The USFL standings are tight. The story of the 2023 season is parity. However, two running backs have distanced themselves from the DFS field as game-changing talents. In addition, the top quarterbacks are worth paying top dollar to use. Thankfully, some cheap pass-catchers and defenses allow gamers to use the highest-salaried quarterbacks and running backs.
Quarterbacks
The Stallions and Breakers open Week 7 with the most highly-anticipated game of the week. According to Caesars Sportsbook, the game's total of 45.5 points is the highest on the slate, and the Stallions are 1.5-point favorites. Thus, that's an excellent starting point for Alex McGough. In addition, Birmingham's starting quarterback is a DFS darling because of his unmatched dual-threat ability.
McGough has averaged 184.2 passing yards per game and tossed a USFL-high 12 touchdowns. However, his rushing ability has helped separate him from his peers. McGough has averaged the fifth-most rushing yards per game (49.3) and scored three rushing touchdowns. McGough's point-scoring prowess has resulted in 23.3 DK points per game, no less than 17.2 in a game this year and more than 23.0 three times.
Case Cookus is a viable pivot in tournaments. The Stars have attempted the second-most passes this year (203), and Cookus is second in passing yards per game (214.2). Sadly, he's thrown only five touchdowns and seven interceptions. However, Cookus was kept clean last week, avoiding any sacks.
He also adds value on the ground. Cookus ran for a season-high 43 yards last week. Cookus also had 21 rushing yards in Week 5 and 31 in Week 1. So, last week wasn't an entire outlier. If Philadelphia's line is gelling and can keep Cookus upright, he can recapture last year's form and make waves in DFS. It's a leap based on only one week of stellar play by the offensive line, but being proactive in tournaments can help a squad climb to the top.
Running Backs
Wes Hills and Mark Thompson have absurd and unmatched usage.
Hills and Thompson have parlayed their bell-cow roles into eye-popping production. The former has had over 100 scrimmage yards in four of five games, caught at least three passes five times, hauled in at least five receptions in the previous three games and scored eight touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Thompson has put Houston's offense on his back. The bruising runner has rumbled for 93.8 rushing yards per game and nine touchdowns in four contests. He's also chipped in eight receptions for 48 yards on eight targets. I have Hills ranked ahead of Thompson by a hair this week. However, they can be used together. Furthermore, it's possible to use McGough, Hills and Thompson without entirely sacrificing scoring potential at wide receiver, tight end and defense.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Corey Coleman is the most exciting high-salaried pass-catcher and the only featured stacking partner with Cookus. His speed and ability have stood out to even my untrained eye. The former first-round pick in the NFL Draft is third in the USFL in targets (46), tied for third in receptions (30), third in receiving yards per game (55.7) and has one touchdown reception.
Jace Sternberger is an excellent stacking choice with McGough, despite three consecutive lackluster efforts entering this week and drawing the ire of Skip Holtz on the sideline for not executing a play correctly. Nevertheless, Sternberger and McGough have chemistry, resulting in at least four targets for the pass-catching tight end every week. Sternberger is also a weapon in the red zone, hauling in three touchdowns and nearly reeling in a fourth in Week 4.
Birmingham has rotated through many receivers, reducing the floor for all of them. So they're not attractive options as standalone picks. However, Myron Mitchell and Adrian Hardy are stellar stacking options with McGough, doubling as salary relief to open the requisite cap space for the stud running backs.
Justin Hall is a high-end pivot from Thompson. If Memphis bottle up Houston's rushing attack, Hall can make them pay through the air. Hall is sixth in the league in targets (43), second in receptions (31), second in receiving yards per game (59.2), second in Yards After the Catch (237 YAC) and first in touchdown receptions (four).
Derrick Dillon stole the show last week on a 109-yard return for a score on a missed field goal. Don't be fooled, though. He's also an asset in Memphis's passing attack. Dillon has had four, six, eight, four and three targets in five games. Unfortunately, he's had more than 60 receiving yards only once. Yet, Dillon had a season-high 61 last week. Perhaps, he can build some momentum off last week's dynamic showing.
However, Dillon's teammate is the skeleton key that unlocks using McGough, Hills and Thompson on the same rosters. O'Grady had two targets, one reception and six receiving yards last week in his season debut. According to The Football Database, O'Grady had 45 targets, 32 receptions, 371 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 10 games for the Bandits in 2022. So, he's familiar with Todd Haley's offense and can quickly carve out a critical role in the passing attack.
Finally, Johnnie Dixon is the most mispriced player on the slate. The Breakers have attempted the most passes in the USFL this year, and Dixon is one of the club's top pass-catchers. He returned last week from a two-week absence and had five targets, four receptions, 32 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Defense and Special Teams
Saving salary on defense is paramount this week. Fortunately, the Stars and Generals are appealing bargain options. Philadelphia forced two turnovers and had two sacks last week against the Breakers after forcing four turnovers the week prior. They also had a fumble recovery and five sacks against Pittsburgh's lousy offense in Week 3.
The Generals didn't have a sack or force a turnover last week. Nevertheless, they held Houston's high-scoring offense to only 16 points and 211 yards. They'll have an easier assignment against Michigan's dreadful offense. New Jersey held them to 13 points, had one interception and had two sacks against their North Division foe in Week 3. Finally, the betting info is good. Per Caesars Sportsbook, the Generals are 6.5-point favorites, making them the biggest betting favorite this week.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
