4 Teams That Will Look The Most Different In Madden 18

With the 2017 NFL Draft in the history books, we can start to examine how the teams will look when Madden 18 is released in August. We’re all incredibly excited to see what incoming rookies and free agent impact players can bring to their new teams. Until then, the pros at Madden School are doing their homework. Here are 4 teams that will look the most different in Madden 18.

Chicago Bears

The Bears are an incredibly intriguing team in Madden 18. They have completely overhauled their offense after releasing QB Jay Cutler, and allowing WR Alshon Jeffery to leave for Philadelphia. Free agent QB Mike Glennon came over from Tampa Bay, and Chicago also made a lot of noise drafting QB Mitchell Trubisky. We’ll see who starts at QB, but it will be interesting to see Trubisky’s Madden 18 ratings.

The changes to the Bears offense is good news for those of you who like to play with Chicago. The addition of younger players in Chicago definitely makes you happy if you’re using the Bears in Connected Franchise Mode. With new players at nearly every skill position on the offense, the Chicago Bears are certainly one of our teams that will look the most different in Madden 18.     

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers made a ton of roster changes during the off-season. Carolina seemingly upgraded key positions that have huge effects in Madden such as corner, running back, and wide receiver. The additions will definitely help boost their overall rating and popularity in Madden 18. But perhaps the biggest draw for Madden players is the dual threat rookie RB Christian McCaffrey. Marshall Faulk called McCaffrey “Madden ready” during the draft.

McCaffrey isn’t the only difference maker the Panthers added on offense. Carolina also drafted WR Curtis Samuel to replace Ted Ginn Jr. and add some more speed to the position. They also signed LT Matt Kalil and WR Charles Johnson away from the Vikings. Both players will upgrade the overall rating for the Panthers’ offense. The Panthers worked hard to improve their defense as well. They brought back CB Captain Munnerlyn, again from the Vikings. The secondary saw a big drop off in Madden 17, and it was definitely the biggest weakness for the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers also brought DE Julius Peppers back to help their pass rush, and even though he’s getting up in age, J-Pepp’s final 84 overall rating is very solid. Add it all up, and the Carolina Panthers are one of the teams that will look the most different in Madden 18.

San Francisco 49’ers

The 49’ers were the second worst team in the NFL behind the Cleveland Browns to finish the 2016 NFL season. But they added several solid players at key Madden positions. Frisco’s defense was in desperate need of an upgrade at several positions along the front seven.

Both Soloman Thomas and Reuben Foster were two of the top rated defensive players in the draft, and Frisco snagged them both in the 1st round. They should help improve the defense’s overall rating in Madden 18 for sure.

The 49’ers offense also brought in QB Brian Hoyer from the Bears. Hoyer’s overall rating was steadily climbing in Madden 17 before he got injured and missed the rest of the season. San Fran signed free agent WR Pierre Garcon to replace WR Torrey Smith who went to the Eagles. San Francisco definitely improved their ratings at key spots on the offense. 

After signing several skill players on offense plus drafting several key defensive players, the 49’ers are one of the teams that will look the most different in Madden 18. 

New England Patriots

You’re likely starting to see a trend here with the teams on our list as most of them finished near the bottom of the standings last season giving them top picks in the draft. Well the defending Super Bowl Champion Patriots, who didn’t even have a pick until the third round, are breaking that trend.

New England traded for four very solid, productive starters in the off-season. The Patriots worked out trades for WR Brandin Cooks from the Saints, CB Stephon Gilmore from Buffalo, TE Dwayne Allen from the Colts, and DE Kony Ealy from the Panthers. Although Allen won’t technically start at TE for New England, he’s a great option for those two TE sets you see in New England’s playbook.

Take into account the Patriots parted ways with key starters on offense, and New England’s depth chart will look very different from last season. Players with solid Madden ratings such as RB Legarrette Blount, TE Martellus Bennett, RT Sebastian Vollmer, DE Jabaal Sheard, and CB Logan Ryan have all been replaced on the New England depth chart.  

It’s hard to imagine, but New England may have become even more talented this off-season. After a flurry of trades and roster changes, the Patriots are definitely one of the teams that will look the most different in Madden 18.

FYI: Practice your defense online H2H Madden players, the Patriots are loaded with talent, again.

That just about does it for our 4 teams that will look the most different in Madden 18. Of course, there are plenty of squads worthy of making our list. Clearly, the Browns were left off of our list as were the Jaguars. Which teams do you think will look the most different? As always, feel free to comment below and share your thoughts with the Madden School community.  

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