At FantasyLabs, Bargain Rating is a metric we use to compare the relative costs of players on DraftKings and FanDuel using percentile rankings. It features prominently in our large suite of analytical DFS Tools, most specifically our industry-leading FantasyLabs Models.
This week, I will be applying Bargain Rating concepts to the Week 2 XFL slate in order to identify the top values.
Be sure to check out our Week 2 XFL fantasy projections, which are free and will be updated based on injury reports and depth chart news as we head into the weekend.
You can bet on the XFL at FanDuel, where Action Network users get a risk-free bet up to $500.
XFL Quarterbacks
DraftKings: Jordan Ta’amu (DraftKings: $8900, 50th percentile. FanDuel: $20, 80th percentile.)
Quinton Flowers actually has the highest DraftKings Bargain Rating at the quarterback position, but at the time of this writing, it is unclear whether Aaron Murray (foot) will be able to play in Week 2 after sustaining a foot injury against the Guardians in Week 1.
With that uncertainty in mind, Jordan Ta’amu currently represents the best buy on DK with a 90th percentile Bargain Rating. On FanDuel, Ta’amu is listed as the third-most expensive QB on the slate, only $1 behind Cardale Jones and $3 behind P.J. Walker, while on DraftKings, Ta’amu is priced as a middle-of-the-pack option, behind Walker, Jones, Matt McGloin, Landry Jones, and Aaron Murray. While Ta’amu’s passing numbers were modest in Week 1, throwing for 209 yards with one touchdown, his rushing production — 77 yards on nine attempts — gives him a ceiling few QBs in the league possess.
FanDuel: Matt McGloin (DraftKings: $9900, 80th percentile. FanDuel: $19, 60th percentile.)
Skipping over Murray because of his injury status, McGloin is the best buy on FanDuel with an 86th percentile Bargain Rating at $19. While McGloin does not possess the rushing upside as the other premium quarterbacks, his usage in Week 1 is encouraging. Despite holding a multi-touchdown lead against Tampa Bay for much of the game, New York continually opted to pass the ball, throwing on 64 percent of its offensive plays. Based on his Week 1 usage, McGloin appears to be both game-script independent and platoon-proof, something that can’t be said for many QBs in the XFL.
XFL Running Backs
DraftKings: Darius Victor (DraftKings: $4100, 61st percentile. FanDuel: $16, 85th percentile.)
Andre Williams’ 100% Bargain Rating on DraftKings is the highest at the position, but the ex-New York Giant was an after-thought in the Roughnecks’ Week 1 game-plan. Despite playing in a game-script that should have theoretically favored the running game, Williams was on the field for only 13 percent of Houston’s total offensive snaps (per Pro Football Focus), finishing with a disappointing two rushing attempts for zero yards.
While the Guardians also largely neglected the ground game in Week 1, Darius Victor surprisingly led the team in carries with nine and also added three receptions for 25 yards in the passing game. Victor and assumed starter Tim Cook operated as a true platoon in the Guardians’ first game with each back commanding around 50 percent of team snaps. The more versatile back, Victor is less likely to be game-scripted out and warrants GPP (guaranteed prize pool) consideration as the 14th-most expensive running back on DK.
FanDuel: Cameron Artis-Payne (DraftKings: $5600, 82nd percentile. FanDuel: $14, 64th percentile.)
Although Artis-Payne saw only two carries in Week 1, he led the team in snaps at the position — 52 percent — and was involved in the receiving game, catching four balls for 13 yards. The Renegades failed to score a touchdown against the BattleHawks, but Landry Jones’ (knee) potential return to action this weekend could benefit the entire offense against a Wildcats defense that was torched by the Roughnecks in Week 1.
Christine Michael also warrants some consideration on FanDuel. Michael actually has a higher Bargain Rating than Artis-Payne this week, but his uncertain usage kept him off this list after he was out-snapped by Matt Jones 48-23 in Week 1. However, a knee injury kept Jones off the practice field on Wednesday and his Week 2 status is currently unknown. If Jones is unable to go this weekend, Michael would be appealing on FanDuel where he is priced at $13.
XFL Wide Receivers
DraftKings: Jerrod Heard (DraftKings: $3000, 0th percentile. FanDuel: $11, 44th percentile.)
Another player who would benefit greatly from Landry Jones’ return is Jerrod Heard. As I mentioned in my Week 2 Bounceback Players article this week, Heard was the clear deep threat on a Dallas team that was very reluctant to throw the ball downfield in Week 1. Heard is once again priced at the stone minimum $3,000 salary on on DK this week and will likely be overlooked due to his disappointing box score production. However, if Jones is under center, Heard has plenty of appeal as a tournament option in Week 2.
FanDuel: Mekale McKay (DraftKings: $10200, 99th percentile. FanDuel: $16, 82nd percentile.)
McKay’s Week 1 performance — three receptions for 58 yards on four targets — felt disappointing given our lofty expectations, but he still led the Guardians in receiving yards while playing 94 percent of team snaps. As the alpha receiver in a position group that is currently without Deangelo Yancey and Tanner Gentry — both on injured reserve with undisclosed injuries — McKay should remain a featured part of the offense in Week 2 against DC. McKay is still priced as a stud on DraftKings, but his $15 price tag on FanDuel places him outside the top-10 at the position, making him an attractive play in all formats.
Week 2 Bargain Rating Table
Credit: Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images. Pictured: Jordan Ta’amu
