Madden 18 is set to release on August 25th and right now is the perfect time to start getting accustomed with the initial rankings. I wanted to take a look at some of the incoming rookies and who you can target to improve your franchise. Most of these guys will be under the radar and some that weren’t the most well known but will have interesting traits that figure to benefit your team.
The fantasy draft feature will allow you to really go out and get the guys that you want. I’ve always been a huge advocate for it because I think it’s fun and gives you more control to get some of your favorite players. Let’s take a look at some of the players that really stood out to me.
Dede Westbrook – WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Westbrook was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Jaguars and this was due mostly to his off the field concerns. But, Westbrook has some incredible physical attributes for him to make a difference in the pros. He stands at 6 feet tall and weighs 178 pounds. Â His initial overall ranking in Madden 18 is a 75 but comes with 93 speed, 92 acceleration, 95 agility, and 86 catching.
Westbrook might be a late-round steal that could help benefit your offense. His good speed and agility can help your offense stretch the field which could improve the offense as a whole. He is a name to look for. He’s also only 23 years old and coming in with a cheap rookie contract.
Taylor Moton – RG, Carolina Panthers
Right Guard, Taylor Moton, was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft and has some good tangibles that could make him a useful pick in Madden 18. Moton was the fifth offensive lineman taken but comes in with at a 73 overall.
So, what makes him worth the draft pick?
His pass blocking rating in Madden 18 will start off at an 80 and his run blocking will be an 81. Both are quite efficient and figure to improve as he earns XP each week. Another impressive stat is his 86 strength, 97 injury and 96 toughness. He seems like a great prospect. A knack to his rating is actually his stamina which is only an 84 – it’s quite lower than the other rookie offensive linemen that come into the game. But given time, you will be able to improve this. I like Moton as an under the radar prospect to help build an offensive line for future success.
Donnel Pumphrey Jr. – RB, Philidelphia Eagles
Pumphrey Jr. was selected in the fourth round and is a guy that you should target late in the Madden 18 franchise drafts. His initial overall rating comes in at only a 73 so this may scare some people away but he has some solid ratings that should sway your opinion. First off, he posts 91 speed and 93 acceleration which I think are both solid especially for an RB. Pairing that with 94 agility, 95 stamina and 86 ball carrier vision.
Although Pumphrey brings some upside, he is not the perfect Madden 18 prospect. 57 strength, 67 catching, 49 pass block and 59 trucking are some of the traits that owners will need to work on. Once again, as the season progresses, he should earn XP through the multiple ways that franchise mode offers. If users can get a feel for his weaknesses, the gained XP will be able to make him more well rounded. I value Pumphrey Jr. as a very late round prospect who could initially sit as a #2 or #3 option on the depth chart for the first couple of years, once you build him up he may turn into an eventual starter.
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