The Los Angeles Wildcats and Tampa Bay Vipers are 1-3 and looking to get a second win this season on Sunday. Los Angeles has one of the better quarterbacks and receiving corps in the NFL, but haven’t had all its key players healthy. Tampa Bay is looking to establish its new starting quarterback and enters Week 5 with the NFL’s top two rushers. We broke down ideal rushing strategies for the DraftKings’ contest here:
Captain Obvious
Josh Johnson, QB, Wildcats ($16,200)
Johnson has the highest passer rating in the XFL and the third most passing yards 788. He’s benefited from having two top-tier receivers in Nelson Spruce and Tre McBride ($15,000/$10,000). But Spruce is set to miss his second straight game of the season in Week 5 because of a knee injury. Regardless, Johnson has thrown for an average of 268 yards in three starts and has yet to throw less than two touchdown passes in a game.
Captain Courageous
Tre McBride, WR, Wildcats ($15,000)
McBride hasn’t been dominant for long, as he’s only caught passes in two games this season. However, he’s racked up 13 receptions for 236 yards and three scores in those appearances. Los Angeles has one of the weakest ground games in the XFL, so McBride should continue to be the first top option offensively. He’s totaled at least 30 DKFP in his last two appearances.
Flex Men
Jacques Patrick, RB, Vipers ($7,400)
De’Veon Smith ($8,000) is the the XFL’s leading rusher with 296 yards, but is listed as probable to play Sunday because of a foot injury and has been limited in practice this week. Luckily for Tampa Bay, Smith’s backup is Jacques Patrick, who ranks fifth in rushing with 231 yards. Patrick rushed for 108 yards and a score in Week 4. He could get a similar workload if Smith sits.
Jordan Smallwood, RB, Wildcats ($6,800)
Smallwood had his best game of the season while Spruce was out in Week 4 and tallied 15 DKFP on five receptions for 75 yards. He’ll likely continue to play second fiddle to McBride, but could still see a boost in production. He hasn’t scored since Week 1 but is averaging just under 10 DKFP per game.