Nobody really knows what to expect from the XFL. Some think it will fail much like the AAF. Others just don’t care, as we get real, live football when we otherwise would not.

I’m of the latter variety, while I am also a fiend for all things betting and DFS.

You will soon be able to wager on games at the top XFL betting sites, while the best DFS sites like DraftKings have already pushed out XFL fantasy contests.

While the information is light when looking for concrete answers, you can still develop some type of plan based on coaching styles and player talent.

That led me to some of the top week 1 XFL DFS picks, and for this post, I’ll take a look at some of the best XFL DFS sleepers for week 1.

Aaron Murray, QB, Vipers ($9k)

Josh Johnson is the most expensive XFL fantasy passer, so you can save nearly $2k by dropping down to Murray. That’s something to think about, too, as there are some quality studs at the skill positions.

Murray isn’t a big-armed quarterback, but he was a terrific game-manager at South Carolina, and he was fairly productive. He could end up thriving in Marc Trestman’s pass-happy offense.

There is some concern about the loss of speedy receiver Antonio Callaway, but Murray may still have the weapons and system to get excited about in week 1.

Philip Nelson, QB, Renegades ($8.3k)

Should Landry Jones miss his XFL debut this week, you can go down even further with Philip Nelson.

I’m admittedly not overly excited about Nelson himself, but Bob Stoops has a proven system, and Dallas has a physical freak to work with in Jeff Badet.

Nelson was not prolific in college, but his price, system, and weapons could make him a passable XFL value pick for week 1.

Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Renegades ($6.8k)

We don’t know much about offensive lines, exact coaching strategies, matchups, or rotations. All I know for sure is Artis-Payne was serviceable at the NFL level and rather dominant at Auburn.

That doesn’t mean anything for his XFL prospects, but it could make for a solid role. And if Landry Jones is out in week 1, it’s not silly to suggest Dallas could play things a bit more conservatively.

Either way, Artis-Payne could be looking at a big workload, yet he’s nearly $2k cheaper than the most expensive XFL back at DraftKings for week 1.

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, Defenders ($5.1k)

If you’re going to pay up at several spots, you’ll need to find even more value. That could require taking a shot at a running back in more of a committee approach.

Nobody knows for sure what Pumphrey’s role will be to start the 2020 XFL season, but the former Eagles running back may not need a ton of touches to pan out.

Pumphrey really isn’t a feature back, but he was a monster in the college ranks and displayed his versatility in some preseason action. If DC can look past his size, he could have a solid role out of the gates and be an elite value play.

Tre McBride, WR, Wildcats ($5.5k)

I’m also interested in saving some cash at wide receiver. Tre McBride stands out as the top XFL value pick at this spot, seeing as Los Angeles has one of the better quarterback situations, and he figures to be their top passing game weapon.

The 27-year-old didn’t make a huge impact in the NFL while with the Titans, but he still showed that he can make plays (18 yards per catch) down the field. Everyone already knew that from his days at William & Mary, while his 4.41 40-yard dash time was eye-popping at the 2015 NFL Combine.

Only time will tell if McBride will make good on this opportunity, but he has the speed to make a splash early. At this price, he’s an absolute steal.

Reece Horn, WR, Vipers ($3.4k)

I’ll admit that I am not enamored with Reece Horn. He’s basically Riley Cooper, and that’s not a lot to get excited about for fantasy players.

That said, he should be on the field thanks to his size, run-blocking chops, and general craftiness.

That sounds silly, but he runs good routes and flat-out makes plays. Horn lacks anything close to elite speed or explosiveness, of course. The big kicker is the absence of Antonio Callaway.

There is a big hole in the Vipers’ passing attack due to that, and it’s not crazy to think Horn could step up and produce a bit. The nice thing is he’s priced at almost the bare minimum, so you’re not asking for much.

In what could be a pass-centric Marc Trestman offense, this could be a dice roll that’s worthwhile to start the 2020 XFL season.

Houston Roughnecks Defense ($3.2k)

There are only eight XFL defenses to work with, so pick your poison. For the most part, I’d prioritize spending as little as possible, while targeting teams that either have a shaky quarterback position and/or project to throw a good amount.

Houston is one of my favorite XFL picks going into week 1 from a strict betting perspective. They also offer ridiculous value if you are looking to bet on the 2020 XFL Championship winner.

For week 1, this Ted Cottrell-led defense faces the Wildcats, who have Josh Johnson and little else. Johnson is good, but he isn’t the most seasoned natural passer. He could throw a pick or two, while his penchant for running the football could get Houston a fumble.

Should Johnson and his Wildcats be playing from behind, that could work out beautifully for the Roughnecks (and your XFL DFS squad).

Summary

There is a lot to think about before finalizing your week 1 XFL DFS lineups. The top studs will likely stand out, whether it be based on the DraftKings pricing or just the names looking familiar.

If you do a little research, you’ll also learn about how some XFL coaches have operated in the past and begin to assess how their offensive approach may look.

Nothing is concrete until actual games begin, but going into the first week of the 2020 XFL regular season, I’m pretty excited about the potential XFL DFS sleepers we see here.

Of course, there are plenty more to consider. Be sure to do your own research, and if you want to try your hand at XFL betting, just hit up the top XFL sportsbooks linked above.