Each simulation will be played out via an online Madden Stream using Madden 2020 with rosters and ratings from the end of the 2019-20 season. In this format, you can enjoy watching the game stream on the DraftKings YouTube channel, on the DK Live app (download here) or right here in this post. Follow along to watch your fantasy team pile up fantasy points. The stream begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 16.
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Quarterback
Stud
Deshaun Watson, HOU at CLE, $7,000 — You can’t go wrong with either of the expensive quarterbacks on this slate as Russell Wilson ($8,000) faces the Jaguars. I lean toward Watson on this one as I like his matchup better and you’re getting a good $1,000 savings in the process. Watson has been running like a mad man as of late, averaging 49.8 yards per game over his past five. This isn’t a great slate for quarterbacks overall, so I’m more than willing to pay up at this position.
Value
Gardner Minshew, JAX vs. SEA, $5,400 — If you need to save salary, Minshew is a very strong candidate to do it with. I’m not a fan of the mid-tier guys so I’m either going expensive or simply paying all the way down with Minshew, who is the cheapest of the starters. Don’t be fooled by his price, however, as he’s averaging 241 passing yards with 78 touchdowns. Pairing him with D.J. Chark ($7,000) would also give you a cheap but big potential QB/WR stack as Chark has a ridiculous 32 touchdowns to his credit.
Running Back
Stud
Tevin Coleman, SF at IND, $6,700 — Coleman is simply a beast in these simulations and no one can say otherwise. Truly, where are you going to find a play that is averaging 104.8 scrimmage yards per game with 41 touchdowns scored? You aren’t! It’s going to be a popular play, no doubt. However, I’d rather eat the chalk at running back than trying to catch up to his production. In his first game against the Colts, Coleman went for 100 rushing yards and two receptions, good for 17.7 DKFP.
Value
Nyheim Hines, IND vs. SF, $3,600 — On the other side of the ball, Hines is a good pass-catching back to consider at a cheap price point. Marlon Mack ($4,500) is essentially useless in this offense, making Hines the running back to roll out in your lineups. Hines is averaging 44.3 scrimmage yards per game with 11 touchdowns scored, four of which have come through the air.
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Wide Receiver
Stud
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU at CLE $8,000 — It’s an expensive QB/WR stack to use but the upside that Hopkins possesses is so high. Hopkins shredded this Browns secondary the first time he saw them, grabbing seven balls for 110 yards and a touchdown for 27.2 DKFP. With the combo of what Watson can do on the ground and Hopkins making the big plays through the air, this is a stack that arguably carries some of the best upside on the slate.
Value
Marqise Lee, JAX at SEA, $3,600 — You’re getting a really solid price on Lee, who is averaging 2.6 receptions and 36.5 yards with 11 touchdowns scored. While he hasn’t made a reception in every game, he has averaged 4.2 over the past five with three touchdowns scored. He’s been more involved since way back when these sims first started and the setting was changed over. At this price point, he’ll likely go under-owned.
Tight End
Stud
Eric Ebron, IND vs. SF, $5,200 —Both Ebron and George Kittle ($5,800) see some of the heaviest volume of anyone in these games but I give the slight bump to Ebron. He enters this game averaging a massive five receptions and 57.8 yards per game with 20 touchdowns scored, good for 14 DKFP per game. Despite being the second-most expensive tight end on the slate, $5,200 is hardly a high amount to have to drop on him. If you really wanted to be contrarian, stacking him with Jacoby Brissett ($5,800) is insanely cheap.
Value
James O’Shaughnessy, JAX vs. SEA, $4,000 — O’Shaughnessy doesn’t see the volume of some of the more expensive tight ends but he sees enough to consider him a good value. Entering this game, O’Shag is averaging 4.1 receptions, 55.6 yards and 13 touchdowns scored. While it seems as if I’m heavy on the Jags, I do believe they’re in a spot where they’ll be undervalued and thus you can grab some good ownership on these guys.
DST
49ers DST at IND, $2,900 — Defense is always a crapshoot and I wouldn’t recommend going crazy into figuring out who to use. Jacoby Brissett ($5,800) will turn the ball over and has done so with 17 interceptions thrown.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is steveazors) 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.