This report is component of our DraftKings USFL series.

We’ve noticed spring football leagues come and go in current years, not totally via their personal fault as COVID-19 made challenges that no one particular foresaw. On the other hand, the USFL is now hunting to sustain its accomplishment as it kicks off its second consecutive season Saturday at four:30 p.m. EDT. Ahead of we jump into some of the top rated plays, it is worth hunting at some of the guidelines that are exceptional as compared to the NFL.

Like the XFL, unique teams plays are significantly various from the classic NFL format. Most impactful for fantasy purposes, there are 3 PAT selections. The 1st is a classic kick for one particular point, which is snapped from the 15-yard line — producing it roughly a 32-yard try. Teams also have the choice to go for a two-point conversion from the two-yard line, or a 3-point conversion from the ten-yard line. As for kickoffs, the ball is placed at the 20, with the kicking group lining up at the 19.  The getting group will have eight or nine players lined up amongst its personal 30- and 40-yard lines. Neither group can move till the ball is fielded. A kick that goes out of bounds will be placed 30 yards from the spot of the kick, which means in most instances midfield.

A handful of other guidelines that can be covered in much less detail:

• A ball fumbled via the finish zone is placed back at the spot of the fumble and the fumbling group will retain possession.  
• The clock runs following incompletions in the 1st and third quarters. It also runs for the complete second and fourth quarters when there are far more than 5 minutes remaining.
• The clock stops following penalties in the final two minutes of the second and fourth quarters as effectively as following 1st downs.
•  There are two techniques to retain possession following a score. Very first is a classic onside kick. The other is a 4th-and-12 play from the scoring team’s personal 33-yard line.
• Overtime is a ideal-of-3 shootout. Every group runs 3 plays from the two-yard line. The group with the most conversions wins. If tied following 3 rounds, overtime becomes sudden death.
• Defensive pass interference commonly is a 15-yard penalty, similar as NCAA guidelines. On the other hand, there are two exceptions. When a receiver is intentionally tackled beyond 15 yards when the ball is in the air, it becomes a spot foul. It will also be a spot foul if the penalty happens inside 15 yards of the line of scrimmage.
• The offense can full two forward passes behind the line of scrimmage.

Contests are supplied on DraftKings, so pricing and reference to roster needs is precise to the web-site.   

Quarterback

Case Cookus ($ten,200) at Memphis

There was a bit of a mastering curve when the XFL season started due to a relative lack of familiarity and info about the league. That will probably be accurate of the USFL as effectively, but Cookus and J’Mar Smith ($ten,300) enter the season as the top rated two quarterbacks in the league. They are priced accordingly. Primarily based on the projected good quality of opponent, Cookus has the edge, even though Smith does have the advantage of getting far more of a dual-threat choice.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson ($eight,300) vs. Pittsburgh

Bethel-Thompson has bounced all more than in his qualified football profession, but he most not too long ago won the Grey Cup with the Argonauts of the CFL. Lack of familiarity and rust could potentially be aspects early in the season, so leaning on a veteran signal-caller could prove smart. He also has a sturdy pass-catching corps to take benefit of in what need to be a matchup to take benefit of. Bethel-Thompson is a very good choice for these not hunting to spend up all the way at quarterback.

Operating Back

Bo Scarbrough ($eight,800) vs New Jersey

Scarbrough did not pan out in the NFL, but he created a fast influence in the USFL final season and is back to lead the backfield for Birmingham when once again. He closed out the team’s postseason run in exceptional kind in 2022, with possibly the most impressive component getting his involvement as a receiver. He saw at least 3 targets in 3 of his final 4 games, which combined with his perform as a rusher, gave him an exceptional workload. New Jersey projects to be a difficult matchup, but not to the point exactly where Scarbrough has to be avoided.

Matt Colburn ($9,000) at Memphis

There are some decent worth selections at wide receiver, so in Week 1 the optimal construct appears to be to spend up at operating back. Colburn completed second in the league in touchdowns and fifth in yards in 2022 regardless of getting a lesser workload than several of the players surrounding on the stats leaderboard. He was involved as a pass catcher as effectively, tallying 18 receptions for 150 yards for the Stars final season. It probably does not make sense to roster each Cookus and Colburn, simply because it is unlikely that each hit their ceiling in Week 1.

Also Contemplate: Madre London ($six,900) at New Orleans

Wide Receiver/Tight Finish

Derrick Dillon ($three,400) vs. Philadelphia

The Showboats have 3 talented receivers in Dillon, John Franklin ($eight,600) and Rashard Davis ($four,900). It really is not specifically clear in which order they will be prioritized in the offense, but Franklin is priced amongst the elite wide receivers. That tends to make Dillon a especially attractive worth choice, as he gives direct leverage off one particular of the highest-priced pass catchers on the slate. As for Dillon’s play itself, he completed fifth in the USFL with 386 getting yards, 11th in receptions and 14th in targets in 2022. It really is a crowded getting corps in Memphis, but even so, this seems to be a price tag to exploit.

Jonathan Adams ($7,700) vs. Pittsburgh

We shift to one more talented getting corps for our subsequent choice, as Adams and teammate Johnnie Dixon ($9,000) are projected to be the top rated duo in the league. Final year, Adams completed inside the top rated ten in yards, targets and receptions. It really is definitely attainable that Dixon outperforms him this weekend, but the target distribution need to be narrow sufficient that Adams has the likelihood to get there even if Dixon does as effectively. Each are sturdy selections.

Corey Coleman ($7,500) at Memphis

Coleman has considerable NFL pedigree as he was chosen 15th all round in the 2016 draft. Factors did not perform out for him from there, but he is nonetheless a relatively important influx of talent for the league. He most not too long ago appeared on the Chiefs practice squad early in the 2022 season, but he will now have the likelihood to serve as the Stars’ second wide receiver behind Jordan Suell ($9,one hundred), who is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Defense/Particular Teams

New Orleans Breakers ($four,600) vs. Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh had the worst offense in the league in 2022. Its coaching employees and quarterback have each changed, so there is no assure that it will be poor when once again. On the other hand, this nonetheless seems to be one particular of the greatest mismatches obtainable in the opening week, so it is worth paying up for the highest-priced defense on the slate.

The author(s) of this report may possibly play in everyday fantasy contests like – but not restricted to – games that they have supplied suggestions or suggestions on in this report. In the course of playing in these games making use of their private accounts, it is attainable that they will use players in their lineups or other tactics that differ from the suggestions they have supplied above. The suggestions in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Dan Marcus plays in everyday fantasy contests making use of the following accounts: FanDuel: marcusd91
DraftKings: dmarcus87.