We have now been through three weeks of the XFL season, and I hope you are enjoying the league as much as we are! We had a kick return for a touchdown, a legit three point conversion (first one the previous week was moved up because of penalty), and more fireworks from the Roughnecks. The talent in the league is becoming more clear, although we did have some surprises with the Wildcats trashing the Defenders while the Vipers hung tough with Houston. The waiver wire is getting very thin for season long XFL leagues with just eight teams, and teams continually leaning on the same guys. Some of these might not be available in your league, but it is hard to gauge. If you are looking for a running back, that is getting more difficult than ever as most leagues require two on your roster, and there are only eight teams. Hopefully you can find a gem or two in this week’s waiver wire.
Martez Carter, RB, Los Angeles Wildcats. With Elijah Hood a surprise inactive in Week 3, DuJuan Harris was supposed to be the lead rusher for the Wildcats. However, it was Carter, who declared himself a “crowd pleaser” and “Mr. Excitement” in a sideline interview, who led the way with 11 carries for 24 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also showed nice versatility with three catches for 41 yards and a receiving touchdown and he had a two point conversion catch as well. Not only did the injury help Carter, but the Wildcats blowing out the Defenders helped the game script in his favor. Elijah Hood is supposed to be back this week, but we will see if Carter did enough in Week 3 to earn more playing time on the field. He was completely dominant almost every time he touched the ball, and is a must-add. With the landscape of XFL running backs already not being strong, Carter might be your best shot for the rest of the season to have a solid pickup in your fantasy league.
Tre McBride, WR, Los Angeles Wildcats. He missed the first game of the season, and then wasn’t even a part of the game plan in Week 2. However, McBride made his presence felt early in the third week with a deep touchdown catch and finished the game with five catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He also had another near touchdown that just barely went off his fingertips. Nelson Spruce is still the top receiver on this team, but McBride certainly has big play capabilities. He left the game late after a hard hit to the head, but if he is available he should likely be the top waiver target as the Wildcats offense finally woke up this week.
Jalen Tolliver, WR, Tampa Bay Vipers. It is probably hit or miss if Tolliver is available in your league, but he was average the first two weeks and the Tampa quarterback situation has been awful. However, everything was different last Saturday, as the Vipers showed a pulse on offense with Taylor Cornelius looking ok. Tolliver caught eight passes for 104 yards, and looks like he could be a producer going forward. It will be curious to see if this was a one week revival on offense, or if Tampa can start getting their act together. Tolliver has a lot of talent, but will go as far as the quarterbacks will take the team.
Jazz Ferguson, WR, Dallas Renegades. Jazz missed Week 2, and he hasn’t been a huge player yet, but it feels like it is coming. In Week 1 Dallas played a backup quarterback, and now it seems like Landry Jones is settling in to his role. After looking terrible in the second game, Jones had nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3. Ferguson had only two catches for 19 yards, but the Dallas offense is rounding into shape. Ferguson came into the season as a guy we thought could have some explosive capabilities, and now is the time to pick him up before he seriously breaks out. Dallas won’t throw to their tight ends and running backs as much in the future, and Ferguson has a chance to be a big part of the offense.
Nick Brossette, RB, DC Defenders. The Defenders lost Jhurell Pressley to injury during Week 3, and Brossette made the most of his opportunity with eight carries for 75 yards including a long touchdown. Of course, the touchdown came late in the game when the Wildcats were up by 30 points, but a score is a score. He wasn’t involved in the passing game at all, even in a contest that they were getting blown out in. Brossette’s value is certainly tied to the health of Pressley, and if he doesn’t miss time, the running back’s value will plummet. He at least likely earned himself a little bit larger role with this performance, but it will remain to be seen going forward.
Alonzo Moore, WR, Seattle Dragons. This is a bit of a long shot, but Moore has a chance to make some noise in coming weeks. Like with Tampa Bay, the problem is with the quarterback play. Brandon Silvers has been very ineffective at quarterback, which limits the ability of the wide receiver to put up stats. However, Moore came into the season with a hip injury, but now seems to be getting back healthy. He had just three catches for 28 yards, but was targeted five times which was third on the team. If the Dragons can start to get more consistent quarterbacking play, Moore could have some fantasy relevance.
Austin Duke, WR, New York Guardians. The New York offense is beyond a disaster. Two weeks ago they benched Matt McGloin, and this past week they benched their starting center because he couldn’t keep his emotions in check. They also used all three quarterbacks last week, and none looked very good. This doesn’t bode well for the offense, but Duke finally had a solid game. He led the team with four catches for 43 yards and scored a late touchdown. He also has the kick and punt returning duties for the Guardians, so if he was able to break one, that could get you extra value. He isn’t a tall receiver by any means, but could have some fantasy value as we get to the middle of the season.
Alonzo Russell, WR, St. Louis Battlehawks. The Battlehawks offense is perhaps the most run-heavy offense in the XFL, which sometimes hurts the wide receiver production. Russell hasn’t been incredible in any game, but he does have at least three catches in each game and he has a touchdown. De’Mornay Pierson-El is probably the most reliable receiver for St. Louis, but Russell has been a consistent target, and hopefully he can start to produce a little more.