The quality discrepancy between the top and bottom teams in the USFL is becoming apparent after four weeks. The best teams are well-represented this week, and the worst are largely or entirely faded. Furthermore, quarterbacks, running backs and defenses/special teams are narrowed to two suggestions for each, while the wideouts and tight ends are a more vast collection of choices.
Quarterbacks
Alex McGough and McLeod Bethel-Thompson quarterback the two highest-scoring teams in the USFL. The Breakers have scored 125 points, and the Stallions have scored 124. They're both full-time quarterbacks, ceding no playing time to their backups.
In addition, both are playing well. MBT leads the USFL in passing yards per game (279.0). He's also tossed six touchdowns and thrown only two interceptions. As a result, Bethel-Thompson has the second-highest QBR (98.4) among quarterbacks who've attempted more than 25 passes this season.
Meanwhile, McGough has the highest QBR (106.0), the most touchdown passes (eight) and 191.0 passing yards per game. Although, McGough's passing yards per game improves to 232.0 in three starts. Birmingham's trigger man's value isn't limited to passing.
He's a dynamic runner, averaging 34.5 rushing yards per game and splashing paydirt twice. McGough's justifiably the highest-salaried quarterback and the top option. However, Bethel-Thompson is an exciting tournament pivot, namely if the touchdown distribution in scoring territory tilts from rushing touchdowns to passing ones.
The matchups and betting info is ideal for both quarterbacks. The Gamblers have allowed the most passing yards per game (230.8), and the Showboats have ceded the second-most passing yards per game (208.0). Finally, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Stallions have an implied total of 26.0 points as 4.5-point favorites against the Gamblers, and the Breakers have an implied total of 27.5 points as 7.0-point favorites against the Showboats.
Running Backs
Wes Hills is likely in the driver's seat for the MVP. He didn't play in Week 1. However, Hills is a revelation since then. In the previous three weeks, he's rumbled for 389 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Yet, Hills is also a weapon in the passing game, securing 13 receptions for 94 yards on 16 targets. Predictably, Hills' underlying usage is dreamy.
Hills is a matchup-proof monster. Nonetheless, the game script should be ideal since the Breakers are 7.0-point favorites, and the matchup is excellent. The Showboats have allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (130.8). As a result, Hills is the top DFS pick across all positions this week.
Trey Williams is a contrarian tournament pivot from Hills or a GPP option as the running back, with Hills in the flex. Darius Victor is New Jersey's top running back. However, he's averaging only 10.3 rush attempts per game, and Williams averages 7.0 attempts per game. Williams is fast enough to make the most of his limited touches in New Jersey's multi-prong rushing attack, averaging 6.8 yards per carry this season after averaging 4.9 yards per carry and 57.9 rushing yards per game for the Generals in 2022.
The matchup and betting info is everything DFS gamers could hope for, too. First, the Stars have allowed a USFL-high 148.8 rushing yards per game. Second, the Generals are 6.5-point favorites, and their implied total is 25.0 points. So, Williams has a tournament-worthy ceiling and a value salary.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Sage Surratt is the top pass-catcher in the USFL. Surratt has just one touchdown reception. However, he leads the USFL in receptions (26), receiving yards per game (87.8) and Yards After the Catch (218 YAC). Thus, Surratt is the top pass-catching option in DFS.
Dee Anderson is an intriguing cheaper piece of New Orleans's high-powered passing attack. Per Matt Gajewski, Anderson played 91.8% of the Breakers' snaps and had a 100% route participation rate last week. He parlayed the playing time into seven targets, four receptions and 43 receiving yards. Anderson also had three receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown on six targets in Week 3.
Jace Sternberger is the most desirable stacking option with McGough and has standalone appeal. The tight end's touchdown streak was snapped at three games last week when he had only one reception for five yards on four targets. Sternberger nearly had a touchdown, though. McGough threw a ball into the end zone in traffic, but Sternberger couldn't reel it in, diving for it and getting his fingers on it. Most important, Sternberger was a mainstay on the field and in routes last week.
The Gamblers have scored the third-most points (115) in the USFL and will be tasked with keeping pace against the Stallions. Their passing attack faces a mid-pack matchup, and Justin Hall and Anthony Ratliff-Williams are the most desirable pass-catching selections from the Gamblers. Hall is fifth in targets (27), tied for fourth in receptions (19), fourth in receiving yards per game (62.5), third in YAC and first in touchdown receptions (four) in the USFL.
Ratliff-Williams has efficiently hauled in 10 receptions on 13 targets. He's also second on the Gamblers in receiving yards per game (40.8) and touchdown receptions (two).
Derrick Dillon is a nifty punt or game-stack bring-back against the Breakers. His playing time and route participation was excellent last week. In addition, he's been targeted 14 times in his previous two games. So the usage should eventually pay off for Dillon.
Trey Quinn had only two receptions for eight scoreless yards last week. However, he had touchdowns in two of his first three games and at least three receptions and 32 receiving yards in each of those games. Quinn isn't likely to produce a blow-up game. Yet, his steady presence in Michigan's offense can allow him to provide DFS value at his tiny salary.
Philadelphia's defense is non-existent. The Generals might not need to throw at all. However, they should have an opportunity to move the ball easily through the air if they choose to, especially if Philadelphia's last-place run defense sells out to stop the run. As a result, Randy Satterfield and Braedon Bowman are tournament darts based on their underlying usage in Week 4.
Bowman is cheaper and more productive this season than Satterfield. New Jersey's tight end has eight receptions and averages 31.0 receiving yards per game, which is not too shabby for a minimum-salary player.
Satterfield has only three receptions and 17.0 receiving yards per game this season. Unfortunately, the most likely outcome from Satterfield this week is a non-relevant outing. Still, he did explode for five receptions, 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first game of the 2022 USFL season. So, Satterfield has that in his range of outcomes, albeit with a low likelihood of coming to fruition.
Defense and Special Teams
The Generals could have a massive defensive showing against the pass-first-but-can't-pass-protect Stars. New Jersey is favored by 6.5 points, leads the USFL in sacks (12.0) and Case Cookus has taken the most sacks (19.0) in the league, nine more than the second-highest total. So, they can feast on Philadelphia's pathetic offensive line if they're staked to a lead.
The Maulers are the best cheap defense. They've allowed only 19.8 points per game and coughed up the second-fewest yards per game (274.0). Pittsburgh has tallied 9.0 sacks, four interceptions and recovered three fumbles. Conversely, the Panthers have come crashing back to Earth after a hot start. Michigan has scored only 13 and 10 points in the previous two games. They've allowed three sacks during their two-game skid and turned the ball over five times.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.