Category Archives: Madden 13 Player Traits

Top 5 Players To Run Free With In Madden NFL 25

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Top 5 Run Free Players in Madden NFL 25

Madden 25 has reinvented the running game this season by giving gamers ultimate control in how they string together moves. Gamers are now able to use normal, precision and combo moves for over 35+ total moves to break down defenses. While taking a handoff will still be the traditional way to run free, gamers are going to be able to pull off these moves all around the field. Different situations and positions are going to give Madden players the ultimate ability to be more creative. Below are the Top 5 Players we look forward to running free with in Madden 25.

Marshawn Lynch

Many gamers think “Run Free” involves being in open space, however a power back like Lynch will be super effective using the force impact system. Lynch will boast an ability to pull off two different types of stiff arms in Madden 25. The first is a power punching style stiff arm that is done by tapping the button, use this in short yardage situations to move the chains. The other is performed by holding down the button and is best on the sideline. This will hold out the runners arm and can be used to drag defenders and gain additional yards at the end of the run. Lynch will also have access to the best precision truck moves in the game, which will flatten smaller defenders and keep defenses in their base personnel longer.  With all the possible moves for power backs this year, running the ball in the redzone will be a huge factor in scoring more points!

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to work QB Russell Wilson in with the Read Option Game!

Patrick Peterson

A dynamic defender goes mostly unnoticed, however every now and then they get a chance to shine when they get the ball in their hands.  Teams are always looking to get the ball into the hands of one of the NFL’s best athletes like Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson. If you are able to grab an interception, your defense can quickly turn into offense as you look to find a lane for the pick six. Peterson will also be a star in the return game in Madden 25. With better downfield blocking, you should be able to benefit with all the new moves.  A player with the raw ability of Peterson might not need too much more than a well time acceleration burst to get to top speed where he will never be caught from behind!

Pro Tip: While the hurdle is an amazing move when successful, it can open your player up to risks like injuries and fumbles, use it wisely!

Robert Griffin III

Last season, we saw some unique offenses being unleashed around the league. Formations like the pistol and plays like the read option were added to schemes that featured a QB who made great decisions and had the speed to burn the defense. In Madden 25, the new read and pitch keys will help gamers determine who they need to be looking at on defense to make the proper read. If an overzealous defender tries to take out the running back, gamers can hold the ball with the QB and attack the now empty edge. RG3 will be a great player to utilize due to his abilty to make moves in the open field. We have already seen his spin move featured in the Run Free Trailer and it will be a great weapon with a defender approaching at an angle when running down the sideline.

Pro Tip: Stamina is a factor in Madden 25, make sure to protect your QB from big hits by going out of bounds if possible.

Randall Cobb

Every NFL fan knows the Green Bay Packers have one of the best QB’s in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers, but many overlook one of their best weapons in WR Randall Cobb. Cobb is a player that can line up almost anywhere and turn a quick play into a long one! No matter where your WR catches the ball in Madden 25, they will have the chance to run free after the catch. You can try Cobb on screens, end arounds, in the slot or outside and likely have success. Cobb will have a great ability to juke around linebackers if he has just a sliver of space. Make sure to work him all around your lineup at multiple positions and if the defense doesn’t account for him, make them pay!

Pro Tip: Make sure to protect the ball in traffic by holding RB on XBOX and R1 on PS3.

Adrian Peterson

The NFL’s reigning MVP will be an amazing player in Madden NFL 25 with all the possible Run Free move combinations. Peterson will give gamers multiple moves that they can combo together to make entire defenses struggle. By using the precision mechanic, gamers can slow down Adrian Peterson to make sure he gets in behind his blockers before getting him quickly back up to speed with an acceleration burst. Faking out defenders by just quickly decelerating is a move that all the top players will master. When you pick up Madden 25, make sure to head into practice mode with the Vikings and test out Adrian Peterson and all the run free moves. Peterson is the quintessence of the new Run Free moves and is the guy you need to learn all the moves now at your disposal.

Pro Tip: Make sure to check your RB’s ratings to see what precision moves they can pull off!

Who are you most looking forward to #RunFree with this season? Leave it in the comments!

Best Madden Ultimate Team 25 Rookie Ratings

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What’s up, Gamers?

Madden Ultimate Team @EASports_MUT is currently doing a specialty “Madden Cover Vote” Collection. They are doing giveaways that include a nice Revis card.

For those eager to see the Madden NFL 25 Rookie Ratings, head into Madden Ultimate Team and start digging for cards. While most of the star players from the draft were linemen, there are some Madden sleepers in there. While most players won’t have the exact same rating, you can get a pretty good idea of where these guys line up!

Are you gonna play MUT in Madden NFL 25? Stay tuned for a playbook on Madden Ultimate Team from EA on July 1 to see the new goods!

NFL Draft Winners for Madden NFL 25!

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Which team got the rookies it needed to be improve in Madden NFL 25? Many teams were just one or two skill positions away from really making themselves contenders. Last year a team like the Giants went with skill selections early, but never really got the boost. Other teams like SF waited to grab a skill player (LaMichael James), who ended up being a huge focus of their offense. Take a look at the power rankings for Madden NFL 13 and see just how many spots teams jumped up!

Winners: St. Louis Rams — The Rams were one of the lowest-rated teams last season. Their HB, Steven Jackson, was solid but not elite. QB Sam Bradford had very little help on the outside and suffered when reliable slot WR Danny Amendola was injured. Amendola and Jackson left, and the Rams had huge gaps at their skill positions. They were able to fill them and really move up the rankings for Madden NFL 25. They selected Tavon Austin, who is a Harvin/Cobb-type weapon. SGibs is projecting Tavon Austin to have a solid rookie rating for Madden NFL 25. Austin helps, but the Rams also got Stedman Bailey to work the outside. They got great value at LB with Alec Ogletree, and their safety selection, T.J. McDonald, should bring some decent hit power to the defense. The Rams are no longer the worst team in Madden NFL.

Green Bay Packers — The Packers have been a top three Madden team for years due to QB Aaron Rodgers, who just signed a new deal over the weekend. That move alone keeps them relevant; however, their commitment to draft a running back is what grabbed our attention. RB Eddie Lacey and his “99 Spin Move” will be coming to GB. While I don’t think he is enough to bump them up, they also drafted UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin, who fits more into a third-down-back role. This is where they were lacking, and picking up two potential fits that make them more balanced will be huge for the Packers in Madden NFL 25.

Cincinnati Bengals — The Bengals drafted Tyler Eifert, who is projected to have a nice Madden NFL 25 rating. Eifert has great size and will really stress opposing linebackers when he lines up with TE Jermaine Gresham. The Bengals are a slower, more methodical offense, and he will fit nicely into their scheme. They also picked up RB Gio Bernard, who should have elite agility and solid speed. This will give them a nice change of pace from “Law Firm,” who is a between-the-tackles runner.

Buffalo Bills —  I have a soft spot for QB E.J. Manuel, who is a great physical talent and also a very good Madden player. I love seeing raw talent being selected, and the Bills desperately needed some. They have great talent at the HB position but really needed some explosiveness at WR. They did just that in the draft with WR Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin ran a blazing 4.27 time at the combine and should have the best Speed rating in the rookie class! He is a weapon to utilize with Manuel and gives the Bills great team speed along with C.J. Spiller! Woods is a solid all-around player and should be able to move up the depth chart quickly.

Who do you think improved the most via the NFL Draft? Leave it in the comments with your favorite selection! 

Madden NFL 25 Rookie Ratings Sleeper Watch

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With the NFL Draft coming up in April, teams can improve not only their real world squad, but also their Madden NFL 25 team! Washington got a true Madden star in RGIII via the draft last year, and in my opinion he was instantly a Top 5 QB in the game. Let’s take a look at five players to keep an eye on in the 2013 draft for Madden NFL 25. We even had the ratings czar, Donny_Moore, give us some clues on who to check out!

5. WR: Aaron Dobson – Marshall
A 6’3″ frame is always a solid starting point. With most CBs under 6’0″, the size advantage can be important with a few nice stats like Catch in Traffic, Jump, or Speed. With a 4.4 40, Dobson should have plenty of athleticism.

4. RB: Onterio McCalebb – Auburn
Ran a 4.31 but has also been seen around the 4.27-4.29 range. His ability to line up in the slot and catch passes will make him a great skill player in the league. Would keep a team like Seattle or Green Bay in the Top 3 teams for Madden NFL 25. Great KR at a minimum!

3. DE: Barkevious Mingo – LSU 
I will let his raw athletic ability talk on this Sports Science video.

2. QB: Geno Smith – West Virginia  
Smith isn’t really a sleeper, as he has met with KC, which holds the #1 overall pick. He may go at #8 to the Bills or continue to slide towards round 2. Moore’s tweet here is interesting; it looks like after some film study and workouts that he is translating better to Madden than QB E.J. Manuel? Only time will tell.

1. DE: Ziggy Ansah – BYU
Ran a 4.63 at the Combine while standing 6’5″ and 270-plus pounds! You want the next Bruce Irvin on your squad or a JPP? Who knows if he can produce like those guys on Sunday, but on my virtual gridiron, I will coach this guy to super stardom!

P.S. Philly also landed a 6’7″ WR in Ifeanyi Momah! We have been talking for years about lack of height (sorry, Riley) for the Eagles. Let’s see if this guy, who was injured during his senior season at BC, can make a splash with Chip Kelly and his new offense!

Dallas Cowboys' Madden NFL 25 Team Ranking

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The Dallas Cowboys are an interesting case for Madden NFL 25. They haven’t really done much in free agency due to extremely limited cap space. They have been extremely solid in Madden over the last few seasons (Pat Watkins, Teddy Williams); however, they have fallen from their #1 ranking in Madden NFL 09. What positions will they need if they want to burst into the top 5 in Madden NFL 25?

QB: Despite losing another big game, Tony Romo once again had solid numbers that led to nowhere. He has never burst past the “Rodgers Speed Threshold” that is the minimum need to beat slower defenders on the QB spy. He won’t really sustain a Read Option-style attack, so his arm will need to be top tier. While incredibly solid, he doesn’t have the Stafford- or Brady-like cannon but does balance it all out with his decent foot speed.

HB: Felix Jones never made the Madden impact we thought his raw physical speed would allow. He has sneak poor hands out of the backfield for a back of his style. DeMarco Murray has pretty good speed for his style of running but will need a big healthy season to be anything but a solid “Steven Jackson” type who never really translated to making huge plays.

WR/TE: Dallas has some studs in the passing game, but they will need Dez Bryant to go from a very good player to “Megatron” level if they want to be great. Miles Austin is losing ground, and Jason Witten, while reliable with his CIT, isn’t a great option to stretch defenses anymore. Kevin Ogletree will need to be tougher in the middle of the field, to go along with his solid athletic ability. Losing Marty B hurt their dual TE game, but James Hanna is a complete sleeper who can be huge depending on how the game plays this season!

Defense: Dallas is shifting to a 4-3 defense with Monte Kiffin taking the reins over from Rob Ryan. They lost Dan Connor to their division rival, so they will need star LB Sean Lee to recover from his season-ending injury last season.

Key Signing: Ernie Sims

While Sims has never quite delivered on his insane ratings on the field, he is still a solid speed guy. Despite his decreases, he can still be effective in a limited role. In Big D, he doesn’t need to be the featured guy (Ware, Spencer, Lee). He can easily fit in and be a nice asset to control on the defense.

With Ratliff and Ware, who may be listed as a DE in the 4-3, the Cowboys will have tremendous versatility on how to set up their front seven, and this will be able to confuse opponents before the snap.

In the secondary, Dallas got solid play from Brandon Carr, who outshone rookie Morris Claiborne, who rallied and finished the season strong. Claiborne has great athletic ability and should be able to match up against most #1s around the league next year.

Dallas does lose Gerald Sensabaugh to FA, but he was a slower player who can hopefully be upgraded from an athletic perspective. They could use some hit power in the secondary as well. While Michael Huff would be a great fit, he reportedly won’t be waiting around for Dallas to make room.

Overall: If Dallas wants to jump back into the top 5, they will have to increase their hit power in the secondary and upgrade at safety. Offensively, DeMarco Murray will have to take it to the next level and get some ratings boosts in the process. For players who like purely balanced attacks, Dallas is in the top 5 mix with NYG, HOU, ATL, DEN, and BAL. They likely won’t crack into the tournament scene, though, with our top 3 (49ers, Packers, and Seahawks).

Who would you like to see Dallas select in the 2013 draft? Leave it in the comments!

The Top 25 Free Agent Signings for Madden NFL 25!

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Free agency (FA) is always a huge factor when looking at which teams are the best in Madden. Madden NFL 13 was truly the year of the QB and Big-Hit Defense. While we don’t know exactly how Madden NFL 25 will play yet, it is always a great idea to look into teams with talented rosters at skill positions. Most gamers started with the Green Bay Packers and slowly shifted towards the 49ers as Colin Kaepernick exploded onto the scene. When taking a look at all the recent NFL moves, you must first look at the old power rankings. Good teams like SF can afford to lose a player like Dashon Goldson because they have plenty of other talent. A weaker team like Minnesota can add a great talent like Greg Jennings but still not move up too many spaces. Here are my favorite free agent moves that will affect just which teams are the best to use online in Madden NFL 25.

Honorable Mention: Paul Kruger – Browns

25. Glenn Dorsey – 49ers
While this was not a glamour move, adding some depth to the defensive line (which stands to lose Ricky Jean-Francois) is a smart addition. The 49ers get a high talent player who has under-performed so far; with a big start he could easily get some ratings boosts.

24. Jason Jones – Lions
Detroit is set to be a great team, and with an aging Kyle Vanden Bosch, you once again want as much depth and talent on the line as possible. Having players who can play in multiple fronts is huge for setting up blitzes in Madden.

23. Rashard Mendenhall – Cardinals

Mendenhall rebounded back from a torn ACL, but he joins a weaker team in the rankings and isn’t much different from former starter Beanie Wells. Mendenhall can be a solid trucking back, so hopefully the game will set him up for success.

22. Keith Rivers – Giants
Re-signing your own players is very big for staying relevant. Rivers has speed and hit power that the Giants couldn’t afford to lose, especially with Michael Boley being released. The Giants helped their Madden NFL 25 ranking by keeping this solid LB.

21. Aqib Talib – Patriots
Talib should get a nice ratings adjustment from his great play in New England last season, and the Patriots need the secondary help to stay in the top 5–7 teams in Madden NFL 25.

20. Manny Lawson – Bills
Lawson is always an X-factor due to his raw talent. He was a great 49er and Bengal and should fit nicely beside Mario Williams. The Bills likely won’t be a top team early, however, unless they solidify the QB position.

19. Martellus Bennett – Bears
Bennett is a super-athletic TE with the frame to match. He played well with QB Eli Manning last year and finally started to earn some ratings boosts. He can be a solid inside target with WR Brandon Marshall on the outside.

18. Osi Umenyiora (Falcons) Elvis Dumervil (Ravens)
These three rushers have the ability to create pressure with their acceleration ratings. Having a guy who can be your “main blitz guy” to line up around is BIG. Here are two players who move from one winning team to the next!

17. Dustin Keller – Dolphins
Keller gives Miami a reliable target over the middle for their young QB, but the Dolphins will need a backfield spark to break into the top 15.

16. Dannell Ellerbe – Dolphins
Miami has been spending crazy in FA, but Ellerbe is only a decent player by Madden standards, and they may have overpaid him to be the anchor of the defense. He should see a nice rating, though, due to his solid post-season play and versatility.

15. Louis Delmas, Chris Houston – Lions
Detroit retaining these two players in one of their problem areas is huge. They are both solid players that the Lions won’t need to find a replacement for in the draft.

14. Danny Amendola – Patriots

Amendola is a nice signing, but he doesn’t bring anything extra to the Patriots since they lose Wes Welker. Gronk can make up for the Catch In Traffic ratings points that they lose in this trade-off. They will need a big early season from Amendola to earn some ratings upgrades.

13. Connor Barwin – Eagles
Philly dumped Jason Babin last year, and they fell out of the top 7 teams. Adding back another rusher to go opposite Trent Cole is a nice start. They also added Kenny Phillips but lost a chunk of their secondary. Until we know what Chip Kelley installs on offense and how the new game plays, the Eagles are somewhere around 15.

12. Danny Woodhead – Chargers 
Woodhead leaving doesn’t hurt New England because they have plenty of players who can make up for his versatility, but he does add a nice weapon to the Chargers’ backfield, which they have been missing since Darren Sproles left town in FA.

11. Dashon Goldson – Bucs
This Hit Power beast, who joins Mark Barron, will be a staple of the Bucs defense for years to come. They were big players in FA last season, but it didn’t quite pan out. If they get off to a hot start, they could crack the top 12.

10. Shaun Smith, Dunta Robinson – Chiefs
Adding big CBs is always a bonus in Madden. These guys will help create a top 10 secondary in Madden NFL 25, and if that is how the game plays, they could end up being a great team, with J. Charles as the focus.

9. LaRon Landry – Colts
Landry is an athletic specimen who will bring raw talent to the Colts. If you can user-control Landry on defense, you will bring fear to any opponent trying to work the middle of the field. The Colts should increase their ratings due to a great playoff run, so they will likely be a popular online team in Madden NFL 25.

8. Glover Quin – Lions
Quin is a fast safety and will bring great flexibility to the Detroit secondary. He has strong man coverage ratings and will let Detroit match up against teams that like to use players like Aaron Hernandez or Randall Cobb in multiple spots.

7. Greg Jennings – Vikings
Jennings is a solid Madden talent but, without Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball anymore, he will have to prove he can put up the same stats to keep his rating high. If this move works out and Jennings can put the team on his back, the Vikings could make the top 10 for running-style players who use AP!

6. Steven Jackson – Falcons
Michael Turner is no longer with Atlanta, so Jackson will get a chance to prove he can carry the load. He is a better all around back than Turner, but he doesn’t excel in any one category. With a shifty player like J. Rodgers on the bench, Jackson won’t need to do it every down like in St. Louis.

5. Wes Welker – Broncos
If Madden NFL 25 is big on the Catch in Traffic rating, then Welker is a strong addition for Denver. While Peyton Manning isn’t fast, the three WRs he has available are great. They are the new GB at WR depth-wise, and Manning will be able to spread the ball to everyone.

4. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – Broncos
DRC is a beast in Madden. His speed and size are a unique combination that spring Denver into the top 5 Madden NFL 25 teams for next season.

3. Cliff Avril – Seahawks
Seattle has plenty of explosive players on their defensive line already, but adding a versatile player like Avril is just one reason that they will remain a top defensive team in Madden NFL 25. If Bruce Irvin continues to improve, the offense will be unable to block this rush!

2. Mike Wallace – Dolphins
Miami has spent big all during free agency to attempt to break into the top 15 teams. Mike Wallace puts them close with his ability to get open deep downfield! If QB Ryan Tannehill plays well early, Miami could become a sleeper team.

1. Reggie Bush – Lions
Detroit is shaping up to be one of the top 5 teams in Madden NFL 25. Adding Reggie Bush gives them a movable chess piece to create mismatches all over the field. Calvin Johnson will retain an amazing rating after his record-setting season, and if Jahvid Best can get healthy, this team will be loaded!

Other Notes:

Madden NFL 25 – Free Agent Running Backs!

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Madden 25 Free Agent Ratings

With the NFL Draft approaching after the Combine, teams now have an idea of what type of talent is in this class and who will likely be available to them. Those who didn’t see that gem they need can still use free agency to fill a need or even grab a superstar. Which players would help a new team the most in Madden NFL 25?

Let’s start at the halfback position!

Madden has done a great job of differentiating the types of backs, from Darren Sproles to Frank Gore to LaMichael James. Each feels different, and not everyone can hang onto the ball out of the backfield on quick routes.

Honorable Mention
Trucking – Brandon Jacobs, Shonn Greene, Michael Turner, Cedric Benson

 5. Steven Jackson/Rashard Mendenhall

Age or injuries may make you skeptical about these backs, but I still think they can be solid but non-explosive players in Madden NFL 25. Mendenhall is a great trucking-style back and Jackson has a complete skill set, but overall they don’t have the wow factor in any category that I would like to see on my favorite team. (As a Giants fan, David Wilson is going to be my back, and neither of these guys leapfrogs him, but depending on your team, they could be an upgrade.)

 

4. LaRod Stephens-Howling (The Hyphen) 

After injuries to Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams, Stephens-Howling went from PR role to 3rd down to feature back. He was very impressive in this role and should earn a Sproles-style role with a team. While a guy like Felix Jones may be more athletically gifted, he is approaching his Madden decline IMO, and a new guy like Howling may be peaking.

3. Danny Woodhead

During the Patriots’ offensive explosion, Danny Woodhead did it all on offense. He would be overlooked by fans for the more powerful Ridley or the quicker Vereen, but nobody put it all together like Woodhead. His connection in the no-huddle game with Tom Brady was super valuable. If he can do this for a new team, such as Green Bay, they would quickly move towards the top of the Madden NFL 25 pack.

 2. Ahmad Bradshaw

Bradshaw is a 26-year-old back who has won two Super Bowls. He carried the team for a stretch last year, but that tends to break him down. Pairing Bradshaw with another true power back would allow him to do everything else except be the battering ram, and his career would continue well. He can play every down, but he just doesn’t need more than 15 carries until he proves his feet can hold up.

1. Reggie Bush 

Reggie Bush Team Madden 25

Bush has always been a solid player in Madden, although he never quite reached the ceiling of his rookie hype. He did lead all backs in catches that season, however, and can be a real threat if used properly by the right team. He proved he could take on more of a full role between the tackles to add to his arsenal, and he might be a good option for the right team. I don’t feel a desperate team will overpay him and try to turn him into an everything back. A team like Green Bay would excel with him as they would finally have a great back that fits their scheme and can be heavily used outside the backfield.

Who would you like to see in your team’s Madden NFL 25 backfield? 

NFL Combine Top Performers for Madden NFL 25 Rookies!

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The NFL Combine is a great look at the incoming class of rookies for Madden NFL 25! Rookies in Madden NFL games rarely break over the 80 barrier for overall rating, but some can possess game-breaking physical attributes that really can make an impact. Let’s take a look at the class of full-year rookies from Madden NFL 13 and the impact they had on the season! This will help us predict whose Combine performances we can look to as indicators of stud rookie ratings for Madden NFL 25.

This NFL.com Top Performers is an incredible tool to analyze different Combine positions, years, and drills!  

Top Madden NFL 13 Rookies
An Honorable Mention goes to Jeff Demps, who didn’t attend Combine #Olympics. Stephon Gilmore was an all-around top tier in every major category as well.

5. Bruce Irvin. Irvin was the most athletic performer on the defensive front 7. His 40 time of 4.50 was the best at his position, along with the 6.70 cone and 4.03 shuttle. These times set up his physical attributes to be electric, and he delivered early on his raw ability.

4. Chris Rainey. Rainey performed the best 3 cone and 20-yard shuttle times in recent memory at the Combine. He set himself so far apart that teams had to give him a shot. This proved he had elite agility and acceleration, which gave him a shifty ability to go along with the speed from his 4.45 time, which was in the top 3 for HBs.

3. Andrew Luck. Luck was extremely touted all season long and didn’t disappoint at his combine day. His 4.67 time was 3rd among drafted QBs, behind Griffin and Wilson. He had very impressive 3 cone and 20-yard shuttle times, too, which perhaps foreshadowed his team’s willingness to run Read Option plays in the red zone. Luck also had the skill ratings to back up his #1 overall selection.

2. LaMichael James. James was tied for 2nd in the 40-yard dash for RBs, with 4.45 speed. His 3 cone and 20-yard shuttle runs were above average but very consistent. Partner this with his 2nd round status and his ability to make an impact on a great team all season long, and you see why James was important. Mostly, the team he went to was highly used, so you saw more of him than a better Combine athlete like Stephen Hill. James gave the 49ers a speedy and shifty runner to partner with Frank Gore in Madden.

1. Robert Griffin. RG3 was the biggest impact rookie due to his physical skills. He ran a 4.41 at the Combine, which is extremely quick for his position. This undeniable speed makes him a weapon. Partner this rating with his talented deep accuracy from his days at Baylor, and RG3 had the arm to stretch defenses deep!

Top Combine Prospects for Rookies in Madden NFL 25!

5. Tyler Eifert. The TE did a solid job at his Combine day. He was top 3 in nearly all categories. He set himself apart in the 3 cone by being the only player under 7 seconds. He has the most polish to his game, so his skill ratings should end up high and go along nicely with his above-average physical skills.
Teams can score some athletic value, however, from OSU TE Jake Stoneburner, SDSU TE Gavin Escobar, or ARK TE Chris Cragg!

4. Desmond Trufant. Trufant showed his speed with a 4.38 40 but showed his all-around ability with a 3.85 shuttle too! He played 45 straight games in college and should be a solid all-around athlete in Madden NFL 25.

3. Marquise Goodwin. This WR from Texas posted the best official 40 over the last two seasons with a 4.27! His speed will be undeniable, but without him running the shorter explosive events, it will be hard to get a feel for his agility/acceleration. He is also inexperienced and may have some trouble getting off the press for his skill ratings, but it is hard to look away from his speed!

2. Christine Michael. The RB from Texas A&M was a beast at the Combine when you really look at the numbers. He is a Chris Rainey–style back with an average 40 time but insane short-burst ability as shown by his numbers from the 3 cone and shuttle drills and vertical jump. Everyone expects Oregon’s Kenjon Barner to be one of the best athletes, and while he was near the top in every category, he was only the best in the 60-yard shuttle. Barner should have skills from his production at Oregon, but his raw game will be similar to his teammate’s, LaMichael James, from their Combine numbers alone. Barner is a step slower in the 40, but they are both 5-8/5-9 and around 195.

1. Geno Smith vs. EJ Manuel. Smith posted a 40 time similar to Russell Wilson’s, and Manuel was near Andrew Luck’s. Both guys led the pack in the rest of the events, with Manuel taking the vertical and Smith taking the broad jump.
Over the past few years, athleticism hasn’t meant much at the QB position from Combine results. Only RG3 is really one of the top performers who has made a big impact. Overall, guys like Brad Smith and Reggie McNeal, who have impressed there, haven’t gotten a shot. It does seem like Smith and Manuel will be drafted as QBs, though, and their performances should give them some solid physical ratings to work with in Madden NFL 25.

P.S. The fastest QB would have been Denard “Shoelace” Robinson, with a 4.43, which was just slower than RG3, but he was a WR at the workouts. Overall his WR times were above average, but for a QB they would have been elite. Don’t count him out! #Athlete

Who do you think will be the athlete with the best rookie rating for Madden NFL 25? Leave it in the comments!

Madden NFL 14 Stars: HB Eddie Lacy Ratings?

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The BCS championship game between Alabama and Notre Dame didn’t live up to the hype; however, one player really thrust himself into the NFL Draft conversation. Alabama’s junior RB, Eddie Lacy (who took over for HB Trent Richardson, now a Cleveland Browns star), turned heads last night. His quick cuts and hops were insane for a man of his size, and he showed great power, too, with his patented spin moves. It seemed like he walked up to the line on 3rd and 1 before quickly choosing his hole to pound, and this was against a solid ND defense.

What do you think Eddie Lacy would be rated in Madden NFL 14 if he chooses to enter the draft? Would the freshman Yeldon be rated higher than him in the future? Project your ratings below!

Overall: 76
Speed: 91
Strength: 84
Spin: 98
BTK:  88
What do you think? Could he be the next Trent? Leave it in the comments.

Wildcard Saturday Score Prediction – Win a Free Madden NFL 13 eBook!

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The time has come for the wildcard round matchups in the NFL! Unfortunately, the Giants and Patriots won’t be competing today, but there are a few other good teams!
The Bengals will travel to Houston and the Vikings will travel to Green Bay!

Copy and paste your answers below to win a free Madden Offensive Wildcard Guide! 
1. The Bengals will ______ (Win/Lose) to the Texans by a score of 27-17
2. The Vikings will _______ (Win/Lose) to the Packers by a score of 34-21
3. I think AJ Green/BenJarvis Green-Ellis will have more total yards. (Choose One)
4. I think Russell Wilson will pass for 191 yards and run for 43 yards.
5. I think Aaron Rodgers will throw 3 TDs.
6. I think Adrian Peterson will run for 121 yards.

Take those 6 questions and paste them in the comments with your answers! #LOCKUP and good luck to all the fans out there!