The bye week is over. Now, it's on to Minneapolis for another week of fantasy lacrosse. Let’s see which players are flying under the radar and which players might be overvalued for their price.

Start

Owen McElroy, Goalie, Denver Outlaws

Salary Coins: 26

After filling in for the injured Sean Sconone against the Utah Archers in Carolina, McElroy put up 33 fantasy points in the Outlaws’ overtime win.

McElroy will face the California Redwoods offense this Saturday in Minneapolis. The Redwoods sit at 0-2 and currently have the lowest-scoring offense in the PLL. 

McElroy has the lowest salary cap hit out of any goaltender this week. I am a firm believer that he is one of the most undervalued players in the entire league. 

This can be a huge breakout game for the third-year netminder out of Georgetown. 

TJ Malone, Attack, Maryland Whipsnakes

Salary coins: 33

The rookie out of Penn State has had a remarkable start to his professional career. Malone’s success has been overshadowed by fellow rookies Brennan O’Neill and Connor Shellenberger, but he deserves just as much credit for the impact he makes for his team. 

Malone leads the Whipsnakes offense in both touches (91) and total fantasy points (99). He has been given the keys to the team’s attack over two solidified veterans in Matt Rambo and Zed Williams.

The Whipsnakes face the New York Atlas this Friday. An upset win over the league’s best team might just be what Malone needs to get his name on the map.

Eric Dobson, Midfield, Carolina Chaos

Salary Coins: 21

The second-round pick out of Notre Dame had a very promising PLL debut. After missing the first two games of the season, Dobson put up 27 fantasy points, the sixth-most out of all midfielders during Philadelphia weekend. 

Carolina will be matched up against the 0-3 Philadelphia Waterdogs this Saturday night. The Chaos will need some help from their midfield group to put up substantial points to get the win. Dobson only had 15 touches in their loss to Utah in Philadelphia. 

I would expect Dobson to put up the majority of shots for the Chaos, which can set him up to be a point-getter this week. What makes Dobson stand out for me is his ability to dodge to the cage. Regardless of his matchup, Dobson will dodge to score, which makes him very dangerous if his shots are on target. 

Sit

Asher Nolting, Attack, Boston Cannons

Salary coins: 48

Even with his monster weekend in Charlotte, during which Nolting put up 69 fantasy points against the Whipsnakes, the Cannons star only has the seventh-highest fantasy scoring output out of all attackmen in 2024. 

While not discounting his performance against Maryland, Nolting only averaged 24.5 fantasy points in his other two games. 

The Cannons will be facing the Archers this Friday. Utah recently picked up a massive piece on defense with their 2023 first-team All-Pro defenseman, Graeme Hossack, added back to the 25-man roster. He will likely be guarding Nolting this weekend. 

Right now, Nolting’s salary cap hit is too high for how he has produced so far this season. 

Rob Pannell, Attack, California Redwoods

Salary Coins: 40

Pannell has been the quarterback of the Redwoods offense since his first year with the group in 2021. Three years later, the team has the lowest-scoring offense in the league and brought in a young playmaking attackman in Chris Gray over the offseason. 

After Gray’s insertion into the lineup in Philadelphia, Pannell’s weekly fantasy points dropped from 46 to 28, and his touches dropped from 41 to 35. As the season progresses, I don’t see Pannell’s touches or fantasy totals increasing.

The Redwoods are facing a young Denver group that is coming off a two-week bye.

Blaze Riorden, Goalie, Carolina Chaos

Salary Coins: 47

Riorden's salary cap hit is tied with Brett Dobson's for the highest among goalies. Carolina’s matchup this week does not put him at an advantage for his price tag. 

Philadelphia is currently 0-3, due in part to their strategy to not dress a faceoff specialist. The Waterdogs now have one -- Alec Stathakis, who rejoined the team Tuesday after being cut out of training camp -- and thus will have more possessions than they're used to. 

Among teams that have been dressing specialists, Carolina's 37.6% faceoff win percentage ranks last in the league. 

Saturday could be a long day for Riorden, who missed two games with a knee injury earlier this season, if he cannot perform to his full potential.