RotoExperts: CFL Week 1 Fantasy Rankings

Another season beckons yet one thing remains the same: Mike Reilly is still $14,000.

The 2018 campaign begins writing its first chapter on Thursday with Reilly and the Eskimos travelling to Winnipeg to meet the Matt Nichols-less Blue Bombers. The reigning Most Outstanding Player, Reilly racked up eight of his 42 touchdowns at the expense of the Winnipeg defence last season, including seven in the air. Even with the loss of All-CFL wideouts Brandon Zylstra (NFL) and Adarius Bowman (who will be on the opposite sideline on Thursday), Reilly will have plenty of options that will only enhance his value.

Calgary pivot Bo Levi Mitchell could be on the path to a rebound season and faces a Hamilton defence that allowed a league-worst 33 passing majors in 2017. Mitchell ($8,104) is a potential bargain, especially with the return of receiver Eric Rogers ($6,327), who returns to the Stampeders after injuries hampered his NFL bid with the San Francisco 49ers. Keep in mind that Rogers led the league in yardage and tied for the lead in touchdowns during his All-CFL performance with Mitchell and the Stamps in 2015. That said, the excitement surrounding Jeremiah Masoli ($10,581) should be tempered considering the Tiger-Cats will be running into the league’s top defence.

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Lions quarterback Jonathon Jennings ($9,095) is also looking for a bounce-back campaign and will have a great chance to start 2018 on the right foot against the Alouettes. Alternately, Ricky Ray ($10,416) should continue to be a popular Fantasy option when he and the Grey Cup champion Argonauts meet the Roughriders.

A full season of James Wilder Jr. ($8,216) in the Toronto backfield makes him the Fantasy king of the running back world. Wilder scored at least 20 Fantasy Points four times after breaking into the starting lineup for keeps in Week 13 and hit the Roughriders with 16.1 FP in a Week 16 matchup. Those who can’t afford Wilder can look in the direction of Edmonton’s C.J. Gable ($7,499), who hit up Winnipeg for 107 yards and two touchdowns in the Eskimos’ West Semi-Final win over the Blue Bombers. On the other side of the field, Andrew Harris ($6,334) will have a considerable load to carry in Winnipeg with Nichols on the sidelines for up to a month.

The best Week 1 sleeper at running back will be Calgary’s Terry Williams ($3,595), who won the starting job and gets to gallop against a Hamilton defence that allowed 11 runs of at least 20 or more yards last season. Another sleeper option could come from Saskatchewan, where former NFL runner Tre Mason ($2,500) will get a chance to split carries with Jerome Messam ($4,368).

Jeremiah Johnson ($6,493) should get the bulk of the carries for BC, but Fantasy players should be aware of how the Lions use their other backs in the rotation, whether it’s Brandon Rutley ($4,590) or Travon Van ($5,003).

With Ottawa’s Greg Ellingson off in Week 1, Toronto’s S.J. Green ($6,310) sits atop the receiver rankings. Green had two of his best Fantasy outings against Saskatchewan last season, scoring 12.8 FP in Week 6 before putting up 13.6 FP against the Riders in Week 16. Edmonton’s Derel Walker ($5,755) should be the featured pass catcher in the Eskimos’ attack, although pairing him with Reilly would eat up almost half of the $40,000 salary cap.

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Saskatchewan’s Naaman Roosevelt ($5,891) will need Zach Collaros ($6,598) to be effective at quarterback to justify his high place in the standings, while Hamilton’s trio of Brandon Banks ($8,075), Luke Tasker ($5,644) and Jalen Saunders ($4,435) will have some risk going against the stout pass defence of Calgary.

The best sleeper options at receiver will be Edmonton’s D’haquille Williams ($2,868) and Kenny Stafford ($3,229), while Toronto’s Anthony Coombs ($2,797) will have a chance to pick up where he left off before injuries slowed him down at midseason. Fellow Argonauts receiver Brian Tyms ($2,500) is well under the radar yet could provide a handsome reward for Fantasy players willing to gamble on him.

To no surprise, Calgary’s defence ($5,254) tops the pack. Despite some losses, the Stampeders will still be a tough nut for Hamilton’s offence to crack. BC’s defence is just $3,200 but is a bargain play against a Montreal offence that showed few signs of improvement during their two preseason games. Toronto ($3,248) is also undervalued as they get a Saskatchewan unit that will be breaking in a new starting quarterback.

Here are this week’s rankings:

QUARTERBACKS

RUNNING BACKS

RECEIVERS

TEAM DEFENCES