Saturday is another full day of Madden 21 simulations on the DraftKings Dream Stream with six games coming your way throughout the afternoon and evening. Each matchup has single-game Showdown contests available, and there are also a pair of three-game classic slates kicking off at 12 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET. The later of those classic slates is the featured slate of the day and also the focus of this post. At 6 p.m. ET, we start with the Bills taking on the Titans in virtual Tennessee. The primetime matchup should be a fun one as well as the Eagles welcome in the Texans at 8 p.m. ET. What looks like the best matchup of the day is saved for last, though, as the Vikings and Seahawks meet at 10 p.m. ET for Madden After Dark in a matchup of NFC contenders stacked with fantasy options.
The roster for each team has been updated to include player movement before Week 1 of this season, so make sure to take a look at the new depth charts, abilities and X-factors for Madden 21 along with the upcoming schedule on the Madden Stream info page. The rosters have also been adjusted to get the best players on the field and will not be impacted by any COVID-19 opt-outs or injuries.
Check out the daily DraftKings Madden Stream contests lobby with paid contests for real cash prizes now available alongside free contests. Each simulation will be played out computer vs. computer via an online Madden Stream using Madden 21. In this format, you can enjoy watching the game stream on the DraftKings YouTube channel, the DK Live app (download here) or right here in this post.
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Quarterback
Stud
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings, $8,500 — Wilson is extremely expensive on this slate with a salary more than $1,000 higher than any other QB. He has been living up to his high ratings and salary so far in Madden 21, averaging 22.6 DKFP per contest and throwing 15 touchdowns and running for two more in just eight sims. He is averaging 186.8 passing yards and 59.8 rushing yards per contest and has posted at least 18.8 DKFP in all but one of his eight contests. While he has been great wherever he plays, he has especially stepped it up on the road, where he has produced an incredible average of 27.7 DKFP in his three contests. That’s a very small sample size but also serves as a good reminder of how high the upside of rolling with the dual-threat QB can be. The Vikings’ DST ($2,600) has given up at least 21 points in three of their four most recent contests, so Wilson is definitely a play that makes sense if you can find a way to pay all the way up for him in this matchup.
Other Option — Deshaun Watson ($7,300)
Value
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans, $6,900 — Wentz is the only other QB on this slate averaging more than 20 DKFP per contest so far in Madden 21. He has thrown 14 touchdown passes in his seven games and run for another score while averaging 238.1 passing yards and chipping in 20.4 rushing yards per sim as well. He doesn’t scramble nearly as often as Wilson but does have success when he does. His production has been a little more volatile than Wilson, but he produced over 22 DKFP in three of five contests before being limited in the wind in his most recent game against the Rams. He had a big 300-yard, three-touchdown game for 28.86 DKFP against the Vikings in his sim right before that down outing and he should be in a very favorable matchup against Houston’s inconsistent secondary on this slate. Wentz is the best QB option under $7K and allows a lot more roster flexibility at other roster spots than paying all the way up for Russ.
Other Options — Josh Allen ($6,400), Ryan Tannehill ($6,000)
Running Back
Stud
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo Bills, $7,800 — In Madden 21, Henry was upgraded to the Titans’ third-down RB role in addition to his heavy workload as the RB1. The extra work on passing downs has made Henry a much more reliable option since he’s no longer in a timeshare. As a result, he has averaged 5.0 catches per game for 31.9 receiving yards in addition to his 61 rushing yards per sim. Henry has at least five catches in three of his past four games and has produced over 17 DKFP in four straight. I like him in this matchup with the Bills, since Buffalo has an excellent secondary but can sometimes give up yardage in chunks on the ground. Henry should be a good play with a heavy workload in this matchup.
Other Options — Dalvin Cook ($8,200), Miles Sanders ($6,600)
Value
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings, $6,200 — Carson’s role is similar to Henry’s in that he is no longer in a timeshare in Madden 21 and gets plenty of work as both the RB1 and third-down back. He has averaged 60.5 rushing yards and scored five rushing touchdowns in his eight sims while tacking on just under 3.0 catches per contest as well. He does lose some rushing production to Wilson but has still produced over 15 DKFP in two of his past three sims while putting up over 10 DKFP in seven of his eight sims since the move to Madden 21. Without any major timeshares in play on this slate, there are very limited value options. I think there are better places to save salary than at RB.
Other Options — Devin Singletary ($5,700), Duke Johnson ($3,700)
Wide Receiver
Stud
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks, $6,800 — Theilen has been very consistent for the Vikings even though he hasn’t flashed as high a ceiling as some of the elite WR1 options from other teams. He has found the end zone in four of his past five sims and has put up double-digit DKFP in each of those contests as a result. Overall, he has over 10 DKFP in six of his seven Madden 21 sims and should be able to find success out of the slot against Seattle, who has a hard-hitting defense unit but sometimes allows big WR performances.
Other Options — DK Metcalf ($6,300), Will Fuller V ($6,100)
Value
Marquise Goodwin, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans, $4,100 — Since there aren’t ultra-cheap values at QB or RB, it’s a good thing that there are some excellent affordable plays as pass-catchers. Goodwin has been great since rejoining the Eagles in the latest roster update. His 97 speed rating gives him tons of big-play potential and his role as the slot receiver gives him plenty of volume. He is averaging 4.7 catches per contest since joining the depth chart and has hit the 100-yard bonus in one game on his way to 23.9 DKFP. His production has been solid even though he hasn’t found the end zone yet. If he does get loose for a long score, he has a very high ceiling, and I think his workload makes him a great value play in this matchup with the Texans.
Other Options — Alshon Jeffery ($5,600), Adam Humphries ($4,000), Justin Jefferson ($3,600)
Tight End
Stud
Greg Olsen, Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings, $4,700 — Olsen has been very involved in his eight sims with his new team in Madden 21. He has averaged just under 4.0 catches per contest but has been more active lately with at least four catches in five of his six most recent games. He has three touchdowns with the Seahawks and gets plenty of looks from Wilson in this solid playbook for TE production
Other Options— Zach Ertz ($5,100), Jonnu Smith ($4,200)
Value
Lee Smith, Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans, $2,500 — Smith could be the key to unlocking this whole slate since he offers such significant savings and still gives you decent upside. Smith has been the Bills’ starting TE for three games and has averaged 6.3 DKFP per contest. Smith has hauled in three passes in two of those three games and had at least 29 yards in each game. While that production isn’t enormous, it is consistent and affordable which gives you the salary you need to stack up the top plays at other spots.
Other Options— Darren Fells ($3,900), Kyle Rudolph ($3,500)
DST
Stud
Seahawks DST at Minnesota Vikings, $3,300 — Jamal Adams and Bobby Wagner were strong enough in Madden 2020 to make their separate defenses good plays. Putting them both on the same team in Madden 21 has made the Seahawks a takeaway machine and the best defense in the sim-universe. They have forced 17 turnovers in just eight games while scoring three defensive touchdowns and a safety to average 10.4 DKFP per contest. They have over 10 DKFP in three straight sims, and no other DST on this slate is producing more than 5.0 DKFP per contest.
Value
Eagles DST vs. Houston Texans, $2,700 — The Texans have been turnover-prone in these sims so far, and that could set up the Eagles for a good total in this sim. The Eagles have three takeaways and 11 sacks in their seven contests and have produced 4.3 DKFP per game. No one’s production comes close to Seattle’s, but the Eagles are the pivot play I like the most if you want to fade the chalk and go with an under-the-radar option.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Z.Thompson) 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.