Houston and D.C. just keep right on rolling and putting up huge fantasy numbers in the process. Week 2 helped us separate some of the “good” players from the “flash in the pan” players we had in Week 1. Guys like Austin Proehl and Flynn Nagel fell back to Earth after a strong Week 1. We also saw some players we expected to be good finally show up like Cameron Artis-Payne, who exploded for 31.1 fantasy points. And, finally, some players we thought were going to be good, just, well…aren’t — I’m looking at you, Sammie Coates.
Not to toot my own horn, but according to the grading system at DailyOverLay.com, I was the No. 1 XFL “tout” in Week 2 and tied for No. 1 on the season. Let’s hope I can keep my run going…
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Quarterbacks
Cardale Jones (DC) $10,800 @ LA
The Wildcat’s defense was “better” last week then it was Week 1 when they gave up four TDs to Phillip Walker, however, they weren’t that much better against Landry Jones and the Renegades in Week 2.
Cardale Jones has now put up two games with at least 19 fantasy points, and his attempts went from 26 in Week 1 to 37 in Week 2. This will be the Defenders’ first road game of the year, and they have to travel to LA. It’ll be interesting to see how they play on the road, but Jones, as the leader of this team, will have to be the one to carry them.
Jordan Ta’amu (STL) $10,100 vs. NY
Ta’amu is the fourth-highest priced quarterback this week, but an argument can be made that he should be No. 2 thanks to his on-field production over the first two weeks. In Week 1 he beat the Renegades with his legs, running for 77 yards, and in Week 2 he nearly neat the Roughnecks with his arm, completing 81 percent of his passes and throwing three touchdowns. His running was still a factor in Week 2, despite his great passing numbers, as he still had eight attempts and a rushing touchdown. It’s that rushing ability that puts Ta’amu on my early cash game lineup.
Running Backs
Lance Dunbar (DAL) $6,600 @ SEA
Dunbar has the most targets among running backs (12) to go along with 11 rushing attempts over the first two weeks. That gives him 23 total touches over the first two weeks, three more than James Butler and only two fewer than Cameron Artis-Payne. Why did I choose those two running backs to compare to Dunbar? Because those are the only two running backs averaging more fantasy points per game than Dunbar’s 12.1 over the first two weeks.
De’Veon Smith (TB) $6,300 vs. HOU
The Vipers, if they have any shot to win this game, are going to have to run the ball and shorten the game. The Roughnecks offense is going to put up points, but the Vipers have shown a commitment to the run, even when they are losing. Smith is second only to Matt Jones in rushing yards and carries so far this season. The Battlehawks ran the ball a whopping 43 times against this Houston team last week and nearly pulled off the upset. Tampa Bay should have a similar game-plan.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Kahlil Lewis (HOU) $9,100 @ TB
As I write this, Lewis’ teammate and fellow wide receiver, Cam Phillips, has missed practice all week and is listed as questionable. If Phillips does indeed miss this game, Lewis becomes the No. 1 target in the most potent offense in the XFL and he is $2,000 cheaper than Phillips. Even with Phillips on the field, Lewis has 13 targets over the first two games and will still have value regardless of whether or not Phillips suits up.
Nick Holley (HOU) $4,400 @ TB
DraftKings finally got hip to the game and moved Holley to wide receiver after being listed as a running back over the first two weeks. However, in doing so, they lowered his price $400 from what he was last week, and, as mentioned above, Cam Phillips may miss this game which should lead to more targets for Holley. Holley has had five targets in each of the first two games and at $4,400, he is a steal.
DeAndre Thompkins (DC) $5,700 @ LA
Unfortunately, Thompkins had not yet been ruled in last week when I wrote my column or I would have had him as one of my top values. I did call him out on my weekly podcast on Friday, The Armchair Fantasy Show. He was my “Sick Call of the Week,” which is a weekly segment in which my co-host and I pick a cheap player that could have a huge game. Nailed it! His price tag has risen quite a bit over last week when he was minimum salary, but $5,700 is still underpriced if he gets the same type of usage he did in Week 2.
Defense
DC Defenders $4,700 @ LA
The Defenders’ defense is getting no respect from the powers that be at DraftKings. They have the best fantasy defense in the XFL but have yet to be the highest priced defense on DraftKings. They scored 22 points in Week 1 and topped it Week 2 with 25. I will have a ton of exposure to the Defenders’ defense once again this week.