NFL
Big news out of the gaming world as EA Sports has released its Rookie Ratings for Madden 19.
As EA looks to ramp up excitement around their Madden 19 release in August, the company has announced their comprehensive ratings for this year’s draft class. Featuring a number of major surprises, the list has sparked debate among the gaming community.
Listed below are the ratings of this draft class’s biggest names:
Top 5 Rookie Quarterbacks
1. Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns): 81 OVR
2. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens): 79 OVR
3. Josh Rosen (Arizona Cardinals): 78 OVR
4. Sam Darnold (New York Jets): 75 OVR
5. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills): 74 OVR
The quarterback position headlines both the 2018 NFL Draft Class and Madden Rookie Class. With five field generals taken in the first round, Madden fans have anxiously waited to see where their team’s new QB ranked among the class.
Mayfield and Jackson Take the Top Spots
Leading the class in both draft position and Madden rating, Baker Mayfield’s 81 overall rating is the highest among the group. Tasked with ending the Brown’s QB carousel, Mayfield’s college brilliance and play-making ability led him to the #1 spot.
Lamar Jackson comes as somewhat of a surprise at the second spot, earning a 79 overall rating. The QB’s high upside as a dual-threat option and Heisman credentials are what have fueled a higher-than-expected grade.
Rosen, Darnold and Allen Round Out the Top 5
Slots three through five are occupied by a trio of highly touted pocket passers. Josh Rosen (78 overall), Sam Darnold (75 overall), and Josh Allen (74 overall) are each highly skilled passers. Rosen and Darnold’s ratings come from their polished play and NFL-ready makeup. Josh Allen’s arm talent and high upside fuel his strong rookie rating.
Top 5 Rookie Running Backs
1. Saquon Barkley (New York Giants): 82 OVR
2. Derrius Guice (Washington Redskins): 78 OVR
3. Ronald Jones II (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): 77 OVR
4. Sony Michel (New England Patriots): 77 OVR
5. Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns): 76 OVR
Madden’s Rookie Runners are Poised for a Big 2018
This stable of talented backs is sure to make an immediate dent in both NFL and Madden games. With each of these top 5 backs assuming either lead back or heavy timeshare roles, Madden players will fall head-over-heels for this quintet.
Barkley, Jones II, and Michel each enter backfields that have lost their previous #1 backs in the offseason shuffle. Guice looks to join a crowded, yet largely unproductive Redskins backfield while Chubb looks to form a two-headed monster with recently-signed Carlos Hyde in Cleveland.
Top 5 Rookie Receivers
1. D.J. Moore (Carolina Panthers): 77 OVR
2. Calvin Ridley (Atlanta Falcons): 77 OVR
3. Dante Pettis (San Francisco 49ers): 76 OVR
4. Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos): 75 OVR
5. Anthony Miller (Chicago Bears): 74 OVR
While the draft was hyped for its crop of franchise quarterbacks, the field also boasted a bevy of wide receiver talent.
Moore and Ridley a 1-2 Punch in Madden Rookie Ratings
D.J. Moore and Calvin Ridley were the first two wideouts taken off the board, snatched with the 24th and 26th picks respectively. Both are polished receivers who are ready to make an impact for their teams immediately in 2018.
Moore looks to take the reigns of a Carolina receiving corps that has been underwhelming in recent memory. Teaming up with former-MVP Cam Newton, the Maryland product will be a major part of the Panthers offense this season.
Ridley, a force at Alabama, is a crisp route-runner with big-play ability. Entering the fold as the second option in a strong Falcons passing attack, Ridley will look to form a dynamic tandem with Julio Jones.
Pettis, Sutton and Miller Form an Elite Trio
The trio of Pettis (76 overall), Sutton (75 overall), and Miller (74 overall) each bring impressive collegiate highlight reels to their new NFL homes.
Pettis has the most reliable hands in the draft and also brings elite return ability to a strong 49ers roster. According to Pro Football Focus, Pettis only dropped three of 63 catchable balls last season, 13th best in the nation. On top of that Pettis is one of the best punt returners in NCAA history, averaging 19.6 yards per return in 2017 and totaling 9 career punt return touchdowns in college.
Courtland Sutton will be a major rezone threat for an improving Broncos offense. Possessing a 6’4″, 216 lb frame, Sutton has the catch radius and high-point ability to out muscle most NFL defensive backs.
Anthony Miller rounds out the list with a 74 overall grade entering his rookie campaign. The small framed pass catcher out of Memphis was incredibly productive in college, topping 1400 yards in both 2016 and 2017. Capable of playing both outside and in the slot, Miller will look to be a swiss army knife for a young Bears offense.
Whats Next For Madden
There are some BIG dates set for the release of Madden’s newest installment. Madden 19’s global release is set for August 10th, 2018 on both the Play Station 4 and Xbox One. The Pre-Order Hall of Fame Edition of the game will release three days earlier on August 7th.
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This article was originally written by former TSJ101SPORTS NFL Department Head and writer William Zurcher. Due to systems modalities, the article has been assigned to the author tag designation “Former Writers”.
