XFL fantasy football Week 3 preview and updated projections

We’re two weeks in and the XFL has proved to be a fun addition to the fantasy football landscape. So let’s dive into what we expect for Week 3 of the XFL.

Below you’ll find a preview for each game along with updated fantasy depth charts for all eight teams. If you scroll to the bottom of this article, you’ll also find updated projections for Week 3. And don’t forget that you can also check out our XFL fantasy football rankings for Week 3 rankings by position.

Houston @ Tampa Bay

Betting Line: HOU -6.5

Depth Charts

The high-powered Houston offense comes rolling into Week 3 tops in PFF grading. P.J. Walker has been a big reason for that success. The Temple University product has tossed seven passing scores already this season and is positioned well for more success this week. He's the top fantasy play on the board at the position. Last week, Walker connected with Cam Phillips for three scores. Phillips is very appealing again this week, but keep an eye on his status heading into this contest. Phillips missed practice this week with an ankle injury. If he’s unable to go, Kahlil Lewis and Nick Holley would move up to priority DFS plays.

With Aaron Murray still banged up, it looks like the Vipers will go with Taylor Cornelius under center again this week. The former Oklahoma State signal-caller threw for just 153 yards and was picked off twice last week. His presence doesn’t do the Tampa wide receiver corps much good. It’s wise to fade them this week. De’Veon Smith figured to be one of the highest volume runners in the league, so it was a bit of a surprise that he was out-carried by Jacques Patrick last week. Patrick profiles more as a third-down back, so this could have been a game script thing with the Vipers playing from behind. That scenario is likely to happen again this week with Tampa setting up as heavy underdogs.

Dallas @ Seattle

Betting Line: DAL -4

Depth Charts

While we expected a lot of fantasy points to come from the Dallas passing game, few saw Cameron Artis-Payne’s massive Week 2 performance coming. The former Carolina Panthers back turned 14 carries into 99 yards and two scores. Look for Dallas to continue to feed Artis-Payne against Seattle’s mid-pack run defense. Landry Jones’ XFL debut wasn’t exactly stellar, but he did top 300 passing yards on the day. Jones is in play for DFS purposes, but stacking him could prove challenging. A preferred wideout has yet to really emerge for the Renegades. Last week, TE Donald Parham actually led the team in targets with 11. He’s one of the few tight ends you can use as a flex option in DFS.

The Dragons created a bit of a fantasy conundrum in their backfield last week by essentially giving all three running backs equal touches. If all three suit up, it’s a good idea to fade this situation. However, keep an eye on the inactives, as Kenneth Farrow missed practice this week with a ribs injury. If he doesn’t go, Trey Williams and Ja’Quan Gardner would be worth some exposure. Despite poor overall play from QB Brandon Silvers, Keenan Reynolds managed to put up a solid fantasy stat line last week and Austin Proehl got big in Week 1. Reynolds is the preferred option, but Proehl still has appeal as a potential high-volume receiver.

New York @ St. Louis

Betting Line: SL -10

Depth Charts

The XFL’s unique in-game player interviews led to an interesting moment last week when Matt McGloin critiqued the Guardians’ game plan heading into halftime. He was replaced by Marquise Williams after the half. McGloin will be back under center this week, but his short leash makes him a very risky DFS play. Quite frankly, there’s very little fantasy appeal to this entire offense. However, Joe Horn Jr. missed practice this week and could possibly be sidelined for this contest. If that happens, we should expect a high-volume day for Mekale McKay.  

Matt Jones has a knee issue that has sidelined him in practice this week. With Jones looking very iffy, Christine Michael figures to see the bulk of the work in the BattleHawks backfield. Michael has been extremely inefficient with just 1.7 yards per carry. That being said, he figures to see a healthy workload. Believe it or not, Walker isn’t the No. 1 quarterback in fantasy scoring. That distinction goes to Jordan Ta’amu, who got it done in Week 1 with his legs and in Week 2 with his arm. Ta’amu is a plus play this week and should look early and often to De’Mornay Pierson-El. The BattleHawks receiver saw a league-high 11 targets in Week 2. Ta’amu also showed a good connection with L’Damian Washington, who caught 6-of-8 targets for 77 yards and a score last week.

DC @ Los Angeles

Betting Line: DC -8.5

Depth Charts

Get your popcorn ready for this one, as Rashad Ross will square off against the team that scorned him. L.A. traded Ross to DC in the preseason, and Ross has publicly expressed his disdain for the Wildcats. While Ross hasn’t been running as the Defenders’ No. 1, he has been hyper efficient with six catches on seven targets for 147 yards and a score. Ross makes for an appealing stack with Cardale Jones, who enters the week as the No. 1 XFL quarterback in PFF grades. DC has a full-blown committee in its backfield, but Donnel Pumphrey offers the most bang for your buck given his big-play upside.

Nelson Spruce has been one of the best skill position players in the league through the first two games. Spruce leads the XFL in targets (24), receptions (17) and receiving yards (181). He’s locked in as one of the top wide receiver plays for Week 3. Josh Johnson didn’t have the biggest performance in his XFL debut, but the veteran signal caller was solid enough to consider using this week. DC has been the league’s top defense in coverage grades, but Johnson has the ability to put up points with his legs.

Updated Week 3 Projections