Last Updated: February 9th at 1:39pm ET
NEWS UPDATES
UPDATE Sunday 1:39 pm ET: Chase Litton, Ryan Davis, DeAndre Goolsby, Justice Liggins, Matt Colburn, and Keenan Brown are the full list of offensive skill position inactives for the Tampa Bay Vipers @ New York Guardians game.
* Friday 7:58pm ET: Jazz Ferguson (thigh, hand) has been removed from the injury report and it appears he will play. He remains listed behind Freddie Martino on the depth chart. Both will be thinner plays if Phillip Nelson or Eric Dungey end up starting, which is currently our expectation.
UPDATE Saturday 10:11am: A report says Jazz Ferguson “won’t get too many reps.” It’s good news for Martino and Flynn Nagel, but Phillip Nelson is a big downgrade on Landry Jones.
* Saturday 1:19pm ET: Landry Jones (knee) will officially be the No. 3 QB Sunday. Phillip Nelson will start and Eric Dungey will back him up.
* Friday 7:58pm ET: Jeff Badet (thigh) was added to the injury report Friday as “limited” with a thigh injury. He’s listed probable. Badet remains a Tier 1 play for us, but his outlook has been weakened by Phillip Nelson starting, this thigh issue and Jazz Ferguson’s return to health.
UPDATE Saturday 10:11am: A report says Badet “should be fine.” Plus Jazz Ferguson is not expected to play very much. Our only concern on Badet at this point is QB play with Landry Jones looking doubtful and Phillip Nelson starting.
* Saturday 4:02pm ET: The Wildcats have still not named a starting QB. We suspect it will be Charles Kanoff, but we expect him to rotate heavily with Jalan McClendon. It’s a situation to avoid on 4-game slates. In 2-game slates, we’d go Kanoff if forced.
* Saturday 4:51pm ET: Tre McBride (thigh) is out.
DFS is a game of partial information, and XFL DFS takes that to an extreme. This is a brand new league with some new rules and a slew of relatively unknown players. We don’t have reliable beat writers for each team and the injury information will be spotty. This article is an attempt to provide clarity to those looking for the best plays on the XFL DFS slate. Please note that there is a lot of guesswork involved in creating this column, and we suggest you use it as a starting point and combine it with your own research and judgement.
Typically, players who make our Top Plays have a strong combination of a confirmed role with health and relative talent. Tier 1 plays we consider to be more viable for head-to-head and 50/50 contests, while lower tiers tend to be more of tournament considerations. Much of the information we consider to be of critical importance will be conveyed in this article, but we recommend monitoring our Team-by-Team Depth Charts which will also contain a ton useful information.
Finally, we recommend that you watch or listen to our Live Show for some more context on these plays. The replay and audio download is available here.
Editor’s Note: DraftKings refers to the 4-game main slate. Fanduel refers to the 2-game “Saturday Only” or “Sunday Only” slates. The plays are ordered within the tiers, but we consider them very close in value.
* Denotes an uncertain injury situation
QUARTERBACK
TIER 1
Phillip Walker, HOU ($7,800 DK, $18 FD) — Won a camp battle against Connor Cook. Now has the keys to June Jones’ true run-n-shoot offense — the Roughnecks aren’t even carrying a tight end and will be in 4-WR shotgun as a base. Walker also benefits from a very strong WR corps led by Sammie Coates, Kahlil Lewis and Cam Phillips.
Cardale Jones, DC ($10,200 DK, $20 FD) — Former national champ at Ohio State impressed last NFL preseason for Chargers. Has deep and talented WR corps now, even without DeAndre Thompkins (out, foot). Cardale has a solid 31-191-1 rushing line on 421 career NFL preseason snaps.
TIER 2
Aaron Murray, TB ($9,000 DK, $18 FD) — Struggled in AAF last spring, but coaching staff on Atlanta Legends was a mess. Gets big upgrade this year in Marc Trestman, endboss of the CFL coaching streets and a huge pass-game proponent. Concerns on Murray include those AAF struggles plus a matchup against top XFL CB Jamar Summers of the Guardians.
Jordan Ta’amu, STL ($8,700 DK, $17 FD) — Athletically gifted QB who beat out NFL vet Taylor Heinicke for starting job. Underwhelmed at Ole Miss despite having both AJ Brown and DK Metcalf. Still, rushing ability adds a nice floor.
Matt McGloin, NY ($9,700 DK, $19 FD) — Right there with Landry Jones for best passer in the XFL. Fantasy outlook takes a hit with two of his top WRs (Tanner Gentry, DeAngelo Yancy) sidelined. Also not a runner. Still, has clear path to 300-yard bonus and a go-to stacking target in Mekale McKay.
* Phillip Nelson, DAL ($8300 DK, $16 FD) — Landry Jones has been battling a knee issue for last month and will not play. Nelson will start and be backed up by Eric Dungey. Nelson was poor in the AAF last season and is a sizable downgrade off of Jones. Nelson rushed just 16 times for 82 yards in four AAF starts. Still, the offensive scheme is elite and Nelson will be working with strong weapons.
TIER 3
Brandon Silvers, SEA ($8,000 DK, $16 FD) — Won a camp battle against BJ Daniels. Silvers was impressive in the AAF, but has very little rushing ability, arguably the league’s worst set of pass-catchers and an uninspiring coaching staff. His No. 1 WR, Kasen Williams (quad) is out this week.
RUNNING BACK
TIER 1
Cameron Artis-Payne, DAL ($6,800 DK, $19 FD) — The No. 20 overall pick in the XFL Draft was highly productive at Auburn and lasted four years in NFL with Carolina Panthers. The unquestioned feature back for one of the XFL’s best offenses, especially with Lance Dunbar’s status unclear.
TIER 2
Elijah Hood, LA ($7,500 DK, $20 FD) — Wildcats used the No. 8 overall pick on Hood and have installed 31-year-old Dujuan Harris as his backup. Hood, who was very productive at North Carolina, has paths one of the biggest RB workloads on the slate. Roughnecks defense does not project as their strength.
Jhurrell Pressley, DC ($7,900 DK, $18 FD) — The No. 17 overall pick in the XFL Draft is one of the league’s best athletes at the RB position. He was also one of the AAF’s most productive RBs last spring. Now he has the clear lead back job — only reason he’s not Tier 1 is the threat of Donnel Pumphrey stealing some pass-down work.
De’Veon Smith, TB ($6,300 DK, $16 FD) — Feature back size (5’11/223) and caught 35 passes over final two years at Michigan. We’re expecting the Vipes to use a committee at running back, but Smith will lead it. Doesn’t hurt that Quinton Flowers is listed as a QB and missed some practice time with tooth/family issues.
Christine Michael, STL ($8,400 DK, $18 FD) — BattleHawks used the No. 6 overall pick on Michael. Always long on talent but short on production, he’ll be the feature back with Matt Jones mixing in some.
TIER 3
Andre Williams, HOU ($3,800 DK, $19 FD) — Andre Williams has one of the worst sets of hands in professional football. His senior year at Boston College he had an unheard of 355 carries and caught 0 passes. That said, he has great power and explosiveness — the question is how he fits in June Jones’ run-n-shoot. We expect Williams to get some early-down work and all the goal-line carries, but lose pass-down work to De’Angelo Henderson.
TIER 4
Ja’Quan Gardner, SEA ($3600 DK, $9 FD) — Shockingly listed atop depth chart even though Kenneth Farrow was taken 10th overall and Trey Williams was taken 7th overall. Bottom line is we expect a full-blown 3-man committee for one of the worst-coached and least-talented teams in the league.
Kenneth Farrow, SEA ($7,200 DK, $17 FD) — Was one of AAF’s most productive backs last season and was taken 10th overall in XFL draft. But isn’t even listed on top of depth chart. Expect a three-RB committee for the Dragons in a difficult spot at DC.
Tim Cook, NY ($6,100 DK, $17 FD) — Expecting him to lead a committee which will also feature Darius Victor. Cook was not a pass-catcher in the AAF last season, seeing three targets in seven games.
De’Angelo Henderson, HOU ($4,500 DK, $13 FD) — The lightning behind Andre Williams’ thunder. Henderson is a talented player and plus pass-catcher who fits nicely in June Jones’ run-n-shoot. But Williams is the no-doubt starter and goal-line back.
WIDE RECEIVER AND TIGHT END
TIER 1
Sammie Coates, HOU ($9,300 DK, $20 FD) — A former third-round NFL pick with the physical attributes to tear through the XFL. Was the No. 18 overall pick in the XFL Draft and enters June Jones’ pass-centric run-n-shoot as the No. 1 wideout. Coates, Kahlil Lewis and Cam Phillips will all be every-down players.
Mekale McKay, NY ($9,900 DK, $17 FD) — The No. 14 overall pick in the XFL Draft gets a boost with both Tanner Gentry and DeAngelo Yancy sidelined by injury. The 6-foot-4 McKay is talented, has a secure role and has one of the slate’s best passers as his QB.
Kahlil Lewis, HOU ($4,100 DK, $16 FD) — Lewis was selected 12th overall in the XFL Draft, ahead of Sammie Coates. He’ll be an every-down player in one of the league’s most pass-centric offenses. Price on DraftKings is laughable.
Jeff Badet, DAL ($8,800 DK, $16 FD) — Badet, who ran a 4.27 at his Oklahoma Pro Day, may be the fastest receiver in the XFL. It also helps that teammate Jazz Ferguson (hand, thigh) is expected to play limited snaps. Badet’s thigh issue is not expected to limit him. The only reason he’s not at the top of this tier is Phillip Nelson, not Landry Jones, will start.
TIER 2
Malachi Dupre, DC ($3,000 DK, $18 FD) — With DeAndre Thompkins (foot) out, Dupre is considered the No. 1 wideout for DC. Sources told us Rashad Ross and Eli Rogers were behind Dupre/Thompkins and that was confirmed by the team’s depth chart. Expect the Defenders’ 3-WR set to be Dupre, Ross and slot man Rogers.
Reece Horn, TB ($3,400 DK, $13 FD) — Impressed in AAF last spring, finishing with the league’s fourth-most receiving yards. Our favorite Tampa wideout on this slate, slightly ahead of Daniel Williams and Jalen Tolliver.
Keenan Reynolds, SEA ($8,100 DK, $13 FD) — Reynolds is the all-time NCAA touchdown leader as a triple-option QB at Navy. He’s since been a WR, flaming out with the Ravens. With Kasen Williams (quad) out, Alonzo Moore (hip) questionable and very little pass-catching talent on Seattle, we expect Reynolds to serve as the No. 1 WR for Brandon Silvers. Reynolds also has gadget-play and double-forward pass appeal.
Rashad Ross, DC ($10,400 DK, $15 FD) — Despite insane production in NFL preseasons and AAF, Ross was traded from LA to DC straight up. And then sources told us he was behind DeAndre Thompkins and Malachi Dupre. But with Thompkins (foot) out, Ross projects to play opposite Dupre with Eli Rogers in the slot. Major ceiling, but team’s lack of confidence and price are concerns.
Nelson Spruce, LA ($8,500 DK, $14 FD) — Spruce was a production machine and volume monster at Colorado and in the AAF. Spruce would be much higher on this list if Josh Johnson was starting. However, our current expectation is that wildly unproven thrower Jalan McClendon will start. That’s a big concern.
TIER 3
Cam Phillips, HOU ($5,100 DK, $13 FD) — The GPP pivot in Houston’s WR corps. He’s the No. 3 behind Sammie Coates and Khalil Lewis, but will still be on the field for every snap. Phillips was extremely productive during his college career at Virginia Tech.
Eli Rogers, DC ($9,100 DK, $13 FD) — Rogers is a bit of a question mark heading into Week 1. He is a bit further down the DC depth chart than we would like but he has one of the best NFL pedigrees in the league at receiver. With Deandre Thompkins out, Rogers role becomes more secure. We expect him to be Cardale Jones’ slot man, lining up between Malachi Dupre and Rashad Ross.
De’Mornay Pierson-El, STL ($6,200 DK, $15 FD) — Jordan Ta’amu’s slot man and No. 1 wideout. Impressed in AAF last spring, tying for the 3rd-most catches in the league. Projects for more volume than teammates L’Damian Washington and Alonzo Russell.
Daniel Williams, TB ($3,000 DK, $16 FD) — Depth charts suggest he won a starting job in camp, somewhat surprisingly beating out Seantavius Jones. We’re a bit skeptical, but Williams did go 17-164-1 over final three games in AAF last season.
TIER 4
Jalen Tolliver, TB ($3,200 DK, $18 FD) — The No. 28 overall pick in the XFL Draft is listed ahead of Seantavius Jones, who went 12th overall. We fear a bit of a production-crippling rotation between Williams, Tolliver and Jones. But Williams and Tolliver project as low-owned, cheap options with ceilings.
Nick Truesdell, TB ($6,900 DK, $14 FD) — We aren’t required to play a tight end on either site. But Truesdell operates more like a WR, as evidenced by the 80 balls he caught in the Arena League in 2015. Also went 24-269-3 in AAF last season. Perhaps most importantly, Marc Trestman is clearly high on Truesdell as he spent the No. 5 overall pick on him.
Teo Redding, NY ($3,200 DK, $10 FD) — A thin play given that he was listed as a backup on the Guardians’ “official” depth chart. But previous reports had Redding running as a starter in practice.
Jordan Smallwood, LA ($3,000 DK, $19 FD) — NFL-style frame and projected for an every-down role opposite Nelson Spruce. But takes big hit with Jalan McClendon expected to start.
* Freddie Martino, DAL ($3,000 DK) — Martino is listed as a starter opposite Jeff Badet on the official depth chart. That’s likely because Jazz Ferguson (thigh, hand) is questionable. If Ferguson ends up inactive, we’ll feel good about Martino in an every-down role for this Air Raid offense. We’ll feel better about Martino as a GPP play if Landry Jones (knee) ends up starting.
TIER 5
Flynn Nagel, DAL ($3900 DK, $17 FD) — Expected to be the slot man in Dallas’ Air Raid. Nagel is small and a bit slow, but was highly productive at Northwestern in 2018. Sneaky bet for volume Sunday as long as Landry Jones (knee) starts. Still in play with Phillip Nelson expected to start, but floor/ceiling both take a hit.
Colby Pearson, NY ($5300 DK, $13 FD) — The Guardians’ WR depth chart has been fluid, but mainstays in the top-3 have been Mekale McKay and Pearson. Expect him to be Matt McGloin’s slot man in 3-WR sets.
Austin Proehl, SEA ($5100 DK, $14 FD) — With Kasen Williams (quad) out and Alonzo Moore (hip) questionable, the Dragons are really thin at wideout. The son of Ricky Proehl projects for an every-down slot role.
DEFENSE
TIER 1
Houston ($3200) — Roughnecks defense lacks NFL-quality talent, but they are expected to face Jalan McClendon. McClendon could be the No. 3 QB before long once Josh Johnson gets healthy and Chad Kanoff gets up to speed.
Washington DC ($4200) — Brandon Silvers is dealing with one of the league’s worst coaching staffs and set of pass-catchers.
TIER 2
Los Angeles ($3500) — We like Phillip Walker, but he’s struggled in preseason and projects for the most dropbacks on the slate. Guardians have arguably the best defensive talent in the league.
Dallas ($4700) — Expensive, but Jordan Ta’amu’s struggles despite having elite talent while at Ole Miss are well documented.
TIER 3
* St. Louis ($3100) — Only worth Tier 3 value if Phillip Nelson, not Landry Jones, ends up starting.
