After a wild Week 2 in the NFL, the Dream Stream keeps the fantasy football action coming your way with a full six-game slate of Madden sims from DraftKings on this Tuesday. For each simulated game, there are single-game Showdown contests available, in addition to a pair of three-game classic slates starting with the 12 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET kickoffs. For this post, we’ll focus on the featured slate that kicks off when the Chargers take on the Cardinals in virtual Arizona at 6 p.m. ET. At 8 p.m. ET, the Seahawks host the Bills in the primetime matchup of the day, and we close things out with a Madden After Dark matchup between the 49ers and the Packers at 10 p.m. ET.
The roster for each team has been updated to include player movement before Week 1 of this season, so make sure to take a look at the new 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
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks vs. Buffalo Bills, $8,000 — Wilson has been a dynamic dual-threat QB in the Madden 21 sims, much like he has been in the first two weeks of the real NFL season. In simland, he has piled up 14 passing touchdowns in seven contests and has run for another score while averaging a robust 60 rushing yards per game as well. Wilson has a very high ceiling due to his multiple ways to produce and has put up at least 22 DKFP in four of his past five sims to raise his average to 23.0 DKFP per contest. The Bills’ secondary is very good, but if Wilson can’t find open receivers, he should be able to make plays on the ground and still produce a solid point total against the Bills, who are just 1-5 since moving to Madden 21.
Other Option — Kyler Murray ($7,100)
Value
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals, $6,300 — Herbert made his Madden debut last Tuesday and threw for 305 yards and a touchdown while running for 26 yards and a second touchdown for a total of 29.8 DKFP in a narrow loss to the Panthers. He almost exactly duplicated that performance in the real world on Sunday in his debut against the Chiefs. While his role going forward in reality is uncertain, he’s locked is as the Chargers’ starter in simland. He gets a good matchup against the Cardinals and has a solid group of skill players to work with, so I think the rookie should continue to find success and be a great value at just over $6K if you can’t pay all the way up for Wilson at $8K.
Other Option — Aaron Rodgers ($6,400)
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Running Back
Stud
Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers, $7,200 — The 49ers are all still healthy in simland, so Mostert will again be set up for a heavy workload as San Francisco travels to virtual Green Bay. Mostert has been outstanding in his Madden 21 sims with eight touchdowns in seven games and an average of over 20 DKFP per contest. He has been involved as both a rusher and receiver, averaging over 65 rushing yards and three catches for 32.6 receiving yards per sim. His elite touchdown production is a result of the game script and playbook, which has helped him reach at least 19 DKFP in three straight sims, highlighted by a monster 39.0-DKFP performance against the Ravens in which he fell just short of hitting the 100-yard receiving bonus in addition to his 100-yard rushing bonus. Green Bay does have a very good defense, but Mostert has too high a ceiling to ignore given his usage and production.
Other Option — Austin Ekeler ($7,000), Aaron Jones ($6,100)
Value
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks vs. Buffalo Bills, $5,800 — The Seahawks gave Carson an expanded role in the move to Madden 21, assigning him third-down back responsibilities in addition to his RB1 work. As a result, he has been on the field for almost every snap and has typically been able to put up good totals. He has double-digit DKFP in six of his seven sims with over 19 DKFP in a pair of those contests. He has found the end zone five times and is averaging a solid 14.1 DKFP. While he doesn’t have the massive upside of Mostert due to Wilson taking some of his rushing production, he does have good touchdown-dependent potential in a favorable matchup against the Bills. With no timeshares on the slate, this isn’t a great time to go deep-diving for cheap RB, but there are opportunities to save at other positions.
Other Option — Devin Singletary ($5,400)
Wide Receiver
Stud
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers, $6,200 — There aren’t any locks at the top of the WR salary structure with low volume and inconsistent production for many of the top options. Adams typically has no trouble with volume, but does have a very tough matchup against the 49ers’ defense on this slate. Adams has found the end zone in each of the Packers’ three most recent sims and posted over 10 DKFP in every one of his seven sims in Madden 21. He has six total touchdowns and has hauled in 4.9 catches for 63.4 yards per contest. Adams is much more highly ranked than any of the other WR with the Packers, so Aaron Rodgers ($6,400) relies on him heavily, especially in the red zone, creating plenty of opportunities for him to make plays.
Other Options — DeAndre Hopkins ($7,300), DK Metcalf ($6,600)
Value
Devin Funchess, Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers, $5,900 — Funchess has been finding plenty of success across from Adams since re-joining the roster in the latest update. The COVID-19 opt out in real life has been very involved since becoming the WR2 in simland, with 13 catches in just two games. He had two touchdowns and 31.6 DKFP in his most recent sim and is averaging 22.9 DKFP in his small sample size.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals, $4,500 — Williams was a must-play in Madden 2020 but totally disappeared and became a must-fade in Madden 21 with Tyrod Taylor as his QB. The move to Herbert seems to have brought him back as a simulated fantasy option, as he caught seven passes for 84 yards and put up 15.4 DKFP in Herbert’s debut. Williams is in a good matchup on this slate and will be a great value play if he gets that volume from his new rookie QB.
Other Options — Deebo Samuel ($5,200), Larry Fitzgerald ($3,700), Joe Reed ($3,400)
Tight End
Stud
Greg Olsen, Seattle Seahawks vs. Buffalo Bills, $4,600 — Olsen has been very good in seven sims for his new team in Madden 21. He has scored three touchdowns and hauled in 3.9 passes per game. He has turned that volume into at least 8.0 DKFP in all but one contest and produced over 11 DKFP in three of his past four. On Tuesday, Olsen gets a good matchup against the Bills, who have limited opposing WR with their excellent CBs but have been beaten by TEs at times in these sims.
Other Option— George Kittle ($5,300), Hunter Henry ($4,800)
Value
Lee Smith, Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks, $3,300 — Smith has started the past two sims for the Bills and has come down with three catches in each contest. He had 55 yards against the Eagles and 34 yards against the Texans. However, the Bills only managed one total touchdown in those two games, meaning Smith’s upside is somewhat capped since scoring chances are so rare. Still, if you need a cheap play at TE, he’s a great way to save salary at the spot in order to spend up elsewhere. It looks like he’ll be targeted a few times each game with the chance to make some plays.
Other Option— Maxx Williams ($4,100)
DST
Stud
Seahawks DST vs. Buffalo Bills, $3,000 — The Seahawks’ DST has been outstanding over seven sims, so getting a matchup against the turnover-prone and offensively-challenged Bills makes them too good to pass up. Seattle has forced an eye-popping 15 turnovers in its seven sims along with 16 sacks, a safety and two defensive touchdowns. All 15 of those turnovers have been fumble recoveries, which isn’t surprising given the fact that both Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams are huge hitters who knock the ball loose. They have posted 26 DKFP and 11 DKFP in their two most recent sims and should be able to cause more mayhem in this matchup, especially if Josh Allen ($6,800) tries to run with his low carry rating.
Value
Chargers DST at Arizona Cardinals, $2,500 — The Chargers haven’t been quite as good as the Seahawks, but they do have a host of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball and are also in a matchup where they could force and recover some fumbles. In their seven games, they have forced five turnovers and piled up 17 sacks to go with a defensive touchdown. Their average of 7.1 DKFP per contest would typically look great but pales a bit when compared to Seattle’s 10.3 DKFP per game. If the Seahawks feel too chalky for you, the Chargers are the best pivot play.
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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.