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USFL DraftKings DFS Primer: Week 4 (2022)

USFL DraftKings DFS Primer: Week 4 (2022)

Three weeks are in the books in the rebooted USFL season. As I’ve preached before, another week means more data to sift through for intelligent lineup picks. And, again, I’ve whittled my player pool to a narrower group than the week before. Finally, since DraftKings’ player salaries aren’t especially inhibitive to using who you want, don’t be afraid to leave lots of salary-cap space on the table when constructing rosters.

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Quarterbacks

Kyle Sloter leads the USFL in passing yards (657), attempts per game 37.7), and is fourth in touchdown passes (four) -- only one behind a three-way tie for first with five touchdown tosses. The former preseason stud has looked the part, and his passing volume is fantasy-friendly. Sadly, while nursing a myriad of injuries in the previous two games, he's run the ball just two times for one yard and a score. However, if he's a bit healthier this week, Sloter might add more value on the ground. In Week 1, he used his athleticism to rush for 30 yards on four attempts.

I have to tip my cap to Mike Riley. The veteran coach finally leaned more heavily into De'Andre Johnson in New Jersey's tandem quarterback situation. Johnson is an electrifying rusher, evidenced by scampering for 98 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and 94 yards and a score in Week 3. Johnson also passed for a season-high 130 yards last week. Unfortunately, there's still a risk Luis Perez will play if New Jersey is forced to play catch-up. Thankfully, Caesars Sportsbook lists them as the biggest favorites in Week 4, laying 9.5 points to the winless Maulers.

Last week, Philadelphia's offense was dealt a blow with starting quarterback Bryan Scott suffering a significant lower-body injury. Scott is out. Thankfully, Case Cookus flashed potential to lead their pass-happy offense, completing 13 of 20 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown in relief of Scott. The Stars are the league's most pass-heavy team, making Cookus an attractive option. Finally, after a full week of reps as the starter, he might be sharper running the offense this week.

Running Backs

Four of the USFL's top six rushers are on the table above. Mark Thompson's 310 yards lead the way, followed by Jordan Ellis's 243, Trey Williams' 198 are fourth, and Darius Victor's 156 are sixth. Additionally, as Ian Hartitz pointed out in his must-read Week 4 Power Rankings, Thompson's 253 yards after contact would pace the USFL.

Williams and Victor stand to benefit from the Generals' sizable-favorite status this week. Still, Williams is the more desirable option. According to Week 3 usage, Hartitz provided in his Week 3 recap, Wiliams played 60% of the snaps and had a 59% route-participation rate, easily besting Victor's 40% and 38% rates. Moreover, Williams has caught at least four passes in all three games, and he's cleared 90 scrimmage yards in two of three contests, with an adequate 56 yards in the outlier. Despite the less desirable usage, Victor is a touchdown vulture for a heavy favorite. So, he's a defensible pick.

Finally, Ellis is an attractive option if T.J. Logan is out again. Ellis played 80% of the snaps in Week 3. In addition, Larry Fedora has ridden him heavily on the ground, feeding him 18 rushes, 21 rushes, and 25 rushes in successive weeks. Finally, the Breakers are the second-biggest favorites (-4.5 points) this week, setting the stage for a good game script for Ellis.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Victor Bolden Jr. has been a target hog. The wideout's 33 targets are six clear of the second-highest total this year. He's parlayed his gaudy target total into a league-high 18 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown.

Johnnie Dixon is the USFL's leading receiver with 165 yards. He's also tied for first in touchdown receptions (three), second in receptions (16), and third in targets (25). Still, I also love his teammate, Jonathan Adams Jr. Unfortunately, Adams had a disappointing Week 3 after capturing the attention of USFL fans with an electrifying Week 2 showing. It's reasonable to expect a bounce back, especially since his Week 3 underlying numbers were excellent. Adams led New Orleans' receivers in snap share, route participation, and air yards (96).

I also love dynamic playmaker KaVontae Turpin and big-bodied wideout Jordan Suell. Turpin is a versatile player, hauling in eight of 12 targets for 101 yards, rushing seven times for 32 yards, and adding 139 yards on kick and punt returns. Obviously, you don't get fantasy points for his return yards. However, Turpin's return duties give him another avenue to score fantasy points via a touchdown if he can make a house call.

Finally, according to the wide receiver utilization table Dwain McFarland created, Suell has had a 99% route participation, 17% target share, a 10.9-yard average depth of target, and accounted for 31% of Philadelphia's air yards. Suell's usage has been mouthwatering. He also hauled in a 47-yard pass on Cookus's first attempt last week, converting a 3rd and 12. As a result, I'm excited about Suell's field-stretching potential with Cookus leading the offense.

Defense and Special Teams

All three defenses on the table are favored clubs. The Generals are the largest favorites (-9.5 points), the Breakers are the second-biggest favorites (-4.5 points), and the Stallions are the third-biggest favorites (-3.5 points). Thus, that's a great starting point for picking daily fantasy defenses. Additionally, according to Pro Football Focus's year-to-date grading, the Breakers have earned the second-highest pressure grade, and the Stallions have netted the highest pressure and coverage grade. New Jersey's grades haven't been as eye-catching, but the Maulers have been the league's worst team. So, I still like the Generals' defense in the best possible matchup.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.

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