Today, we are moving onto Superstar and X-Factor abilities for defensive lineman, linebackers, and defensive backs in Madden 20.
You may have missed our previous articles covering Superstar X-Factor abilities for quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers.
Please note that there is currently very limited information on offensive line, kicker, or punter abilities in Madden 20 and whether or not they will be in the game.
As the year goes on, there will be updates to which players possess these X-Factor and Superstar abilities and this list could change at any time.
Let’s get into it.
Madden 20 X-Factor Abilities For Defenders
X-Factor abilities are not activated by default. They can only be activated once the player who possesses the ability completes specific tasks and they can only be knocked out of the zone under certain circumstances.
Unstoppable Force
Players who have this ability: Joey Bosa, DeMarcus Lawrence, Calais Campbell, Cameron Jordan, Myles Garrett, Geno Atkins, Khalil Mack
What this ability does: Elite pass rushers are a mix of strength, speed, and tenacity. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their win rate and block shed speed against one on one pass blocks
How to activate this ability: 1 Sack
How to lose this ability: 50 offensive yards allowed
Fearmonger
Players who have this ability: JJ Watt, Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, Von Miller
What this ability does: Some pass rushers intimidate quarterbacks with their sheer presence. When they enter the zone, they can apply significant pressure on quarterbacks even while engaged with blockers.
How to activate this ability: 1 Sack
How to lose this ability: 50 offensive yards allowed
Shutdown
Players who have this ability: Luke Kuechly, Bobby Wagner, Chris Harris Jr., Byron Jones, Richard Sherman, Jalen Ramsey, Stephon Gilmore
What this ability does: Shutdown defenders have the talent to erase receivers from the game. When they enter the zone, their coverage is tighter and interceptions are more frequent on contested catches.
How to activate this ability: Force Incompletions
How to lose this ability: Allowing yards
Zone Hawk
Players who have this ability: Eddie Jackson, Earl Thomas
What this ability does: Zone Hawk defenders lock down a part of the field. When they enter the zone, this ability increases the rate of catch knockouts and interceptions while in coverage.
How to activate this ability: Force incompletions
How to lose this ability: Allowing yards
Reinforcement
Players who have this ability: Derwin James, Harrison Smith
What this ability does: The game’s top defenders excel in all situations. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their chance of defeating run blocks, tackling runners, and disrupting catches.
How to activate this ability: Force incompletions or TFLs
How to lose this ability: Allowing Yards
Madden 20 Superstar Abilities For Defenders
These abilities don’t need to be activated and cannot be lost. The player who has them possesses these abilities no matter what happens in the game.
Edge Threat
Players who have this ability: Joey Bosa, Cameron Jordan, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, DeMarcus Lawrence, Calias Campbell, Myles Garrett
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability use dominant pass rush moves while rushing from the edge of the defense.
Finesse Specialist
Players who have this ability: Joey Bosa
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability have faster finesse move animations during their pass rush
Under Pressure
Players who have this ability: DeMarcus Lawrence, Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox
What this ability does: Defender with this ability can apply pressure to the quarterback from a greater distance.
Reach Elite
Players who have this ability: Calais Campbell, Danelle Hunter, Geno Atkins, Khalil Mack, Ryan Kerrigan, Chandler Jones
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability can reach out of engaged blocks to tackle or sack nearby ball carriers
Run Stopper
Players who have this ability: Cameron Jordan, Jurrell Casey, Damon Harrison
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability can either shed or reach out of engaged run blocks to tackle nearby defenders.
Strip Specialist
Players who have this ability: JJ Watt, Von Miller, Darius Leonard, T.J. Watt
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability can still tackle effectively while trying to strip the football.
Edge Threat Elite
Players who have this ability: JJ Watt
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability use dominant pass rush moves and apply significant QB pressure while rushing from the edge of the defense.
Power Specialist
Players who have this ability: Myles Garrett, Geno Atkins, Fletcher Cox
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability have faster power move animations during their pass rush.
Pass Rush Elite
Players who have this ability: Aaron Donald
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability use faster pass rush moves for a better chance at shedding pass blocks.
Tackle Supreme
Players who have this ability: C.J. Mosley, Luke Kuechly, Bobby Wagner, Jadeveon Clowney
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability have better conservative/dive tackling, are rarely faked out by ballcarrier moves, and cannot be faked out when user-controlled.
Enforcer
Players who have this ability: Luke Kuechly, Bobby Wagner, Keanu Neal, Jamal Adams, Landon Collins, Harrison Smith
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability don’t allow broken tackles when hit-sticking ballcarriers – regardless of the runner’s size or power
Unfakeable
Players who have this ability: Leighton Vander Esch, Derwin James
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability are rarely faked out by ballcarrier moves and cannot be faked out when user-controlled.
Pick Artist
Players who have this ability: Kyle Fuller, Xavien Howard, Richard Sherman, Eddie Jackson, Micah Hyde, Earl Thomas
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability have higher chance to catch uncontested interceptions, and they have unlimited stamina on the return until using a special move or breaking a tackle.
Acrobat
Players who have this ability: Chris Harris Jr., Denzel Ward, Byron Jones, Jalen Ramsey, Stephon Gilmore, Marshon Lattimore
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability will dive for increased range on pass breakups and interceptions
Man Up
Players who have this ability: Chris Harris Jr., Stephon Gilmore
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability play tighter coverage and force more catch knockouts in man to man.
Zoned Out
Players who have this ability: Byron Jones, Richard Sherman, Darius Slay, Eddie Jackson, Earl Thomas, Derwin James, Harrison Smith
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability force more catch knockouts and react quicker in zone coverage.
Universal Coverage
Players who have this ability: Jalen Ramsey
What this ability does: Defenders with this ability play tighter coverage and force more catch knockouts in both man-to-man and zone.
Which players are you most excited to use on defense? Sound off in the comments!
I’m most exited to use Gilmore and Mack’s X-Factor
Bobby Wagner and von Miller together will be unstoppable
Sooooo no love you Deion Jones huh? Ok cool
Missing “Run Stuffer” SSX ability. Better block shed/win % in the run game for that player.
Darius slay ?? Nothin? Lmao
Zoned out? The 2nd to last trait… Go Lions!
No Pat Peterson?!
Man that should have had something for jaylen smith as far as hit power and speed they sleep
DANG THE BRONCOS DEFENSE though
Earl Thomas is freaking disgusting on this game!! Almost like Bmore having Ed Reed back there. Good Job Madden!
Madden really did Darius Leonard dirty. They showed mad love to Derwin, Barkley, and Van Der whatever his name is but not to Leonard who was easily the best rookie last year. Led the league in tackles, had 7 sacks, 3 picks, DROY and he gets an 84 rating with one superstar ability that 5 other players have. Meanwhile Derwin James who didnt wint DROY gets an 88 and like 4 traits. Madden on some BS always doing the Colts dirty.