Madden 22’s new rankings arrive this week and already the Cardinals have one of their biggest stars coming out strong Monday.
DeAndre Hopkins is elite, but it looks like he’s going to be one point short of perfect this time around.
Coming up one short of the 99 Club is not going to sit well with the Bird Gang’s fans. Especially when Hopkins was part of said club in Madden 21 last year.
Among some of Nuk’s best traits besides his speed include awareness, stamina and release to name a few. Of course, it makes sense that jumping is one of Hopkins’ top advantages in the game. Combined with a 99-rated spectacular catch and catch in traffic, expect a lot of virtual mossing. The Buffalo Bills would certainly know something about that.
For the time being, only wide receiver ratings are being released and Hopkins is still one of the top receivers in Madden besides Green Bay’s Davante Adams, a 99.
Adams’ rating is warranted after a landmark season in which he scored 18 touchdowns and led the league in receiving yards per game (98.1). Hopkins didn’t finish too far behind, averaging a fifth-best 87.9 yards per game despite only six touchdowns.
Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill is also a 98 and has the obvious speed advantage over both Hopkins and Adams. Hill’s speed and acceleration are both maxed out, but when it comes to strength, Hopkins has the edge at 78.
Admittedly, Hill’s legs may make him the superior deep threat; and Adams’ maxed-out release time gives him that precious millisecond to get open too.
But Hopkins’ durability overall is seen as a major plus over the other two stars. Sometimes a tough catch is better than one in motion depending on the situation. Nevertheless, Hopkins will be just as much a stud in Madden again as he is in real life.
There is also news on the roster changes front Monday, the Cardinals adding some much-needed depth to the secondary while also adding an extra offensive lineman.
The team announced the signings of both cornerback Daryl Worley and center Marcus Henry, both of whom were entered the NFL in 2016.
Worley is the more seasoned of the two, having been drafted by the Carolina Panthers before jumping to the Eagles, Raiders, Cowboys and Bills over the next several seasons.
Worley actually suited up against the Cardinals twice in 2020 with two different teams.
During the October 19 Monday Night Football game in Dallas, Worley was beaten by Christian Kirk, who caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray. Worley then came to Arizona with the Bills on November 15 but was just simply on the active roster. The corner watching as DeAndre Hopkins would later complete the Hail Murray.
Meanwhile, Henry is off the heels of playing in his first career NFL game in 2020. Henry went undrafted out of Boise State bouncing around the Saints, Seahawks, Texans and the Cowboys. Henry was part of Dallas for the past two seasons, playing his lone game before returning to the practice squad. Now in the desert, he hopes to find reps behind projected starter Rodney Hudson.
Featured Image courtesy of Christian Peterson/Getty Images
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