If you’re looking for Week 7 XFL DFS picks, then you’ve come to the right place. Focusing on all four contests, we’ve analyzed each team’s highest-probability game scripts to assess the most likely outcomes, including which players are in line to thrive more than anticipated or fall short of expectations.
The following two recommended DraftKings lineups (for tournaments, 50/50, or head-to-head competitions) aims to lock in a relatively high floor while maximizing upside. Whatever you decide, good luck.
XFL DFS Considerations
Two weeks ago, I scored a fifth national tournament win after publicly recommending Luis Perez, Abram Smith, Jeff Badet, Charleston Rambo, Cody Latimer, John Lovett, and the Vipers D/ST in the Week 5 DraftKings DFS tournament. If you played that lineup, then you earned a first-place finish out of thousands of competitors.
Last week, however, my two lineups fell flat. One barely eked out a 50/50 win, but there wasn’t much to celebrate. I’ll take the net loss, learn from it, and move on.
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As many of you know, while researching 100+ XFL skill-position players ahead of this season, I drew a few conclusions, which have been applied to each of our DFS slates:
- Quarterback play would be more erratic than in the NFL, with lower ceilings across the board.
- The looseness of running back depth charts made betting on RBs risky.
- Wide receiver depth charts were largely irrelevant, as the opening weeks would determine which supposed No. 1s were actually No. 3s or No. 4s, and which supposed tertiary options were actually target friendly.
I’m concerned about the matchups for otherwise must-start QBs like Ben DiNucci and AJ McCarron. The former leads the league in turnovers and is a couple more big mistakes away on Friday from earning serious questions about his standing atop the depth chart. And McCarron will face a motivated Roughnecks defense in Houston.
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We also need to consider the Brahmas’ anemic offense, led by the four quarterbacks they’ve tested out this season. None have looked XFL-ready. Neither has their backfield, though Jacques Patrick remains their best option. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s receiving corps still lacks the punch found on most other squads.
Their opponents are the Vipers, whose QB situation is almost as messy, featuring Luis Perez, then Brett Hundley, then back to Perez, . . . and now back to Hundley? Apparently, yes, because Vegas just traded Perez to Arlington. Hundley finally gets his shot without clear competition, though it couldn’t come at a worse time. The Brahmas have one of the best defenses.
Meanwhile, the Renegades are also struggling to manufacture offense. Clearly, they’re hoping Perez might be an upgrade over Kyle Sloter and Drew Plitt. This team is pushing for a playoff spot, so we might actually see a rotation as Arlington tries to nail down its starter for the stretch run.
In the meantime, Sal Cannella continues to lead the team in most major receiving categories but is entirely TD-dependent in DFS. The Renegades’ wideouts and backfield are also avoidable most weeks, including this one. I mean, one guy might get double-digit points. That’s not a bet worth making.
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So I’m leaning into DC’s favorable matchup against Orlando, where the Defenders should post 24+ points. The Guardians have surrendered the league’s most points, and little suggests they’ll turn things around dramatically against the last undefeated team.
And given the salary cap constraints that impact every slate, I’m going to take a big risk at D/ST in order to save about $1,000, creating space for one more high-upside receiver.
Top DraftKings DFS Picks for XFL Week 7
Today, we’re playing DraftKings’ “XFL Classic,” which includes one QB, one RB, two WRs, two WR/TEs, and one D/ST.
QB Jordan Ta’amu, Defenders ($8,500)
Five quarterbacks are more expensive, which is odd given that three of those five might not even start. While Jordan Ta’amu has been hit-or-miss statistically, he’s a pretty safe bet for 14+ points. And I believe DC will use this game as an opportunity to keep pushing the aerial attack, as the team continues to fine-tune its approach ahead of the postseason.
RB Abram Smith, Defenders ($9,600)
Of course. Well, not necessarily “of course.” Abram Smith costs a lot. He’s also the Defenders’ offensive centerpiece. Between him and Ta’amu, I’m banking on at least two touchdowns combined. Smith’s overall dominance cannot be ignored.
WR Hakeem Butler, Battlehawks ($10,400)
I hinted at this approach above. St. Louis is tied with Seattle for the final North division playoff spot, and it will be quite a battle these final four weeks.
In the belief Houston’s sterling defense will pressure McCarron, I don’t trust the Battlehawks’ quarterback to shine. That said, the Roughnecks probably won’t have an answer for Hakeem Butler, the league’s second-most targeted player.
WR Darrius Shepherd, Battlehawks ($8,300)
Of McCarron’s throws, 44% have gone to Butler or Darrius Shepherd. The former is one of the league’s best wideouts. The latter isn’t far behind, racking up a cool 27-270-3 receiving line. Together, they can do sufficient DFS damage even if they combine for only one score.
WR/TE Lucky Jackson, Defenders ($6,300)
A reasonable price for a team’s No. 1 receiver. After a slow start to the season, Lucky Jackson has become Ta’amu’s go-to option. And why not?
Jackson ran an official 4.36 40-yard dash in 2020. That’s partly why he’s tied for the league lead with seven receptions for 20+ yards. When it comes to big-play receivers — especially against Orlando’s beatable defense — Jackson seems like a solid investment.
WR/TE Dan Williams III, Guardians ($3,000)
Am I chasing points? Possibly, but hopefully not. Dan Williams III posted an impressive 23-338-1 receiving line in five XFL games three years ago. Earlier this month, the Brahmas let him go, and the Guardians picked him up and turned him loose last weekend. He rewarded them with five catches for 46 yards.
With Latimer and Rambo firmly atop the depth chart, Williams might carve out the No. 3 role. In a game where they’ll probably be playing a lot of catch-up, I’m taking a flier on the ultra-cheap Williams.
D/ST Vipers ($3,800)
The opposing Brahmas have scored the second-fewest points. Despite a stout defense, they’ve looked lost on offense. Erratic QB play opens the door for a surprisingly big upside from an otherwise unstartable Vegas defense.
