XFL Fantasy Football Rankings Week 3: PJ Walker Over Cardale Jones for QB1

When considering fantasy rankings, it is important to take into account many things. The scheme, past performance, matchups, pedigree, and much more. But, above all, you have to trust your gut and instincts.

Through two iterations of XFL fantasy football rankings, it has been a lot of gut-trust, but after two weeks of actions, some logic and stats can take over now. Stat-heads rejoice! If you are looking for sortable XFL stats, we have you covered, and as always stay up-to-date on social media for updates on player statuses and other developments throughout the week.

Heading into Week 3, this iteration of the XFL fantasy rankings are impacted by two matchups, the first is Houston taking on Tampa. Tampa has had difficulty all year and looked stagnant so bet big on PJ Walker and that Roughnecks offense. Secondly, Josh Johnson and the LA Wildcats are taking on the DC Defenders and their #1 Defense, fade your Wildcats this week folks.

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Enough setup though, here are your XFL Fantasy Rankings for Week 3.

Quarterback

As mentioned previously, PJ Walker is primed to have a big week heading into Tampa and should continue his rise as the face of the XFL. He rightfully vaults into the #1 overall spot on the rankings on the strength of seven passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown over the last two weeks. Despite not leading the league in yardage, he is the unquestioned rising star of the XFL and contending with Cardale Jones to be the face of the young league.

Just like the first two weeks, there are questions at the quarterback position. This week Tampa returns to the Questionable Quarterback club as Aaron Murray is out for Saturday’s game. Taylor Cornelius and Quinton Flowers figure to split time at QB for the Vipers, but the exact split will continue to be a question… New York joins the QB uncertainty this week as Matt McGloin was hooked last week for Marquise Williams. The former UNC quarterback performed solidly and his ability to gain yardage with his legs adds a new dimension to the Guardians offense. No word yet on if he will supplant McGloin as the starter, but keep an eye on it moving forward.

Running Back

Donnel Pumphrey was more effective than backfield-mate Jhurrell Pressley in Week 2 and that could be a sign of things to come. The NCAA’s all-time yardage leader looked dynamic in Week 2 against the Guardians. As the Defenders take on a Wildcats defense that has not been the best at times, Cameron Artis-Payne was nearly the league’s first 100-yard rusher against them, look for Pumphrey to do work rushing the ball and catching the ball. Pressley will still factor in, but it looks like Pumphrey may be the more efficient option for Pep Hamilton in DC.

Until there is some differentiation between them, the Three-Headed Dragon will be ranked in consecutive spots. Ja’Quan Gardner, Kenneth Farrow, and Trey Williams continue to split running back touches equally and be effective with their touches… Nick Holley will continue to be a cheat code with his running back eligibility and continued usage as a wide receiver in a pass-happy Roughnecks offense… Matt Colburn of the Guardians got some solid run in the second half of their blowout loss to the Defenders, his passing game role could expand and could make him an interesting Flex play in these XFL fantasy rankings.

Wide Receiver

The DC Defenders have a trio of talented receivers that appear to all be in the WR1-WR2 range depending upon who Cardale Jones targets slightly more in a given week. Eli Rogers leads all DC receivers with 14 targets, while Rashad Ross leads them 147 yards, but do not sleep on DeAndre Thompkins who missed Week 1 but was heavily involved with 9 targets and a touchdown in Week 2. All three need to be a must-start on a weekly basis and should continue to provide weekly value. Outside of that trio, Malachi Dupre got enough work and targets to be considered a high-upside Flex play each week as well.

Dallas still needs someone to step up and prove they can be the lead-dog in the receiving corps. Jeff Badet and Flynn Nagel have the potential to lead the Renegades receivers, but Badet does not seem to get enough yardage for his target share and Nagel only saw three targets in Week 2… Week 1 darlings Austin Proehl and Dan Williams both struggled in Week 2, but that could be due to weather in Seattle more than anything. Look for them to bounce back to respectable WR2-WR3 range this week… Jordan Smallwood, not Nelson Spruce, presently leads the Wildcats in snap count at receiver. Couple that with his red-zone abilities and he could sneak into the high-end WR2 conversation this week as DC keys in on Spruce.

Tight End

Donald Parham, Donald Parham, Donald Parham. Did he appear in your lineup? No? Then you need to just cross your fingers and pray. Landry Jones looked his way 11 times last week and he presently leads Dallas in targets and is top-five in the whole XFL regardless of position.

Khari Lee had a down week for DC, and DC appears to be using a more committee-based approach at tight end… Nick Truesdell is Out this week for Tampa, look to DeAndre Goolsby to get some targets in his absence… Marcus Lucas and Wes Saxton both appear to be used heavily by Jordan Ta’amu as a safety blanket, they should be safe and reliable options at tight end. That appears to be the best you can hope for if you do not have Parham.

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