Another work week gets underway this Monday with six Madden 21 sims in the queue on the DraftKings Dream Stream as the Madden simulated season reaches Week 9. The featured classic contest gets underway at 6:00 p.m. ET with the first game of the Week 9 schedule when the winless Indianapolis Colts host the New York Jets. At 8:00 p.m. ET in primetime, the New England Patriots visit Cam Newton’s ($6,400) former team when they take on the Carolina Panthers, and the Battle of Ohio takes centerstage on Madden After Dark as the Cleveland Browns visit the Cincinnati Bengals.
You can follow along with the standings as the season continues and check out the depth charts for each team. If you’re looking for gameplay details for these sims along with the upcoming schedule, head over to the Madden Streams Information Page.
Quarterback
Stud
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, $6,600 — Mayfield has the highest average of the QBs in play and is in a great matchup against the Bengals’ defense, which has been a very favorable matchup in Madden 21. Mayfield had 15.3 DKFP with a rushing touchdown in his most recent game and now has over 15 DKFP in 12 of his 14 most recent sims. He also had over 18 DKFP in each of his two most recent matchups with the Bengals. He threw three touchdowns and had 25.16 DKFP two sims ago and even reached 400 yards with three scores and 32.08 DKFP against the Lions earlier this sim season, showing he offers a high ceiling in addition to his recent consistency.
Other Options — Joe Burrow ($6,800), Cam Newton ($6,400)
Value
Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets, $5,900 — The Colts are the final remaining winless team in the simulated season at 0-8. Rivers has actually put up decent numbers lately, though, with over 16 DKFP in five of his past seven. He doesn’t add any rushing production but has averaged 236.0 passing yards and thrown 129 touchdowns in his 84 sims. If he gets multiple touchdowns against a below-average Jets secondary, he could end up a great value under $6K.
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Running Back
Stud
Le’Veon Bell, New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts, $6,800 — One of the main reasons for the Colts’ struggles has been their struggling run defense, which could lead to a big game for Bell as the Jets’ workhorse RB1 and third-down back. Bell had double-digit DKFP in all four of his earlier Madden 21 meetings with Indy, averaging 15.9 DKFP per sim in those contests. He also posted over 12 DKFP in seven of his past eight sims, highlighted by a massive 48.8-DKFP performance against the Broncos.
Other Options — Christian McCaffrey ($7,300), Nyheim Hines ($6,200)
Value
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, $5,200 — Hunt has been a regular contributor as the Browns’ third-down back and has at least five catches and 13 DKFP in four of his past five contests. In addition, he had double-digit DKFP in three of his five prior meetings with the Bengals, so he should be able to produce in this rematch.
Other Options — Gio Bernard ($5,700), James White ($4,200)
Wide Receiver
Stud
Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, $5,900 — A few quiet games recently have dropped OBJ’s salary under $6K, but I love this matchup against the Bengals. He posted at least 18 DKFP in three of his five prior matchups with Cincy, including 26.5 and 24.3 DKFP in their two most recent meetings. Beckham always brings big-play potential and a high ceiling, which makes him my top WR target on this slate.
Other Options — DJ Moore ($5,600), Julian Edelman ($5,400)
Value
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts, $4,600 — Crowder has at least four catches in each of his four of his previous matchups with the Colts and has averaged 14.1 DKFP in those sims. Overall, he’s produced 10.4 DKFP on 3.8 catches for 46.9 yards per sim as the Jets’ WR1 in Madden 21.
Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots, $4,500 — Samuel had two touchdowns and 31.9 DKFP against the Falcons in his most recent sim and should avoid the Patriots’ top CBs since he works primarily out of the slot. Samuel has at least three catches in 16 of his past 17 sims, providing nice consistency to go with his high ceiling, especially for such an affordable play.
Other Options — Tyler Boyd ($4,800), Parris Campbell ($4,200), Breshad Perriman ($3,900)
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Tight End
Stud
Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets, $5,400 — Burton plays a very important role in the Colts’ offense and has averaged 4.8 catches for 52.4 yards per sim since taking over as TE1. He has at least three catches in four straight games and has posted over 13 DKFP in four of his past six contests. Rivers to Burton is a solid connection to target against the Jets, and it’s a stack that could pay off if they hit for a touchdown, as they have 28 times in 81 sims.
Other Option — Devin Asiasi ($4,600), C.J. Uzomah ($4,100)
Value
Ian Thomas, Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots, $3,700 — Thomas had six catches for 98 yards and 15.8 DKFP in his previous matchup with New England, and he should be involved in the rematch since the Patriots’ elite CBs often force more passes to opposing TEs. Thomas has at least four catches in five of his eight games this simulated season and is my favorite play under $4K at any position on this slate.
DST
Stud
Patriots DST at Carolina Panthers, $3,200 — The Patriots have averaged 6.0 DKFP per sim in Madden 21, and no other DST on this slate is within a point. In their 88 sims, the Pats have forced 89 turnovers while scoring 16 defensive touchdowns and adding 152 sacks. They have the most big-play potential of any unit on this slate by a wide margin.
Value
Browns DST at Cincinnati Bengals, $3,000 — The Bengals haven’t been awful in these sims, but the Browns have a strong pass rush and should be able to rattle rookie QB Joe Burrow ($6,800). Cleveland has 148 sacks in their 84 sims to go with 37 takeaways and three defensive touchdowns for 3.5 DKFP per contest.
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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.