The XFL is about to kickoff! Us fantasy football addicts now have a fix for the rest of the season (set your league up now!). We already ranked and graded all eight XFL Teams, but if you’re just looking for one specific roster, we’ve got you covered too. Official XFL Depth Charts were released on Thursday, and many had shocking implications. Below, we look at the Tampa Bays’s depth chart, their Week 1 DraftKings Prices, as well as the coaching staff to give you a complete picture of the Vipers.
3) Tampa Bay Vipers
Season win total: 7.5 (+105)
Championship odds: +500
Head Coach: Marc Trestman
Offensive Coordinator: Jaime Elizondo
Now, this team will be fun. Most NFL fans will scoff at the name Marc Trestman, but the guy will be fun in the XFL. He brings his band of CFL coaches to the XFL to throw the ball all over the yard. Trestman has been a passing offense and quarterback wet dream throughout his time as an offensive mastermind. Some may even say Trestman was before his time, as Bernie Kosar, Scott Mitchell, Jake Plummer, Rich Gannon, and a handful of CFL quarterbacks had career years, and he even turned the 2013 Bears into one of the league’s top offenses with Luke McCown slinging the rock. PPR enthusiasts will never forget Matt Forte’s 102 catch gem under Trestman. Overall, this offense will be a fantasy feast.
Tampa Bay Vipers Official Depth Chart & Fantasy names to know:
QB:
1) Aaron Murray (Georgia)
Backup: Taylor Cornelius
QB/RB Quinton Flowers (USF)
RB:
1) De’Veon Smith (Michigan, 21st overall, RB7), $6300
2) Jacques Patrick (FSU, Supplemental), $4300
3) Mack Brown, $3300
WR:
1) Jalen Tolliver (Arkansas-Monticello, 28th Overall, WR16), $3200
2) Reece Horn (Indianapolis, 60th Overall, WR31), $3400
3) Daniel Williams (Jackson St., Supplemental), $3000
Others: Seantavius Jones (Valdosta St., 12th Overall, WR5), $7400
Note – Antonio Calloway was expected to be the Alpha WR1, but is now on the IR.
TE: Nick Truesdell (Grand Rapids JUCO, 5th Overall, TE1), $6900
Aaron Murray was named the starter a few weeks ago and the former Bulldog is a household name for college football fans. With Trestman calling the shots, expect Murray to throw the ball to his bevy of wideouts. The pass-heavy Vipers will lean on Murray’s arm and he should put up major fantasy numbers, as all QBs have under Trestman.
An interesting piece of the offense will be former USF QB, Quinton Flowers. Flowers hung onto the roster as the team’s third QB, but the team said he could see reps at running back or even WR role — an XFL Taysom Hill, if you will. He’ll be an inconsistent option, but he’ll be fun to watch.
De’Veon Smith and Jacques Patrick may feel like afterthoughts in this aerial attack, but Trestman has LOVED throwing to his RBs in the past. Smith was listed as the RB1, and is an early favorite for the lead role, although he wasn’t much of a pass-catcher at Michigan. Still, he reportedly “made several dazzling runs during team scrimmages and looks to be a strong force in the backfield.” If he grows his pass-catching chops, Smith could be a sneaky favorite to finish as the RB1 in XFL Fantasy.
Meanwhile, No.2 tailback Jacques Patrick “consistently delivered, showcasing his blistering speed at every practice.” If he takes over the third-down role, Patrick could be a monster in this offense. Mack Brown might have the best hands among them all, and thus carries PPR weight as well.
The most disappointing injury happened in camp when former Browns castoff, Antonio Callaway, was placed on injured reserve after suffering a lower leg injury. With their clear WR1 done for the season, the team elected to keep NINE receivers to pick up the slack. The team announced Reece Horn, Jalen Tolliver, and Daniel Williams as the starters. Team bloggers were surprised Williams got the nod over both Seantavius Jones and Stacy Coley, especially after Jones was their 13th overall selection and the WR5 overall. He once profiled as a Top-5 XFL Fantasy WR, but will be difficult to trust now.
Though relative unknowns, all three WR starters warrant draft day plunges considering the upside of this passing attack. Williams has been catching TDs in scrimmages and preaseason contests, and is my sneaky favorite from this group.
Yet, the real passing-game engine might not even be a WR. The only TE drafted inside the Top-25, let alone Top-5, Nick Truesdell HAS to be the top tight ends selected in XFL fantasy if league’s require the position. In fact, he warrants Top-8 consideration for the Kelce-style edge he’d provide over the rest of the field if your roster requires TEs (it shouldn’t). Truesdell led the AAF in tight end receiving yards (269), and was the team’s first pick in the draft, suggesting a heavy role in Trestman’s eyes. He’ll be a big part of this attack and should be treated as such. Even in flex-only situations, he’s among the Top-10 pass catchers.
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