The XFL playoffs begin this week. The Roughnecks and Renegades play on Saturday and the Defenders and Sea Dragons close the week on Sunday. The second game is more well-represented in the following picks because it should be a high-scoring shootout. Yet, there are a few intriguing options from the South Division Championship game.
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Quarterbacks
Jordan Ta'amu was a tough cut. Still, someone had to get the axe. Ben DiNucci is the more exciting option in the game's most fantasy-friendly contest. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), DiNucci was first in the XFL in passing yards (2,659), first in big-time throws (22) and second in passing touchdowns (20). DiNucci also had the second-most rushing yards (301) among quarterbacks, only one less than Ta'amu had.
The matchup and Seattle's offensive tendencies net DiNucci the top-QB honor this week. The Defenders allowed the most passing yards (2,803) in the XFL, nearly 300 more than the second-highest total. And the Sea Dragons attempted the most passes (376) in the league. So, it's a match made in heaven this week for DiNucci's DFS outlook.
Sometimes, venturing down the narrative street can pay off on a small slate like this. Brandon Silvers was put on ice in a meaningless game in Week 10. Yet, Silvers played poorly most of the season after a fast start. In his stead, Cole McDonald completed 10 of 11 passes for 120 yards and an interception.
The passing numbers are only part of the equation for McDonald, though. The dual-threat quarterback gashed the Renegades for 66 yards and a touchdown on eight rushes. He's been used as a running option throughout the year, and Houston's offense found some consistency in the final two weeks of the regular season by rushing successfully. They rumbled for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 25 attempts in Week 9 and 196 and two on 31 in Week 10 against the Renegades.
Will their late-season rushing success prompt offensive coordinator A.J. Smith to shake things up? Maybe. Furthermore, Wade Phillips has surprised the football universe before. The Bills went 10-5 with Doug Flutie in 1999. However, after Rob Johnson had a stellar showing in a meaningless Week 17 victory and started the following week in the playoffs, will Phillips make a similar bold change at quarterback this week? Silvers is listed as Houston's starter.
Still, it shouldn't be shocking if McDonald gets a chance and runs with it figuratively and literally.
Running Backs
Abram Smith is a workhorse. He was tied for the XFL lead in rushing touchdowns (seven) and alone in first for rush attempts (157) and rushing yards (789). The bruising runner averaged 5.0 yards per carry and forced 29 missed tackles as a runner. Smith toted the rock 28 times for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Sea Dragons this year and chipped in an 18-yard reception. DC's bread is buttered on the ground, and Smith will be fed as long as the game is close.
Max Borghi should have fresh legs after resting last week. The diminutive back had his most productive games as a runner in Week 9, though. He rushed 10 times for 74 yards and one touchdown, tying his season-high for rushing yards. Borghi ran for six touchdowns and added value through the air. The multi-faceted running back had 22 receptions or 136 yards on 25 targets and 76 routes this season.
Jeremy Cox is a risky pick. Yet, it's not difficult to envision him making waves again this week after emerging from nowhere last week to trounce the Renegades for 120 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 attempts. He had one attempt before last week. Nevertheless, Cox is a bruising runner who showed out against this week's opponent in the season finale. He's listed as the co-third-string running back for the Roughnecks, but XFL depth charts should be taken with a grain of salt.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
If DiNucci carves up the Defenders, his wideouts will eat. Since Week 7, Juwan Green (291), Josh Gordon (246) and Jahcour Pearson (222) were second, third and fourth in receiving yards among players on the four teams in the playoffs. Pearson and Green had three receiving touchdowns, and Gordon had one. In the two games in the regular season against DC, Pearson was first on the Sea Dragons in targets (20) and receptions (17) and second in receiving yards (129), adding a touchdown for good measure. Green had eight receptions for a team-high 146 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Gordon had 10 receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets. All are excellent picks as stacking options or one-off selections.
Sadly, Jordan Veasy had only five targets, two receptions and 22 scoreless yards against the Defenders in the regular season. Still, he was third on Seattle in routes (117) from Week 7 through Week 10. Therefore, Veasy's an integral part of Seattle's passing attack and could pop up as a useful DFS option.
Chris Blair was a monster down the stretch. In the final four weeks of the regular season, he had the most receiving yards (401) among players on the four playoff teams. Blair had 25 targets, 14 receptions and two touchdowns. Thus, he's a much more attractive option than Lucky Jackson, even before accounting for the salary discount.
Josh Hammond is also an attractive piece from DC's passing attack. In the last four weeks of the regular season, he had 20 targets, 15 receptions, 175 receiving yards and one touchdown on 91 routes.
Tyler Vaughns is the best bargain pick at any position on this slate. In Luis Perez's three starts for the Renegades, Vaughns was first on the club in targets (18), receptions (14) and receiving yards (148). Vaughns had at least four receptions in each game and produced 52, 63 and 33 receiving yards from Week 8 through Week 10. So, he's a steady contributor.
Tavonn Salter is yet another dice roll from the Roughnecks. Justin Smith hasn't stepped up on the perimeter in the absence of Jontre Kirklin. Smith was basically running wind sprints, surpassing 50 receiving yards only two times and catching more than two passes twice. Conversely, Salter had six targets, four receptions and 47 receiving yards in his only extensive action of the season last week. Could he siphon some perimeter routes from Smith? Maybe.
Defense and Special Teams
Houston's defense has the softest matchup this week. Additionally, they were elite at forcing turnovers and recording sacks. The Roughnecks forced 21 turnovers and led the XFL in sacks, dropping enemy quarterbacks 35 times, nine more than the second-best team.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.