XFL Fantasy Football: Week five DraftKings player picks

The XFL presents the Draftkings community with another four game slate! Let’s take a look at this week’s games from a fantasy football perspective!

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

Quarterback

Josh Johnson-Los Angeles Wildcats $10,500

In the Wildcats last two football games, Los Angeles quarterback Josh Johnson has compiled 608 passing yards and five passing touchdowns. In that same two game span, Johnson completed 43 passes on 65 passing attempts for an overall completion percentage of 67%. It should also be noted that Johnson only threw one interception in that two game span as well.

The above mentioned game statistics clearly indicate to me that Johnson has demonstrated consistent accuracy and productivity. For me, that is what I am looking for from a quarterback when I play fantasy football.

This week, Johnson draws a Tampa Bay Vipers defense that looked very good in week four. In my opinion, the Vipers performance in week four was more about how bad the DC Defenders are on offense than how good the Vipers are on the defensive side of the football. I think Johnson continues his outstanding quarterback play in week five.

Additional quarterbacks I like this week:

• Phillip Walker-Houston Roughnecks $12,000
• Jordan Ta’amu-St. Louis BattleHawks $9,700

Running Back

Lance Dunbar-Dallas Renegades $7,600

This week, the Dallas Renegades will be without starting quarterback Landry Jones. Jones injured his knee in week four and is out indefinitely. Dallas quarterback Philip Walker will likely draw the start in week five. How will this change at signal caller effect the Dallas running backs this week? Well, I envision quarterback Philip Walker checking down to his running backs in passing situation often this week.

Walker was the starting quarterback in week one of the XFL season. I watched that game and can state with confidence that Walker does not have great arm strength. Quite frankly, I don’t think Walker has anywhere near the talent level of a Landry Jones. Having said that, I see a game script for the Dallas offense that has a large number of short passes. In week one, Lance Dunbar had six receptions for 29 yards. I would not be shocked at all if Dunbar had ten or more receptions in week five. Additionally, I think that Dunbar will have additional opportunities to score Draftkings points rushing the football as well.

Additional running backs I like this week:

• Cameron Artis-Payne-Dallas Renegades $8,200
• Jacques Patrick-Tampa Bay Vipers $7,000

Wide Receiver

Nick Holley-Houston Roughnecks $7,100

I knew it was only a matter of time before Houston wide receiver Nick Holley broke out for a big fantasy day. Holley’s big fantasy day finally happened in week four! In Houston’s week four win over Dallas, Nick Holley was targeted by Roughnecks quarterback Phillip Walker a whopping ten times! Holley was able to catch eight of the ten targets that came his way. He finished the game with a team high 97 receiving yards. It should also be noted that one of Holley’s receptions in the week four contest went for a touchdown. Holley’s game statistics translated into 23.7 Draftkings points.

I think Holley clearly benefited from the Dallas Renegades defensive game plan last week. The Roughnecks defense presented press coverage to Houston star wide receiver Cam Phillips on 43 of his 44 passing routes run. This defensive approach certainly had an effect on the Houston wide receiver’s fantasy production. Phillips finished the week four contest with only one reception for nine yards. I have a feeling that Houston’s week five opponent (Seattle Dragons) will watch last week’s game film and implement the same defensive approach. As a result, I think Holley will continue to see a high number of receiving targets in Houston’s week five contest versus the Seattle Dragons.

Additional wide receivers I like this week:

• Tre McBride-Los Angeles Wildcats $9,700
• De’Mornay Pierson-El-St. Louis BattleHawks $9,200
• Flynn Nagel-Dallas Renegades $7,400

Defense

Dallas Renegades $4,300

The Dallas Renegades defensive numbers certainly do not pop off the page. However, the Renegades defense has been a consistently effective unit all season. Through the first four games of the XFL season, the Renegades have only allowed 66 total points to opposing offenses, which is an average of only 16.5 points allowed per game.

What I really like about the Dallas defense this week is who they play in week five. Dallas draws a New York Guardians team that has been quite frankly underwhelming all season. Additionally, the Guardians have had issues finding consistent play from the quarterback position. As of this writing, it is not clear which quarterback will start in week five. I think the Guardians instability on offense will present the Dallas Renegades defensive unit with a high number of opportunities to score Draftkings points on Saturday afternoon.

As always, good luck!