CFL best bets: Emerging receiver enters the Lions’ den

On the eve of Independence Day in the United States, our neighbors to the north continue their celebration of Canada Day Weekend with the CFL’s first Monday matchup of the season. It features a battle of unbeatens, as the 2-0 Toronto Argonauts are playing host to the 3-0 BC Lions. This is another game that can be seen on the CBS Sports Network, and a particular player prop has caught our attention:

The bet: Under 49½ receiving yards for Toronto Argonauts wide receiver Damonte Coxie (FanDuel)

After averaging more than 1,200 yards a season for Memphis in 2018 and 2019, Coxie harbored pro aspirations that weren’t realized until he arrived in Toronto last year. He broke out in the Argos’ first game of this season, obliterating his previous career highs with six receptions for 133 yards.

But that performance came against a Hamilton Tiger-Cats defense that allows 295 passing yards per game. Coxie was much less of a factor in last week’s win over the stingier Edmonton Elks, turning his only target into 33 yards. Now he must contend with a lockdown BC secondary that has held opponents to just 161 yards per contest.

As an outside receiver, Coxie certainly poses a vertical threat, but he figures to be a ways down the pecking order for quarterback Chad Kelly. Kurleigh Gittens Jr., who topped 1,100 yards last season, is returning from injury, and fellow slotbacks DaVaris Daniels and Cam Phillips will get plenty of looks as well.

With Toronto likely to stay committed to its league-best ground game, we’re taking a stand against the fourth receiving option.