High Risk-High Reward XFL Fantasy Draft Picks, Boom Or Bust

You are sitting there late in the draft, so many players have come off the board, you have landed a few sleepers you liked and missed on a few guys because your league-mates sniped your picks. Now you are ready to roll the dice, who are the guys who will take off and lead your squad to victory, who are the guys who will be around late in the draft and have a high ceiling?

Quinton Flowers – QB/RB – Tampa Bay Vipers

The season running up on us like ?

9. More. Days. pic.twitter.com/I63MsDTytq

— Tampa Bay Vipers (@XFLVipers) January 31, 2020

Quinton Flowers is presently listed on XFL.com as a QB/RB, therefore every league should have him eligible as both. If that is the case, he has the potential to be an absolute steal in the late rounds. Last year in AAF there were several teams that ran out a highly mobile quarterback on point after plays. If Coach Marc Trestman watched any AAF, he would be smart to run Flowers out on the after-touchdown plays. These plays could provide a nice floor for Flowers, and any extra snaps he might see will just add to that. If he carves out that role, look for Flowers to be a strong Flex option or QB option who wins you your league.

BJ Daniels – QB – Seattle Dragons

.@BJDANIELS10 on taking advantage of the @xfl2020 rules.#ForTheLoveOfFootball | #BreathingFire ?? pic.twitter.com/qfyvZmqh4O

— Seattle Dragons (@XFLDragons) January 17, 2020

BJ Daniels is in a similar boat to Quinton Flowers, the big difference is BJ Daniels has a better opportunity to be the starter by the end of the season. In deeper leagues, look for Daniels to be a late-round complement to an earlier QB selection. In addition, there have been rumors of Daniels lining up at receiver or running back. This positional flexibility could be huge for Daniels and give him a chance to shine in the XFL, especially with the much-hyped double pass possibility, teams may try to find a way to get skill position players with talented arms the ball in space to make big plays. Daniels will be the kind of player primed to take advantage of this rule, as well as be a point after touchdown threat.

Tarean Folston – RB – Tampa Bay Vipers

Folston was a strong dual-threat back in the AAF last year with Atlanta. He had 56 carries for 223 yards and 1 touchdown, in addition, he caught 26 passes for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns. Despite this dynamic 2019, Folston is presently injured and on injured reserve. No word yet on an estimated return date, but taking a late-round flyer on an explosive threat like Folston is a league-winning move. If he returns before the end of the year, look for him to challenge for quality touches and make the most of his opportunities.

Simmie Cobbs – WR – DC Defenders

Simmie Cobbs was an absolute monster during the preseason game, but was released by the Renegades before rosters became official. Cobbs was not out of a job for long as DC stepped in and scooped him up. With the Defenders, Cobbs will be competing for playing time in a potentially prolific offense featuring Cardale Jones, Jhurrell Pressley, and Rashad Ross. Although that sounds like it could lead to a drop in value, playing in a high-powered offense like that will leave Cobbs facing softer matchups. With softer matchups, a talented receiver like Cobbs will have the opportunity to feast and be a high-upside fantasy play.

Donald Parham – TE – Dallas Renegades

Donald Parham is six-foot-eight. Let’s say that one more time, SIX FOOT EIGHT. Anyone that tall, with wingspan, has the potential to be a dominant force. The thing that might keep Parham from being a sure thing is his pedigree, he played at Stetson, an FCS school. Parham absolutely dominated as a senior but was unable to catch on with either the Redskins or Lions during the preseason. As a senior, Parham caught 85 passes for 1,319 yards and 13 touchdowns, all this in only 9 games.

Tim Cook III/ Justin Stockton/Darius Victor – RB – New York Guardians

?? @XFLGuardians' @yungvitov hit the truck stick on this one

(via: @xfl2020)pic.twitter.com/pzBQYfV78D

— XFL on FOX (@XFLonFOX) January 22, 2020

The New York Guardians’ backfield is difficult to figure out so far. All three of these backs have the capability to be the lead option. Cook and Stockton already shared the backfield with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF, where both were firmly stuck behind Jhurrell Pressley. Now they have the backfield somewhat to themselves, but it remains to be seen how it will shake out. Darius Victor had one of the most vicious runs of the preseason, and anyone who runs that hard will have the potential to be fantasy relevant and a “must start” later in the season. Someone needs to draft the Guardian’s backs, but it’s a high-risk/high-reward play due to the lack of clarity.