Best lineup strategy for April 11th Madden full slate simulation DFS

DraftKings is back with another Madden simulation triple-header with accompanying daily fantasy football. Today we get to see three simulations, as the Cowboys-Patriots, Bengals-Bills, and Buccaneers-Panthers go head to head.

We’ve got three Showdown contests for the triple-header, but there is also a classic matchup featuring the full 3-game slate. We break down some lineup options for the contest, which you can play at DraftKings.

Quarterbacks

Tom Brady, QB, Patriots ($7,500)

Brady is by far the highest Madden rated quarterback with 91 on this slate, while Dak Prescott is the No. 2 ranked quarterback at 81. The Cowboys pass defense is anchored by Byron Jones, but isn’t strong after him, with weaknesses against slot, tight end and running back routes, which Brady’s skill set works well against.

Cam Newton, QB, Panthers ($5,700)

The Buccaneers have the worst pass defense on this slate, with the Bucs best defensive back ranking 17th in Madden rating when compared to the rest of the defensive backs on the slate while their defensive line is much stouter. That should push Newton to throw more to Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Greg Olsen, all who are strong receivers in the game. Newton also ranks third on the slate in overall Madden rating and first in every rushing category.

Running backs

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys ($

The Patriots defensive line is a weakness in Madden while their pass defense is the best in the business. That discrepancy should push Elliott into a better and more productive workload. Of course, McCaffrey is the highest rated back in the league and you can’t go wrong with him but the Bucs do make for a tougher matchup.

Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals ($6,100)

The Panthers have one of the weakest run defenses in the league while Mixon is the best non-McCaffrey/Elliott back going in the slate and his quarterback is the worst. Everything sets up well for Mixon to be the most productive offensive player for the Bengals in this matchup.

James White, Patriots ($5,400)

The Madden Patriots, like their real-life counterparts, are weak at receiver after Edelman, so White should be a useful target, especially with Brady’s superb short throw accuracy in the game and White’s catch rating, which is only surpassed by Christian McCaffrey.

Wide Receivers

D.J. Moore, WR, Panthers ($5,200)

The Buccaneers have the worst pass defense on the slate by a good margin, which should give the Panthers receivers a good shot at production, which includes Curtis Samuel who has the highest speed rating on the team, but Moore is the No. 1 receiver and should be the most reliable. Samuel is a nice pivot for upside at a cheaper price though.

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers ($8,300)

Evans is the highest rated receiver on the slate and the Bucs don’t have much of a running game. Jameis Winston will probably toss some interceptions and not give Evans and Chris Godwin the best passes, but there should be plenty in this matchup as two poor defenses go head to head.

Tight Ends

Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers ($5,600)

Olsen is one of my favorite plays on the slate, as he is the highest rated tight end on the slate by a big margin and is fourth in overall rating for wide receivers as well. His 92 catch rating is only behind Godwin’s

Ben Watson, TE, Patriots ($4,700)

Brady’s strong ratings, especially in short to intermediate accuracy, should help James White and Ben Watson see good targets against a Cowboys pass defense that is better against outside receivers than underneath receivers.

Defense/Special Teams

Buffalo Bills, D/ST ($4,200)

Andy Dalton is the worst rated quarterback on this slate and the Bills have one of the better pass defenses in the league. Joe Mixon could mitigate Dalton’s mistakes if he gets going, but the Madden simulation likes tossing the pigskin, so an interceptions or two is possible.