It’s a sprint to the finish line in a highly-competitive 2023 USFL campaign. Playoff berths are up for grabs in both divisions. So, motivation isn’t an issue for any team. Still, two hot teams meet this week in what could be a fantasy-friendly showing, and both clubs are well-represented in this week’s DFS primer. They’re not alone, though. Everyone is represented this week, albeit two teams don’t appear until the defense and special teams section.
Quarterbacks
The Stallions and Stars square off in a rematch of last year's USFL Championship Game. They lit up the scoreboard, and this week's rematch has the highest total at 46.0 points, per DraftKings Sportsbook. Obviously, that's an excellent starting point for the triggermen of those respective clubs.
Alex McGough is rightfully the highest-salaried quarterback. He averages 22.7 points per game and scores fantasy points with his arm and legs. McGough has rushed for at least 22 yards in six of seven contests, reaching at least 48 four times. He's also scored as a runner in four games.
McGough's not a slouch through the air, either. The dual-threat quarterback is fourth in passing yards per game (183.0), second in passing yards per attempt (7.2) among quarterbacks with at least 80 attempts this season and first in passing touchdowns (13). McGough's also thrown only three interceptions and taken an acceptable 13 sacks. He's matchup-proof and has the highest floor and ceiling at the position, making him the ideal pick in cash games and an excellent choice in tournaments, too.
Case Cookus is also a superb GPP selection. Philadelphia's offensive line has stepped up its play recently. As a result, Cookus was sacked only once in the past two games. Cookus has bookmarked this year with his two best fantasy efforts, scoring 23.6 DK points in Week 1 and 19.2 in Week 7. He's passed for at least 235 yards in back-to-back games and settled into a groove as a rusher, rumbling for more than 20 yards in three straight and totaling 92 since Week 5.
Finally, the matchup isn't too shabby. The Stallions have yielded the third-most passing yards per game (196.1) and recorded only three interceptions. So, Cookus is an exciting GPP pivot from McGough.
Running Backs
Wes Hills and Mark Thompson are bell-cow running backs. The former has at least 21 touches in all six games he's played this year. Meanwhile, Thompson has at least 14 touches in the five games he's suited up. Hills has a passing-game usage advantage, while Thompson's been a touchdown-scoring machine. Hills has at least three receptions every game and at least five targets five times. And Thompson has scored every week since his debut in Week 3, producing multiple touchdowns in four contests and totaling 11 in five games.
Both backs should have positive game scripts. In fact, the Breakers and Gamblers are each 3.0-point favorites. One decided advantage Hills has over Thompson is a matchup against Michigan's lousy run defense. The Panthers have allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (115.3), and the Maulers have surrendered the fewest (77.6). As a result, Hills is a more attractive pick than Thompson and a no-brainer choice in cash games. However, it's possible to use Hills and Thompson together with Cookus. Unlike last week, it's essentially impossible to use the two workhorse running backs with McGough while leaving enough cap space to flesh out a decent lineup, though.
Thankfully, the middle tier is more appealing this week than in previous weeks. C.J. Marable is the rare running back playing with a mobile quarterback who garners targets. Marable has at least three targets in five of seven games. Furthermore, he's exceeded 20 touches in back-to-back games, rushing for 186 yards and securing nine receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.
In addition, Marable's matchup is good. The Stars have coughed up the most rushing yards per game (131.9).
Matt Colburn has also seen his workload spike lately. The speedy running back had a season-high 20 rushes and 82 rushing yards last week, punching the ball into the endzone on the ground twice. He also had five targets, two receptions and 13 receiving yards. Colburn has had at least 15 touches in the previous three games and 75 scrimmage yards and 95 in the past two games.
And, like Marable, Colburn has a good matchup. Birmingham has ceded the second-most rushing yards per game (127.0) this season. Finally, since Marable and Colburn are targeted in the passing game, it's acceptable to break the golden rule of not rostering running backs on opposing teams.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jace Sternberger is the top stacking option with McGough. The two seem to have a mind meld in scoring territory, resulting in four touchdown receptions in seven games. The pass-catching tight end snapped a three-game streak of failing to score a touchdown when he hauled one in last week. Sadly, Sternberger is primarily touchdown dependent since he's had 41 receiving yards or fewer in five straight games. Still, Sternberger showcased his high ceiling in the first two games this year, producing five receptions, 62 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 1 before exploding for five receptions, 127 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 2. Regardless, Sternberger is best used as a stacking option with McGough than as a standalone selection.
Birmingham rotates through receivers and spreads the ball around. Thus, Adrian Hardy and Myron Mitchell are viable punts, albeit with low floors.
Corey Coleman is the premier stacking option with Cookus in Philadelphia's ascending offense. Coleman is tied for third in the USFL in targets (52), tied for second in receptions (34) and second in receiving yards (409). The speedster has also secured two touchdowns.
Devin Gray has matched Coleman in targets (52) and receptions (34). He's also sixth in receiving yards (336) in the USFL. So, Gray is still on the same wavelength as Cookus in their second season playing together.
Pro Wells is a defensible punt in stacks with Cookus or as a one-off. He's not a flashy player, but he's chipped in as an ancillary pass-catching option, securing 12 receptions for 124 receiving yards on 14 targets. Fortunately, Wells's role has increased after a quiet start to the season. He had only five targets, five receptions and 38 receiving yards through the first four weeks. During Philadelphia's three-game winning streak, he's had nine targets, seven receptions and 86 receiving yards. Wells would payoff as a punt if he can clear 5.0 DK points for the third time in four weeks and would be an exceptional value if he found paydirt in a potential shootout.
Trey Quinn has emerged as a consistent weapon for the Panthers. He's had at least six targets four times in his last five games, clearing 60 yards three times and scoring a touchdown twice. Quinn also has a 108-yard effort on his ledger. Quinn averages a rock-solid 4.0 receptions and 49.0 receiving yards per game. He's also scored three touchdowns.
Johnnie Dixon is the best value on the slate again. In Week 7, he led the Breakers in targets (12) and receiving yards (97) and tied Jonathan Adams for the team lead in receptions (six). Dixon has had at least 13.2 DK points in three of five games played this year. Frankly, his salary should be on par with Adams's $8,500. Since it's not, gamers shouldn't look this gift horse in the mouth. Dixon is a cash-game lock and an excellent choice in tournaments.
Derrick Dillon is another underpriced player. He has blazing straight-line speed, and Memphis prioritizes getting the ball in his hands. Dillon had six targets and a carry in Week 7, turning his opportunities into two receptions, 72 receiving yards, one touchdown reception and 11 rushing yards. Dillon also can spring a return for a touchdown, evidenced by his 109-yard missed field goal return in Week 6. Dillon's a big play waiting to happen with a steady role in the offense, evidenced by having at least six targets in three of the past five weeks.
Defense and Special Teams
The Gamblers have the softest matchup of the week, facing Pittsburgh's woefully inept offense. The Maulers have turned the ball over seven times in the previous three weeks and surrendered 10 sacks.
Pittsburgh's defense deserves better than to be weighed down by their struggling offense. The Maulers allow the fewest yards per game (259.7). They've held opponents to only 19.9 points per game, recorded 17 sacks and forced 13 turnovers. Their special teams are also notable for DFS, producing a kickoff return for a touchdown and a punt return for a touchdown. They also came up one yard short of scoring another touchdown on a punt return last week. As a result, they're the top defense under $4,000.
Using Pittsburgh's DST on teams using Thompson at running back doesn't make much sense. So instead, pivoting to the Generals is a better move. New Jersey allows the fewest points per game (18.3) and the second-fewest yards per game (263.9). They also have 17 sacks and six forced turnovers.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.