Arena Football League daily fantasy is debuting on DraftKings for week 1 of the 2019 AFL season. You can learn the details of the game in our intro here.
All 6 teams are active for the opening weekend. As of 4/26 no betting totals are available:
Friday:
Washington @ Balitmore
Saturday:
Atlantic City @ Philadelphia
Columbus @ Albany
While projections won’t start until next week, we can preview the major pieces for each team on this slate.
Personally, I will be playing multiple lineup (at least 20), with some exposure to all 6 QB’s. Your approach should fit the number of lineups you’re entering and the size and type of the tournament.
Washington (playing @ Balitmore)
QB Situation: Arvell Nelson – $9.4k
Nelson is an established elite AFL option, which his salary reflects. He is the highest cost QB on the slate.
His ability to rush the ball could also make him an interesting QB to play without any of his skill player teammates. He ran for 5 TD’s in the finale last season and 9 over the final 3 regular season games.
Notes: Doug McNeil III, who had 6 touchdowns in his last 2 games last season, is injured. Washington has added Reggie Gray at WR, but DraftKings does not include him in the player pool.
Any production to Gray cuts away from Nelson’s value in a stack. Those are fantasy points not available to the other skill players.
Reese and Dangerfield both provide upside at WR based on last season. I won’t chase anyone cheaper than those guys from Washington.
Baltimore (vs Washington)
QB Situation – Shane Boyd – $8k
This is a spot I love, especially in the larger tournaments. Boyd doesn’t show any stats on DraftKings but he has proven upside.
In 2017 he threw for 7 touchdowns and ran for 1 in a playoff game. Huge upside but enough risk to make worth avoiding in cash games.
Notes: The injury situation needs to clear up. Use twitter to try and get injury news for Joe Hills and Brandon Thompkins.
Both are listed as questionable. They are expensive but elite options if healthy. If out, there will be value for cheaper guys.
Atlantic City (@ Philadelphia)
QB Situation: Randy Hippeard $8.6k
A proven stud in the AFL with 79 touchdowns last season. Not the highest ceiling on the slate but should be a safe play.
Notes: The skill players are cheap here. The top-WR Kendrick Ings, an All-Arena player in 2017, has more upside than his stats on DK shows. This could depress his ownership and make him a better play for the large tournament.
Philadelphia (vs Atlantic City)
QB Situtation: Dan Raudabaugh $8.2k
Another proven AFL QB, he averaged 32 points per game last season in 9 games. He doesn’t provide any rush potential, so I would definitely pair him with skill players.
Skill Players: The Soul have weapons if everyone is healthy. Darius Prince averaged 31.3 points per game last season, Aaron Wascha 24.0, and Darius Reynolds 20.3.
Aaron Wascha is still questionable as of gameday.
Columbus (@ Albany)
QB Situtation: Grant Russell $7.6k
A year out of college, Russell is a rookie. Definitely worth rostering if you’re running several lineups, but not worth the risk if you’re playing a single lineup or high entry fee cash games. I will likely have a few with him as my captain.
Notes: There is a lot of value, especially if Donovan Morgan does not play. He didn’t practice Thursday, which could put him closer to doubtful than questionable for Saturday. Jenson Stoshak is an interesting cheap option at $2.8k.
Albany (vs Columbus)
QB Situation: Tommy Grady $9.2k
Elite AFL QB, 94 touchdowns and 36.9 fantasy points per game last season.
Notes: Malachi Jones is his top option, with 36 receiving touchdowns last season. Jones also added 5 rushing TDs and averaged 36.2 points per game. These guys form an expensive stack with potential to be the highest scoring duo.