UFL 3 is fast approaching and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the excitement is palpable. All one has to do is mention the date August 9th in the blast chat and you will be inundated with comments about roster ratings.
But why wait? I have been enjoying my paid summer off and been thinking about how my Saints first round rookies Mark Ingram and Cameron Jordan will fair, and I assume I am not the only one wondering how their rooks will do.
I thought it would generate some discussion to rank the rookies on both sides of the ball.
Offense:
- ATL WR Julio Jones
- NO RB Mark Ingram
- MIA RB Daniel Thomas
- ARI RB Ryan Williams
- ARI TE Robert Housler
- CIN WR A.J. Green
- DAL RB DeMarco Murray
- DET WR Titus Young
- NEP RB Shane Vereen
- IND RB Delone Carter/CAR QB Cam Newton
Analysis:
Julio Jones (Madden 12 Rating: 78)
This is a no brainer in my humble, yet expert opinion. Standing almost 6'3 and running a 4.34 40 and the fact that he had one of the best verticals at the combine makes Jones an absolute beast in Madden. With Roddy White beside him and Matt Ryan tossing him the ball, defenses will have a hard time deciding who to cover.
Projected Stats: 55 catches, 1120 yards and 11 TDs
Mark Ingram (Madden 12 Rating: 79)
This rank is based on two things. First, I'd doing the rankings so if you don't like it, STFU. Second, that his combine time doesn't kill him in terms of his speed rank. He ran a 4.61 at the combine but ran a 4.47 at the Alabama Pro Day. Either way, Ingram is going to get the rock early and often for the Saints.
Projected Stats: 220 carries, 1150 yards, 13 TDs
Daniel Thomas (Madden 12 Rating: 70)
No way does INAG roll with Reggie as his every down back. Enter Thomas, who has the skill set to carry the load. He is a big, physical back who has shown the ability to run up the gut or to take the toss for a nice gain. He is also an underrated receiver out of the backfield. Watch out for this kid.
Projected Stats: 175 carries, 1025 yards, 9 TDs
Ryan Williams (Madden 12 Rating: 73)
The first of two impact rookies on the offensive side of the football for the Cards. Williams was a steal when they picked him up and he will be solid in Madden 12. The big question is: how does GCG use him? Beanie is set to take a large step back in Madden 12 and will probably be rated in the low 70s. I would venture to guess that Williams carries the load.
Projected Stats: 160 carries, 1100 yards, 11 TDs
Robert Houser (Madden 12 Rating: Unknown)
The second of Arizona's new offensive toys, Houser comes in running a stupid fast 4.46, making him an instant Chedder favorite in the offense. Looking at GCGs passing stats means that Houser is an instant OROTY candidate right out of the gate.
Projected Stats: 60 catches, 900 yards, 10 TDs
A.J. Green (Madden 12 Rating: 80)
Green is a large target at 6'4 and ran a very respectable 4.48 40. Green should be a nice number one target in 12. Sadly, he has many question marks. Who is throwing him the ball? Who is running opposite to him? The Bengals are in desperate need of another WR. Until then, Green is the only WR that needs to be covered.
Projected Stats: 50 catches, 850 yards, 10 TDs
DeMarco Murray (Madden 12 Rating: 69)
Just another speedster for America's Team. Murray ran a very fast 4.37 at the Combine and could be counted on by Money a lot this season. Felix Jones had a decent season in terms of yards last year but only scored 1 TD so who knows how that translates into a Madden rating. Either way, Murray should put up nice stats for Money.
Projected Stats: 140 carries, 775 yards, 8 TDs
Titus Young (Madden 12 Rating: 67)
Titty, as Shameless likes to call him, will fit in nicely in the back to back number 1 offense in the UFL. Having Megatron on the other side means that Young will face single coverage most of the time which could mean big stats for Young. Stafford, however, could mean mediocre things. I bet Shameless's skill will win out.
Projected Stats: 45 catches, 800 yards, 10 TDs
Shane Vereen (Madden 12 Rating: 69)
A nice combination of speed and power, Vereen may just be what Frank 2.0 has been waiting for. After many statements regarding his need for a RB, Vereen makes a nice addition to the Pats. Who knows what Danny Woodhead will be rated. My guess is that Vereen will end up carrying the rock for the Pats, that is if Frank doesn't abandon the run like he always does.
Projected Stats: 160 carries, 600 yards, 6 TDs
Delone Carter (Madden 12 Rating: 68)
The resigning of Addai helps this team but, lets be honest, Addai sucks. Carter comes in at the right time. His speed is average but he is more of a power back despite his tiny frame. Carter should get a fair amount of carries.
Projected Stats: 140 carries, 530 yards, 8 TDs
Cam Newton (Madden 12 Rating: 77)
The only rookie QB that matters in Madden 12's first season. Newton is a speedster with a cannon of an arm. How accurate will he be? Will Steve Smith be there? There are questions abound in Carolina. I hope they suck.
Projected Stats: 57% completions, 2500 yards, 20 TDs/24 picks
Defense:
- DEN LB Von Miller
- DET DT Nick Fairley
- ARI CB Patrick Peterson
- NYG CB Prince Amukamara
- BUF DT Marcell Dareus
- HOU DE J.J. Watt
- STL DE Robert Quinn
- SF LB Aldon Smith
- NO ILB Martez Wilson
- DEN SS Rahim Moore
Stats will depend upon whom each owner users
Von Miller (Madden 12 Rating: 79)
Von Miller is a stud. Plain and simple. He ran the second fastest time by an OLB at 4.42, meaning he will have a mid to high 80s speed rating. Couple that with the fact that he will have a high tackle rating means that Miller will be a great addition to BDawkins defense.
Nick Fairley (Madden 12 Rating: 77)
Fairley lands in a great spot for ShamelessAnt and the Lions front 7. Forming the best young DT duo in the league with Suh, Fairley makes the Lions front 4 very hard to run against.
Patrick Peterson (Madden 12 Rating: 82)
Peterson enters 12 tied for the highest OVR rating amongst rookies. The loss of DRC hurts Peterson a lot as he will be counted on as the #1 corner for the Cards, which hurts because his awareness won't be very high, making the Cards vulnerable to the deep throw. Luckily, GCG averages 8 picks with his DEs so things will balance themselves out.
Prince Amukamara (Madden 12 Rating: 81)
The "2nd best" CB in the draft, Prince's combine stats were virtually identical to Petersons. Prince lands in a much better situation, however, as he will probably be the nickle corner or at the highest, 2nd on the depth chart. Prince should rack up the INTs in NYG.
Marcell Dareus (Madden 12 Rating: 82)
The other 82, Dareus instantly upgrades a terrible run defense in Buffalo. Dareus' presence makes the LB core better, even before the Jills signed Nick Barnett.
J.J. Watt (Madden 12 Rating: 80)
GM Rorbo, hot off his UFL 2 Bowl appearance in the final season, gets a nice upgrade to the defense line with Watt. Watt was a monster with the Badgers and will help bolster an already tough defensive line in Houston.
Robert Quinn (Madden 12 Rating: 78)
Quinn provides much needed grit and defensive help to a sad bunch of defenders in STL. JP is much obliged, too. With RBs like Williams, Gore, and Lynch, STL needs talent in the front 7 to hang with these RBs.
Aldon Smith (Madden 12 Rating: 76)
Smith, a hybrid DE/OLB, will fit in great with the best MLB in the game, Patrick Willis. This is bad news for the rest of the NFC West, as AllDay is a monster on the defensive side of the football. Smith won't be overly fast, but he will be very solid in the run game for the 9ers.
Martez Wilson (Madden 12 Rating: 68)
Wilson comes to NO in the 3rd round and I am loving it. His combine stats are very similar to Von Millers (both ran a 4.42) and at 6'4 and 250 lbs, Wilson should be a beast on the outside with speed to burn and the hit power to match.
Rahim Moore (Madden 12 Rating: 73)
Moore was the best safety in the draft and the Broncos stole him. Moore has decent speed and should help out the back end of the Broncos defense.
