The second season of the USFL starts this week. There are many returning players and coaches. However, there were also personnel changes. As a result, there’s a mix of known offensive tendencies, productive quarterback and pass-catcher pairings, and unknown fresh faces. So, gamers should lean into meaningful info from last season while embracing potentially ascending offenses. The following picks blend the two and include high-salary studs and cap-friendly values.
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Quarterbacks
Case Cookus balled out in Philadelphia's high-powered and pass-happy offense in 2022 after Week 1 starter Bryan Scott was injured. Cookus averaged 148.2 passing yards per game (depressed playing in two games as a backup), tossed 12 touchdowns, and threw only five interceptions in nine games in the regular season. He also added value on the ground, rumbling for 217 yards and a touchdown. The Stars were the USFL's high-scoring team, hanging 262 points, 28 more than the second-highest total. And, again, spring-football veteran Bart Andrus called a pass-heavy offense. The Stars attempted 303 passes and 201 rushes. And, in addition to the rapport Cookus and Andrus have, the returning quarterback will throw to many familiar pass-catchers. Thus, Cookus is the most desirable quarterback in DFS this week.
Newcomer McLeod Bethel-Thompson is a more affordable option than Cookus while still possessing a sky-high ceiling. The 34-year-old quarterback led the CFL in passing yards (4,731) last season in 17 games. He also tossed 23 touchdowns and rushed for 166 yards. Bethel-Thompson isn't the only fresh face on the Breakers.
John DeFilippo takes over the head coaching vacancy. Interestingly, the new head coach recruited Bethel-Thompson to join him on the Breakers. DeFilippo is an offensive-minded coach with a background as a quarterback coach and an offensive coordinator in the NFL. He's coordinated pass-heavy offenses in stops with the Browns, Vikings, and Jaguars. He's also gotten the most out of underwhelming signal-callers like Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, and Gardner Minshew. Finally, Bethel-Thompson has an exciting collection of pass-catchers to elevate his play.
Running Backs
After reading about Philadelphia's pass-happy tendencies in Cookus's analysis above, it might seem odd to see Matt Colburn listed on the table. Yet, Philadelphia had an efficient rushing attack spearheaded by the speedy Colburn last year. The Stars averaged a USFL-high 5.1 yards per carry, 0.5 yards more than the second-highest mark. Colburn averaged a rock-solid 45.7 rushing yards per game at 4.5 yards per carry in the regular season. He also had the second-most rushing touchdowns (eight) and chipped in 150 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. The speedy back is a home-run hitter. He's also attached to a high-scoring offense. Moreover, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Stars are 2.5-point favorites.
Reggie Corbin and Mark Thompson are going head-to-head in a game with only a 1.0-point spread. Corbin was one of the few bright spots for the Panthers in 2022. He led the USFL in rushing yards per game (64.9) at a blistering 5.5 yards per carry. Thompson averaged 51.4 rushing yards per game at 4.1 yards per carry. However, Houston's big-bruising runner failed to keep the momentum from a hot start. Thompson had at least 71 rushing yards in four of his first five games last year. He might also benefit from a new coach and a mobile quarterback room.
Alex Collins is a name familiar to NFL fans. He's had 2,464 scrimmage yards, 4.1 yards per carry, and 19 offensive touchdowns in 50 games for the Seahawks and Ravens. Collins started six games for the Seahawks in 2021. So, he's not far removed from being an NFL-caliber talent. Collins' first taste of the USFL will be against the league's worst run defense last year. The Stars allowed a USFL-high 151.2 rushing yards per game. No one else allowed even 130.0 rushing yards per game. Memphis should lean on Collins as long as the game stays close.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
The Stars and Breakers are well-represented on the wide receivers and tight ends table. The likely pass-happy offenses can support multiple pass-catchers. Fortunately, both teams have high-salaried and low or mid-salaried options. Jordan Suell is a big-bodied vertical weapon. He had 3.6 receptions per game, 37.0 receiving yards per game, and three touchdowns in the 2022 regular season.
Jonathan Adams was more productive, tallying 3.1 receptions per game, 40.6 receiving yards per game, and three touchdowns. He also had a flare for making highlight-reel plays.
Jonathan Adams put on a SHOW this weekend against Tampa Bay 🤲🔥
What was you favorite play of his? pic.twitter.com/oeE2jGLBcW
— New Orleans Breakers (@USFLBreakers) April 25, 2022
WOW 😳@ItsJayAdams ONLY NEEDS ONE HAND 🔥 pic.twitter.com/y8zciiPzNn
— USFL (@USFL) April 24, 2022
Adams' flare for making breathtaking predates his USFL season.
Insane catch by Arkansas State WR Jonathan Adams. Overturned on review but still amazing. pic.twitter.com/DwVDHXJr6q
— Max Olson (@max_olson) September 12, 2020
Last 2yrs, 1st Downs Receiving...
1. DeVonta Smith 129
2. Jonathan Adams 96
3. Elijah Moore 95Adams is one of the toughest and strongest catch point WRs in the class. Tons of highlight reel grabs in his career at Arkansas State pic.twitter.com/MRE7kMYFAC
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 12, 2021
Adams has the best blend of a high ceiling and cap-friendly salary. His teammate, Johnnie Dixon, is also a nifty pick. Dixon had the third-most targets (70) last season. He parlayed his target-earning ability into 3.8 receptions per game, 36.2 receiving yards per game, and four touchdowns. The speedy wideout did a lot of his damage after the catch, amassing the ninth-most yards after the catch (144 YAC).
Sage Surratt is a wideout-to-tight end conversion. He couldn't make his presence felt most of last year but will get a fresh start on a new team. Further, the Breakers need a tight end since 2022 starter Sal Cannella is in the XFL. Cannella vacates a ton of production, so Adams, Dixon, and Surratt should have a hand in soaking much of it up.
Devin Gray is a returning teammate of the previously discussed big-bodied Suell. Gray was third on the Stars in targets (40), third in receptions (26), fourth in receiving yards (215), and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (two), despite missing one game. Since he already has chemistry with Cookus, Gray is a reasonable value option.
Corey Coleman is an exciting speculative choice. The former 15th pick in the NFL Draft has elite speed and measurables. Coleman could take Philadelphia's passing attack to a new level. His game-changing speed makes him a high-ceiling option as a stacking pick with Cookus or a standalone choice.
Jace Sternberger and Trey Quinn are other newcomers to the USFL who've played in the NFL. The former was a third-round pick by the Packers in 2019, and the latter was Mr. Irrelevant in the 2018 NFL Draft. Neither panned out in the NFL, yet, both were highly productive in college.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Sternberger was tied for third in targets (81), tied for seventh in receptions (49), second in receiving yards (836), first in receiving touchdowns (10), and first in PFF's receiving grade among FBS tight ends targeted at least 40 times in 2018.
Meanwhile, Quinn was a monster for SMU in 2017. He was third in FBS in targets (154), first in receptions (114), 11th in receiving yards (1,236), and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (13). Quinn was also a versatile wideout. According to PFF, he played 169 passing snaps in the slot and 325 wide. The Panthers' Twitter account is hyping their new wide receiver.
This man Trey Quinn is gonna be a P R O B L E M in the USFL ‼️💯 pic.twitter.com/TPLe6u01kl
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) March 23, 2023
In addition, NFL analyst Brian Baldinger was a fan of Quinn's separation ability.
.@redskins #treyquinn has Quick’s; seemingly like every receiver that leaves @SMU_Football They all run the same routes and can separate from the quickest of cats. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/zIN5wN8kGl
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 9, 2019
Baldy wasn't the only fan of Quinn's outlook.
From Trey Quinn scouting report: “Crafty, nuanced route runner who is able to snap his body back towards the quarterback at an elite pace.. Arguably the best hands is the class, hauling in everything w/a natural, extended motion”
Ranked WR9 + 67th overall pic.twitter.com/ZTu2qMYJzc
— Brad Kelly (@CoachBKelly) November 22, 2018
Quinn's ability to get open and his reliable hands should pair well with strong-armed pocket-passer Carson Strong or a returning quarterback, Josh Love.
Derek Dillon is underpriced after a rock-solid 2022 campaign in the USFL. He had 44 targets and converted them into 2.8 receptions per game, 38.6 receiving yards per game, and four touchdown receptions. He was also a force after the catch. Dillon's 257 YAC was second to 2022 USFL MVP KaVontae Turpin's 316 YAC.
Defense and Special Teams
The reigning USFL Champion Stallions are 5.0-point favorites in Week 1, the week's biggest favorite. Last year, they had a stout defense, allowing the second-fewest points per game (16.1). They also led the USFL in sacks (27.0) and forced 16 turnovers.
The Gamblers and Panthers are cheap defenses in a projected close and low-scoring game. The game's total of 38.5 points is the second lowest on the slate. Both teams are adjusting to a new head coach. So, the lack of continuity could lead to a low-scoring game. Strong is an intriguing quarterback but might not start immediately for the Panthers. He's also immobile, providing Houston the opportunity for sacks if he starts, and Houston's quarterback room might be the worst in the USFL. Therefore, Houston's and Michigan's cheap defenses are enticing choices.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
