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While we're all sad to see the NFL season come to an end, the XFL season beings on Saturday, February 18, so fantasy gamers and RotoBallers will have chances to compete in fantasy football and DFS contests for another few months! We'll provide coverage all year long, starting with our 2023 XFL preseason rankings.
Unfortunately, the 2020 XFL season was cut short due to the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the league is back in 2023 and there are plenty of intriguing players and fantasy options. Former NFL journeymen join young up-and-comers in what should be a competitive first season for the league.
These positional XFL rankings are a team effort, combing the rankings and analysis of three rankers:
- Quarterbacks - Jackson Sparks
- Running Backs - Andrew Lennox
- Wide Receivers - Brant Henson
- Tight Ends - Jackson Sparks
Since this is the inaugural year of the league and the first week of the season, there aren't many data points to lean on, so these rankings could be shifted mightily as the season rolls along. However, we've got to start somewhere and we'll lean on what we know about the players to make an educated pecking order in our initial rankings. Once you're done here, be sure to also read all our other weekly XFL fantasy football articles. Without further ado, let's dive into it!
Quarterback XFL Fantasy Football Rankings
Rankings and analysis by Jackson Sparks
While teams haven't released official depth charts and some will have quarterback uncertainty even after the season begins, relying on factors such as previous experience, surrounding talent, and mobility will be key indicators of which quarterbacks could be successful in year one. There are eight teams in the XFL, but since some quarterback battles are sure to extend into the season, more than eight will be on the fantasy radar. For now, projected starters are ranked one through eight.
| Rank | Player Name | Team |
| 1 | Jordan Ta'amu | DC Defenders |
| 3 | Brett Hundley | Vegas Vipers |
| 4 | Ben DiNucci | Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 5 | AJ McCarron | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 5 | Drew Plitt | Arlington Rengades |
| 6 | Cole McDonald | Houston Roughnecks |
| 7 | Jawon Pass | San Antonio Brahmas |
| 8 | Deondre Francois | Orlando Gaurdians |
| 9 | Brandon Silvers | Houston Roughnecks |
| 10 | Kyle Sloter | Arlington Rengades |
| 11 | D'Eriq King | DC Defenders |
| 12 | Quinten Dormandy | Orlando Gaurdians |
| 13 | Anthony Russo | San Antonio Brahmas |
| 14 | Luis Perez | Vegas Vipers |
D'Eriq King has the skill set to be the No. 1 quarterback in fantasy scoring this season. He totaled over 100 touchdowns in his five-year collegiate career at Houston and Miami and rushed for north of 2,000 yards. While his style of play might not translate to the NFL, it should be electric in this league. KD Cannon, Jequez Ezzard, and Jazz Ferguson from a high-end wideout trio in D.C.
Update: Jordan Ta'amu has won the initial starting quarterback job for the Defenders. He has a ton of upside with a loaded cast of weapons, too. Expect King to see playing time and potentially replace Ta'amu at some point this season.
Kyle Slotter was named to the All-USFL team last season and has experience on seven NFL rosters at age 28. However, Drew Plitt has surprisingly won the starting job. Slotter might be the backup quarterback to stash.
AJ McCarron carries nine years of NFL experience and a few national championship rings from college with him to St. Louis. Given his resume, he should be one of the best signal-callers this season, but his lack of mobility keeps him from a top-four spot. Marcel Ateman, Darrius Shepherd, and Austin Proehl are all ranked inside our top-ten wideouts, so he'll have plenty of options to throw to.
Like McCarron, Brett Huntley brings plenty of NFL experience and was a prolific player in college. In just three seasons at UCLA, Hundley passed for 75 touchdowns and rushed for another 30. He posted 11,000 total yards in his collegiate career, so hopefully, he returns to a similar form in the XFL.
Running Back XFL Fantasy Football Rankings
Rankings and analysis by Andrew Lennox
Anticipating which running backs will lead the league in carries and rushing yardage is a task that may prove challenging for fantasy football players. However, we should see early on in the XFL season certain running backs establish themselves as top performers in the eight-team refreshed league.
| Rank | Player Name | Team |
| 1 | Abram Smith | DC Defenders |
| 2 | Jacques Patrick | San Antonio Brahmas |
| 3 | Mataeo Durant | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 4 | Adrian Killins | Arlington Renegades |
| 5 | Dejoun Lee | Houston Roughnecks |
| 6 | Jah-Maine Martin | Orlando Guardians |
| 7 | John Lovett | Vegas Vipers |
| 8 | T.J. Hammonds | Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 9 | DeVeon Smith | Arlington Renegades |
| 10 | Pooka Williams | DC Defenders |
| 11 | Keith Ford | Arlington Renegades |
| 12 | Devin Darrington | Orlando Guardians |
| 13 | Max Borghi | Houston Roughnecks |
| 14 | Brian Hill | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 15 | Ryquell Armstead | DC Defenders |
With the first pick in the 2022 XFL Draft, the D.C. Defenders selected Baylor standout running back, Abram Smith. Smith had a remarkable senior campaign in 2021, breaking the single-season rushing record at Baylor. Despite going undrafted, he signed with New Orleans as a free agent but was eventually released during training camp. He could be the feature back on a potentially high-powered Defenders offense led by quarterback D'Eriq King.
Tailback Mataeo Durant should play a key role in the St. Louis Batttlehawks offensive onslaught after having a stellar senior season at Duke where he ran for 1,241 while breaking the school's single-season rushing yard record. Brian Hill, who is Smith's competition, could also prove to be a valuable contributor as a running back for fantasy gamers, having accumulated 982 rushing yards in his time in the NFL.
Seven of the eight XFL teams have at least three running backs on their roster. The Orlando Guardians are the exception. Former North Carolina A&T back Jah-Maine Martin and one-time Virginia tailback Devin Darrington could have plenty of opportunities to excel if the Guardians progress through the first part of the season with just two backs.
Wide Receiver XFL Fantasy Football Rankings
Rankings and analysis by Brant Henson
Wide receiver is sure to be the most volatile position in terms of preseason rankings vs. end-of-season rankings. Each team has a plethora of options to choose from and it is currently a big question mark as far as who will see target shares going their way. As the season goes on, top receivers will emerge and others will become easier to fade. We will do our best to take a raw look at what receivers could shine in the 2023 edition of the XFL:
Update: The Seattle Sea Dragons have signed former NFL star Josh Gordon, who should operate as the top target for QB Ben DiNucci right away. Slot him into these rankings third overall, behind Marcell Ateman, and bump teammates Kevin Shaa and Jaylon Redd down slightly.
| Rank | Player Name | Team |
| 1 | Martavis Bryant | Vegas Vipers |
| 2 | Marcell Ateman | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 3 | Cedric Byrd | Houston Roughnecks |
| 4 | K.D. Cannon | DC Defenders |
| 5 | Jalen Tolliver | San Antonio Brahmas |
| 6 | Charleston Rambo | Orlando Guardians |
| 7 | Jequez Ezzard | DC Defenders |
| 8 | Darrius Shepherd | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 9 | Austin Proehl | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 10 | Jeff Badet | Vegas Vipers |
| 11 | Kevin Shaa | Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 12 | Jaylon Redd | Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 13 | Andrew Jamiel | Orlando Guardians |
| 14 | Deontay Burnett | Houston Roughnecks |
| 15 | Jackson Anthrop | Arlington Renegades |
| 16 | JaCorey Sullivan | Arlington Renegades |
| 17 | Jazz Ferguson | DC Defenders |
| 18 | Jamarcus Bradley | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 19 | Kendrick Rogers | San Antonio Brahmas |
| 20 | Cody Latimer | Orlando Guardians |
| 21 | Jahcour Pearson | Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 22 | Lujuan Winningham | Arlington Renegades |
| 23 | Donteea Dye | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 24 | Mathew Sexton | Vegas Vipers |
| 25 | Justin Smith | Houston Roughnecks |
| 26 | Stephen Guidry | Orlando Guardians |
| 27 | Juwan Green | Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 28 | Lucky Jackson | DC Defenders |
| 29 | T.J. Vasher | San Antonio Brahmas |
| 30 | Hakeem Butler | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 31 | Saeed Blacknall | Vegas Vipers |
| 32 | Eli Rogers | Orlando Guardians |
| 33 | Damion Willis | Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 34 | Rashard Davis | Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 35 | Isiah Macklin | Vegas Vipers |
| 36 | Jontre Kirklin | Houston Roughnecks |
| 37 | Terry Wright | San Antonio Brahmas |
| 38 | Simmie Cobbs Jr. | DC Defenders |
| 39 | Brandon Arconado | Arlington Renegades |
| 40 | Aaron Nelson | Houston Roughnecks |
A.J. McCarron headlines the XFL quarterbacks, bringing the most NFL experience to the league as well as a decorated Alabama career. McCarron will be throwing to the first receiver drafted, former Oklahoma State star Marcell Ateman. Look for Darrius Shepherd and Austin Proehl to see quick routes in what should be an efficient offense.
D’Eriq King dazzled in his NCAA career at Houston and Miami and now gets a shot at playing professionally after failing to catch on in his first try at the NFL. King’s D.C. Defenders offense should be electric, especially getting to work with coach Reggie Barlow who helped mold the late Tarvaris Jackson into an NFL quarterback. Former Baylor superstar K.D. Cannon should be the most consistent target for King, but don’t discount speedster Jequez Ezzard who could be the Tyreek Hill to King’s Mahomes.
Targets are king in fantasy football, and slot receivers oftentimes eat them up. Arlington WR Jackson Anthrop was a target monster at Purdue and should be no less in the XFL as he operates from the slot. Jeff Badet, the speedster out of Kentucky and Oklahoma, should do the same for Vegas.
Jalen Tolliver was fourth in receiving yards in the XFL in 2020 in a pass-happy Tampa offense. He should be the top target for the San Antonio Brahmas, although if they struggle to get consistent quarterback play they could lean on the run.
Ben DiNucci’s Seattle Sea Dragons squad has depth at the receiver position but former Liberty standout Kevin Shaa and former Oregon speedster Jaylon Redd look to be the primary targets early.
Martavis Bryant’s redemption shot has a similar feel to Trent Richardson’s 2019 AAF resurgence, and the ultra-talented receiver should be targeted early and often in Vegas.
Charleston Rambo is fresh out of college and enjoyed a productive career at Oklahoma and Miami - why not lean on the young playmaker in Orlando?
Cedric Byrd played college football with Cole McDonald at Hawaii, and they now reunite in the XFL. Byrd had 2,067 yards and 19 touchdowns through two seasons – a prime candidate to lead the XFL.
Hakeem Butler and T.J. Vasher are both big-bodied receivers who were walking highlight reels in college - could either one emerge as a primary red-zone target in the XFL?
Tight End XFL Fantasy Football Rankings
Rankings and analysis by Jackson Sparks
Like in NFL fantasy football, there will likely be a select few studs at tight end, and identifying those guys could give fantasy managers and DFSers a real edge over the competition. For now, it's a good idea to weigh the order in which the tight ends were selected in the XFL Draft, but that won't be the end all, be all. It's worth noting some XFL teams didn't draft a prototypical tight end, so this list will see major changes as the offenses shape up.
| Rank | Player Name | Team |
| 1 | Sal Canella | Arlington Renegades |
| 2 | Ryan Becker | Orlando Guardians |
| 3 | Jaylen Smith | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 4 | Garrett Owens | Houston Roughnecks |
| 5 | Briley Moore-McKinney | DC Defenders |
| 6 | Alize Mack | San Antonio Brahmas |
| 7 | Travis Koonz | Vegas Vipers |
| 8 | Ben Beise | Seattle Sea Dragons |
| 9 | Jordan Thomas | St. Louis Battlehawks |
| 10 | Shaun Beyer | Arlington Renegades |
Sal Canella was the first tight end off the board at the No. 7 overall pick for skill position players. Arlington chose Canella before any wide receivers or running backs, so he's presumably going to be heavily involved in their passing attack. He was named to the All-USFL team last season and has a real chance to be in a league of his own at tight end like Travis Kelce in the NFL.
Ryan Becker projects as a big-body touchdown-or-bust play, but with the lack of data we currently have for most of the tight ends, that's all we can hope for in preseason drafts and opening-week DFS contests.
Jaylen Smith's upside depends on A.J. McCarron's effectiveness, but there's a real chance he becomes McCarron's safety blanket and easy read early in the season as everyone adjusts to their new teammates and builds chemistry with them. Smith totaled 152 receptions for over 2,500 yards and 15 touchdowns in college at Louisville.
Shaun Beyer won't pass up Canella in the Renegades' target share, but he has a chance to be a third or fourth option in an offense without a ton of stud wide receivers.
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