This article is part of our DraftKings CFL DFS Picks series.
Quarterback
Mike Reilly, EDM at OTT ($11,000): Reilly offers the possibility of multiple touchdowns through both the ground and air in any given week, a feat he's already accomplished in each of the last two games. The prolific veteran has scored between 31.0 and 40.58 fantasy points in the last three weeks overall and now draws a matchup against a Redblacks secondary that's allowing the second-most passing yards per game (334.1 yards), while also yielding 11 passing touchdowns. Given his notable upside, he makes for the top signal caller in Week 8.
Matt Nichols, WPG at HAM ($10,500): Nichols saw a price boost over last week, but it's justifiable, considering he eclipsed 20 fantasy points for the third straight game. He'll take on the most vulnerable secondary in the CFL in Week 8, as the Ti-Cats, just two weeks removed from a 60-1 drubbing at the hands of the Stamps, are surrendering the most passing yards (367.8) and points (39.0) per game. Nichols has flashed a ceiling north of 30 fantasy points this season, and the fact that it's a road game could lead to a more competitive, back-and-forth matchup that he could rack up production in.
Zach Collaros, HAM vs. WPG ($8,100): On that subject, Collaros' price is very appealing if you need to go cheap at quarterback, considering the Blue Bombers defense, while opportunistic, has given up plenty of yards through the air thus far. Winnipeg checks in allowing the third-most passing yards per game (328.7), along with a robust 34.8 points per contest. Collaros has actually shown some solid upside relative to price in a couple of games, with a Week 7 matchup against the Eskimos in which he compiled a season-high 26.38 fantasy points serving as the latest example. While his penchant for picks could well be a problem against a ball-hawking Bombers secondary, Collaros could also be forced to throw plenty to make up for his porous defense.
Running Back
Andrew Harris, WPG at HAM ($7,800): It's admittedly becoming old hat to recommend Harris as a top-tier option each week, but given the CFL's limited pool and his own talent and production, it's downright negligent not to. Even in a down game in Week 7, Harris still produced a solid 63 yards on 10 total touches, and that abbreviated workload was essentially an anomaly. The versatile back hadn't seen anything less than 18 touches in any of the prior five games and should be back to his usual role against a Ti-Cats defense that allows a league-high 104.2 rushing yards per game.
Cameron Marshall, SSK vs. BC ($5,600): Marshall is another repeat suggestion, but with a $300 price drop over last week, he's hard to pass up. The CFL rookie also saw a downturn in opportunity in Week 7 due to game flow, but he still totaled 63 yards on just eight touches, and he tallied a pass reception of more than 20 yards for the second time in the last three games. He gets another crack at the Lions defense this week, which has been stingy against the run but also allows 307.4 yards per game through the air. Given his ability to contribute as both runner and receiver, Marshall continues to offer nice upside for a modest price.
Mossis Madu, OTT vs. EDM ($5,000): Maddu looks increasingly likely to get the start with William Powell struggling with a left hamstring injury, making him a potentially rewarding GPP play. His price certainly mitigates a lot of risk, and his body of work in the first two weeks of the season – when Madu posted 17.3 and 21.7 fantasy points, respectively – makes a strong case for him as well. Furthermore, the Eskimos have been the toughest defense versus the pass (231.5 yards per game) and therefore funneled a lot of action towards the ground game, an area in which they've surrendered the fourth-most yards (87.5) per contest. Additionally, Madu serves as a good outlet option near the line of scrimmage for quarterback Trevor Harris, as he'd totaled six receptions over his aforementioned pair of starts.
Wide Receiver/Slotback
Chris Williams, BC at SSK ($8,500): Williams finally hit the field as a B.C. Lion last week and looked good while totaling 75 yards on three receptions. That game could well be considered the equivalent of a preseason contest in terms of getting him back up to speed, and now Williams gets the advantage of facing the same secondary for the second straight week. The Riders have been just better than middle-of-the-pack against the pass (276.2 yards per game), but have only a pair of interceptions and have surrendered some big receiving days. As he's aptly demonstrated in the past, Williams' upside is through the roof, and with all the receivers priced above him facing either injury, matchup or quarterback concerns, he's worth a roll of the dice in Week 8.
B.J. Cunningham, MTL vs. TOR ($7,200): All Cunningham has done thus far this season is become one of Darian Durant's must trusted targets and produced week after week, making his appearance in this space long overdue. The 28-year-old has scored between 17.3 and 25.9 fantasy points in four of six games and has back-to-back 100-yard outings. Even if Ricky Ray is unable to go for the Argos with a shoulder injury, the Argos offense is designed to keep the pressure on the opposing squad to try and keep up, which could add up to plenty of targets for Cunningham.
Jalen Saunders, HAM vs. WPG ($6,600): It's hard to pin down which Ti-Cats receiver will have a productive outing each week, as the offense has been inconsistent and different wideouts have seemingly rotated the role of top target. Saunders has been quietly producing at a fairly consistent rate, however, and also brings the possibility of some kick return yards. He's totaled no less than 12.5 and as many as 28.7 fantasy points over his first five games, with the latter total coming on the strength of a 147-yard receiving performance. As mentioned earlier, the Blue Bombers have given up well over 300 yards passing per game, along with a whopping 11 receiving touchdowns.
Ryan Lankford, WPG at HAM ($5,700): There seems to be at least one sub-$6K wide receiver that steps to the forefront unexpectedly virtually each week, and while there are plenty of candidates once again in Week 8, Lankford's combination of roles as a receiver and returner have actually made him a relatively reliable performer from a fantasy perspective. He's scored between 11.3 and 23.5 fantasy points in the last four weeks, and has amassed over 100 return yards in five of six games this season. He's also gotten into the end zone as receiver twice in the last two games as well, while the Ti-Cats secondary remains the worst in the CFL.
Bryant Mitchell, EDM at OTT ($4,500): Mitchell deserves a quick mention due to the combination of bargain price, potential opportunity and matchup. The Northwestern State product exploded for eight catches, 121 yards and a touchdown last week, leading to 29.1 fantasy points, the second time in three games in which he eclipsed 20 fantasy-point mark. Heading into Week 8, teammates Brandon Zylstra and D'haquille Williams are dealing with undisclosed injuries, while Adarius Bowman remains on the injured list. Therefore, Mitchell could see an even bigger role against a Redblacks secondary that's allowed an aforementioned 334.1 yards through the air.
Team Defense
Toronto Argonauts at Montreal Alouettes ($4,800): As with last week, in addition to pointing out the appeal of the Blue Bombers ($5,100) as the highest-priced defense of the week, we want to give you an alternate option that will save a few hundred. The Argos draw the designation in Week 8, as they check in with a CFL-high 25.0 sacks that's seven more than the next closest team. Sacks often lead to mistakes for the opposition, and as it happens, the Als have committed the second-most turnovers (10) and are averaging the second-lowest amount of points per contest (23.5). The Argos defense already has three games with double-digit fantasy-point totals, and despite the road matchup, they could be in good position to turn in their fourth.
