EA Sports’ Madden franchise has the daunting task of ranking all NFL players and their attributes. While they have the ability to correct these rankings with in-season roster updates, there are some issues with the initial rankings of players. So, The Game Haus will be analyzing the most questionable ratings for players on every NFL team.
Here are the most questionable Madden 21 ratings for the Indianapolis Colts.
DeForest Buckner – 87
The Indianapolis Colts had a large amount of their salary cap to spend and the two major pieces they brought in were Philip Rivers and DeForest Buckner. The Colts traded the 13th overall pick (Javon Kinlaw) to the San Fransisco 49ers for Buckner.
The 49ers had drafted five defensive linemen in the first round since 2015. Out of those five Buckner has had the most overall success in his career. In four seasons Buckner had 28.5 sacks with the team. He also went to the Pro Bowl in 2018 and was a Second Team All-Pro this past season.
Buckner has the same rating as Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawaan Short and Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea. Short seems to have peaked a few years ago and Vea is a young defensive tackle who is still developing. Neither of which are considered the elite player that Buckner is.
DeForest Buckner is a top 5 defensive tackle in the NFL, but is not rated that way. Instead he is the seventh best defensive tackle.
Adjusted Rating – 90
Trey Burton – 80
A late season addition by the Colts was Trey Burton. Burton was cut by the Chicago Bears after signing a huge contract with them two years ago. Previously Burton was more famous for being a part of the ‘Phili Special’ in the Eagles Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Burton was a disappointment in Chicago playing average or below. This past season he only played in eight games. During those games he had 14 catches for 84 yards and zero touchdowns.
He is ranked better than Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Rams, Mike Getsicki of the Miami Dolphins and David Njoku of the Cleveland Browns. All three of those players are starting caliber tight ends for most teams. While at this point of his career Burton is a backup tight end on most rosters.
There is a chance Trey Burton could turn it around with the Colts much like Eric Ebron did when he played with them. But for right now his Madden rating is too high.
Adjusted Rating – 77
Xavier Rhodes – 74
Coming into last season Xavier Rhodes had a valid case to take the claim as the best cornerback in football. But instead Rhodes had a meltdown and had a rough season. Some even said that at times Rhodes looked to struggle running up and down the field.
Rhodes was a first team All-Pro in 2017 and is a three time Pro Bowler. He was even voted to the Pro Bowl this past season.
Cornerbacks like D.J. Hayden, Eli Apple and Sidney Jones IV are rated higher than Rhodes. Other cornerbacks like Ahkello Witherspoon, Fabien Moreau, P.J. Williams, and Rashaan Melvin had the same 74 rating as the former best cornerback in football.
Rhodes should not be ranked amongst the elite cornerbacks in football after last season. The only way he would earn that is if he returns to form in Indianapolis this season. But Rhodes deserves better.
Adjusted Rating – 80
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