We’re set for a big Week 4 that kicks off with a Roughnecks-Guardians rematch from Week 1 and features a Brahmas-Sea Dragons showdown as well. With a three-week sample size to work off of, XFL News Hub has Start/Sit recommendations for your Week 4 season-long fantasy contests!
Quarterback
Start
Ben DiNucci, SEA vs. SAN
DiNucci went off for 377 yards and four touchdowns in the miraculous Week 3 win over the Vipers and is flashing excellent chemistry with Josh Gordon, Jahcour Pearson and Blake Jackson. The steward of coordinator June Jones’ aggressive offensive scheme has one particularly unique item on his resume that’s likely helped him tremendously in his short XFL stint so far – he’s actually started a regular-season game at one of the most visible positions in sports, quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.
DiNucci seems to be operating with the confidence of a player who’s had some success at football’s highest level, and he’s in an offense that’s likely to continue giving him no shortage of opportunity to succeed. His matchup against the Brahmas stands out in Week 4 as well, considering San Antonio allowed the Roughnecks’ Brandon Silvers, who runs a scheme partly derived from Jones’ concepts, to rack up 278 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3.
Jordan Ta’amu, DC vs. VGS
The team that allowed DiNucci’s big game in Week 3 now awaits Ta’amu, who bounced back from a tough Week 2 versus Vegas’ defense to throw for 196 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 against the Battlehawks. Ta’amu has already flashed his considerable upside as a runner with 68 rushing yards back in the second game of the season, and he also ran for 22 yards and a touchdown in D.C.’s win over St. Louis.
The Vipers did limit Ta’amu to 93 passing yards in Week 2, but Vegas’ breakdowns in Week 3 and Ta’amu’s ability to supplement his production on the ground – not to mention the fact he’s likely to become more comfortable the more he plays given his experience – gives him a chance to take another step forward in Week 4.
Sit
Paxton Lynch, ORL vs. HOU
Lynch actually didn’t play poorly in Week 3 and arguably doesn’t deserve the amount of grief he’s generally getting, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the embattled signal-caller is a good starting option this week. The Roughnecks have made life exceedingly difficult on quarterbacks with 13 sacks and five interceptions, two league-leading figures. They also held Lynch to 79 passing yards and nine rushing yards in Week 2, and new signee Quinton Flowers could also steal some snaps.
Running Back
Start
Max Borghi, HOU at ORL (*check injury status*)
Borghi has been dealing with a knee injury this week, so make sure to check his status prior to Saturday night’s kickoff. Assuming he’s a go, he makes for a nice start in all formats thanks to his secure role and ability to contribute as both runner and receiver.
The versatile Washington State product looked better than ever in Week 3, collecting 86 total yards against the Brahmas on 14 touches. Borghi also contributed 42 yards and a rushing TD in Week 1 against the Guardians, along with four receptions. Houston is the biggest favorite of the week as well, which should bode well for Borghi’s touches.
Brian Hill, STL vs. ARL
Hill came back strong in Week 3 against the tough Defenders defense despite having dealt with a hamstring injury in the days leading up to the contest. The veteran back was more effective through the air with 49 yards and a touchdown, and he’d contributed 81 total yards against the Brahmas back in Week 1 as well.
Given his experience and the ability to remain on the field for all three downs if necessary, Hill makes for a particularly interesting play in PPR formats. The Renegades have been a tough defense against the run, but the threat of A.J. McCarron and his improving passing attack should help open some running lanes for Hill.
Sit
De’Veon Smith, ARL at STL
Smith has been absolutely stonewalled nearly every time he’s carried the ball so far, and he now has accomplished veteran Kenneth Farrow as his backup. Farrow’s role could expand in his second week after he logged five carries in his Week 3 debut, affording Smith a bleak outlook.
Wide Receiver
Start
Josh Gordon, SEA vs. SA
It would be nearly impossible to exclude Gordon from a Start recommendation this week, considering his stellar Week 3 performance that included a game-winning 65-yard touchdown grab.
Gordon now has a pair of six-catch outings in the first three contests, and the experienced wideout still clearly has the speed to make waves at the XFL level, at minimum.
Additionally, with respect to Week 4, he’s facing a Brahmas defense that allowed 25 catches for 281 yards and three touchdowns to Houston’s pass catchers in Week 3.
Hakeem Butler, STL vs. ARL
That improving Battlehawks air attack alluded to earlier has Butler as its main centerpiece at the moment following his 9-105-1 line on 13 targets in Week 3. The big-bodied one-time NFL third-round pick has improved his receptions, receiving yards and targets in each contest and should continue to play a significant role as a viable target all over the field.
Butler is greatly aided by his NFL-worthy physical skills and his impressive 6-foot-6, 225-pound frame. The Renegades gave up a 6-66 line to a similar receiver in the Guardians’ Cody Latimer in Week 3, and Butler arguably has even more upside than his fellow NFL alum.
Sit
Brandon Arconado, ARL at STL
Arconado has been somewhat of a victim of a lackluster Renegades passing game, as he has just an 8-59 line on 12 targets through three games. The Washington State alum will likely need some time to develop chemistry with new quarterback Kyle Sloter, and with his short-area role, he could be hard-pressed to contribute any worthwhile fantasy numbers in Week 4.
Tight End
Start
Alize Mack, SAN at SEA
Mack continued to demonstrate he’s a key part of the Brahmas passing attack by bringing in three of quarterback Jack Coan’s modest eight completions against the Roughnecks in Week 3, totaling 27 yards on those catches. The Notre Dame alum is also a good red-zone target and could play a sizable role in a game against an aggressive Sea Dragons offense that should coax plenty of passing out of San Antonio.
Jake Sutherland, STL vs. ARL
Sutherland is sort of a sleeper Start pick this week at a position that’s proven exceedingly difficult to get a handle on fantasy-wise thus far. The Morehead State product has some sneaky downfield prowess that was evident in one college season where he averaged over 14 yards per grab and in his two receptions thus far this season, which have gone for 23 and 21 yards.
Sit
Brandon Dillon, VGS at DC
Dillon has all of one reception for six yards through three games, getting blanked in both Weeks 1 and 3. With a nearly non-existent role and plenty of other pass catchers in front of him in the pecking order, Dillon can safely be left on the bench against a tough Defenders unit.
