Start ’Em: Matt Brandau, M, Maryland Whipsnakes (29 coins)
Matt Brandau has been one of the most productive fantasy scorers over the last five weeks, posting 42, 53, 11, 65 and 48 points. He’s tied for the league lead in goals (19) – alongside Brennan O’Neill and Pat Kavanagh – which is remarkable for a midfielder priced at just 29 coins.
Last week, he showed off every part of his game: scoring off the ball, dodging, putting back a rebound and finishing in the two-man game. Brandau’s entire career has been about quietly filling up the stat sheet. Back at Yale, you might watch a game thinking he had a quiet day – then check the box score and see 2 goals and 4 assists.
Despite all that production, defenses haven’t keyed on him, partly because the Whipsnakes have plenty of weapons. TJ Malone and Aidan Carroll demand attention up front, Brad Smith stretches the field with his two-pointers, and Colin Squires and Adam Poitras push the pace in transition.
In a recent interview, Brandau talked about how his relationship with Malone is developing, saying, “As the chemistry grows, I think we’re going to start seeing the fruits of that connection a little bit more.” Honestly, their plays together have already stood out, and it’s only getting better.
As I was writing this, it hit me – Brandau is the Bo Nix of the PLL. Both made an immediate impact as freshmen in 2019 – Nix was SEC Freshman of the Year, and Brandau started on a national championship team. Thanks to extra eligibility and COVID extensions, it felt like these guys were never going to graduate. By the time their college careers wrapped up, Nix had become a Heisman candidate, and Brandau a Tewaaraton finalist. Now, both in their young pro careers, they’re starting to break out like they did in college, filling up the stat sheet once again.
At 29 coins and on fire, Brandau is a must-start every week – until he gives you a reason not to.
Sit ’Em: Brennan O’Neill, A, Denver Outlaws (43 coins)
I know – sitting O’Neill sounds ridiculous. He’s having an MVP-caliber season and is nearly leading the league in total fantasy points. When he got hit last week, he literally turned into the Incredible Hulk and took over. But I’m still sitting him this week in game one.
O’Neill is up against the Carolina Chaos and likely going head-to-head with Jack Rowlett, one of the few guys who might be able to frustrate him physically.
The Chaos defense is built around one of the best goalies in the world in Blaze Riorden. They’ve made a habit of locking up elite scorers and holding teams to low-scoring games.
Even more importantly – and this is where the fantasy angle kicks in – O’Neill plays again on Saturday against the New York Atlas, and in that game, he’s priced at just 39 coins. That’s a four-coin discount for what I think is a much better matchup.
He’ll be shooting on Liam Entenmann, someone he’s had a rivalry with since high school. They battled in college, and now, with both teams near the top of the standings, the rivalry has made its way to the pros. The clip of O’Neill ripping a net against Entenmann in high school likely still plays in Liam’s head every time Brennan winds up. If I had to pick just one game for him this weekend, I’m rolling with the cheaper Day 2 option – and sitting him in the first.
