We didn't have a lot of success in DFS for Week 1 of the XFL season, but that wasn't a huge shock considering all of the unknowns. Our lineup for the main slate, led by Dragons' WR Josh Gordon (19.4) and the Roughnecks D/ST (19), scored just 88.68 DraftKings points, but the good news is we have a fresh week to learn from our mistakes and create a DraftKings lineup for Week 2. The main slate begins Thursday at 9 p.m. ET between the Battlehawks and the Dragons (FX).
With XFL DFS, please remember that the main slate only has four games, and live scoring for the contests might be delayed. According to DraftKings, all stats will match XFL official scoring after every game. Another notable difference between NFL and XFL DFS is that individual DFS players only have to worry about filling up seven positions, not eight. However, the salary cap stays the same at $50,000.
Before we break down all of our picks, here are the most notable scoring rules for XFL DraftKings contests: four-point passing TDs, six-point rushing touchdowns, three-point bonuses for 100 rushing yards, 100 receiving yards, and 300 passing yards.
DraftKings Picks Week 2: XFL DFS lineup for GPP tournaments
Week 2 main slate (Thursday-Sunday), $50,000 budget
QB Brandon Silvers, Roughnecks vs. Renegades ($8,600). In a week where there wasn't a ton of great QB play in the XFL, Silvers stood out as the best, leading the Roughnecks to a 33-12 win over the Guardians. The veteran signal-caller completed 26-of-42 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions (16.9 DraftKings points). The former Troy standout was in control of the Roughnecks' Run-and-Shoot/Air Raid hybrid offense, leading to big performances from certain skill position players. Silvers will be facing a tough defense on Sunday night in the Renegades, which had two interceptions, three sacks, and two defensive touchdowns against Las Vegas QB Luis Perez last week. However, we still like Silvers to play well on Sunday night, as the Vipers showed us that this Renegades' defense is susceptible to giving up a big passing play.
RB Kalen Ballage, Brahmas @ Guardians ($7,100). Ballage was one of the best running backs in Week 1 outside of Max Borghi. The former Arizona State running back led the way for the Brahmas in the backfield, with 97 total yards on 27 touches. The Brahams had to lean on Ballage as their offensive line was getting worked by the Battlehawks' defensive line. We should look for Ballage to lead the way again, as the Brahmas' identity seems to be a run-first, pass-second offense with Jack Coan under center. Last week, the Guardians' defense struggled against the versatile Borghi in the passing game. Now Orlando will have to face the physical running style of Ballage on Sunday afternoon.
WR/TE Deontay Burnett, Roughnecks vs. Renegades ($8,500). Burnett stole the show in Week 1 as he was one of Silvers' favorite targets against the Guardians. The former NFL wideout produced a 28.6-percent target share while recording eight receptions (12 targets) for 90 yards and a touchdown (23 DK points). We should expect Burnett to be a factor in Sunday night's game against the Renegades' stack defense. However, Arlington's defense gave up their fair share of targets to Vipers WRs Jeff Badet (six receptions, nine targets) and Martavis Bryant (four receptions, nine targets) last week. Burnett should get his stats, along with Jontre Kirklin, who also played well in the regular season opener.
WR/TE Jahcour Pearson, Dragons vs. Battlehawks ($7,300). Even though Josh Gordon made some plays in Week 1 against the Defenders, it was Pearson who was Ben DiNucci's favorite receiving target. Pearson led the Dragons with 12 receptions (14 targets) for 95 yards (21.5 DraftKings points). He also had a target share of 25 percent and averaged 6.79 yards per target. In June Jones' pass-happy offense, we should expect receivers to put up gaudy numbers. Pearson will try for a repeat performance against the Battlehawks, who held the Brahmas' receivers to one touchdown. At $7,300, it's too hard to pass up on Pearson, especially if he continues to see a high volume of targets in Week 2.
FLEX Sal Cannella, Renegades @ Roughnecks ($6,500). Cannella emerged as Arlington's top receiving threat in Week 7, recording seven receptions (eight targets) for 70 yards against the Vipers. Cannella did not find the end zone to kick off the season but still had 14 DraftKings points. The former USFL star also led all receivers in Week 1 with a 32-percent target share. Cannella will be a major contributor in this week's game against the Roughnecks, who will look to apply pressure to QB Drew Plitt. Houston has a solid linebacker unit, but Cannella will still get his numbers, making this a solid flex option in Week 2.
FLEX Max Borghi, Roughnecks vs. Renegades ($8,000). After his performance in Week 1, it was only right we got Borghi into our lineup. The former Washington State standout was one of the best players against the Guardians, producing 74 total yards and a rushing touchdown on 12 touches (17.4 DraftKings points). It was an impressive performance from a running back that people forget had experience playing in an Air Raid-style offense at Washington State. Arlington's defense held the Vipers' rushing offense to 25 yards in Week 1, but they did not face a running back like Borghi, who you have to account for out of the backfield.
DEF Brahmas @ Guardians ($4,000). Last week against the Battlehawks, the Brahmas' defense played well until the final three minutes in the fourth quarter when they allowed 15 unanswered points. Even though they had last-minute defensive breakdowns, the Brahmas still had five sacks on A.J. McCarron. Hines Ward's crew should have better success against a Guardians' offense that scored just 12 points and saw starting QB Paxton Lynch benched for Quinten Dormandy. We don't know who will start for Orlando this week, as it could be Dormandy or Deondre Francois, but that shouldn't matter, as the Guardians' offense will struggle against a Brahmas' defense that had a win snatched from them in Week 1.
