Top USFL DFS Picks for Week 1 (2023)
Football is back (again) this weekend, with the arrival of the second USFL season. The league returned last year in a reboot of sorts, and it’ll keep trucking along with week one.
If you didn’t know, you can build USFL DFS lineups at DraftKings, which means you can turn fake USFL points into real money.
Of course, you need the right Week 1 USFL DFS picks to do that. There are not a lot of people pouring through the data to hand out top plays, so perhaps that’s why you’re here now.
I should tell you that nobody knows much of anything in regards to the 2023 USFL season specifically, but we do have a little data and some information to hang our hat on.
I do suggest getting familiar with the USFL depth charts, and reading up on new coaches and which players did what in the league last year.
With that, here are my favorite plays at each position for week one at DraftKings.
Case Cookus, QB, Philadelphia Stars ($10.2)
Typically I prefer some rushing ability with my signal callers, especially if they’re going to be this pricey.
That said, Cookus gives us a few things to hang our hat on. Most notably, he’s in the same system he was a year ago, when he completed 61% of his passes for 1,689 yards and 15 touchdowns across 10 games.
He had his ups and downs last year, but he had a massive 47.1-point fantasy outing that few would forget against Michigan in week eight.
Cookus was also quite productive in college, and his team runs a pass-heavy system. The price is hefty, but Cookus appears to have the system and ability to be a strong play in week one.
With so much uncertainty, I like building my USFL DFS lineups around a hopefully stable quarterback.
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Birmingham Stallions ($8.8k)
Derrick Henry Lite? Maybe, as Bo Scarbrough has flashed some ability at the NFL level, and of course churned out 65.8 yards per game in the USFL in 2021.
It’s unclear if he’ll have the backfield all to himself, but he certainly left a good taste in everyone’s mouth in his final 2021 game, when he dropped 135 yards and a score on Philly.
Scarbrough racked up three 100+ rushing days on the season, and for the moment is listed as the top dog on the Stallions’ depth chart.
We can only fully believe and trust so much. However, Scarbrough should be in position to produce from the jump in 2023.
Corey Coleman, WR, Philadelphia Stars ($7.5k)
If you’re investing some heavy funds in Cookus, you probably want at least one guy to stack him with. I can definitely see why you’d roll with someone like Jordan Suell, who he has chemistry with and recorded 43 catches for 463 yards a year ago.
That’s fine, but he isn’t cheap. Someone who is on the team and should be playing a key role is about $2k cheaper, and that’s NFL flameout, Corey Coleman.
While he couldn’t hack it at the highest level, this is a legit burner who some already have an eye for in the 2023 USFL MVP race.
That might be a stretch, as I’d be much more apt to favor Cookus over the guy he’s throwing passes to, but he does have the talent to go off in this league.
Coleman’s role isn’t guaranteed with this being his first season with the Stars, but the guy was a monster at Baylor. Seriously, check out his stats over his final two seasons of college ball.
- 64 receptions, 1,119 yards, 11 TDs
- 74 receptions, 1,363 yards, 20 TDs
That was admittedly a long time ago, and logic could suggest a now 28-year old Coleman is of the washed variety.
It’s week one of the 2023 USFL season, though, and his comeback would make for a heck of a story. Let’s live a little and stack Cookus with the explosive Coleman, shall we?
Other USFL DFS Picks for Week 1
- De’Andre Johnson, QB, New Jersey Generals ($8.9k)
- Alex Collins, RB, Memphis Showboats ($7.8k)
- Garrett Groshek, RB, Pittsburgh Maulers ($4.8k)
- Jonathan Adams, WR, New Orleans Breakers ($7.7k)
Johnson might be the chalk play at quarterback in week one. It’s a fine approach, as he no longer is sharing the field with Luis Perez, and there’s no denying his rushing upside.
The question, of course, will be if you want to eat the chalk, and if his passing can be up to par.
I like Bo, but Alex Collins is a pretty nice (and cheaper) pivot. He is one of the bigger names in the USFL to start the 2023 season, and he was somewhat productive (411 yards) in the NFL in 2021.
You can go even cheaper with Groshek, who is probably in a timeshare, but operates out of an offense that will probably run the ball a good deal. He was not overly productive last year, but he did have 10+ touches in eight different games.
I’ll close with Adams, who is likely looking at a sizable role for a pass-happy Breakers squad. He has some good coaching backing him, and he may be ready to build on a 2022 campaign that saw him register 431 yards and three scores on 33 catches.
There is value to be had in week 1 USFL contests, but I’m here to nudge you toward some reliable USFL DFS picks. The rest will be up to you.
Hopefully I can help you to get the ball rolling this week. Good luck!
Writer at Daily Fantasy Fade
DFS Keanu has been covering fantasy sports, DFS, and props for the better part of a decade, all while fighting The Matrix and a litany of assassins.
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