Now that we’ve got a bit more information on the XFL, we can start to make some smarter decisions and find some better matchups for your fantasy teams this weekend. Here’s a few sleepers we like to help fill out your draft this weekend.
Quarterbacks
Taylor Cornelius, Tampa Bay Vipers: ($7200)
Can the Vipers continue to be this bad? At some point the preseason favorite will probably score an offensive touchdown, and when they do Cornelius will probably be under center. We’d worry about Quinton Flowers vulturing some points in the red zone, but for some reason beloved head coach Marc Trestman doesn’t really go to Flowers in the red zone.
Cornelius is available at a serious discount, and showed flashes of competence last week. He’s worth a spin if you’re trying to spend elsewhere. Plus with Houston’s offense being the most efficient in the league so far, you may get an extra possession or two to pad your stats.
Running Backs
Donnel Pumphrey, DC Defenders ($7000)
With teams now justifiably petrified of Defenders QB Cardale Jones, the run game might open up a bit for an explosive back that showed flashes in the NFL and was a stud at San Diego State. The Defenders head to LA to take on a Wildcats squad that gave up 25 points and 151 yards to an Air Raid team in the Dallas Renegades. Air Raid teams shouldn’t be able to run the ball like that.
Christine Michael, St. Louis Battlehawks ($5200)
With Matt Jones listed in front of him as questionable, you can do worse than a backup who might get more carries than usual going against the New York Guardians, who are pretty bad on defense and possibly worse on offense... which means they have to play more defense.
Michael could get a lot of garbage time touches if it gets out of hand, or potentially even the start if Jones can’t go. A deal either way.
Wide Receivers
Jeff Badet, Dallas Renegades ($8600)
A beneficiary of that Air Raid offense, Badet will get to face the Seattle Dragons who gave up 31 and a ton of yardage opening weekend to DC. They watched Tampa Bay shoot themselves in the foot over and over in Week 2, but it doesn’t mean the Dragons are good. And don’t expect Dallas to run the ball that much with Hal Mumme calling the plays.
Alonzo Russell, St. Louis BattleHawks ($5900)
Five catches for 42 yards last week, but that was against more solid Houston defense. Now Russell will be at home for the first time, and he gets to put moves on a New York Guardians, who it appears can’t guard much.
Jordan Ta’amu might find Russell very open early and often on Sunday.
D/ST
St. Louis BattleHawks ($3700)
This will be the first professional football game in St. Louis in five years, and the locals will be fired up for real football. They’re expecting a great crowd, and that might lead to an extra turnover or sack.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that they’re playing the New York Guardians, who threw up a goose egg and amidst controversy last week.
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