It’s the midpoint of the season, but there’s still time to dominate your friends in CFL Fantasy! Check out our starts of the week!
McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Toronto – $6000
“McBLT” had his first start of the year against Ottawa two weeks ago, and posted a better completion percentage, quarterback efficiency and yards per attempt than both James Franklin and Ricky Ray. While engineering a last-second comeback against the Redblacks, Bethel-Thompson helped S.J. Green to his best game of the season, showing a connection with the star slotback. With a bargain basement $6000 salary, you can afford to add star power at other positions while starting a quarterback with CFL Fantasy upside.
James Wilder Jr., Toronto – $8999
At mid-season, Wilder Jr. is on pace to fall short of his 1000-1000 goal. However, in the full PPR CFL Fantasy, Wilder Jr. is still a consistent producer with a massive ceiling. Leading CFL running backs in targets, receptions and receiving yards, Wilder Jr. offers a dependable floor. The BC Lions have allowed the second most running back touchdowns over the last three games. That, along with his explosive playmaking ability, makes Wilder Jr. a very appealing start in Week 10.
Shaquille Cooper, Edmonton – $2500
CJ Gable is out this week, and Shaq Cooper takes his place as the only running back on the depth chart for the Edmonton Eskimos. Cooper impressed in off-season camps and pre-season, so much so that other veteran ball carriers became expendable. However, his minimum salary comes with some risk. Mike Reilly often vultures red-zone carries and touchdowns, limiting running back upside. Secondly, according to Derek Taylor, CJ Gable has only 2.2 yards before contact on each carry this year, compared to 2.7 in 2017, and has been hit behind the line of scrimmage on 21% of carries, up from 13% last year.
The changes on the offensive line have hampered the running game, but Shaq Cooper will be on the field for a huge percentage of the team’s offensive snaps. This week, the Alouettes are without Johnny Manziel and are starting Antonio Pipkin behind centre. That means there should be lots of opportunity for clock-munching carries for Cooper. Opportunity combined with talent means Cooper is a low risk, high reward player.
Brad Sinopoli, Ottawa – $8746
CFL Fantasy’s most expensive receiver this week, Sinopoli faces a Blue Bombers defense that has allowed the fewest receiving touchdowns and second fewest receptions in the last three weeks. However, Sinopoli has been an utter dynamo this year, leading the league in receptions, yards after the catch, second in total targets and third in yards overall. With the wealth of playmakers around him that defences must account for, Sinopoli will always have the opportunity to be a PPR producer. Slotback Labs’ Game Level Similarity Projections predicts Sinopoli for a median of 24.5 fantasy points, which makes Sinopoli a must start.
Bryant Mitchell, Edmonton – $3456
Before the season began, Bryant Mitchell was frequently picked as a fantasy breakout candidate. While poor health and lack of opportunity have hampered him thus far, a ratio change opens the door for fantasy relevance in Mitchell’s first start of the year. In 2017, Mitchell’s quarterbacks posted a 131.5 passer rating when targeting him, and with 32 receptions for 482 yards, he proved himself talented. With an average of 4.6 receptions for 68.8 yards per start last year, Mitchell looks certain to at least return value on his modest salary and has the ability to produce when targeted more heavily.
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