Even though it’s the weekend, the DraftKings Dream Stream is still ready to roll with six games on the schedule throughout Saturday afternoon and evening. The featured three-game classic slate begins at 6:00 p.m. ET with an NFC matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals from virtual Phoenix. In the primetime matchup kicking off at 8:00 p.m. ET, the Washington Football team is on the West Coast taking on the San Francisco 49ers. The final game of the day on “Madden After Dark” is another fun NFC contest between the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks at 10:00 p.m. ET.
As in all these Madden sims, it’s important to know that each roster is not impacted by COVID-19 opt-outs, injuries, suspensions or illness and that the highest-rated options have been placed at the top of the depth charts. The roster for each team includes all player movement that occurred prior to Week 1 of this season and uses the Madden 21 ratings from Week 1 of this season.
For more details, you can find the game settings, depth charts, abilities and X-factors for each team in Madden 21 along with the upcoming schedule on the Madden Stream info page. There were a few tweaks to the X-factors and Superstars in the latest December update, so be sure to check the depth charts of each team.
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
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers, $6,900 — Murray has been boom-or-bust in these Madden 21 sims, but he has had a few big games lately and has a better matchup than Russell Wilson ($7,200), who is the other elite QB with rushing potential on this slate. Murray is coming off a 39.12-DKFP game against the Eagles in which he ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 243 yards and a third score. He has that kind of a ceiling against the Packers as well if he takes off and runs often enough. Kyler has over 90 yards in four of his past six games and has over 19 DKFP in five of those contests. Wilson has struggled recently but still has the potential to go off as a dual-threat as well. However, the Bucs’ defense is much stronger against the run than Green Bay’s, which makes Kyler the play I prefer on this slate.
Other Options — Russell Wilson ($7,200)
Value
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Football Team, $5,800 — Jimmy G has also been boom-or-bust, mostly due to his running game carrying the load in some contests. Against a strong front seven for Washington, though, I think the game script will demand that he throws the ball in this matchup. He had 293 yards, two passing touchdowns and 19.52 DKFP in his previous matchup with the Football Team and also had two passing scores on his way to 24.88 DKFP in his most recent sim, which was against the Lions. As the cheapest starting QB on the slate, he will be a great value if he hits for anything close to that number at this salary.
Other Options — Tom Brady ($6,200)
Running Back
Stud
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals, $7,100 — Jones has been a workhorse back for the Packers throughout Madden 21. He has averaged 66.6 rushing yards and 20.8 receiving yards on 3.5 receptions per contest while scoring 40 touchdowns in 48 sims. He only had one touchdown in his first game against the Cardinals but ran for 126 yards to get to 21.6 DKFP. Arizona’s run defense has been very beatable for big games in these contests, and Jones should at least be able to get to double-digits as he has in 10 of his past 13 contests. His ceiling is much higher, though, as he showed with a massive four-touchdown performance against the Browns that resulted in 48.5 DKFP.
Other Options — Raheem Mostert ($7,400), J.D. McKissic ($6,300)
Value
LeSean McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks, $4,200 — McCoy is one of the best value plays whenever the Bucs are on the slate since he is such a key part of the passing game. He has averaged 3.2 catches per sim and had one of his eight touchdowns in Madden 21 in his earlier contest against the Seahawks when he posted 14.0 DKFP. He has at least 6.0 DKFP in 10 of 13 contests and usually finds a way to produce decent returns at such a bargain-basement salary.
Other Option — Chris Carson ($5,600), Leonard Fournette ($5,100)
Wide Receiver
Stud
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals, $7,100 — Adams had some ups and downs earlier in the sims when Devin Funchess ($6,500) emerged as a great WR2 option for Aaron Rodgers ($6,800). Adams has been tearing it up lately, though, with at least five catches in five straight sims and an average of 23.8 DKFP over his past six contests. In his 47 Madden 21 sims overall, Adams has averaged 4.6 catches for 69 yards per game and has scored 26 touchdowns, including seven in his past six contests.
Other Option — Chris Godwin ($6,200)
Value
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Football Team, $5,300 — Samuel has been a solid producer as the top WR for the 49ers and has hauled in three touchdowns in his past four contests. He had 10 catches for 97 yards and 25.7 DKFP in his most recent sim against the Lions and has averaged 4.3 receptions for 56.2 yards throughout his 44 sims in Madden 21. He usually works out of the slot, making him a solid source of PPR production although his big-play routes do seem to be a little limited in San Francisco’s playbook.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals, $4,100 — Another slot receiver that typically gets good volume on a regular basis is the Packers’ Marques Valdes-Scantling. MVS has averaged 3.1 catches per sim and has multiple catches in 40-of-47 contests. He has a very solid 93 speed rating which gives him big-play potential on every catch as well, raising his ceiling. He had three catches for 33 yards and 6.4 DKFP in his first matchup with the Cardinals, but I think he can be even better in this rematch.
Other Options — DK Metcalf ($5,600), Larry Fitzgerald ($4,000), Scotty Miller ($3,700)
Tight End
Stud
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Football Team, $5,400 — The Football Team’s defense struggles against TEs, and Kittle should be able to find space over the middle. In their previous matchup, Kittle grabbed eight passes for 87 yards, a touchdown and 22.7 DKFP. While he does have volatility based on the game script, he’s one of the highest-rated TEs in Madden 21, so his ceiling is sky-high when the passes are coming his way. He’s not a sure thing but definitely comes with enough upside to be worth paying up for if you have the salary.
Other Option — Rob Gronkowski ($4,900)
Value
Greg Olsen, Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $4,400 — Olsen has been a great PPR producer in Madden 21, averaging 4.1 catches per sim. He has been relatively consistent with at least three catches in seven straight and 10 of his past 11. Olsen had six catches for 47 yards, a touchdown and 16.7 DKFP in his first matchup with the Bucs and makes a very solid play under $4.5K at your TE spot or even as a flex if you go with a two-TE construction.
Other Option — Marcedes Lewis ($3,700)
DST
Stud
Seahawks DST vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $3,100 — The Seahawks’ defense has been one of the best in all of Madden 21 thanks to a pair of big hitters in Jamal Adams and Bobby Wagner, who have been forcing fumbles in bunches. In 46 sims, the Seahawks have recovered 37 fumbles and scored nine defensive touchdowns to help them average 7.6 DKFP per contest. They had five sacks and 9.0 DKFP against the Bucs in their first meeting, and they should be able to get after Brady in this rematch. They have struggled with mobile QBs at times in Madden 21, but Brady is very much a pocket passer and has been prone to sacks and turnovers at times in these sims.
Value
49ers DST vs. Washington Football Team, $2,700 — Of all the offenses on this slate, Washington’s has been the worst, so the 49ers should be able to limit them in this matchup. San Francisco has a fully healthy unit led by Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford, so they have star players who can make big plays. They haven’t forced nearly as many turnovers as the Seahawks with just 15 takeaways in 45 sims, but they do usually provide sacks and fantasy points from limiting their opponents.
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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.