With Madden NFL 18’s release approaching, EA has finally started to reveal player ratings. Yesterday we were presented with a fun little video of the 2017 NFL Draft classreacting to their ratings. Today, we get a look at the top 5 rookies in Madden 18.
1. Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
As the first overall pick in the draft, it should come as no surprise that Cleveland Browns Defensive End Myles Garrett is the top-rated rookie in Madden 18. Checking in at a very impressive83 Overall, Garrett is a defensive presence is Madden 18. He boasts 84 Speed,90 Acceleration, and a whopping96 Strength. His Strength rating alone is top 10 in the game.
While his speed and power combo is nearly unmatched among linemen, proven vets like J.J. Watt come up big with other important ratings like Power Move, Block Shedding, Finesse Move, and Play Recognition. Still, at 83 overall, Garrett has the foundation attributes to be a key player to build your franchise around in Madden 18.
2. O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Of the top 5 rated Rookies in Madden 18, O.J. Howard is the only one that was not taken in the top 10 overall in the draft. But that has more to do with the position he plays than his athletic ability.
Howard is the prototypical tight end with size, speed, catching ability, and blocking prowess. He comes into Madden 18 with an82 Overall. In terms of ratings, Howard has some excellent numbers, including87 Speed,90 Acceleration, and75 Strength. He’s also apparently an excellent blocker, for those who prefer to use the TE position for the run game.
3. Leonard Fournette, HB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars haven’t had the best of luck in recent years with the draft, but Fournette is a workhorse and it shows in Madden 18. He comes in with an81 Overall. His90 Speedisn’t the fastest in the rookie class, but he has more than enough power to make up for what he’s lacking in quickness.
Fournette boasts a92 Truck Rating,83 Strength, and measures at least in the 80s in ball carrying stats.
4. Jamal Adams, SS, New York Jets
Adams was one of the most touted defensive players in the 2017 NFL Draft outside of Myles Garrett, so it’s no surprise to see him in the top five rookie ratings. Adams has all the tools to be a game-changing defensive back in Madden 18, including91 Speed,90 Acceleration, and90 Hit Power Rating. His82 Tacklingand72 Awarenesscould use some improvement, but he’s definitely a player to build your defense around.
5. Christian McCaffrey, HB, Carolina Panthers
McCaffrey is a bit of a wild card because of the whole “true position” thing. But if you can find a way to incorporate him into your offense, McCaffrey — and his81 Overall— can be a game-change in Madden 18. HisCatch rating is 75, which puts is in the top seven for running backs. Of that seven, onlyDavid Johnson has a higher Speed rating, and onlyLe’Veon Bell has a higher Carry ratingof that same group. Not a bad company to be in.
With 52 Truck rating, McCaffrey won’t bowl anyone over, but his 87 Spin Move and 93 Juke could make him a threat in the open field. With great base stats, McCaffrey could end up being a crucial cog in your Madden game plan.
Honorable Mentions
Delvin Cook, HB, Minnesota Vikings: 80 Overall. A mix between Fournette’s power and McCaffrey’s shiftiness.
John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: The fastest player in Madden 18 with 98 Speed.
That’s all for now, but be sure to stay tuned as EA continues to reveal the top players at each position in Madden NFL 18.
