We’re all in need of some entertainment during these times of the unknown. DraftKings is doing its part by offering Madden simulations with a variety of teams going at it. For this piece, we’ll focus on the 6-game slate, which starts at 12:00 p.m. ET.
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Quarterbacks
Stud
Aaron Rodgers, GB vs. WAS, $7,200 – We haven’t often seen Rodgers hit his ceiling in these simulations; however, it’s generally been pretty easy to pinpoint when the QB is going to have a good performance. To wit, while Rodgers has exceeded 20.0 DKFP just three times in the Packers’ past nine streams, those solid showings have come against the Dolphins, the Giants and the Buccaneers. If you give the former MVP a great matchup, he’ll usually take advantage.
Value
Jameis Winston, TB at OAK, $6,100 – Winston hasn’t consistently been putting up insane fantasy outputs the past few weeks, but he’s still managed to score at least 18.0 DKFP in half of Tampa Bay’s 28 simulations. He’s also mustered five performances of more than 25.0 DKFP, so you know the current free agent possesses a pretty enticing ceiling. With contests involving the Raiders generally being pretty high-scoring, I like this spot for Winston.
Running Backs
Stud
Devonta Freeman, ATL vs. LAC, $6,000 – As much as the Chargers are not a defensive unit that I’m thrilled to be testing, how do you ignore Freeman at this point in time? The veteran RB has exceeded 23.0 DKFP in five of Atlanta’s past 11 streams, including a recent two-game stretch against Denver and Tampa Bay where Freeman racked up an impressive five touchdowns. In fact, taking it even further, in the Falcons’ last 15 simulations, Freeman is averaging an eye-popping 21.0 DKFP. That’s amazing production.
Value
Jalen Richard, OAK vs. TB, $3,200 – While the floor is obviously pretty low with a situational back like Richard, this feels like the perfect spot to use him. More often that not, the Buccaneers’ defense has been underwhelming and I’d be anticipating a scoring script for the Raiders. Plus, Richard’s returned double-digit DKFP 10 times so far in these streams, so it’s very apparent that 4x and even 5x value is on the table when you own him.
Wide Receivers
Stud
Mike Evans, TB at OAK, $7,200 – Game-to-game the Mike Evans experience has been frustrating throughout these simulations; however, you can’t deny the wideout’s potential upside. Evans has four different multi-touchdown performances in Tampa Bay’s 28 games, and, in the team’s past two contests specifically, the hulking receiver has racked up 11 catches, 195 yards and two scores. If you’re building around the aforementioned Winston in a massive GPP, you might as well swing for the moon with this stack.
Value
James Washington, PIT at HOU, $3,600 – To put it simply, there’s just a lot of touchdown upside present in Washington; a level of ceiling you wouldn’t normally find this close to the minimum. The young wideout has 14 trips to the end zone in Pittsburgh’s 26 simulations, a figure that only puts Washington slightly behind JuJu Smith-Schuster’s ($6,500) team lead. If he can find paydirt in good matchup on Thursday, he could be the slate’s top value play.
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Tight Ends
Stud
George Kittle, SF vs. CIN, $6,300 – Kittle’s production was somewhat hampered a couple weeks back by a lengthy touchdown drought, but the All-Pro has certainly turned around his fortune in San Francisco’s past six games. In that span of time, Kittle has averaged 6.2 receptions, 88.5 yards and 17.0 DKFP per contest. Combine that recent success with a non-threatening matchup and Kittle hefty price tag doesn’t seem so bad at all.
Value
O.J. Howard, TB at OAK, $4,400 – Again, I’m sort of going all-in on this matchup being the barnburner on the slate. Though, if you just wanted to use Howard on an island, that’s perfectly fine, too. The former first-round pick has been a vital piece of Tampa Bay’s offense throughout these simulations, with Howard actually leading the team in catches (119). He’s also exceeded 29.0 DKFP four times, so you know his ceiling is prime.
Defense/Special Teams
Stud
Packers, GB vs. WAS, $3,200 – While the Green Bay defense has not forced an absurd about of turnovers throughout these streams, the Packers’ DST does lead all units playing on this slate in both interceptions (13) and sacks (72). In fact, Green Bay has registered an impressive 11 sacks in its past three games alone. Considering Dwayne Haskins’ ($5,600) low awareness rating, I could see the Packers adding to those totals on Thursday.
Value
Steelers, PIT at HOU, $2,400 – For as much as you have to respect the Texans’ offensive prowess, there’s no good reason for Pittsburgh’s defense to be this inexpensive. The Steelers’ DST is averaging the second-most DKFP per game (5.9) of any unit on this slate, and with how terrible Houston’s offensive line is, T.J. Watt and company could have a field day.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is theglt13) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.