EA Sports just keeps those ratings rolling.
The Madden developer kept the reveals coming on Wednesday as the top five defensive ends, defensive tackles, and tight ends were all revealed. The majority of top players were expected, especially in the tight ends list, but EA did include some surprises.
Tight Ends
1. Rob Gronkowski – 99 Overall
2. Greg Olsen – 93 Overall
3. Delanie Walker – 94 Overall
4. Tyler Eifert – 90 Overall
5. Jimmy Graham – 89 Overall
Love him or hate him, you can’t deny Gronk’s game-changing ability. The big oaf is completely unstoppable in the red zone, and he perfectly utilizes the tight end screens. A solid Madden player can rack up about 280 yards in a single game with Gronk.
Like Gronk, Greg Olsen and Delanie Walker are both very quick and powerful tight ends. Olsen in particular can make the toughest catches in traffic, break tackles, and fight his way to the end zone. Walker is more of the quick tight end that can outrun most linebackers and some safeties. Tyler Eifert isn’t as quick as Olsen, Gronk, or Walker, but he has great hands and leaping ability for goal line fades. Eifert makes Andy Dalton look good week in and week out, and he can do the same thing in the game.
It was honestly a little surprising to see Jimmy Graham make the list over Travis Kelce, AKA Baby Gronk. Kelce is a faster and stronger tight end, and he has stayed healthy throughout his career. Graham is always injured, and he had terrible production during his first season with the Seahawks. Granted, Graham is still a very talented tight end that can produce in the red zone.
Defensive Tackles
1. Aaron Donald – 98 Overall
2. Geno Atkins – 94 Overall
3. Fletcher Cox – 93 Overall
4. Ndamukong Suh – 93 Overall
5. Kawann Short – 92 Overall
A couple years ago, this list would have been quite different. Ndamukong Suh used to be considered the best defensive tackle in the game, and he turned that reputation into a massive contract with the Dolphins. However, Suh’s production dipped last season, dropping him to fourth overall. In Suh’s place stands the Rams extremely talented defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The third-year player out of Pittsburgh is one of the most disruptive players in the game, and he can keep any Madden player competitive by pushing back the offensive line with ease. Donald wrecks games and he routinely sacks the quarterback, something that is more rare than you would expect. Plus, Donald is extremely quick as evidenced by his 93 acceleration and 89 speed.
Geno Atkins and Fletcher Cox are two of the most popular defensive tackles in the game. Atkins has been Cincinnati’s best defender for years, and he looks to continue that streak. His speed of 77 is much slower than Donald’s, but Atkins makes up for it with 89 strength. Despite playing mostly defensive tackle, Cox is actually more of a defensive end given his ability and freedom to move up and down the line of scrimmage. Plus, Cox has impressive pass rush moves that help him stay productive from all positions.
Thank goodness that the Panthers went to the Super Bowl because now Kawann Short can finally get some respect. Short is one of the least known defenders in Carolina thanks to Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, and Charles Johnson. However, Short is one of the most productive. In both real life and Madden, Short pushes back the offensive line and routinely stops the running backs for losses. He is one of the best weapons to have during online matches.
Defensive Ends
1. JJ Watt – 99 Overall
2. Jurrell Casey – 93 Overall
3. Brandon Graham – 92 Overall
4. Mike Daniels – 92 Overall
5. Olivier Vernon – 91 Overall
JJ Watt has only been in the NFL for five full seasons, but he has already made himself one of the best in history. Watt has already tied Hall of Fame member Lawrence Taylor with three Defensive Player of the Year Awards. These accolades and on-field production are the reasons why EA Sports give Watt stats in the high 90’s in almost every category. Watt can dominate every blocker in the game, and he can also be used in trick plays as a receiver.
Like Aaron Donald, Jurrell Casey is an astoundingly good player stuck on a team that doesn’t get much exposure. Most people can’t name more than three members of the Titans, but Casey is the one to know. The defensive end is strong enough to push over almost any offensive lineman, and he possesses surprising quickness. Casey is a consolation prize when hitting “random team” results in the Titans.
Brandon Graham and Mike Daniels are both surprising additions to this list, but the move was justified. Daniels has served as a steady presence for the Packers and a nice complement to Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews. Daniels can wreck any game plan in Madden with his pass rushing skills. Graham is a skilled defender, but he is best served as a pass rusher in passing situations. His acceleration helps right as the ball is snapped, and pairing it with a well-timed power move can be devastating.
Like Graham, Olivier Vernon is the pure pass rusher that you need in the modern NFL. Vernon is especially useful against scrambling quarterbacks with his 87 acceleration. Not many quarterbacks can escape Vernon’s grasp.
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