Fun with Fantasy Numbers recaps a Week 3 that was all about receivers and the pivots that throw to them:
Excellence in Edmonton: Shock of all shocks, Mike Reilly was near the top of the Fantasy points rankings, putting up 28.9 FP in the Eskimos’ win over the Lions, but it was receiver D’haquille Williams taking top honors with 28.9 FP. Williams, who has consecutive games of at least 20 FP, was only the seventh-most used receiver in this week’s TSN CFL Fantasy game, as 3,432 players cashed in on the Eskimos’ newest breakout receiver.
Fantasy Analysis: Williams’ salary continues to climb ($4,956), but he remains a bargain entering Saturday’s game at Toronto. He’s a top-end WR1 that faces an Argonauts pass defence that was dominated by Bo Levi Mitchell in their Week 2 loss against the Stampeders.
Look, It’s CJ! After a pair of sluggish games, Eskimos running back C.J. Gable broke out with 165 yards and a touchdown on Friday, finishing with 24.2 FP, making him the only runner in the top 10. Gable was the 12th most-used player (fifth among backs) at 4,047, a clear sign Fantasy players kept the faith.
Fantasy Analysis: Once again, it’s safe to use Gable, who reminded everyone why he is an RB1. Expect another solid effort this week, especially if the Eskimos get him more involved in the passing game.
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Naaman Roosevelt enjoyed his first big game of the season, notching a touchdown vs. Montreal (CFL.ca)
The Thrifty 30: One of Week 3’s surprises came out of the Hamilton backfield, where Sean Thomas-Erlington ripped off 92 yards rushing in the Tiger-Cats victory over the Blue Bombers on Friday. Thomas-Erlington finished with a respectable 9.2 Fantasy points, not too shabby for a back who had only 30 Fantasy players plug him into their roster (was coach June Jones one of them? Just asking…).
Fantasy Analysis: Although Mercer Timmis outpointed him with 13.3 FP, Thomas-Erlington is now a factor in the Hamilton running game. He’s trending upward but is nothing more than a risky Flex play against a rugged Roughriders defence on Thursday night. Timmis is going to get the goal line touches, but Fantasy players can’t count on him scoring twice after rushing for only 13 yards.
Lethal Weapon 3: Tiger-Cats receiver Brandon Banks had the third-highest point total of Week 3 with 24.3 FP, while fellow wideout Terrence Toliver (20.4) was ninth and Jalen Saunders placed 16th with 16.7 FP. Pivot Jeremiah Masoli recorded his eighth straight game of at least 300 yards passing yet had a modest 17.4 FP as he threw only one touchdown and tossed a pair of interceptions.
Fantasy Analysis: Saskatchewan’s pass defence is tough, but Fantasy players cannot ignore the Ticats receiving corps. Masoli is the hottest quarterback not named Reilly and if he’s throwing at will, rest assured at least two of the Hamilton receivers — including Luke Tasker — will threaten the 20 FP plateau.
4,837 People CAN be Wrong: Saskatchewan running back Jerome Messam fell to third on the Roughriders depth chart and did not record a carry in Saturday’s loss to Montreal. It still didn’t stop 4,837 Fantasy players from putting him on their Week 3 roster, making him the eighth most used performer, putting him ahead of a returning Marcus Thigpen (4,092).
Fantasy Analysis: The Riders backfield is a Mess, and the uncertainty at quarterback isn’t going to make things easier. Thigpen will go into Thursday’s game as the starter, but Fantasy players should start keeping an eye on Tre Mason, who led the Riders backs with nine touches on Saturday night. The former St. Louis Ram is perhaps the most complete of the Saskatchewan backs and will see his upward trending numbers (814 in Week 3) continue to hike once coach Chris Jones gives him an extensive opportunity.
Tre Mason could be the best option in a busy Riders’ backfield, but doesn’t come without risk (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)
About Those Riders QBs… Rookie David Watford finished Saturday’s loss to the Alouettes after Brandon Bridge was pulled following two interceptions. While Naaman Roosevelt (5,713 users, fourth highest of the week) had 20.8 FP to lead Saskatchewan, fellow wideout Shaquelle Evans’ 10.7 FP made him the only other player on the roster with double digit production.
Fantasy Analysis: No one can go far on a combined 7.3 Fantasy Points from the pivot. Perhaps the potential return of Duron Carter to the offence will help breathe life into the Riders passing game, but only Roosevelt can be counted on weekly. It might be best to stay away from Saskatchewan this week.
Wide Open Spaces: Eight of the top 11 Week 3 performers had “WR” next to their name, led by Williams and Banks. Montreal’s Chris Williams placed sixth with 21.8 FP, followed by Ottawa’s Greg Ellingson (21.7), Roosevelt, Toliver and Edmonton’s Kenny Stafford (19.2) and Calgary’s Kamar Jorden (18.8).
Fantasy Analysis: Week 4 should continue this trend, although Toronto running back James Wilder Jr. returns from an open week and faces an Eskimos defence that he lit up for 267 yards from scrimmage in his breakout Week 13 against them last season. James Franklin gets the start at quarterback in place of Ricky Ray, which puts the spotlight on Wilder to gin up an offence that has struggled in the early going.
You’re Starting Them WHY?
Finally, let’s look at the players who still made a Fantasy roster despite being injured or unlikely to play.
Zach Collaros, QB, SSK (Injured List), 522
James Wilder Jr. RB, TOR (Open week) 511
S.J. Green, WR, TOR (Open Week) 438
Ricky Ray, QB, TOR (Injured List), 165
Duron Carter, DB, SSK (Played on Defence), 142
For the record, Tiger-Cats quarterback Johnny Manziel trended down this week, as only 89 Fantasy players plugged him into their lineups.
