Before heading out for the Holiday weekend, the DraftKings Dream Stream has a pair of Madden sims on Friday afternoon as we continue the Madden simulated season. The first game, which starts at 12:00 p.m. ET, is an AFC matchup between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts that wraps up Week 15, and then at 2:00 p.m. ET, we’ll start Week 16 with a game between the AFC-leading Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers, who are also chasing a playoff spot in the NFC.
As you build your lineups, be sure to consider the depth charts for each team. If you’re looking for gameplay details for these sims, along with the upcoming schedule, head over to the Madden Streams Information Page.
Quarterback
Stud
Cam Newton, New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts, $6,200 — Cam has averaged 17.2 DKFP per sim in his 93 contests in Madden 21, producing 220.8 passing yards per game with a total of 156 touchdowns. The Colts’ defense has been awful this simulated season, which is a big reason why the team is only 2-11. It should be a good matchup for Newton, who posted 15.26, 17.54 and 13.88 DKFP in the three previous meetings between these teams. On this limited slate, he has the best matchup and the most upside.
Value
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans, $5,800 — Both QBs in the late start have very inconsistent workloads since they play for teams that focus on running the ball a lot. Jimmy G has been decent when called upon, producing over 14 DKFP in four of his past five sims, but the 49ers prefer to run the ball and rely on their defense. Garoppolo had 19.64 and 24.08 DKFP in his two most recent meetings vs. the Titans, though, so there is some potential upside if he ends up throwing touchdowns in this favorable matchup.
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Running Back
Stud
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers, $7,800 — Henry and Raheem Mostert ($8,300) are two of the elite RBs in all of Madden 21, and both make a lot of sense if you can cram them under your salary cap. But if you have to go with just one in this matchup, I lean towards Henry. He has 97 touchdowns in his 95 sims in Madden 21, including a total of 10 touchdowns in his eight most recent contests. He was held to just 8.9 DKFP in his most recent game vs. San Francisco but ran all over them for 42.4 and 33.6 DKFP in their two earlier Madden 21 sims. He’s not a lock since it is a tough matchup, but both he and Mostert are two of the highest percentage plays on this limited board.
Other Option — Raheem Mostert ($8,300)
Value
Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots, $5,900 — Both teams in the early game use timeshares in the backfield, and the receiving-down backs have typically been solid plays. Hines has scored 38 touchdowns in 90 games and has produced over 11 DKFP in four of his past five. He had a ceiling game with 35.5 DKFP vs. the Bills a few sims ago and has fared well vs. the Patriots with 16.6, 10.3 and 9.7 DKFP in their previous three meetings. If you can’t pay up for the two superstar RBs, Hines makes a very solid alternative.
Other Option — James White ($4,000)
Wide Receiver
Stud
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts, $5,600 — Edelman has been hit-or-miss in these sims, but on this slate, he is worth a look since everyone else is so volatile, as well. Edelman has at least three catches in five straight and double-digit DKFP in six of his past eight. He posted 12.3 and 12.7 DKFP in two of his three previous meetings with Indy. If he’s around that number again, he’ll be a solid play under $6K.
Other Options — Kendrick Bourne ($5,200), A.J. Brown ($5,000)
Value
Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots, $4,500 — Campbell has an extremely high ceiling due to his 93 speed rating and his role as the primary slot receiver for the Colts. He reached that ceiling with 173 yards on seven catches vs. the Texans for 27.3 DKFP in his most recent sim. However, he remains boom-or-bust, as demonstrated by the fact he had only one catch for 2.1 DKFP in his prior game. Before that letdown, he had at least four catches in four straight, so he has been reliable enough to be an attractive play at this price.
Adam Humphries, Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers, $3,400 — Humphries is the Titans’ WR3 but usually finds a way to get involved. He had multiple catches in five of six sims before being shut out by the Jags. Since X-factor superstar CB Richard Sherman will focus on the higher-rated WRs, Humphries should have room to produce. He had six catches, 50 yards and 11 DKFP in his most recent game vs. San Francisco and has multiple catches in each of his matchups vs. the 49ers.
Other Options — N’Keal Harry ($4,700), Deebo Samuel ($4,300), Damiere Byrd ($3,100)
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Tight End
Stud
Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots, $5,800 — Burton is always busy in the Colts’ offense and has averaged 4.9 catches for 54.1 yards per sim since taking over as TE1. He had 10 catches for 144 yards and 35.4 DKFP vs. Houston in his most recent sim and has over 11 DKFP in five of his past six contests.
Value
Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers, $4,900 — Smith has also been an integral part of the Titans’ offense, averaging 11.2 DKFP on 4.5 catches for 48.0 yards per sim. He had eight catches and 21.5 DKFP vs. the 49ers in his most recent sim meeting and has big upside in this rematch, as well.
DST
Stud
Patriots DST at Indianapolis Colts, $3,100 — The Patriots have been an outstanding defense in Madden 21, totaling 95 takeaways, 157 sacks and 17 defensive touchdowns in their 93 sims. The Patriots had 20 DKFP in one of their previous matchups vs. Indianapolis and have at least 4 DKFP in six of their past seven games.
Value
49ers DST at Tennessee Titans, $2,800 — The 49ers are built around a strong group of playmakers, but they have struggled to come up with big plays on a regular basis. They have 203 sacks but only 43 takeaways and four defensive touchdowns in 92 sims. Their pass rush is strong enough to make them the second-best option on this slate, but they haven’t been as reliable as New England.
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