The Five Rookies from the First Round Who Will Change Madden the Most

Feature Article

Submitted on: 05/02/2017 by Chris Sanner

The beautiful thing about a new Madden in August is that the rosters for all 32 teams will look at least slightly different -- if only because the draft brings in a crop of new talent each and every year.

Because of that, teams do feel different and new approaches are developed by Madden players to take advantage of the tweaked rosters. With that said, this year's NFL Draft First Round didn't actually feature a ton of players you'd label as Madden game changers.

In fact, many of the picks were players who's importance in Madden has never been as high as a good RB, WR, or QB. I purposefully limited myself to five picks and because of that if you are an offensive lineman in any way you just had no chance to make this list. Ditto for most defensive players sans a good edge rusher.

So with that said, here's the five players I think will change Madden the most in Madden NFL 18...

Myles Garrett, DE, Browns (Rd. 1, Pick 1): Look, Madden is changing in that having a good edge rusher is a big plus for you as a human player. Granted, having a great speed rusher isn’t going to magically fix your defense, unless big changes are made to the game that is. Still, Garrett will make a difference with the Browns defense. If you are thinking of starting a franchise with Cleveland, he’s a good centerpiece to build a defense on into the future. And hey, Garrett isn’t a QB so how bad could it be?

Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars (Rd. 1, Pick 4): Fournette will be a workhorse in the Jaguars offense with Blake Bortles as the QB as well. You’ll now have some balance to the offense and a run game which will help keep your defense off of the field a bit more. Paired with T.J. Yeldon, Fournette brings a new dynamic to the Jaguars backfield. Combined with young talent all around and its likely you'll have a bright future in Jacksonville when all is said and done.

John Ross, WR, Bengals (Rd. 1, Pick 9): Ross is fast. And unless the basics of how Madden operates changes, that means Ross is going to be a force to be reckoned with. It also doesn't hurt that Cincinatti has a pretty good crop of receivers already, so Ross could be placed in a variety of positions to get him open and let his speed do the rest. When paired with Joe Mixon (RB, also drafted this year) — your offensive future is set in Cincy.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans (Rd. 1, Pick 12): Watson may be the day one starter in Houston, but with his game expect many Madden players to take advantage of his strong arm and running speed. Watson does have some accuracy concerns but that doesn’t seem to be punished as much as it should be in Madden. He’s a dynamite player for the game.

O.J. Howard, TE, Buccaneers (Rd. 1, Pick 19): Most people didn’t see Howard dropping outside of the top 10. Howard is a great TE prospect by most accounts. As a guy who personally uses the TE quite a bit, I can see Howard being a long-term game changer when using the Bucs in any franchise scenario.

What rookies from the first round do you expect to change Madden the most this season?

Member Comments

# 1 Godgers12 @ 05/02/17 03:14 PM

Kevin King is another one. Though, technically not a 1st round pick (pick 33), he will still be a force. He should be able to neutralize the Julio's of the worl with his 6'3 height and 4.4 speed. 92-93 speed with 93-95 jump will be very formidable. 1st true Madden beast the Packers have drafted in the 1st 2 rounds in like 15 years and we took 2 safety Josh Jones being the other 1. Along with being 6-2 225 Jones should also have 91-92 spd and 90+ hit. And he is known as a good coverage safety as well as his ability to hit like a truck.

# 2 Dj_MyTime @ 05/02/17 04:33 PM

Christian McCaffrey, I'd imagine he'll have very good hands, and route running, and his change of direction (agility) on the field paired with a high ELU / JUKE / SPIN ratings should make him really effective in the right hands.

Tack on at least 90-92 speed / 90+ acc (4.48 - 40 time) and you've got a guy that can do it from the slot, the back field, or in the return game.

Looking forward to this new element as Carolina has lacked speed from the (HB group) out of the box ever since we traded Kenjon Barner to PHI.

# 3 MoneyOvaHuds @ 05/02/17 04:43 PM

Adam Shaheen

6'6 278

4.79 40 time

https://youtu.be/vDJLRgh2vp4

# 4 Kwarren3 @ 05/02/17 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyOvaHuds


	Adam Shaheen 6'6 278 4.79 40 time https://youtu.be/vDJLRgh2vp4

I see your 6'6 TE with a 4.79 40 and raise to 6'6 TE with a 4.57 40

- Bucky Hodges, Madden Freak.

# 5 redsfan4life @ 05/02/17 05:31 PM

Deshaun Watson does not have a strong arm. He had the weakest arm at the combine tbh. Lowest velocity of all major QB's, he should have throw power in low to mid 80's.

# 6 MarkDiF01 @ 05/02/17 06:14 PM

If we're talking about changing madden, then you gotta say Jabrill just bc he plays multiple positions

Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

# 7 Godgers12 @ 05/02/17 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsfan4life


	Deshaun Watson does not have a strong arm. He had the weakest arm at the combine tbh. Lowest velocity of all major QB's, he should have throw power in low to mid 80's.

He have 90+ THP. Lowest he will have is 89 bare minimum. I think Christian Ponder is the only 1st round QB the last 10 Maddens who has come in with less than 88 THP.

# 8 redsfan4life @ 05/02/17 07:32 PM

If Watson has 89 THP than all the other rookies should be mid to high 90s. He's definitely got a noodle arm. Good intangibles and running ability though.

# 9 young22 @ 05/02/17 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkDiF01


	If we're talking about changing madden, then you gotta say Jabrill just bc he plays multiple positions Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Hopefully they open depth charts up a little more, at the very least making LB/S and HB/WR interchangeable. If not, they need to add secondary positions.

Sent from my SM-G386W using Operation Sports mobile app

# 10 4thQtrStre5S @ 05/03/17 12:45 AM

I wonder how EA/Tiburon is gonna handle a player like Joe Mixon who was said to be a 1st round talent but of course we know why he slid?

# 11 Dj_MyTime @ 05/03/17 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by young22


	Hopefully they open depth charts up a little more, at the very least making LB/S and HB/WR interchangeable. If not, they need to add secondary positions. Sent from my SM-G386W using Operation Sports mobile app

I'll move Curtis Samuel to HB on the Panthers he was 2nd round WR/HB from Ohio St (HB can be subbed in at WR positions).

There is a 3-4 (Even I think) that has a SS sub package.

I will say this draft, and NFL trends the last couple years are gonna make a lot of SIM Madden guys/leagues reconsider player position restrictions, because more and more teams are adding guys they can line up 'anywhere'.

There was a really good article that featured and touted ARI & CAR as being ahead of that curve. **Look it up**

# 12 JoshC1977 @ 05/03/17 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4thQtrStre5S


	I wonder how EA/Tiburon is gonna handle a player like Joe Mixon who was said to be a 1st round talent but of course we know why he slid?

Man...this is tough....I'm not sure there is a good way to do this. Personally...I will edit him to give him the objective skill and ability traits but will lower his awareness and change his development to slow. I've done this in the past for similarly troubled players like Manziel. Not a perfect solution....but it does replicate, to a degree, the slowed development guys with off field issues seem to have.

# 13 DeuceDouglas @ 05/03/17 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4thQtrStre5S


	I wonder how EA/Tiburon is gonna handle a player like Joe Mixon who was said to be a 1st round talent but of course we know why he slid?

You could probably look at Laremy Tunsil's situation last year and make an applicable comparison. He was rated lower than both Stanley and Conklin who were both selected in front of him. My guess is he'll be rated fairly well attributes wise and then they'll just knock his AWR down to make his OVR slot in where he was drafted.

# 14 jfsolo @ 05/03/17 06:57 PM

The development team simply has to get the A.I. up to snuff, and have size and strength, and momentum play an accurate role in collisions(I'll worry pad level in the future) because as has been mentioned, guys are moving all over the field on both sizes of the ball, and that kind of versatility needs to be available for use in Madden. Competitive play exploiting can't be allowed to keep realistic football elements out of the game forever.

# 15 bigboyc @ 05/03/17 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsfan4life


	If Watson has 89 THP than all the other rookies should be mid to high 90s. He's definitely got a noodle arm. Good intangibles and running ability though.

He doesnt have a noodle arm. That BS exit velocity at the combine. Watch his tape. His issue is footwork and technique. He will get stronger in the pros.

# 16 Madden08PCgmr @ 05/04/17 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godgers12


	Kevin King is another one. Though, technically not a 1st round pick (pick 33), he will still be a force. He should be able to neutralize the Julio's of the worl with his 6'3 height and 4.4 speed. 92-93 speed with 93-95 jump will be very formidable. 1st true Madden beast the Packers have drafted in the 1st 2 rounds in like 15 years and we took 2 safety Josh Jones being the other 1. Along with being 6-2 225 Jones should also have 91-92 spd and 90+ hit. And he is known as a good coverage safety as well as his ability to hit like a truck.

Clay Matthews III was outstanding his first few years.

B.J. Raji also came out of the gate VERY strong.

Both were keys to the Packers last Title, so I HOPE King is that kind of player.

However, the Packers haven't drafted a pro bowl caliber corner this century (Mike McKenzie, 1999).. I'd hit the pause button on the shutdown corner bit.

.. I'm very excited about the Jones pick. Morgan Burnett simply never makes plays.

Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

# 17 JoshC1977 @ 05/04/17 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigboyc


	He doesnt have a noodle arm. That BS exit velocity at the combine. Watch his tape. His issue is footwork and technique. He will get stronger in the pros.

I agree...but he does tend to float his passes a bit...like he is trying to be too fine on his accuracy. He will need to work on putting more velocity on certain throws or he is going to be the next Steve Walsh....yes, I just dated myself...lol. I do think he has just enough arm strength to make it happen.

# 18 BigOrangeVol4Life @ 05/05/17 05:48 AM

As a lifelong Vol fan, I'm interested to see the ratings given to the Eagles' DE Derek Barnett. He had a non stop motor in college and brought it every single play. Breaking Reggie White's school record for sacks in just 3 seasons speaks for itself.

# 19 TexInOrd @ 05/05/17 08:20 PM

Watson and Foreman since I am a Texan's fan.

Remember when they used to release rookie ratings during the draft for the first round?

Not for MUT but for the base game/franchise. I miss that. I'm curious how Watson will come out, namely thp. Could see anywhere between 87-92.

# 20 Godgers12 @ 05/07/17 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madden08PCgmr


	Clay Matthews III was outstanding his first few years. B.J. Raji also came out of the gate VERY strong. Both were keys to the Packers last Title, so I HOPE King is that kind of player. However, the Packers haven't drafted a pro bowl caliber corner this century (Mike McKenzie, 1999).. I'd hit the pause button on the shutdown corner bit. .. I'm very excited about the Jones pick. Morgan Burnett simply never makes plays. Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Yes but they weren't really what you would call "Madden beasts" as rookies though. King may end up being a top 10 "Madden CB" in Madden as a rookie, and Jones a top 5-10 SS, if they are both given the physical ratings they deserve, but Madden always does the Packers dirty when it comes to ratings, so not going to hold out hope.

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