Los Angeles Wildcats XFL Betting Preview: Odds, Picks, Predictions, Depth Chart, More

Los Angeles Wildcats Odds, Picks, Predictions & Depth Chart

Betting on the XFL? Our crew is here to guide you through what you need to know about all eight teams.

Below you'll find odds, depth charts and more analysis for the Los Angeles Wildcats.

Los Angeles Wildcats XFL Championship Odds

• Championship Odds: +650

Odds as of Thursday and via FanDuel, where Action Network users get a risk-free bet up to $500.

Los Angeles Wildcats Offensive Depth Chart & Analysis

• QB: Josh Johnson, Chad Kanoff, Jalen McClendon
• RB: Elijah Hood, Dujuan Harris, Larry Rose, Martez Carter
• WR: Jordan Smallwood, Tre McBride
• WR: Adonis Jennings, Saeed Blackwell
• WR: Nelson Spruce, Jalen Greene, Kermit Whitfield
• TE: Brandon Barnes, De’Quan Hampton
• LT: Storm Norton, Tyler Roemer
• LG: Fred Lauina, Kahlil McKenzie
• C: Patrick Vahe
• RG: Nico Siragua, Dwayen Wallace
• RT: Jaelin Robinson, Lene Maiava

The Wildcats are led by Johnson, a nine-year NFL veteran, but an undisclosed injury this week in practice has him listed as a game-time decision for Week 1. In his prime, Johnson was a dual-threat option on the ground and through the air, averaging 5.8 yards per carry as recently as 2018. At 33 years old, he's probably starting to slow down as a runner, but if he can keep defenses honest with his legs, he’ll open up running lanes for Hood.

Expected to serve in a bell-cow role, Hood is a physical, downhill runner who should find success behind a solid offensive line. He was a top running back prospect out of high school and had two strong seasons at North Carolina, including a 1,534-yard, 17-touchdown sophomore year, and in his final college season he had a respectable 25 receptions. At 230 pounds, he’s a lock to see work in early down and goal-line situations.

Smallwood tops the depth chart at wide receiver, a bit of a surprise given his lack of experience at both the college and pro levels. He played sparingly in one season at Oklahoma and has since bounced around on NFL practice squads. Joining Smallwood in the starting three are Jennings and Spruce, the latter of whom should do well in the slot in a pass-happy attack. Last year in the AAF, he had a 73.1 Pro Football Focus receiver grade, good for No. 6 in the league. McBride figures to rotate in as a legitimate downfield threat for Johnson. I would not be surprised to see McBride eventually supplant Smallwood or Jennings in the starting lineup.

Los Angeles Wildcats Defensive Depth Chart & Analysis

• LE: Boogie Roberts, Shawn Oakman, Devin Taylor
• Nose: Roderick Henderson, Montori Hughes
• RE: Latarius Brady, Trevon Sanders
• ROLB: Willie Mays, Cedric Reed
• LOLB: Anthony Johnson
• MLB: Tre Williams, Taiwan Jones
• WLB: Will Smith, Quentin Gause
• CB: Jaylen Dunlap, Mike Stevens
• CB: Harlan Miller, Arrion Springs, Roman Tatum
• S: Jack Tocho, Ladarius Wiley, Jerome Couplin
• S: Ahmad Dixon, Mar’Sean Diggs

Led by Williams at middle linebacker, the Wildcats enter the season with high expectations for their defense, especially since head coach Winston Moss, a former linebacker himself, spent 13 seasons as the Packers LB coach.

The Wildcats invested two of their first three picks on the front seven. Johnson would have been a high-round draft pick in the NFL had injuries not derailed his college career, but when healthy he has a penchant for wreaking havoc.

Further bolstering the defensive front, the Wildcats also recently brought back Oakman (after cutting him earlier in the preseason). He fell out of favor with NFL scouts due to off-the-field issues, but he was considered a first-round talent in early 2016. Overall, this is a solid unit that has the potential to finish the year as the No. 1 overall defense.

Los Angeles Wildcats Pick

Pick: Stay Away

A couple of weeks ago, Caesars posted a win total of 4.0 for the Wildcats, and at that number, I liked the over. Given their promising offense and talented defense, they seem likely to finish no worse than a mediocre 5-5.

But the win totals have been taken off the board, and I don't like them enough in the futures market to bite.