Top NFL Targets at each position for 3-game slate on May 4th

DraftKings will have a three-game slate of Madden simulations on Monday. The Oakland Raiders at Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Rams, and the New York Jets at Tennessee Titans will all face off in the simulation. We break down the top plays at each position, and you can set your lineup here.

Quarterback

Derek Carr, Raiders ($6,500) at Colts

Carr has been on a tear in these Madden simulations, averaging 269 yards passing and and totaling 19 touchdowns to one interceptions in nine games for a 20.4 DK points average. The only game he hasn’t thrown for two touchdowns was against the Bears the last time out and he managed a rushing score in that matchup. He doesn’t have the upside of Lamar Jackson but he hasn’t dipped below 14 DK points and is easily the most consistent quarterback on this slate.

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers ($6,700) at Rams

Roethlisberger has sixteen touchdown passes over his last six Madden matchups and has the highest upside going on today’s slate. He’s been more inconsistent than Carr, but does look to pass a ton, as the Steelers running backs have been non-existent in these simulations. For tournaments like this, Roethlisberger is the upside play.

Running back

Todd Gurley, Rams ($6,300) vs. Steelers

This slate is bereft of consistent or even upside plays at running back, which makes Gurley stick out like a sore thumb. Gurley gets work through the air and on the ground, averaging 92.6 total yards per game and a slate leading 15.5 DK points. Le’Veon Bell is the only other back on the slate who averages double-digit DK points.

Le’Veon Bell, Jets ($6,600) at Tennessee

I rather not pay up for Bell, who isn’t worth his price, but if you can fit him in, his usage as an every down back keeps him from flopping that often. He’s actually averaging 79.6 total yards and has three touchdowns in his five simulations on the road and that’s where he’ll play on Monday.

Jalen Richard, Raiders ($3,600) at Colts

If you can’t pay up for Bell, Richard is a useful value play, as he averages 9.5 DK points per game and has five double-digit DK Points games out of his nine. He’s not a safe play, but he has decent upside for his price if you need him to help you shoehorn in better players.

Wide Receiver

A.J. Brown, Titans ($5,700) vs. Jets

Since these Madden simulations have extended the length of quarters to eight minutes, Brown has been on a tear. Over his last three games he’s hit 25.8, 11.5 and 17.8 DK points. During that stretch he has 16 receptions and has only dipped below four receptions twice in nine games.

Brandin Cooks, Rams ($5,200) vs. Steelers

Cooks has hit double-digits in seven of his none games in these Madden simulations and has three touchdowns in his last two. He’s been the Rams big play receiver over the last three and that’s why his upside is high in this matchup for a decent price.

Zach Pascal, Colts ($4,100) vs. Raiders

Pascal has 21 receptions and four touchdowns over his last four games, which includes one down game where he had three receptions for 35 yards and no touchdowns. For $4,100, it’s hard to pass on that kind of production and a game at home against a weak Oakland defense looks like a good time to use him.

Tight End

Darren Waller, Raiders ($5,100) at Colts

Waller has the most upside of the group, as he’s hit 26, 23, 35 and 29 DK points in four of his ten Madden simulation games. He’s a little inconsistent, with three games under double-digit DK points, but the matchup isn’t bad and his price is great for the ceiling his gives you in tournaments.

Eric Ebron, Colts ($5,200) vs Raiders

Ebron has topped 13 DK points in four of his last five matchups, showing more upside than all the tight ends not named Waller. He has 30 receptions in his last five games and has topped 83 receiving yards in three of those. The matchup is also one of my favorites on the slate.

Tyler Higbee, Rams ($4,800) vs. Steelers

Higbee has had a touchdown in two of his last three games and topped double-digit DK points in his last four while only falling below 9.9 DK points twice in nine matchups. Higbee is one of the safer plays, but his upside might not be enough to take down a tournament.

Defense/Special Teams

Jets D/ST ($2,300) at Titans

The Jets have been extremely adept at recovering fumbles in Madden simulations, as they have 10 through nine games along with 12 sacks. The Raiders and Steelers lead the slate with 16 sacks each and make for decent plays in their own right, but this fumble recovery anomaly has the Jets as the highest scoring group on the slate at a cheap price.