics in certain categories against the pass, but Hamlton is still allowing 280.8 passing yards per contest. The Ti-Cats are also tied for the second-most completions allowed this season (183), and Lewis has drawn at least six targets in five of his first six contests of the season, including double-digit looks on three occasions.
Stanley Berryhill III, B.C. vs. SSK ($8,000): Berryhill looks firmly on his way to a career-best season, as he'll enter Week 7's favorable matchup with an 18-290-4 receiving line across four games. The second-year pro has scored 18.5 to 31.5 DK points in three of those contests, which keeps him as a very appealing option for both cash games and tournaments despite another slight bump in salary this week.
As mentioned in Rourke's entry, the Roughriders' weakness has been defending the pass. In addition to the numbers already cited that back that up, it's also worth noting Saskatchewan has surrendered seven completions of 30+ yards. Meanwhile, Berryhill has taken four of his 18 catches for 30+ yards already this season, and he's brought in four of six targets of 20 or yards in depth.
Kalil Pimpleton, OTT vs. HAM ($6,600): Pimpleton has the explosiveness to blow away his current salary comfortably, as he just demonstrated two games ago against the Elks when he posted 24.8 DK points with the help of a punt-return TD. Pimpleton also contributed 12.2 DK points against the Ti-Cats in Week 6, and at an investment of just $6.6K, he could turn out to be one of the better fantasy-point-per-dollar plays on the slate in Week 7.
The Ti-Cats' numbers against the pass were covered in his teammate's Lewis' entry, and Pimpleton has the home-run speed to pay off his selection with one play. Additionally, with the loaded Tiger-Cats offense on the other sideline and Dru Brown's typically aggressive style of play, there's room for more than one of his pass catchers to have a productive showing.
Joe Robustelli, SSK at B.C. ($4,000): Robustelli put forth the surprise performance of Week 6, exploding for 11 catches and 191 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets to net 39.1 DK points. Robustelli had also posted a 2-40 receiving line against the Lions in Week 4, and he'll have another chance to face off with B.C.'s secondary Saturday night.
The Lions have the league's stingiest defense on a yards-per-game basis, as they've surrendered just 181.8 passing yards per contest. However, B.C. is tied for the second-most touchdown passes (nine) and 30+ yard completions (11) allowed, and Robustelli certainly proved deserving of Trevor Harris' attention after his standout performance.
ALSO CONSIDER: Tyler Snead, MTL vs. TOR ($7,600); Damien Alford, CGY at WPG ($3,200)
Team Defense Plays for Week 7
Hamilton Tiger-Cats ($4,500) at Ottawa Redblacks: Defense is once again a tricky proposition this week, but ultimately, I'm running it back with a Ti-Cats defense that paid off with a solid 10 DK points against these same Redblacks in Week 6. Hamilton recorded a pair of interceptions and sacks apiece of Dru Brown and also recorded a fumble. It was the third double-digit DK-point performance for the Tiger-Cats' defense this season, and there's reason to believe they can reprise their strong performance in the rematch.
Following last week's loss, Ottawa now has 13 turnovers and maintains a CFL-worst 14.1 TD drive percentage, along with the second-highest 2-and-out percentage (40.0). The Redblacks have now conceded a league-high 14 sacks as well, and after their Week 6 effort, the Ti-Cats' defense is tied with multiple teams for fewest TD passes allowed (five) and rank No. 1 in both opponent passer efficiency (79.6) completions of 30+ yards (three).
CFL DFS Cheat Sheet for Week 7
Nathan Rourke, QB
A.J. Ouellette, RB
Total salary expenditure: $27.9K
This trio is all from the same game and carries a robust collective price tag, but it has the potential to deliver handsomely if the game environment is as good as expected. Rourke and Berryhill make for a very high-upside stack , as their matchup against the very generous Roughriders secondary gives them a chance to pay great dividends. Then, even if Rourke and Berryhill are thriving, Ouellette, with his secure dual role and matchup against the Lions' porous run defense, can also enjoy a standout performance and deliver strong returns.
