Fantasy Madden simulation contests really became popular in 2020 when the Covid virus shut down the sports world for a few months. DraftKings was the first big fantasy site to start offering them for real money prizes and it continues till this day as Madden esports enthusiasts loved the addition of the sport to the Esports fantasy roster.
How Fantasy Madden Works
Each day there is a live slate of simulated games you able to choose a contest to play in from the lobby. Much like in real life NFL fantasy contests, the simulated contests will assign salaries to each player on a team. The players salaries will be based on actual Madden ratings for the player and generally the higher the player is rated in the game, the higher his salary will be.
You must draft 9 players for your simulated Madden team – 1 QB, 2 RB’s, 3 WR’s, 1 TE, 1 FLEX and 1 Defense. The total sum of all these players salaries can not exceed the total salary cap that you are allowed to use. This total salary cap is always pre-determined and on DraftKings it is usually $50,000. The goal is to draft the best Madden team you can put together while staying under or equal to your cap.
Madden Simulation Scoring
Once the contests start it is a CPU vs CPU simulated game for every matchup on the day’s slate. All players will receive points based on their performance in the simulation. The simulation scoring follows the exact same template as it’s real life NFL counterpart. The main fantasy point system goes as follows:
- Passing TD = 4 pts
- Rushing TD = 6 pts
- Receiving TD = 6 pts
- 1 Reception = 1 pt
- Sack = 1 pt
- Interception = 2 pts
- Zero points allowed = +10 pts
For the full rule set you can check out: Draftkings Official NFL Scoring
Here are the game settings that are used to simulate the Madden contests:
- Difficulty: All-Madden
- Game Style: Arcade
- Event: Exhibition
- Even Teams: Off
- Quarter Length: 8 Minutes
- Accelerated Clock: On
- Play Clock: 20 Seconds
Live Streaming
What fun would it be to play in these contests and not get a chance to watch the games, that’s why DK offers live streams for each of their simulated games on their Youtube channel. The Draftkings team goes all out and even provides live play by play announcers for their featured Madden simulation streams. If you don’t feel like watching the live streams you can still follow along on DraftKings contest gamecenter to see you your simulated team is doing.
Full Season Madden Fantasy Contests
DraftKings also offers full season long Madden simulation contests. Starting in December 2020 they will be running a 48 game regular season league for real cash prizes. This will be the first ever full season league and I’m pretty sure it will continue on as the demand for Madden simulations grow. The season will also include a 16 team playoff round which you will be able to play fantasy contests in all the way to the Simulated Super Bowl.
They will also be updating rosters and as the season rolls along and changes could affect superstar traits for star players. Make sure to check out their Madden depth charts so you on top of your game when drafting players. This could be a big edge over the competition and could earn you big paydays.
No other fantasy site is offering Madden simulations at this level making DraftKings.com one of the only places in town for Madden fantasy if you are looking to win real cash. Day 1 of the full season has $10,000 up for grabs in prize money and 1st place nets you $2000. That’s one of the top prize pools already in esports contests so don’t miss out if Madden football is your thing.
