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Entering Week Three of CFL Fantasy play, it’s hard to gauge what to expect from the running back position. Thus far, the production in the category has been spotty at best, and with Edmonton’s John White (lower body injury) projected to be out for a significant portion of time, the need for upgraded numbers has increased.
Travon Van offered the best bang for the fantasy buck, yet few owners had him the lineup. Filling in effectively for the injured White, the Eskimos reserve put 17 Fantasy points at a salary just below $3,500. He will be a must-start performer when Edmonton returns to play in Week 4 against Ottawa, and with a salary of $3,577, Van will see a rise in fantasy players adding him to their respective rosters.
Those who did not receive the desired results playing Toronto’s James Wilder ($2,500) can take solace in knowing starter Brandon Whitaker ($6293) is expected back into the lineup for what could be a high-scoring affair against Ottawa.
Brandon Whitaker’s return could boost the RB position in Week 2 (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
Speaking of the REDBLACKS, the situation at running back could be muddled if William Powell, who was on the injured list for last week’s loss against the Stampeders, returns. Powell ($5,740 this week) could carve into the production of Mossis Madu, whose Week 2 salary of $6,315 netted 74 rushing yards and a touchdown in his 2017 debut. Madu would be a solid RB2 heading into this week’s contest against the Argonauts provided Powell (ankle) is on the IL for a second consecutive week. The value of each would be greatly hampered if they’re asked to share the rushing duties.
Unless he’s heavily involved in the passing game, it’s hard to strongly recommend Hamilton’s C.J. Gable. The Ticats ran the ball only seven times in their Week 1 loss to Toronto, with Gable accounting for five carries and nine of Hamilton’s 16 yards on the ground. Gable is a good receiver out of the backfield, yet Fantasy players would be counting on a huge night of pass-catching out of him. However, the premise isn’t too far off considering that Hamilton will be looking for someone to replace the production they were counting on from receiver Terrence Toliver, who was just added to the 6-game injured list.
Toronto’s Armanti Edwards and Saskatchewan’s Nic Demski were perhaps the best steals of Week 2. Both receivers came into the week at the minimum $2,500 salary, yet rewarded their savvy owners with excellent numbers. Edwards was 10-for-10 in targeted passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in the Argos’ loss to the Lions on Friday and may have also become the WR2 behind S.J. Green in Toronto. For a second straight week, Demski was 7-for-7 in targeted passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in the Roughriders’ overtime loss to the Blue Bombers.
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While seeing a climb in his Week 3 salary, Demski remains a bargain, especially since he is now returning punts (82 yards on nine returns on Saturday).
Saskatchewan’s offensive outburst made those who gambled on Kevin Glenn big winners. Glenn was eighth among quarterbacks in both salary ($7,780) and ranking, delivering 377 yards and four touchdowns in the overtime contest. With Demski teaming up with Naaman Roosevelt, Duron Carter and Caleb Holley in the Roughriders’ passing attack, Glenn becomes much more attractive leading into this week’s game against the Tiger-Cats.
