Top CFL Fantasy plays at every position for OK Tire Labour Day Weekend
Brandon C. Williams
Arthur Ward/CFL.ca
OK Tire Labour Day Weekend is shaping up to be a massive four-game slate of offensive production.
Each position is loaded, especially for fantasy teams gearing up for the fantasy postseason.
We’re here with the main dish of the fantasy week as we present our Week 14 rankings for CFL Fantasy presented by theScore Bet.
QUARTERBACK
Davis Alexander, Montreal
Nathan Rourke, BC
Chad Kelly, Toronto
Cody Fajardo, Edmonton
Tre Ford, Hamilton
In this high-stakes matchup to kick off OK Tire Labour Day Weekend, Davis Alexander gets the edge over Nathan Rourke due to better ball security. It also doesn’t hurt that Alexander leads the league with 11 passing majors of over 20 yards downfield. Rourke has thrown for at least 300 yards and two touchdowns in four straight games, yet has committed at least one turnover in each. He’ll need to cut the mistakes on Friday Night Football.
Like Rourke, Chad Kelly is highly prone to miscues, but seven touchdowns accounted for in the last two games make him a threat to light up Hamilton. Cody Fajardo comes off an open week and will seek to continue to add to his 11 total touchdowns in his last five games. Facing Toronto’s defence makes Tre Ford a legit threat to help his fantasy teams on Monday.
Sleeper: For the first time since Week 3, Trevor Harris did not throw an interception. He's also failed to account for more than two majors in all but one game since Week 3, but his Week 13 performance might be an indication of a late-season resurgence. Harris has thrown for over 300 yards in three of his last four games, so if he can avoid the miscues and generate another score or two, the Harris of old will be once again be among the rankings.
RUNNING BACK
Zander Horvath, BC
Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg
Justin Rankin, Edmonton
Dedrick Mills, Calgary
Travis Theis, Montreal
Either of the top four could be atop the rankings, but it’s Zander Horvath and his nose for the end zone that make him the best fantasy option for Week 14. He’s scored in five straight games, accounting for 11 total touchdowns.
Brady Oliveira, as usual, is near the top of the list and just 44 yards from a fifth straight 1,000-yard season. He’s also tallied 100+ yards from scrimmage in five straight games. Justin Rankin has cooled off after a blistering start, but facing a Calgary run defence that allows a league-high 5.9 yards per carry might be the launching pad he needs to rocket towards a strong finish as fantasy playoffs near.
Dedrick Mills faces an Edmonton run D that limits opponents to just 89.7 yards per game, which translates to a risky matchup. Travis Theis had a rough outing against Winnipeg but also squares up against the league’s top run defence in BC (58.8 yards per game allowed).
Sleeper: Keep an eye on Saskatchewan, where A.J. Ouellette is showing signs of a possible return as he was listed as limited to start the week of practice. If he’s still sidelined in Week 14, Quali Conley will continue to be a source of steady numbers.
RECEIVER
Tyson Philpot, Montreal
Tyler Snead, Montreal
Damonte Coxie, Toronto
Austin Mack, Edmonton
Ontaria Wilson, Winnipeg
Keon Hatcher Sr., BC
Justin McInnis, BC
Dhel Duncan-Busby, Saskatchewan
Tyler Kahmann, Toronto
Kiondré Smith, Hamilton
If there were a CFL video game, Tyson Philpot would be ranked 99 overall. He’s scored six touchdowns in the last three games and is second in the league with 12 receptions of 20+ yards. Tyler Snead is just a half-step behind him in production and has recorded three 100+ yard outings in his last four. They’ll be looking to assault BC’s pass defence, which has yielded a CFL-high 23 passing majors along with 21 completions of 20+.
Damonte Coxie comes off a 146-yard performance in Week 13, the third time this season he’s gone over 140. He’ll be dangerous against Hamilton on Labour Day. The pairing of Fajardo and Austin Mack has turned the latter into a steady fantasy asset with ample opportunities to light up Calgary’s defence. Ontaria Wilson may have taken the baton from Nic Demski as Winnipeg’s REC1, and if Zach Collaros can bottle up his Week 13 magic, Wilson’s numbers could lead him up the rankings as the season goes on.
Both Keon Hatcher Sr. and Justin McInnis are heating up at the right time. A sign is that both are averaging at least 13 yards per route, indicating BC’s downfield attack is on the verge of a big run. We like Dhel Duncan-Busby this week, especially with KeeSean Johnson missing the opening day of practice. Duncan-Busby has majors in his last two games while catching eight of 10 targets.
Tyler Kahmann’s knack for the end zone (seven majors) and ability to get downfield (12.6 yards per route) make him a productive REC2 in Toronto’s passing game, meaning fantasy users will thrive with him in the lineup. Consistency has been lacking among Hamilton’s receivers, but Kiondré Smith should be the most fantasy-friendly this week.
Sleeper: Edmonton’s Brendan O’Leary-Orange is always a big play waiting to happen, and while he doesn’t get too many targets, his potential and National status make him a tempting FLEX play against Calgary.
DEFENCE
Edmonton
Montreal
Saskatchewan
Winnipeg
The Elks allow just 25.4 points per game (a league-best) and have held opponents to just 30 offensive majors (tied for third). Montreal’s pass rush should be able to detonate BC’s offence a time or two. Week 13 might have been a turnaround moment for a Riders D that has bent much of this season without being broken. The front line of the Bombers will determine if they can keep Trevor Harris’ run of inconsistency on track.
KICKER
Sergio Castillo, Winnipeg
José Maltos Díaz, Montreal
Rene Paredes, Calgary
Sean Whyte, BC
No one kicks more field goals than the Blue Bombers, and with his long-range accuracy (eight of 11 from 50+ yards), Sergio Castillo is a lock atop this week’s rankings.
The Als’ offence keeps José Maltos Díaz busy, as he’s converted a league-best 43 PATs on a league-best 46 attempts. Calgary’s playoff hopes were given a jolt by the return of Rene Paredes, who has connected on five of six FG attempts since coming back.
Don’t bet on Sean Whyte hitting from beyond 50 yards, but he’s money (17 for 17) inside 40 yards.
