It’s another wild weather Wednesday on the DraftKings Dream Stream, meaning each one of the six Madden sims throughout the day will be impacted by adverse weather conditions. The main slate starts at 6:00 p.m. ET with a matchup between the Bills and the Panthers in virtual Carolina, where there is wind in the forecast, likely limiting the passing game. In the primetime game, the Jaguars host the Saints in the rain, and the final game of the day features the Chiefs’ offensive juggernaut taking on the Giants in snowy virtual New York on “Madden after Dark.”
The roster for each team includes all player movement that occurred prior to Week 1 of this season and you can find the 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
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants, $8,100 — The snow in this game doesn’t worry me too much since Mahomes hasn’t been stopped by anything in these Madden 21 sims and has led his Chiefs to an 8-0 record since the end of the Madden 21 tournament. He has thrown an amazing 34 touchdowns in his 15 sims in Madden 21 with an average of 280.3 passing yards per game. On top of that, he has added four rushing touchdowns to boost his average to 23.9 DKFP per contest. He has at least 24 DKFP in six of his past seven contests including an impressive 39.8-DKFP performance against the Ravens. While the snow may keep him from reaching that high of a ceiling, he’s still almost a must-roster given his production level and the fact that no other QB on this slate is averaging even 20 DKFP per game.
Other Options — Josh Allen ($6,900), Daniel Jones ($6,700)
Value
Gardner Minshew II, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints, $5,900 — I know it seems crazy that Drew Brees ($5,500) is the cheapest QB on this slate, but remember this game will be in the rain and that the Saints have looked lost in weather in Madden 21. I actually think Minshew makes more sense on the other side of that matchup, and he has shown some nice upside lately. He totaled over 18 DKFP in three straight games including a pair of games over 23 DKFP in his two most recent home games against the Bills and Jets. That run of success did come to a halt, though, in his most recent sim, when he had just 10.74 DFKP against Green Bay. In the rain at home, I think he can bounce back from that game and produce solid fantasy points from under $6K. If you’re going to pivot off Mahomes, I’d go ultra-cheap at QB and pay up everywhere else.
Other Option — Drew Brees ($5,500)
Running Back
Stud
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills, $7,000 — This three-game slate is loaded with elite RB plays with CMC, Alvin Kamara ($7,900) and Saquon Barkley ($7,400) all healthy and ready to produce in simland. McCaffrey is my favorite play of the bunch, though, since I think he’ll get a heavy workload against Buffalo and also be very involved catching passes out of the backfield. The wind usually limits the downfield passing game but leads to success for checkdown options like CMC. McCaffrey’s 99 overall rating has helped him average 17.7 DKFP over his 11 sims with eight touchdowns and averages of 63.3 rushing yards and 23.8 receiving yards per game. He is at his best in space after catching passes where he can use his “Ankle Breaker” X-Factor. He had six catches in two of his three most recent sims and has hit the 100-yard bonus in two of his past four. His ceiling is extremely high, which he showed with 42.4 DKFP against the Jaguars a few sims ago, and he has been consistent lately as well with over 12 DKFP in four straight and seven of his past nine.
Other Options — Alvin Kamara ($7,900), Saquon Barkley ($7,400)
Value
Chris Thompson, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints, $5,200 — While he has been a bit of an afterthought in real life, Thompson is the RB1 for the Jaguars in simland and has looked pretty solid in the role. He is very involved in the passing game and has averaged 3.9 catches per contest in his nine games since the tournament. He has scored five touchdowns in Madden 21 with four coming in his past five games. He doesn’t have nearly the upside of the elite options but has been very steady with at least 11 DKFP in four of his past five sims. If you can’t afford two top RBs, Thompson is a solid mid-range option who can still give you nice production without being a punt play. There aren’t any extremely cheap plays below him who are regularly involved enough to be worth the savings.
Other Option — Devin Singletary ($5,700)
Wide Receiver
Stud
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants, $8,000 — Hill has been a great play in almost every matchup in Madden 21 for the Chiefs, but he should be even better against the Giants, who don’t have a CB with a speed rating over 90 and only have one CB with an overall rating over 70. Hill will have a substantial advantage in both categories with his 96 overall rating and 99 speed rating and should find himself open all day. He is coming off a huge game against the Ravens, in which he hauled in 10 catches for 196 yards, two touchdowns and 44.6 DKFP. He has piled up to 14 touchdowns in his 15 Madden 21 sims and is averaging 6.1 catches for 88.7 yards per contest. With that much volume and such a clear ratings advantage, he’s worth paying $8K for against the Giants.
Other Option — Michael Thomas ($6,400), DJ Chark Jr. ($6,000)
Value
Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints at Jacksonville Jaguars, $3,900 — With Mahomes, the elite RBs and Hill all such good but expensive plays, there has to be some ways to save salary. WR is a great place to do that if you can find involved but affordable options. Smith has been a regular contributor for New Orleans in three-receiver sets and has averaged 3.5 catches for 40.2 yards per sim over his 13 Madden 21 contests. He has a total of four touchdowns and an average of just under 10 DKFP per game. Lately, Smith has been even more involved with a big 21.2-DKFP sim against the Ravens a few games ago and 10.7 DKFP against the Broncos in his most recent contest. Smith does have some bust potential if the Saints struggle in the rain, but he also has a favorable matchup against the Jaguars’ thin secondary.
Demarcus Robinson, Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants, $3,500 — Robinson is another way to attack the lowly-rated Giants’ CBs and has been a regular part of the target-share from Mahomes. He has hauled in 3.1 catches for 41.3 yards per sim and scored a pair of touchdowns over his 15 contests. After a slow start, he has multiple catches in 11 straight games and should be able to stay involved enough to be a solid value play under $4K.
Other Options — Emmanuel Sanders ($5,100), Sterling Shepard ($4,200)
Tight End
Stud
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants, $6,000 — Somehow, Mahomes has been able to sustain outstanding volume to both Hill and Kelce throughout the Madden 21 sims. Kelce is averaging 6.3 catches for 70.2 yards per game and has found the end zone a total of 10 times. He was a little quiet in his most recent matchup against the Ravens but usually comes roaring back with a monster game after a down performance. He had over a dozen DKFP in six straight and 11-of-13 before that letdown against Baltimore, so I think he’ll bounce right back with a good game against New York.
Other Option — Jared Cook ($4,800)
Value
Lee Smith, Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers, $2,800 — Another key way to save space under your salary cap is by taking advantage of Smith’s low cost, either at TE or in the flex spot if you want to play Kelce at TE. Smith is the Bills’ starting TE even though he is priced below Dawson Knox ($3,000), who is the TE2. Smith has catches in six Madden 21 sims and has averaged 2.5 receptions for 29.2 yards during that span. He hasn’t found the end zone yet but has totaled over 8.0 in two games, which is a great return under $3K. He’s really the only way to get a player at that salary that has any kind of regular role.
Other Options — Evan Engram ($4,600), Tyler Eifert ($4,400)
DST
Stud
Chiefs DST at New York Giants, $3,100 — The Chiefs have not only had a dominant offense in Madden 21, but their defense has also been outstanding. In their most recent sim, they had a sack and forced fumble while holding the Ravens to only three points and finished with 10.0 DKFP. They have at least 5.0 DKFP in five straight games and have totaled 28 sacks and 12 takeaways in their 15 sims. The Giants’ offense is better with Barkley, but they’re still a favorable matchup for the Chiefs in the snow.
Other Option— Panthers ($2,900)
Value
Jaguars DST vs. New Orleans Saints, $2,700 — If you are in search of a contrarian play who saves you salary at DST, check out the Jaguars and hope that the rain bogs down the Saints’ offense. Jacksonville does have 21 sacks and three takeaways in their 12 sims, so there is the potential for some playmaking. Even if they come up with huge plays, they are relatively low risk due to the Saints’ struggles outdoors in the elements.
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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.