Lineup construction is different for the XFL than for NFL DFS. Only six offensive players make the roster, with one quarterback, one running back, two WR/TE spots, and two flexes. That means we don’t have to roster a tight end and can load up on high-upside wide receivers. It also means tight ends could be much lower owned, which could be an edge.
The scoring system is carried over from the NFL, with the lone exception being three-point conversions counting for…three fantasy points. Yes, the XFL has three-point PATs, which are attempted from the 10-yard line.
You can find all of our XFL projections in our Player Models.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
XFL DFS Week 5 Quarterback Picks
Top Play: Ben DiNucci ($11,300 DraftKings): Seattle Sea Dragons vs. Houston Roughnecks
After Ben DiNucci’s stellar Week 3, he cooled off in last week’s victory over the Brahmas. He completed 28 of 41 passes for 264 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. Still a respectable stat line, but not his 377 yards and four touchdowns from Week 3.
This offense is one that you always want a piece of, as they have a league-high 72% pass rate. Their opponent, the Houston Roughnecks, also has a high pass rate at 63%. This will likely lead to a lot of play volume, which is likely important with Houston boasting the top pass-rush and coverage grade in the league. DiNucci has 25 more passing attempts and 140 more passing yards than any other quarterback through four games, and he has the fourth-most rushing yards among QBs.
He’s a great play despite the tough matchup.
Top Value: A.J. McCarron ($10,800 DraftKings): St. Louis Battlehawks vs. DC Defenders
A.J. McCarron may not have the counting stats as DiNucci, but he does have the top passing grade out of all XFL quarterbacks per PFF and the second-highest passer rating. He is the highest-scoring fantasy quarterback also, with at least 18 DraftKings points in each game.
McCarron had a great game against this same defense two weeks ago, throwing for over 250 yards and four touchdowns. St. Louis likes to deploy somewhat more of a balanced attack than some other offenses, as McCarron is only third in pass attempts on the season. He won’t be as highly owned as DiNucci, but the two project very similarly, perhaps making McCarron a smart contrarian option.
XFL DFS Week 5 Running Back Picks
Top Play: Brian Hill ($8,000 DraftKings): St. Louis Battlehawks vs. DC Defenders
Brian Hill is the top running back play on the week, but he will come with some (well-warranted!) high ownership. Hill missed Week 2 but has now had back-to-back 18+ point DraftKings performances. His usage on the ground has been elite, totaling 29 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks.
His usage in the air has also been very promising, running a route on 47 of A.J. McCarron’s 75 dropbacks over the last two weeks, good for 62.67%. He’s not running empty routes either, with five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown on six targets over the past two games.
His ownership is going to be high, but Hill is the best running back play on the slate.
Top Value: Devin Darrington ($3,000 DraftKings): Orlando Guardians at Vegas Vipers
Devin Darrington came out of nowhere to lead the Orlando Guardians backfield. He had 12 carries for 40 yards and ran nine passing routes. Despite only nine routes, Darrington saw four targets, catching two balls for 17 yards. This is pretty elite running back usage, yet Darrington is priced at just $3,000!
Pricing is a little bit tighter this week, so Darrington’s cheap price tag is very valuable. He will see some solid ownership, as he’s currently projected to be the fifth-highest-owned back. Most of the ownership projections are pretty tight, so he could jump all the way up to second fairly easily.
Despite some potential ownership, Darrington is a great value and laps the field in Points/Salary
XFL DFS Week 5 Wide Receiver/Tight End Picks
Top Play: Hakeem Butler ($9,300 DraftKings) St. Louis Battlehawks vs. DC Defenders
Hakeem Butler has certainly stepped up with Marcell Ateman on IR. Butler has scored in every game this season and is fourth in the league in air yards. He’s fifth in the league in targets, fourth in receptions, fourth in yards, and tied for first in touchdowns.
He’s a 6’6 monster and torched this Defenders’ defense two weeks ago for 105 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. He’s likely to see a decent chunk of ownership, as many people will flock to his consistent production. Regardless of ownership, Butler is a very strong play.
Top Value: Cody Latimer ($6,000 DraftKings) Orlando Guardians at Vegas Vipers
Once again, DraftKings refused to price Cody Latimer correctly. He’s coming off another week with great usage, running a route on 76.5% of dropbacks, seeing seven targets, and catching four balls for 57 yards. Latimer is now third in the league in targets and sixth in yards.
Sadly, the public has caught on to Latimer’s mispricing, as he’s projected to be one of the highest-owned players on the slate and the highest-owned pass-catcher. The pricing is a little tighter this week, so people are flocking to the savings. Latimer is a great play and one of our top Points/Salary players on the week, but he could be worth a fade in tournaments due to ownership.
