The 25 Best Madden Players of All Time

Image via Complex Original

Year: 1999, 2000
Team: Detroit Lions
Overall Rating: 100

Usually when you sit down with Madden you're amazed by all the plays your team can make in the video game that they wouldn't be able to make in real life. With Barry Sanders, though, it's the reverse: you're so awestruck by the crazy end-arounds, jukes and spins he can pull off because you know that you could never replicate it on your PS3. The physics engines of the Madden games have gotten markedly better since the series first began, but they still can't quite do justice to Sanders' inexplicable ability to stop-on-a-dime and shake a tackler. Of course, with a 100 player rating in Madden 1999 and 2000, they gave him every opportunity to recreate that same magic. Players like Michael Vick may have changed the way that Madden is played, but the only reason that Barry Sanders hasn't done the same is because the game can't quite figure him out yet.

Year: 2000
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overall Rating: 100

It's somewhat unorthodox to include a fullback on this list, given how underused they've become in recent years, but anyone who played Madden 2000 knew that handing Mike Alstott the ball was the way to go when faced with a goal-line situation. Plays at the one-yard line are always sort've a rock-paper-scissors game, but Mike Alstott was basically dynamite. And dynamite wins. Every. Single. Time.

Year: 2004
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Overall Rating: 91

Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver might seem like a strange inclusion given that his actual career was fairly ordinary. However, when it came to his virtual persona, Price was, well, peerless. I mean, it's not like Michael Vick could just flush out from the pocket and take off for a TD on every play. When he actually had to air it out, though, Price was always the man you were looking for. Put him across the middle and headed for the end zone, and he was as good as gone.

Year: 2008
Team: Chicago Bears
Overall Rating: 83

The players that have ever recieved a 100 rating in the speed category in the post-90s Madden games are a pretty select bunch, but guess who made the cut for that group? That's right: Devin Hester. Though his skills as a wide receiver and cornerback leave a lot to be desired, when it comes to special teams, Hester is your man. Punting is sort've a rarity in Madden when you're playing against your friends, but when you're taking on a CPU, Hester would regularly have his way, breaking off long returns--if not touchdowns--with ease. 

Year: 2007
Team: New Orleans Saints
Overall Rating: 87

An 87 rating for a rookie was basically unprecedented in Madden, and we certainly weren't the only ones to notice that when Madden 07 bestowed the honor upon then-New Orleans Saints running back, Reggie Bush. Given the career he had at USC, it's really not that surprising that EA thought so highly of him. Bush made Madden-type plays on the regular, and was equally adept at catching passes, running the ball, and even handling kick return duties. 

Year: 2004
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overall Rating: 99

The Tampa 2 defense regularly gave offensive coordinators nightmares when the Buccaneers ruled the roost in the NFC South, and the biggest boogeyman on their squad was linebacker, Derrick Brooks. A bruising tackler who often seemed to be in the right place at the right time, Brooks could always serve as your anchor when you lined him up on defense, playing best in a Spy role that allowed him to act both as a main line of defense for a run while holding down the middle against any receivers daring to cross him. 

Year: 2007
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Overall Rating: 99

Sacking the quarterback was always the best part of playing defense, and a monster on the end like Dwight Freeney was exactly the type of player you wanted swimming and strafing his way around interior hogs. Along with that, Freeney was also a deadly quick player who, once he got past the pass protection, could hunt down a QB like a wolf chasing dinner. Or anything extremely carnivorous in pursuit of a totally defenseless being. Does that sound like something you want to go up against? Didn't think so. 

Year: 2013
Team: Detroit Lions
Overall Rating: 99

How could a player who's referred to as Megatron not be the perfect sports video game specimen? Detroit Lions wide receiver is physically unfair in both real life and the virtual world, with a 6'5", 238 lbs frame capable of swatting away pesky defensive backs like common houseflies. If you're playing as Detroit, just throw the ball to Calvin, and don't worry about who is covering him. Trust us, it's not going to matter. 

Year: 2007, 2008, 2010
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Overall Rating: 99

Safety is one of the most underrated positions in Madden with most gamers failing to realize the effectiveness that a good, experienced bruiser in the backfield can have for breaking up those big-time pass plays. Who else is more up to that task than a stalwart presence like former Ravens free safety Ed Reed? A ball-hawk as well as a bone-crusher, Reed can give any player an edge in creating turnovers, and once he gets his hands on the ball his speed and agility are often enough to result in a touchdown for the defense.  

Year: 1998
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Overall Rating: 189

Yes, you read that number correctly; it isn't a typo. The N64 version of Madden 1998 is the only edition of the game that ever allowed a player to be rated higher than 100 in anything. Given that this was during the '90s, it made sense to rate Rice as the highest player in the game, as he was still at the peak of his powers. With Steve Young tossing him the ball, the San Francisco 49ers were just a completely unfair match-up for almost any team. Rice's pass-catching abilities made him a threat to score whenever he lined up, no matter what level of player was handling him. 

Year: 1996
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Overall Rating: 88

Steve Young was basically Michael Vick before Michael Vick could be Michael Vick. Even in versions as far back as 1996, Madden developers knew how to utilize the scrambling abilities of Young, making him one of the game's deadlier QBs to play as, despite the fact that he was only given an 88 rating. Trick the safeties by sending J.J. Stokes and Jerry Rice out deep, and then just let Young do his thing.  

Year: 2006
Team: Minnesota Vikings
Overall Rating: 98

Before his knees ended up giving out, Daunte Culpepper was one of pro football's top quarterbacks, often hooking up with then-Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss for one big play after another. This prolific partnership was likely why EA gave him such a high rating, despite the fact that Moss was no longer on the team. Looking back, a 98 seems almost ridiculous given how quickly Culpepper flamed out of the league after he left Minnesota. In any case, with a cannon arm and solid mobility, Culpepper came equipped to do some damage in Madden 06. 

Year: 2010, 2012
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall Rating: 99

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has been the leader of one of the NFL's best defensive franchises for the past 10 years, so it shouldn't come as a shock that the frizzy-maned playmaker would end up being both a cover athlete for the Madden series, and one its most highly rated defenders. When you play as Polamalu, you have all the freedom of the real-life version, simply tasked with prowling around the field and searching for that next big play. Tee up on a wide receiver, and don't be surprised if they have to sit out for the next series or two. 

Year: 2011, 2012
Team: Darrelle Revis
Overall Rating: 99

Playing coverage in defense can sometimes be difficult in Madden, with most players simply opting to wreak havoc on the line before giving a half-hearted leap for an interception after the quarterback gets the ball out. With cornerback Darrelle Revis, though, you'll always have a shot to pick the ball off and, at the very least, be able to bat it down. They don't call him Revis Island for nothing. 

Year: 2006
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Overall Rating: 97

Much like Michael Vick, Eagles passer Donovan McNabb gave you a lot in the way of versatility, with a running ability that was basically the inverse of Vick's: great vision and accuracy, with fairly decent speed. McNabb made the cover back in 2006, but ended up falling to the Madden curse after a torn ACL and public disputes with wide receiver Terrell Owens ended up burying Philadelphia's chances at returning to the Super Bowl. In any case, in the Madden universe, the Eagles were the team to beat, and it all started with their man behind center. 

Year: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Overall Rating: 99

Yes, Peyton Manning might be a little lead-footed, but when it comes accuracy, arm strength, and QB vision, he's basically unparalled. Given that he's one of the most decorated quarterback's of all-time, it makes sense that he'd also pick up the most 99 ratings in the history of Madden. His days in Indianapolis will always be remembered as his heyday, when having options like Dallas Clark, Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne created an embarrassment of riches for any players who wanted to give the Colts a go. Good luck figuring out how to stop anyone playing as Peyton. Let the defensive coordinators in the actual NFL know if you come up with anything. 

Year: 2009, 2012
Team: New England Patriots
Overall Rating: 99

In the early stages of his career, Tom Brady was nothing but a winner. Yes, he was also a serviceable statistical QB as well, but it wasn't until the latter half of his playing days that Brady's touchdown potential was finally unleashed. During the 2007 season, Brady went into absolute beastmode with the help of Randy Moss, and started torching the league. It was around this time that Brady's Madden ratings saw a slight uptick as well. Wins might not count for much when judging a player's Madden value, but setting the record for most TDs in a season definitely does. With a passing vision about as wide as the field, and pinpoint accuracy, Brady can dissect any defense in a just a few plays. 

Year: 2008, 2009
Team: San Diego Chargers
Overall Rating: 99

A member of the 2000's NFL All-Decade team, LaDainian Tomlinson was a touchdown machine during his playing days, having set the record in 2006 for most trips to the end zone by a running back in a single season. For whatever reason, it wasn't until 2008 and 2009 that the Madden developers finally bumped him up to a 99, though. One has to wonder why it took EA so long to give him his proper due on that, but it didn't hamper him from being any less effective when you decided to play as San Diego. LT was always money for a TD. 

Year: 2002, 2003
Team: St. Louis Rams
Overall Rating: 99

Appearing on the cover of the 2003 edition of Madden, Marshall Faulk is a prototype for many of the running backs we've seen in today's game. Proficient in both pass sets or taking the ball from scrimmage, Faulk gave you some serious options when you were calling the plays. Want to pick up an easy first down? Have your QB toss it out to Faulk in the flat and he'll go get it for you. The Greatest Show on Turf was one of the most Madden-ready teams in the history of the league, and Marshall Faulk was a big reason for that. 

Year: 2006, 2009
Team: Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots
Overall Rating: 99

Randy Moss defines a freak athlete. He's the type of guy whose blend of speed and size is seen in only a very lucky few and, on top of that, he's one of the even fewer who was actually able to parlay his gifts into a Hall of Fame career. This talent translated to Madden as well, where Moss was as sure an option as it got when it came to the red zone and longer passing plays. Post routes and go patterns were made for a guy like Moss and, honestly, if you just give him a jump ball in the back corner of the end zone, it's pretty safe to say that he'll come down with it. 

Year: 2011
Team: Tennessee Titans
Overall Rating: 99

When you can find any sort of open field with Chris Johnson, defenses will find it hard to keep him from crossing the goal line. Johnson was, and still is, one of the hardest players to catch in the history of Madden, with a speed rating of 99 virtually assuring some sort of big play from Tennessee's fleet-footed RB in any game. If you let him get past the middle of the defense, then good luck. Odds are, you'll just be looking at the back of his jersey all the way to the end zone. 

Year: 2007, 2009, 2012
Team: San Diego Chargers
Overall Rating: 99

Since he broke into the league as a former college basketball player back in 2003, Antonio Gates has helped to redefine the role of the tight end in pro football. Yes, stars like Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe came before him, but Gates' leaping ability and deceptive speed made him seem more like a wide receiver than other, more typical tight ends. He's a weapon for any player, able to post up in the end zone and bully a defender, or run a quick route across the middle and beat his man in a foot race. The Chargers may have had an off year in 2013, but there's no reason to have that needs to happen when you're in control of them. Just give it to Gates. 

Year: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Overall Rating: 99

There is no player who was better fit for the Hit Stick than Madden 2005 cover man, Ray Lewis. The Ravens future Hall of Fame middle linebacker could absolutely crush running backs trying to step on his turf and, if you were good enough, you could easily force a fumble or two per game with Lewis on your side. Rated 99 for five years in a row, Lewis never slipped below a 90 overall rating in all of his sixth and seventh generation console Madden appearances, and even that number only came in his final year in the league. Talk about consistency. 

Year: 1999, 2000
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Overall Rating: 100

Of course a player as talented, athletic, and bombastic as Neon Deion was going to be one of the very few who has ever been a given a 100 rating. Doubling as a return man and a cornerback, Sanders may not have been an offensive position player, but that doesn't mean he was going to be kept from the end zone. Top speed and a superior catching ability allowed Deion to get his when he wanted. Playing against him, you had to make a choice: either give up on throwing to the receiver that Sanders was covering, or a risk a turnover by throwing it his way. Choose wisely. 

Year: 2004
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Overall Rating: 95

What else can you really say about Michael Vick's Madden prowess that hasn't already been said? Yes, his passing ability wasn't always the best, but you had to make special rules for player like Vick. Things like, "Yeah, you can play as the Falcons, but you have to use all your backups besides Vick." Or you just outright banned him when going head-to-head with one of your friends. When Vick took off on a bootleg, most would-be tacklers could only find themselves coming up with air. Since Madden 2004 has dropped, the gameplay has shifted somewhat to help out opposing defenses looking for answers, but we'll always remember the days when you could let Vick take off from the pocket and automatically count it as six.