Start vs. Sit: 2 must-plays and who to avoid in Week 17
Leah Hennel/CFL.ca
Week 17 returns a four-game slate that gives CFL Fantasy users normalcy (and more player options).
This week’s edition of Start vs. Sit brings a new face or two -- along with an entire backfield -- to help fantasy users ramp up for the stretch run.
CFL FANTASY PRESENTED BY THESCORE BET
START
DEONTA MCMAHON | RUNNING BACK | CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Deonta McMahon will be a popular name on waiver wires now that he’s solidified himself as the Stamps’ lead rusher. With Dedrick Mills on the six-game injured list, McMahon made an impressive debut with 129 yards from scrimmage in Calgary’s heart-stopping win over Ottawa on Saturday. Averaging 6.8 yards per carry, McMahon had a 34-yard run as a reminder the Stampeders’ ground game still has a big-play element.
The REDBLACKS will be mindful of McMahon’s presence in Saturday’s rematch, yet that shouldn’t deter fantasy users from adding the former Argo to their roster. Ottawa is still last in the league in rushing yards allowed, meaning Calgary will look to supply McMahon with 15-19 touches from scrimmage.
SIT
ALL TORONTO RUNNING BACKS
Ouch. We know the Argonauts are pass-heavy, but Saturday’s win over the Elks took that reality to the extreme. Toronto backs Qualan Jones and Isaiah Smith had a combined five carries for a total of minus-seven yards. Edmonton’s run defence is solid, yet it was surprising the Argos abandoned the ground game to the point where pivot Chad Kelly had only one carry.
With that in mind, it’s best to avoid Jones and Smith against Winnipeg on Friday Night Football. The Blue Bombers could yield more rushing attempts to slow Toronto’s league-best passing attack, but fantasy users shouldn’t hold much hope that either Argonauts back will be good for more than five to seven touches from scrimmage. Just stay clear.
CFL WEEKLY FANTASY
START
JUSTIN HARDY | RECEIVER | OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Justin Hardy and REDBLACKS quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson had an instant connection in Week 16, with Hardy catching 12 of his 19 targets from Bethel-Thompson for 129 yards and a major in the loss at the Stampeders. The performance resulted in Hardy scoring a season-best 30.9 Fantasy Points, his first game of 20+ FP since tallying 21.4 FP against Edmonton in Week 6.
“McHardy” is a good stack play in Saturday’s rematch against the Stamps, and while that works against Ayden Eberhardt and Keelan White, adding Bethel-Thompson into the starting lineup should be a boon for Hardy down the stretch. Another 30-fantasy-point outing is not expected, but Hardy is a lock for at least 18-20 FP.
SIT
KENNY LAWLER | RECEIVER | HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
No one has missed Bo Levi Mitchell as much as Kenny Lawler. Arguably the league’s premier deep threat, Lawler has just five receptions of 30+ yards this season, light-years from the 14 he recorded in 2025. Lawler’s current 13.5 yards per catch would establish a career low for a receiver who came into this campaign with a career average of over 16 yards per reception.
More surprising is that Lawler has not had a game of over 100 receiving yards this season and has not topped 81 yards receiving since Week 3. Although he has six touchdowns, the big-play element that has defined the All-CFLer has been limited. With his fantasy salary, Lawler is more risk than reward.