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 Dallas Cowboys.
Gerald McCoy – 85
With what little salary cap space the Cowboys had left after franchise tagging Dak Prescott they signed Gerald McCoy to boost the interior of their defensive line. Dallas will be McCoy’s third team in three years.
After being cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers late in the offseason, McCoy signed with division rival Carolina Panthers. The Panthers were very discreetly one of the better defenses in football last year and McCoy was a large part of that. He had only five sacks last season, which for him is a down year.
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi has half a sack more than McCoy last season and is only a 77 overall. The Buffalo Bills first round pick last season Ed Oliver had five sacks like McCoy last season and is rated only an 81.
McCoy has had a borderline Hall of Fame career and is one of the best defensive tackles of his generation. But this point of his career he seems to have his All-Pro and Pro Bowls behind him.
Adjusted Rating – 83
Leighton Vander Esch – 83
After an outstanding rookie season Leighton Vander Esch took a few steps back his sophomore season. It had less to do with his actual play but more to do with the fact that he was dealing with injuries. Vander Esch missed the last five games of the year with a neck injury.
He ended the year with 72 combined tackles, half a sack, and one forced fumbles. If Vander Esch played the entire season though based off his stats over the first nine games he would have ended the year with 128 tackles, one sack, and two forced fumbles.
Vander Esch estimated full season stats are on par with Colts linebacker Darius Leonard and Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David. Leonard was rated an 85 overall and David was rated a 90.
Many around the league consider Vander Esch to be top 10 outside linebacker in the league and his overall should reflect that.
Adjusted Rating – 85
Jaylon Smith – 81
Every year that Jaylon Smith has been in the league he has looked more and more like the prospect many thought he would be before he got hurt in his final bowl game at Notre Dame. This past season Smith was voted to his first Pro Bowl and receiving recognition as one of the best inside linebackers in the league.
Smith finished with the sixth most tackles in the league with 142. He also had 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Avery Williamson of the New York Jets missed all of last season with a torn ACL. But the season before he had 22 less tackles and half a sack more than Smith and he has an 85 rating. Deion Jones of the Atlanta Falcons has dealt with injuries the past few seasons. But last year completely healthy Jones had 32 less tackles and zero sacks and is a 90 overall.
Smith has developed into the leagues best inside linebackers. But is Madden rating makes him seem like an average starter.
Adjusted Rating- 85
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers like Chris Thomas!