It’s the first week of the new USFL season. DraftKings has rolled out their DFS product, and you can check out their scoring rules that mirror NFL classic contest scoring format. There’s a ton of uncertainty about depth charts, roles, and everything in between. As a result, the pools of players by position I’m touting below are deeper than they’ll likely be in the following weeks. Nevertheless, let the fun and speculation begin!
Quarterbacks
Out of the chute, it's the Jordan Ta'amu show at quarterback. He's a lock-button cash-game pick and an excellent selection in GPPs. Sadly, Kyle Sloter and Bryan Scott don't bring rushing potential to the table to match Ta'amu's rushing skills. However, as I mentioned in the Top USFL Bets for Week 1 piece over at Betting Pros, I expect them to go blow for blow in a shootout. As a result, for gamers multi-entering GPPs, firing a few bullets on Sloter and Scott in stacks with some of their pass-catching teammates makes sense.
Finally, if you're feeling adventurous, DeAndre Johnson is a burner at quarterback. However, it's unclear how the quarterback depth chart will shake out for the Generals. He's distinctly behind fellow GPP pivots Sloter and Scott. However, being contrarian can sometimes yield big winnings, and a run-centric offense spearheaded by Johnson is within New Jersey's offense's range of outcomes.
Running Backs
My favorite bets for three-down roles are B.J. Emmons, Stevie Scott III, and Garrett Groshek. However, Scott's receiving profile lags behind Groshek's, and I like Emmons' odds of being involved in the passing game of a Todd Haley-led offense better as well. Therefore, I like Emmons and Groshek more than Scott. However, if you believe in Jeff Fisher and the Panthers, then Scott makes sense as the team's big-bruising hammer.
Meanwhile, Darnell Holland, Mike Weber, and T.J. Logan are speedsters I think can make the most of sharing backfield work through efficiency. In addition, I'm not entirely out on the potential for Holland handling the lion's share of his backfield's work. Holland is an explosive athlete who rushed 28 times for 149 yards and a touchdown, adding six receptions for 144 yards and two scores through the air in The Spring League (TSL) in 2021.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
The Stars (three) and Breakers (three) are well represented in the table above. Again, I think the Stars and Breakers is the game most likely to produce fireworks. So, it makes sense to game stack with the pass-catchers or stack them with their respective quarterbacks.
The Bandits are another team I expect to be one of the top-scoring offenses in Week 1. Further, using Derrick Willies or Jordan Lasley with Ta'amu is a correlation play. Obviously, Ta'amu's rushing ability makes him a viable naked option. However, he should do damage through the air as well.
Isaiah Zuber is attached to an offensive-minded head coach, Kevin Sumlin. He's my top pick in their receiving room to garner looks, making him a stellar selection. At the bottom of the table, I'm intrigued by Sage Surratt. The former productive college wideout is listed as a tight end. He could feast if the Stallions use him in that capacity and the Generals attempt to defend him with linebackers and safeties. However, he was popped in the supplemental draft and not early at that. So, he might ride the pine and post a bagel.
Defense and Special Teams
I suggest saving money on defense. As a result, none of the three highest-priced defenses are on the table. The Generals and Stallions have two of the worst quarterback rooms in the league. Therefore I'm expecting an ugly defensive slugfest in their Week 1 matchup filled with defensive point-scoring goodness.
Since I expect the Bandits to hang points on the Maulers in Week 1, their defense could be positioned to pin their ears back and get after Kyle Lauletta or Josh Love in obvious passing situations.
Finally, as I noted when touting the Gamblers +3.5 points, Fisher and his offensive coordinator Eric Marty are a combination that sounds the death knell for a creative modern offense. I'll be shocked if the Panthers impress on offense in Week 1. Therefore, why not spin down to the cheapest defense on the slate?
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
