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The XFL is a hit, but there's still enough mystery going on that astute DFS players can exploit some things when building lineups.
That's why we're here with our new weekly XFL daily fantasy picks for your DFS lineups. Now, there are a lot of different ways to do XFL DFS lineups, as some sites are offering four-game slates, while others are offering a pair of two-game slates. We'll try our best to provide selections that can help you in whatever kind of DFS contest you're in by giving multiple selections for each position.
Below, you'll find my thoughts on the Week 4 DFS slate of XFL contests on FanDuel and DraftKings. Let's get to it, and good luck RotoBallers!
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XFL Week 4 DFS Lineup Picks: Quarterback
Saturday QB: Jordan Ta'amu (St. Louis Battlehawks) - DraftKings: $9,500 / FanDuel: $20
Ta'amu didn't have to do as much last week in a win over the hapless Guardians, as he threw just 18 passes and ran the ball three times. He should be relied on a little more in Week 4 against Seattle, who appear to be at least a little better than New York, which should result in a game where St. Louis can't dominate the tempo. Ta'amu can throw for multiple touchdowns and 200 yards while also making an impact on the ground.
Sunday QB: Cardale Jones (D.C. Defenders) - DraftKings: $9,900 / FanDuel: $19
I totally get paying up for Phillip Walker on Sunday, but Cardale Jones -- who is admittedly coming off a terrible Week 3 performance -- gets to face Tampa Bay's defense, which has struggled against opposing quarterbacks so far.
The fact that we saw Jones benched for Tyree Jackson at the end of last week's game is worrisome, but Jones did enough in the first two weeks to suggest he'll hold onto this job; he completed over 60 percent of his passes over those first two games. Jones is mobile, tough, and a solid passer, and the Vipers are exactly the defense you want to be facing if you're looking to get back on track.
I'd also be interested in Landry Jones on this slate in what could potentially be a shoot-out against the Houston Roughnecks.
XFL Week 4 DFS Lineup Picks: Running Back
Saturday RB: Elijah Hood (Los Angeles Wildcats) - DraftKings: $5,500 / FanDuel: $13
Martez Carter had a huge Week 3 with Hood out, but Carter is listed as doubtful for this week's meeting with New York. If Carter does sit and Hood does play, expect a pretty sizable workload against a New York team that got run over by Matt Jones and Christine Michael last week. If Carter does suit up, he's obviously an intriguing player after how well he played last week, so maybe we should just call this recommendation "whoever LA's running back is."
Sunday RB: De'Veon Smith (Tampa Bay Vipers) - DraftKings: $6,100 / FanDuel: $15
There are reports that quarterback/running back/everything-guy Quinton Flowers has requested a release from the Vipers and left the team. In that case, expect an even heavier dose of Smith as the team goes with a more traditional offensive look. They aren't letting Taylor Cornelius throw 30 times this week. They aren't giving Cornelius all of the Flowers run plays either. Smith's role will be bigger than it's been, and he's already had a big role.
XFL Week 4 DFS Lineup Picks: Wide Receiver / Tight End
Saturday WR/TE: Tre McBride (Los Angeles Wildcats) - DraftKings: $8,100 / FanDuel: $17
LA's number-one receiver, Nelson Spruce, is out, so McBride will play a key role this week. I've been a big fan of his game since he was playing NFL preseason games, and last week's 109-yard, two-touchdown performance felt like a validation of that fandom. I'd expect to see Josh Johnson looking McBride's way a lot without Spruce in the lineup, which should lead to a solid performance.
Saturday WR/TE: Colby Pearson (New York Guardians) - DraftKings: $6,400 / FanDuel: $14
If you're looking for a more affordable option, Pearson is probably the number-one receiver in New York (depending on your view on Austin Duke) and is a solid dart throw. New York's offense has definitely been struggling, but Pearson's been targeted 13 times this year already, and if New York can make some slight improvements in their passing game -- like, maybe, by playing Luis Perez more??? -- then Pearson will benefit greatly from that.
Sunday WR/TE: Cam Phillips (Houston Roughnecks) - DraftKings: $11,700 / FanDuel: $22
Yeah, yeah, yeah, this is a super chalky play, but it's hard to not play Phillips when the XFL has seen a lot of inconsistent performances and Phillips has been consistently great. The Roughnecks pass the ball a ton. Phillips has been started 28 times in three games. He has seven touchdown receptions. He's a star, and while he is definitely expensive, there are ways to make it work.
Sunday WR/TE: Jalen Tolliver (Tampa Bay Vipers) - DraftKings: $6,000 / FanDuel: $16
I mean, at this price -- especially on DraftKings -- you should definitely chase the targets. There's a chance S.J. Green plays this week and hurts Tolliver some, but I'm still going to go with the guy who's coming off a game where he had 13 targets, especially with it looking like Taylor Cornelius will have full control of this offense. Cornelius likes to throw Tolliver's way. Yes, there's a good chance that the Vipers offense just blows up -- in a bad way -- on Sunday and Cornelius throws for, like, 45 yards, but he was looking better as a quarterback last week, so I think expecting a decent performance from Tampa this week isn't asking too much.
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