NFL Draft 2018: First-round picks added to 'Madden NFL 18'

Bryan Wiedey

NFL Draft 2018: First-round picks added to 'Madden NFL 18' image

Incoming rookies typically don't make their debut in sports video games until the new editions release months after their respective drafts have taken place. Roster updates to games already on the market contractually come to an end once the league year concludes.

That hasn't been the case, however, with the "Madden NFL" franchise since 2012, thanks to its team-building mode and agreement with the NFLPA. The incredibly popular Madden Ultimate Team now features freshly drafted rookies introduced in conjunction with the NFL Draft for its seventh year running with "Madden NFL 18."

NFL DRAFT: Picks, analysis from Round 1

The players enter with cards reflecting the type of ratings they may start with in the next game ("Madden NFL 19" will release in August) along with special future editions that rate them at their estimated potential. The new rookies are obtained through card packs or the Auction House and those can be put towards sets that award the "Future Star" versions.

It's important at this point in the year for any new cards introduced to Ultimate Team to be souped-up, otherwise they would be irrelevant, thus justifying the high-90 rated editions of each player. While certain attributes can provide insight to how they'll be rated in "Madden NFL 19," they'll be coming in much lower than either of the two versions introduced to commemorate the draft. Last year the highest rated rookie ended up being an 82 overall.

Here's a look at the 32 rookies who are now found in "Madden NFL 18" Ultimate Team and the ratings categories in which they excel. While their overall ratings are based on when they were selected, the individual attribute ratings are unique to each player.

Madden NFL 18 Ultimate Team Baker Mayfield Cleveland Browns

No. 1 Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns
99 Overall Future Star, 89 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Throw Power, Throw Accuracy Short, Throw on the Run

No. 2 Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
98 Overall Future Star, 88 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Acceleration, Speed, Juke Move

No. 3 Sam Darnold, QB, New York Jets
98 Overall Future Star, 88 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Throw Power, Throw Accuracy Short, Throw Accuracy Medium

No. 4 Denzel Ward, CB, Cleveland Browns
98 Overall Future Star, 88 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Speed, Man Coverage, Press

No. 5 Bradley Chubb, DE, Denver Broncos
98 Overall Future Star, 88 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Strength, Acceleration, Block Shedding

No. 6 Quenton Nelson, OG, Indianapolis Colts
97 Overall Future Star, 87 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Strength, Pass Blocking, Impact Blocking

No. 7 Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
97 Overall Future Star, 87 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Throw Power, Throw on the Run, Acceleration

No. 8 Roquan Smith, LB, Chicago Bears
97 Overall Future Star, 87 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Tackling, Pursuit, Power Moves

No. 9 Mike McGlinchey, OT, San Francisco 49ers
97 Overall Future Star, 87 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Strength, Run Blocking, Impact Blocking

No. 10 Josh Rosen, QB, Arizona Cardinals
97 Overall Future Star, 87 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Throw Power, Play Action, Throw Accuracy Medium

No. 11 Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Miami Dolphins
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Acceleration, Agility, Zone Coverage

No. 12 Vita Vea, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Strength, Play Recognition, Block Shedding

No. 13 Da'Ron Payne, DT, Washington Redskins
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Tackling, Block Shedding, Awareness

No. 14 Marcus Davenport, DE, New Orleans Saints
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Block Shedding, Tackling, Pursuit

No. 15 Kolton Miller, OT, Oakland Raiders
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Strength, Pass Blocking, Run Blocking

No. 16 Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Acceleration, Pursuit, Tackling

No. 17 Derwin James, S, Los Angeles Chargers
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Acceleration, Jumping, Press

No. 18 Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Acceleration, Speed, Zone Coverage

No. 19 Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Dallas Cowboys
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Jumping, Tackling, Pursuit

No. 20 Frank Ragnow, C, Detroit Lions
96 Overall Future Star, 86 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Pass Blocking, Strength, Awareness

No. 21 Billy Price, C, Cincinnati Bengals
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Strength, Run Blocking, Impact Blocking

No. 22 Rashaan Evans, LB, Tennessee Titans
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Pursuit, Tackling, Hit Power

No. 23 Isaiah Wynn, T, New England Patriots
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Pass Blocking, Strength, Awareness

No. 24 D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Agility, Jumping, Spectacular Catch

No. 25 Hayden Hurst, TE, Baltimore Ravens
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Catch in Traffic, Acceleration, Juke Move

No. 26 Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Acceleration, Route Running, Awareness

No. 27 Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Agility, Acceleration, Carrying

No. 28 Terrell Edmunds, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Acceleration, Jumping, Zone Coverage

No. 29 Taven Bryan, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Tackling, Strength, Pursuit

No. 30 Mike Hughes, CB, Minnesota Vikings
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Acceleration, Jumping, Zone Coverage

No. 31 Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Agility, Elusiveness, Juke Move

No. 32 Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
95 Overall Future Star, 85 Overall Rookie
Top Attributes: Agility, Juke Move, Throw on Run

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 Twitter @Pastapadre.

Bryan Wiedey

Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is a regular participant in the Press Row Podcast and Press Row Hangout shows, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.