Only two inside linebackers are rated in the 90s. Luke Kuechly doesn’t have the 99 Overall he did last year, but he’s right there with a 98. He excels in attributes such as Block Shedding (92) and Zone Coverage (87). From the same draft class but taken a round later is Bobby Wagner, who starts this season at 93 Overall and features 93 Speed and 88 Block Shedding.
The Panthers, Seahawks, Broncos, Ravens, Redskins and Eagles all have linebacker corps that feature two highly-rated players from the lists below.
MORE: Top-rated WRs/TEs | RBs | DBs
Madden NFL 18 player ratings
Outside linebacker
Von Miller, Broncos: 99 Overall Justin Houston, Chiefs: 93 Overall Sean Lee, Cowboys: 91 Overall Melvin Ingram, Chargers: 89 Overall Chandler Jones, Cardinals: 88 Overall K.J. Wright, Seahawks: 87 Overall Whitney Mercilus, Texans: 87 Overall Vontaze Burfict, Bengals: 87 Overall Thomas Davis, Panthers: 87 Overall Ryan Kerrigan, Redskins: 86 Overall Terrell Suggs, Ravens: 86 Overall James Harrison, Steelers: 86 Overall
Inside Linebacker
Luke Kuechly, Panthers: 98 Overall Bobby Wagner, Seahawks: 93 Overall C.J. Mosley, Ravens: 89 Overall Dont’a Hightower, Patriots: 89 Overall NaVorro Bowman, 49ers: 88 Overall Jerrell Freeman, Bears: 88 Overall Paul Posluszny, Jaguars: 87 Overall Brandon Marshall, Broncos: 86 Overall Zach Brown, Redskins: 85 Overall Jordan Hicks, Eagles: 85 Overall
MORE: Top-rated QBs | Rookies | D-linemen
EA Sports recently released the first gameplay trailer for “Madden NFL 18,” which includes a quick look at new features like Target Passing, Play Styles, and WR/DB Interactions.
“Madden NFL 18” also introduces the series’ first ever story mode, featuring actors that include Mahershala Ali and Scott Porter, plus appearances from licensed colleges Texas and Oregon.
The game will release Aug. 22 for those who buy the $80 “G.O.A.T” edition, and Aug. 25 for the standard edition. Those with an EA Access subscription on Xbox One will be able to start playing a 10-hour trial of the game Aug. 17.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the “Press Row Podcast” and can be reached on [email protected].
