DFS XFL DraftKings Lineup Advice Week
Week 1 is in the books and I don’t know you, but it was a bit rough. Everything we thought we knew, we knew nothing. I was lucky enough to break even last week due in large part to my exposure to the Defenders defense and QB Phillip Walker. Everything else was a nightmare. Let’s hope for better results this week.
This week’s XFL DFS podcast will still be Friday, but it will be a little later than usual due to my work schedule. We are shooting for an 11pm EST start time, hope you can tune in live but if not you can watch the replay on Saturday morning. We also do a Dynasty Show on Tuesday’s. You can subscribe and watch us here. And, we syndicated on all major podcast networks. Now let’s get to why you’re here…
Quarterbacks
| Explosive Play | My top play for the position |
| Deep Threat | A deep threat is a second or third tier player that will outperform their price on FanDuel/DraftKings. |
| Hail Mary | Also know as a punt, a Hail Mary is a cheap, low-owned player with a ton of upside. Great for GPP's. |
| Missed Tackle | A missed tackle is a first or second tier player that I’ll be fading in my contests. |
Explosive Play | Landry Jones (DAL) $9,500 @ LA
There is still no guarantee that Jones plays this week, but it’s looking promising as he practiced this week, albeit in limited fashion. We saw what Phillip Walker did to the Wildcats defense last week, dropping 270-plus yards and four TDs. It was so bad, the Wildcats defensive coordinator was fired after one game.
Deep Threat | Jordan Ta’amu (STL) $8,900 @ HOU
The Roughnecks proved last week that they could put up some points as they dropped 37 points on what was considered a good defense on paper. That should lead Ta’amu to pass more and have more overall possessions to put up fantasy points. Ta’amu is also currently the leagues third leading rusher with 77 yards on the ground in Week 1. This adds to hoe value.
Hail Mary | BJ Daniels $8,000
Brandon Silvers went down late last week and Daniels’ filled in, going o-for-1 in limited time. Silvers has yet to practice this week and it is looking more and more like Daniels will draw his first start. Daniels last played in the NFL as a running back and its that running ability you will count off if you decide to roster him.
Silvers is expected to play now, but Aaron Murray has now been ruled out. Pivot to Quinton Flowers at $7,500. He had value before Murray was ruled out, now he may be the chalk.
Missed Tackle | Matt McGloin (NY) $9,900 @ DC
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
McGloin was okay last week against a sub-par defense. This week he gets a much tougher opponent in the Defenders. I’d rather pay up a little for Cardale Jones or pay down for Landry.
Others I like:
- Phillip Walker $10,600
Running Backs
Explosive Play | Jhurell Pressley (DC) $7,000 vs. NY
Pressley had some tough sledding in Week 1, but the defenders still gave him 12 carries and the bulk of the work on the ground. The Guardians gave up over 140 yards on the ground last week, despite leading for most of the game.
Deep Threat | Nick Holley (HOU) $4,800 vs. STL
Holley is listed as an RB on DraftKings, but is in fact playing wide receiver for the Roughnecks. He had four catches on five targets for 50 yards in Week 1, and I expect a similar usage rate for Week 2.
Hail Mary | Christine Michael ((STL) $5,300 @ STL
Ugh. I know. It’s Christine Michael. A guy that has built a career around disappointing fantasy owners. But, with Matt Jones and Keith Ford missing practice, he may be forced into a lead role. He is more expensive than I would like, but sheer volume could make him viable.
Missed Tackle | Elijah Hood (LA) $6,500 vs. DAL
The Renegades, despite the loss last week, have a good defense, and Hood is too expensive for my taste.
Others I like:
- Kenneth Farrow $6,100
- Darius Victor $4,100
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Explosive Play | Nelson Spruce (LA) $10,400 vs. DAL
Boy, was I wrong on Spruce. I had him as my “Missed Tackle” last week and he went out and had 11 catches on 15 targets. That’s a lot for an NFL receiver, nevermind an XFL receiver. His QB threw the ball 40 times, and 15 of them went his way, that’s a 38 percent target share. My only concern would be his QB this week isn’t likely to be the same with Josh Johnson likely to return.
Deep Threat | De’Mornay Pierson-El (STL) $8,000 @ HOU
I mentioned above the Jordan Ta’amu may have to throw a ton in order to keep up with the Roughnecks offense, and Pierson is one of his favorite receivers and currently leads his team in receiving yards.
Hail Mary | Donald Parham (DAL) $3,200 @ LA
Parham is technically a TE, but his size and athleticism could help him see the end zone this week. He is playing an LA team that gave up four passing TDs last week.
Missed Tackle | Mekale McKay (NY) $10,200 @ DC
A combo of his price, combined with a bad matchup and the players priced around him, I won’t have a lot of McKay this weekend.
Others I like:
- Jeff Badet $8,700
- Jordan Smallwood $6,900
- Brandon Barnes $5,500
Defense
Explosive Play | DC Defenders $4,400 vs. NY
The Defenders looked like the best defense in the XFL in Week 1 scoring two defensive TDs. The Guardians had the luxury of playing one of the worst teams in the league, let’s see how they do against a good defense.
Deep Threat | Houston Roughnecks $3,400 vs. STL
The Roughnecks are going to score points and force the Wildcats to keep up and that will lead to turnovers.
Hail Mary | Seattle Dragons $3,000 $3,000 vs. TB
Not sure why the Dragons are priced as the cheapest defense, as they played pretty well last week against the Defenders for most of the game. But, at $3,000 and playing the worst offensive team, I’ll own a lot of this defense.
Missed Tackle | Dallas Renegades $4,800 @ LA
Renegades are still priced a little too high for my blood and the likely return of the Wildcats’ starting QB,Josh Johnson, makes me a little leery to start them.
Josh Johnson is a true GTD and backup Chris Kanoff has already been ruled out. If McClendon gets the start for the Wildcats, the Renegades defense is likely chalk.
Others I like: None
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
