Not only can fans bet on the Alliance of American Football (AAF), there are also different ways to play AAF fantasy football. PrizePicks is offering DFS-style contests with a 50 percent match on first deposit up to $1,000. For PrizePicks contests, select two, three or four players and pick if they will go over or under their projected fantasy totals.
There are currently 24 players across the league to choose from this week with more on the way Saturday. Here I selected three players I like to go over their projected fantasy totals, and three I think will go under.
Week 3 Over Plays
D’Ernest Johnson, RB Orlando Apollos
PrizePicks Fantasy Projection: 5.9 Points
Johnson is my favorite play in Week 3. Orlando didn’t run the ball much against San Antonio last week, opting instead to exploit the Commanders’ man defense in the secondary. Johnson looked good when he got an opportunity to salt the game away in the fourth quarter, finishing with 57 yards on just eight carries (7.1 YPC).
Through two games, Johnson has put up 92 yards on 13 carries. He isn’t being talked about much but Johnson is one of the most impressive running backs in the AAF early in the season. He should get more opportunities this week against Memphis in a game where Orlando is expected to be playing with a lead. The Apollos are 15.5-point favorites.
Akeem Hunt led the Apollos in rushing the first week but it was Johnson who started the second half against San Antonio and was the primary back over Hunt and De’Veon Smith. Johnson has been Orlando’s best back this season and he should reach double-digit carries for the first time against Memphis. He’s the Apollos back you want to own.
Editor’s Note: Get in on the action and play fantasy AAF on PrizePicks this weekend.
Rashad Ross, WR Arizona Hotshots
PrizePicks Fantasy Projection: 13.3 Points
Ross faces a Salt Lake defense he torched in Week 1 for five catches, 103 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. He followed up that performance with four catches, 67 yards and a score in Week 2 versus Memphis.
Ross leads the AAF with three touchdowns and ranks second in receptions (9) and receiving yards (170). His 46 fantasy points is tops among receivers, ahead of Orlando’s Charles Johnson. Ross is the third-highest scoring fantasy player overall through two weeks, behind quarterbacks Garrett Gilbert and John Wolford.
Ross looks a little undervalued on PrizePicks this week. Johnson is projected to score higher at 15.1 and Orlando’s other starting receiver, Jalin Marshall, is set at 12.3. Those two can take points away from each other, while Ross is separating himself as Arizona’s top receiver.
Salt Lake’s defense played well last week but that probably has something to do with Birmingham’s offense. Arizona piled up 416 yards on the Stallions in the opener, including 267 passing yards. Expect another big game from Ross.
For complete RotoGrinders AAF fantasy projections, hit it here.
Seantavius Jones, WR Atlanta Legends
PrizePicks Fantasy Projection: 9.4 Points
There’s good news and bad news when it comes to Jones. The good news is he ranks tied for third in targets with 15. The bad news is he’s converted just six of those targets to receptions in the first two games.
There a couple of reasons to like Jones this week. He’s clearly Matt Simms’ favorite receiver. No other Legends player has more than nine targets. Jones is also facing a Birmingham defense that may be overrated after facing quarterbacks Christian Hackenberg and Austin Allen the first two weeks. Hackenberg is the worst starting quarterback in the AAF and Allen is a third-stringer.
Jones was held to three catches for 23 yards by the Fleet but rain impacted the passing game. The targets are there and soon Jones will start producing more? Is this the Seantavius Jones breakout week? I’ll say yes.
Week 3 Under Plays
Logan Woodside, QB San Antonio Commanders
PrizePicks Fantasy Projection: 14.3 Points
Woodside has been erratic in the first two games. He’s completed just 50.7 percent of his passes for 478 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Somehow, those numbers make Woodside one of the better quarterbacks in the AAF.
I have a couple of concerns with Woodside this week. The Fleet’s defense is playing well and held San Antonio to just 15 points in the opener. Woodside threw for 255 yards in that game but no touchdowns and two interceptions.
My other concern is the presence of backup Marquise Williams. Williams played a series in the second quarter against Orlando last week and the coaches said they want to give him more reps. Williams rushed for 32 yards on three carries and his ability to run the ball adds another element to the Commanders’ offense. If Woodside struggles early against san Diego, don’t be surprised if we see more of Williams.
I expect San Antonio and San Diego to play another low-scoring game, so it will be difficult for Woodside to go over 14.7 fantasy points.
Philip Nelson, QB San Diego Fleet
PrizePicks Fantasy Projection: 11.6 Points
Staying in the same game, I’m going under on Nelson’s fantasy points as well.
Nelson replaced Mike Bercovici as San Diego’s starter last week. Take away a crazy behind the head pass while falling out of bounds and it was a performance to forget for Nelson. He finished 14 of 30 for 142 yards and one interception.
Things aren’t likely to get any easier this week for Nelson when he faces San Antonio’s defense. The Commanders struggled defending the pass last week versus Orlando but few teams in the AAF are equipped to challenge San Antonio down the field like the Apollos. San Diego certainly isn’t one of those teams.
The Commanders recorded six sacks in the opener and pass protection is still an issue for the Fleet. Nelson was sacked three times last week but a below-average Atlanta defensive front and he was pressured on many other occasions.
As I stated above, I don’t see either offense having much success in this game. Fade Nelson as it should be another busy day for Ja’Quan Gardner and Terrell Watson on the ground.
Branden Oliver, RB Salt Lake Stallions
PrizePick Fantasy Projection: 8.6 Points
PrizePicks has an interesting projection for the Salt Lake running backs. The former Chargers running back’s projection is 8.6 points, while Joel Bouagnon is set at 6.9.
Oliver is running well so far with 99 yards on 22 carries. He also adds value as a receiver with 27 yards on three receptions. The problem with Oliver is he fights for touches with two other backs. Bouagnon leads the team in carries (27) and yards (109). Matt Asiata isn’t being used much but he’s always a factor near the goal line. Asiata and Bouagnon each have a red zone touchdown this season.
Oliver’s total is high for a back who projects to see 10-12 touches and doesn’t get goal line carries. In the first meeting against Arizona this year, Oliver scored 6.6 fantasy points on nine touches. I would have set Oliver’s total closer to 7.0. At 8.6 and Bouagnon still in line for carries, I’m going under with Oliver this week.
Editor’s Note: Get in on the action and play fantasy AAF on PrizePicks this weekend. For complete RotoGrinders AAF fantasy projections, hit it here.