XFL Fantasy Football: Week 2 DraftKings player selections

The XFL returns for week two with another four game slate. Let’s take a look at this week’s slate from a fantasy football perspective!

In this article, I will discuss my DraftKings player selections with regard to position. It should be noted that I am not providing a specific lineup. I am providing DraftKings player options at each position in an effort to assist the reader in generating a unique lineup.

Quarterback

Phillip Walker-Houston Roughnecks $10,600

First of all, I want to point out that I am well aware that Phillip Walker is the highest priced Draftkings player on this week’s four game slate. That is fine with me. Honestly, I think Walker is worth every penny of that $10,600 price tag. As a matter of fact, I would probably pay $11,600 for Walker this week.

I watched all four XFL football games in week one. Upon evaluation of the games I watched, it was rather obvious to me that the Houston Roughnecks have the most effective and efficient offense from a fantasy football perspective in the XFL.

Yes, I know that I am making that assessment based on only one week of game action. Regardless of that fact, I feel confident in saying that Houston head coach June Jones has orchestrated an outstanding offensive scheme that should be effective throughout the entire XFL season. Having stated that, I am building the majority of my Draftkings lineups around Houston quarterback Phillip Walker in week two.

Before I move to my running back player selections, let’s take a quick look at how well Houston’s Phillip Walker performed in week one. Walker accumulated 272 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and added 26 rushing yards in Houston’s week one victory. Walker finished the game with 32.5 Draftkings points. Quite frankly, I love Walker’s chances to continue to post outstanding fantasy numbers in week two. For me, Walker is without a doubt the best fantasy play regardless of position on this week’s slate. Will Walker be the chalk? Probably. I don’t care. The man is far too good to fade. Do so at your own risk!

Running Back

Lance Dunbar-Dallas Renegades $4,600

Due to the fact that I am paying up for Phillip Walker, I wanted to find a lower cost Draftkings play at the running back position that also had high upside from a fantasy perspective. In my opinion, Dallas running back Lance Dunbar fits that narrative perfectly!

It has to be said that I loved the way the Dallas Renegades used Dunbar on offense in week one. Dunbar was utilized as a rusher of the football and out of the backfield as a receiver. Dunbar finished last week’s game with 27 rushing yards on five attempts. Additionally, Dunbar had six receptions on six targets in week one’s loss to St. Louis.

Due to the fact that the running back position’s fantasy value appears to be somewhat diminished in the XFL, I have realistic expectation for Lance Dunbar’s fantasy output in week two. However, I do think that Dunbar has the chance to perform at a high level this week. I also think that Dunbar’s chances to succeed will be enhanced if Dallas quarterback Landry Jones plays as expected.

Additional running backs I like this week: James Butler-Houston Roughnecks $6,300: DeVeon Smith-Tampa Bay Vipers $7,500: Nick Holley-Houston Roughnecks $4,800

Wide Receiver

Nelson Spruce-L.A. Wildcats $10,400

L.A. Wildcats wide receiver Nelson Spruce was used in the team’s offense early and often in the first game of the season. More specifically, Nelson Spruce was targeted by quarterback Charles Kanoff a whopping 15 times! Spruce turned those 15 targets into eleven receptions. He finished week one’s loss to Houston with 103 receiving yards. His game statistics translated into 24.3 Draftkings points.

As of this writing, it appears that Wildcats quarterback Josh Johnson will make his first start of the XFL season in week two. I think the likely talent upgrade at quarterback will only help Spruce’s fantasy value this week!

Additional wide receivers I like this week: Cam Phillips-Houston Roughnecks $8,400: Dan Williams-Tampa Bay Vipers $7,600: Flynn Nagel-Dallas Renegades $5,200

Defense

Seattle Dragons $3,000

For my defense, I am going to take a chance on the Seattle Dragons this week! It should be noted that the Dragons did not play well from a fantasy perspective in the first week of the XFL season. However, I am not concerned. Why am I not concerned? Well, that answer is clearly due to the Dragons opponent in week two. Seattle draws the the Tampa Bay Vipers at home this week.

Tampa looked just awful in the redzone in week one’s loss to New York. The Vipers offense managed only three points and allowed five sacks to the New York Guardians. It should be noted that Vipers quarterback Aaron Murray has been listed on the XFL official injury report all week. Additionally, reports out of Tampa indicate that multiple quarterbacks not named Aaron Murray are practicing with the first team. What that tells me is that Tampa has massive instability with arguably the most important position on the team’s offense. Clearly, that is never a good thing! For that reason, I am rolling the dice on the Seattle Dragons defense this week!

As always, good luck!