Quite a bit of Madden 18 information was revealed over the past couple days, as the EA Game Changers were able to release their video captures for gameplay and MUT content. Now, most (if not all) of the launch cards are now in the database on muthead.com, and I will give the card I’m most excited for for each position at the game’s launch.
OFFENSE
QB: Warren Moon | Titans | Legend | 91 OVR
Madden Ultimate Team has a handful of legends at release, and Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon might be the one I’m most excited to use. MUT has lower ratings (to allow room for improvement) than the standard rosters, and Moon’s 90 throw power is tied with Matthew Stafford for the best in the mode.
HB: Marshall Faulk | Rams | Legend | 91 OVR
I promise they won’t all be legends, but I have to go with another one at running back. Almost across the board, Marshall Faulk has the best stats in the game, including 91 juke move and 91 elusiveness. I bet he’s the most valuable card at launch because he can run it and catch it.
FB: Keith Smith | Cowboys | Core Elite | 86 OVR
Smith’s 82 run blocking is just one point behind the top rating at the position, and he can lead the way for your Ultimate Team running back just like he does for Ezekiel Elliott in the Cowboys backfield.
WR: Brandin Cooks | Patriots | Core Elite | 86 OVR
Speed kills in Madden, and Cooks definitely has top-end wheels. The Patriots new receiver’s 89 speed trails just John Ross (91) and Tyreek Hill (90), but his stats are more well-rounded and reliable, which will allow him to more consistently get behind the defense.
TE: Rob Gronkowski | Patriots | Core Elite | 90 OVR
This just shows how loaded the Pats will be this year. Gronk is an easy choice here because he not only has the best receiver stats, but he is also a great run blocker.
LT: Andrew Whitworth | Rams | Core Elite | 89 OVR
Anyone who just wants a left tackle that will protect the quarterback’s blindside should look no further than Whitworth. The former Bengals tackle has 90 pass blocking and 89 impact blocking, so he should have no problems keeping pass rushers away from the quarterback.
LG: Joel Bitonio | Browns | Core Elite | 86 OVR
The Browns’ left guard is simply a reliable option on the line, with an 85 rating for awareness, run blocking, pass blocking, and impact blocking. He’s also one of the more athletic players at the position.
C: Alex Mack | Falcons | Core Elite | 88 OVR
Mack is easily the top run blocking center with an 89 rating there, and he trails only Travis Frederick (89) as the best at the position. We can also be sure Mack has an unmatched toughness rating.
RG: Zack Martin | Cowboys | Core Elite | 89 OVR
Don’t worry, Cowboys fans, I picked an offensive lineman from your unit. Martin’s 89 impact blocking will allow him to bully people at the point of attack.
RT: Lane Johnson | Eagles | Core Elite | 88 OVR
With the athleticism of a tight end (76 SPD/73 AGI/84 ACC), Lane Johnson will be able to get ahead of ball carriers and lead the way on outside runs. He also has solid run blocking, pass blocking, and impact blocking, with all three coming in at 87.
DEFENSE
LE: Jadeveon Clowney | Texans | Core Elite | 88 OVR
Something that really gets on my nerves in MUT is when I see people use a 4-3 end in a 3-4 alignment or a 3-4 end in a 4-3 alignment. For example, Cameron Wake doesn’t belong in a 3-4 as a defensive end. There are a couple exceptions, though, and Clowney is one of them with his all-around monster game.
RE: Myles Garrett | Browns | Core Gold | 78 OVR
While I typically like to run a 3-4 defense, Myles Garrett might force me to try a 4-3 so I can play him at defensive end. I wish it would allow us to switch players (Garrett to OLB in a 3-4, for example) and keep their chemistry, but that’s EA for you.
DT: Damon Harrison | Giants | Core Elite | 87 OVR
Even though the Giants play a 4-3, Harrison is probably the best nose tackle in the game, and I could use him if I run a 3-4. “Snacks” has 88 tackle and pursuit with 89 block shedding and play recognition, all which make up for his blazing 48 speed rating.
LOLB: Von Miller | Broncos | Core Elite | 90 OVR
The MVP of Super Bowl 50, Von Miller is tied with a few guys for as the top-rated non-legend at launch. The superstar pass rusher should be the best in the game when it comes to getting after the quarterback.
MLB: Jordan Hicks | Eagles | Core Elite | 88 OVR
Hicks is one of the most underrated players in the league, but he is actually a top-five rated middle linebacker at launch. Philly’s best defender has an insane 89 zone coverage, which rivals the best cornerbacks in the game.
ROLB: Ryan Kerrigan | Redskins | Core Elite | 85 OVR
Coming in behind only James Harrison and Terrell Suggs for 3-4 ROLBs, Ryan Kerrigan’s 89 play recognition leads his position. He is also more explosive than the aging Harrison and Suggs, both of whom are still playing at a high level.
CB: Jalen Ramsey | Jaguars | Core Elite | 85 OVR
There are a ton of great cornerbacks, but Ramsey is the choice because he has the best combination of speed and acceleration to keep up with the top receivers in the game. The second-year player had 87 speed and 88 acceleration, which is really good in MUT after EA lowered the ratings for the mode in general.
FS: Tony Jefferson | Ravens | Core Elite | 88 OVR
Jefferson is easily the game’s best tackler at the free safety position with an 85 rating, but he can still cover with 80 man coverage and 85 zone coverage. He’ll also lay people out with 87 hit power.
SS: Eric Berry | Chiefs | Core Elite | 87 OVR
It’s surprising that Berry isn’t the top-rated strong safety in the game (he’s actually fourth), but he is still as well-rounded as anyone with 81 tackle, 84 hit power, 85 pursuit, 86 zone coverage, and 87 play recognition.
What the??? ratings are terrible low like that