XFL Depth Chart Analysis

Justin Carter breaks down the initial depth charts for each XFL franchise, with a fantasy football spin.

The XFL kicks off on Saturday, and on Thursday the league's depth charts dropped. Like with last year's AAF launch, these depth charts come very close to the first games, which doesn't give us a whole lot of time to get ready for the first games.

While many of you have already finished, or nearly finished, your season-long drafts. If so, breaking down the depth charts and discussing the interesting things about them can help you make lineup decisions this weekend. It can also help you make better sense of a league that's not the easiest to understand.

So, let's get to it. Here are the skill position depth charts for each team, with some analysis of what it means.

Dallas Renegades

• The quarterback position is interesting here, as Dallas was the only team to list an "or" at the position. We've assumed for a while that this would be the best team in large part because of Landry Jones, but Jones appears to be dealing with an injury and could miss Week 1. If so, Phillip Nelson would take over, although Eric Dungey is an intriguing option.
• Cameron Artis-Payne being first on the depth chart was to be expected, but my big question is this: where is Lance Dunbar? He was on the roster and was expected to play a key role, but he's not anywhere on this depth chart.
• Jazz Ferguson is dealing with a hand injury, so he's listed as a second-teamer. I was big on Ferguson last year when I thought he might end up a Seahawk, but we'll see what ends up happening with him. I also like Jeff Badet and Flynn Nagel on what should be a good offense.

DC Defenders

• Is that Rashad Ross -- who at one point was listed as the top fantasy wide receiver in early rankings -- listed as a second-teamer? Although, the way DC listed their depth chart could just mean that Ross is the third receiver, as they were the only team to not list six separate slots on the depth chart.
• Cardale Jones is my pick for the league's top quarterback right now, especially with Landry Jones banged up.
• Jhurrel Pressley was one of the best AAF running backs and could be successful in this league as well.

Houston Roughnecks

• P.J. Walker was just named the starting quarterback over Connor Cook. It's a surprising move; in a June Jones offense, Walker should put up some numbers.
• Sam Mobley not being listed as one of the team's four starting wide receivers -- more on that in a second -- is surprising.
• Nick Holley should have running back eligibility, but will start at receiver. Probably a slot guy. Could be a value play worth checking out.
• Houston does not roster a tight end. Keep that in mind -- four receivers are listed because there should be four receivers on the field the majority of the time.

L.A. Wildcats

• Johnson has a thigh injury, so we'll see if he suits up in Week 1. Johnson is obviously a top quarterback in the XFL if he's healthy, and neither of his backups pose much of a threat.
• The running back situation here looks about like we expected it would. Hood should get first crack with Harris and Rose mixed in as a committee.
• Tre McBride being listed as a second-string receiver is a surprise, as he was just putting up some very good NFL preseason numbers a few months back.
• Brandon Barnes is either the best or second-best fantasy option at tight end, mainly because few others have much pass-catching potential.

New York Guardians

• Luis Perez dropped to third on the depth chart? Not what I was expecting.
• E.J. Bibbs got some early hype. He is now the team's third tight end. Again, surprised but things could change.
• Mekale McKay appears to be the top receiver in New York, which is something that does make sense. He shined in the AAF and could do so again.

St. Louis Battlehawks

• This is one of the least desirable QB spots in the league. Jordan Ta'amu is the starter, and he's... fine, I suppose.
• Christine Michael is going to get a LOT of work, and I'd consider his backups, including former Redskin Matt Jones, to be among the top handcuffs.
• Two interesting receivers here, despite the worries about QB. De'Mornay Pierson-El was really good in the AAF. L'Damian Washington was less productive, but still intriguing.
• Keith Mumphrey is someone to keep an eye on, even if he isn't slated to start as of now.
• Thought Wes Saxton might have earned the top tight end role, but it looks like he's second on the depth chart.

Seattle Dragons

• This is probably the worst QB situation. Brandon Silvers is pretty clearly the league's weakest starter, in my opinion.
• In terms of running, three solid RBs here.  The starter is Ja'Quan Gardner, and he's going to have a good year, but also expect heavy doses of Kenneth Farrow and passes to Williams.
• Wide receiver? Kasen Williams is really the one intriguing guy here, but he has a quad issue, so for Week 1, I'd probably steer clear of this team. They'll be running a lot.
• Five tight ends? Evan Rodriguez is only third among them? I thought he could be a solid fantasy starter, but not for Week 1, at least!

Tampa Bay Vipers

• Aaron Murray's AAF tenure went pretty bad. I'm not super enthused by him here either.
• De'Veon Smith is a solid running back.
• Nick Truesdell will be the TE1 or TE2, just like he was in the AAF. I've seen him go pretty early in drafts, which makes sense considering the depth at the position.
• Quinton Flowers is going to be the league's trick play guy. Will that trickle down into fantasy production?
• Reece Horn was a top AAF receiver and has been very underrated in the XFL fantasy world.
• Stacy Coley has been cut since the depth charts were released, so the former Hurricane is no longer relevant.