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We’re all in need of some entertainment during these times of the unknown. DraftKings is doing its part by offering Madden simulations with a variety of teams going at it. For this piece, we’ll focus on the six-game slate on Sunday, which starts at 12:00 p.m. ET.
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Quarterbacks
Stud
Deshaun Watson, HOU vs. CHI ($7,000)
Watson is the top fantasy player in our sims with an average of 22.5 DKFP per game. Rostering him very rarely goes wrong. Not only has he been a prolific passer with over 6,000 passing yards, Watson has also added 1,368 yards on the ground. Despite all this production, Houston has oddly been one of the worst Madden teams from a record perspective. The Texans’ defense has been terrible, forcing Watson to have to make plays and throw the ball to try to come from behind in the second half of most games.
Value
Mitchell Trubisky, CHI at HOU ($5,800)
While Watson is the top QB from a total DKFP perspective, Trubisky has been the best value at the position. Of all quarterbacks on the slate, Trubisky has the second best DKFP average and is the second cheapest. He makes for an excellent value play and, like Watson, Trubisky has been great running the football. He has 1,422 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns with his legs. Most of the top quarterbacks in our sims are able to due damage with their legs.
Running Backs
Stud
Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. TEN ($6,700)
Cook is still looking to get paid more in real life and we can’t blame his lack of a big contract on his Madden performances. He’s been one of the top players at the position in our Madden simulations. Cook is averaging 17.3 DKFP, the most of any skill position player on this slate, including a recent game with 44.4 DKFP. He’s been one of the higher floor RBs lately and has scored double-digit DKFP in 12 of his last 13 games.
Value
Tarik Cohen, CHI at HOU ($3,400)
The Bears’ pass catching back has actually been pretty consistent lately. Cohen has scored at least 8.0 DKFP in six of his last nine games and his 8,9 DKFP averages makes him one of the top per dollar plays on the slate. While he does get on the field more often when the Bears are trailing, Cohen has actually been fairly involved in the run game recently even when the Bears are holding a lead. He rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown in their last game which was a 14-7 win over the Cardinals.
Wide Receivers
Stud
Adam Thielen, MIN vs. TEN ($6,000)
While some of the more expensive receivers on this slate have been inconsistent, Thielen brings a bit less upside for more stability. He averages a solid 14.7 DKFP per game and has scored at least 14 DKFP in 10 of his last 14 games. Even though a guy like DeAndre Hopkins ($8,000) averages more DKFP than Thielen, Hopkins has scored single-digit DKFP in five of his last nine games. I like the floor that Thielen brings to the table.
Value
Paul Richardson Jr., WAS vs. NE ($3,900)
This is an awful matchup for the Redskins. On paper, getting blown out by the Patriots seems to be as close to a certainty as we can get in our Madden simulations. The one positive from this likely game script is that Washington is probably going to have to throw the ball a ton to get try to get back in the game. This is where Richardson can have a decent game based on volume. He averages 13 DKFP, making him one of the top second receivers in our sims. Richardson has hauled in over 100 catches and has scored 16 touchdowns.
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Tight Ends
Stud
Greg Olsen, CAR vs. GB ($5,400)
Save money at this position. There are a number of standout cheap tight ends on this slate who are outproducing the expensive guys like Olsen, Jordan Reed ($5,000) and Delanie Walker ($5,200). None of the top guys playing today in terms of pricing have been worth their price tags all that often.
Value
Ben Watson, NE vs. WAS ($4,000)
Not only does Watson draw a great matchup against the Redskins, he’s been one of the top Madden tight ends regardless of price. His 15 DKFP average leads all players at the position on today’s slate and he comes in at a super cheap price. The Patriots’ offense has always favored tight ends, leading to Watson catching 151 simulated passes for 1,892 yards.
Defense/Special Teams
Vikings DST vs. TEN ($2,900)
The Vikings are one of the only teams in Madden that have consistently performed on defense. They are averaging 7.2 DKFP when most defenses are only putting up three or four fantasy points per game. Not only are the Vikings averaging over a turnover per game, they have also racked up a total of 55 sacks. They get a decent matchup against the Titans who have been held under 20 points in four of their last five games.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is gehrenberg) 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.