Top CFL Fantasy plays at every position for Week 17

Week 17 returns CFL Fantasy presented by theScore Bet users a four-game slate, with each contest chock full of fantasy potential.

Even the sleepers at pivot, running back, and receiver are brimming with upside that could carry fantasy teams to a huge week to close out September.

QUARTERBACKS

Nathan Rourke, BC
Chad Kelly, Toronto
Vernon Adams Jr., Calgary
Cody Fajardo, Edmonton
Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan

Nathan Rourke is the league leader in yards per pass (10.2) and yards per carry (12.3). Come for the passing, stay for when Rourke finds an open field to dash against the Roughriders. One of Chad Kelly's CFL-high 10 300-yard games (320) came against Winnipeg in Week 6. Oddly enough, it was one of just two games this season Kelly didn’t throw an interception. Did last week signal a return to Vernon Adams Jr.'s early-season form? Running it back against the REDBLACKS on the road will present a clear answer.

Cody Fajardo tops all pivots with 377 rushing yards, giving his fantasy users bonus points. His 14 runs of 10+ yards on 67 attempts top Hamilton running back Larry Roundtree III’s total (13) in 145 attempts. Trevor Harris gets an added boost with the return of his lead back (more on him in a moment) and receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker for Friday’s critical showdown at BC.

Sleeper: Fantasy owners of Zach Collaros (out) might want to consider McLeod Bethel-Thompson after he torched the Stamps for 379 yards and five passing majors in Week 16. A rematch against a Calgary D that’s allowed a CFL-worst 53 offensive touchdowns makes him a tempting play.

RUNNING BACKS

Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg
Zander Horvath, BC
Justin Rankin, Edmonton
Deonta McMahon, Calgary
AJ Ouellette, Saskatchewan

Last week’s 112 yards from scrimmage marked the sixth time in the last seven games Brady Oliveira topped the century mark. He’s only 21 yards (1,523) behind Als receiver Tyson Philpot (1,544) for most yards from scrimmage. Fresh off a bye week, Zander Horvath and his 19 total touchdowns run full speed ahead against a Roughriders run D that’s second in yards allowed per game (72.9). A season-high 21 carries in Week 16 showed that Justin Rankin might be back to his early-season form. He hasn’t scored a major in three of his last four games, but on any given touch, he could break free.

The role of Dedrick Mills was played well in Week 16 by Deonta McMahon, who put up 126 yards from scrimmage against the REDBLACKS. If you were lucky enough to scoop him off waivers, keep him in your lineup in Saturday’s rematch at Ottawa. As mentioned earlier, the Roughriders will have the services of their lead back, who hasn’t played since Week 8. AJ Ouellette has played in just four games this season, so he should be fresh for the stretch run to the postseason.

Sleeper: Daniel Adeboboye had just nine touches against Calgary in Week 16, but averaged nearly nine yards per play. He’s got National status and would fit well into the slot if your fantasy team is missing the Alouettes this week.

RECEIVERS

Dhel Duncan-Busby, Saskatchewan
Damonte Coxie, Toronto
Austin Mack, Edmonton
Justin Hardy, Ottawa
Keon Hatcher Sr., BC
Tyler Kahmann, Toronto
Justin McInnis, BC
Kiondré Smith, Hamilton
Jalen Philpot, Calgary
Tim White, Winnipeg

Well, someone had to be atop the list with Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead on bye. Dhel Duncan-Busby deserves a spot here after helping carry an injury-riddled Riders receiving corps, catching 25 passes in the last four games. Damonte Coxie is tied for the league lead with 15 catches of 20+ yards and is second only to Hamilton’s Kenny Lawler with 1,623 depth yards, both affirmations of his big-play ability. Tied with the aforementioned Coxie with 15 receptions of better than 20 yards, Austin Mack is in the midst of a career year that will earn him at least West Division All-CFL honours.

The combination of Justin Hardy and McLeod Bethel-Thompson teamed up for 12-129-1 in the narrow loss at Calgary. With Bethel-Thompson still atop the depth chart, another game of the duo will pay fantasy dividends for Hardy’s fantasy owners. Coming off a monster outing against Montreal and a bye week, a refreshed Keon Hatcher Sr. is banking on the third time’s the charm against a Saskatchewan defence that’s held him to just 11 catches for 124 yards and a major in the two previous meetings combined. Even on an “off” week (two catches, 67 yards), Tyler Kahmann is a dangerous fantasy asset. He’s gone three games without a touchdown, so he’s overdue for an end zone visit.

Justin McInnis is having an off season by his standards, yet he’s on course for another 1,000-yard campaign. He should add to his modest two touchdown receptions as the Lions look to catch Edmonton for the West Division lead. Kiondré Smith has been the one constant for a Tiger-Cats passing game that’s last in the league with 256.1 yards per game. Smith snapped a nine-game drought with a touchdown catch in the Week 16 loss to Montreal. The undisputed REC1 for the Stampeders, Jalen Philpot has 12 catches for 193 yards and a major in his last two games. The production will continue in a rematch against a REDBLACKS defence last in passing yards allowed per game. Dru Brown will look frequently in the direction of Tim White, who leads the Bombers with 66 receptions and 815 yards. He’s got a track record of lighting up Toronto’s secondary from his time in Hamilton.

Sleeper: Tevin Jones can be quiet for several games, then BOOM! Evidenced by his deep strike for a major last week, the veteran is one of the league’s best home run threats who should repeat his explosiveness in Saturday’s rematch against Ottawa.

KICKERS

Sergio Castillo, Winnipeg
Vincent Blanchard, Edmonton
Sean Whyte, BC
Rene Paredes, Calgary

The Blue Bombers’ TD struggles will continue to benefit Sergio Castillo, who leads the league with 166 points. He’s got a league-best eight field goals of 50+ yards, which makes him even more valuable. Vincent Blanchard is just six points behind Castillo for the league scoring lead and will get ample opportunities against the Ticats. Don’t count on Riders-Leos being a defensive struggle. That will play well for Sean Whyte, who recently crossed 2,400 career points. His game-winning FG against Ottawa will be one of the highlights of the season. Rene Paredes’ return is a plus for the Stamps’ bid for the postseason.

DEFENCES

Edmonton
Saskatchewan
Winnipeg
Toronto

The Elks’ No Fly Zone recorded two interceptions for the third time in five games. They’ll face Ticats pivot Harrison Frost, who threw four INTs against the Als last week. Nathan Rourke will have to contend with a Riders pass rush that has 18 sacks in the last four games while holding opponents to a league-low 43.4 per cent on second-down conversions. The Blue Bombers have allowed just 26 big plays to opposing offences. Facing Toronto’s explosive passing game will be daunting for Winnipeg. Count on the Argos finding their way to the quarterback. Toronto has at least two QB takedowns in eight straight games.