15 NFL Draft Prospects That Will Wreak Havoc on Defenses in the Next "Madden"

Meet the top 15 offensive 2014 NFL Draft prospects that will be wreaking havoc on defenses in the next version of Madden.

May 9, 2014

Not Available Lead — Image via Complex Original

We’ve already seen some of the hard-hitting defensive prospects coming out of the 2014 NFL Draft that will be added in the next edition of Madden, and now it’s time to take a look at the other side of the ball to see which impact players you’ll be wreaking havoc with on offense.

While there is a noticeable lack of game-changing talent at running back, this is one of the deepest talent pools we’ve seen at the wide receiver position since A.J. Green and Julio Jones were both selected in the top 10 of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Madden players that really like to focus on the vertical attack should be excited to get their hands on some of these receivers.

So which receivers made the cut, and who else should you be excited to use?

Madden players that really like to focus on the vertical attack should be excited to get their hands on some of these receivers.

So which receivers made the cut, and who else should you be excited to use?

Jerick McKinnon

School: Georgia Southern
Position: Running Back
Height: 5'9
Weight: 209 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.41 seconds

Jerick McKinnon isn't one of the more well-known prospects, but he's one of my sleepers for the 2014 NFL Draft. He played quarterback while at Georgia Southern, but he opted to make the switch to running back now that he'll be entering the NFL. While scouts and team executives seem to have him as a mid-to-late round pick, he could end up being one of the bigger steals of the draft if he manages to make a seamless transition into a full-time tailback.

Standing at 5-9 and 209 lbs., McKinon somehow managed to lead all running backs with 32 reps on the bench press, even beating out some of the huge linebackers and defensive linemen. Not only did he impress with his strength, he was second only to Dri Archer in the 40-yard dash. He doesn't have the ideal size for a running back, but it probably won't take much for him to bulk up a bit. More importantly, he clearly has the strength and speed to be a difference-maker on offense.

Whether he's able to make a smooth transition from quarterback to running back remains to be seen, but there's no question that he's at least physically gifted enough to do so—and in Madden, the physical traits that are tough to develop are often the most coveted. McKinnon has a unique skillset that allows for coaches to utilize him in a variety of ways. And if you're the type of player that likes to use trick plays, McKinnon will have the arm and accuracy to complete some passes out of the backfield.

Kelvin Benjamin

School: Florida State
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'5
Weight: 240 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.61 seconds

Built more like a tight end than a wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin is one of the more intriguing prospects purely from a size standpoint. He has all the makings of a dominant red-zone target, but he's still a little rough around the edges.

You wouldn't mistake Benjamin for being a great route-runner or for having great hands—although, he does have huge 10.25-inch hands. He also won't be burning many secondaries for deep touchdowns. However, he makes up for all of that with sheer size. With 35-inch long arms and a pterodactyl-like 83-inch wingspan, he can pretty much just out-jump and out-muscle most defensive backs to snag those fades and tossups in the redzone—a weapon that pretty much every quarterback wants to have in his arsenal.

Dri Archer

School: Kent State
Position: Running Back/Returner
Height: 5'8
Weight: 173 lbs.
40 Yard Dash: 4.26 seconds

Dri Archer blew people away at the combine with the 4.26 he clocked for the 40-yard dash, and he is hands down the fastest prospect to enter the league since Chris Johnson set the combine record back in 2008. Archer doesn't have the size to handle a full-time workload as a tailback, and he'll likely be used as a utility guy out of the backfield and as a returner for punts and kicks. There's no question that he can do some serious damage coming out of the backfield using his speed alone, but he'll be the most dangerous in open space with the ball in his hands on a return. If there's one player that I have put my money on to take it back to the house, it's going to be Archer.

Bishop Sankey

School: Washington
Position: Running Back
Height: 5'9
Weight: 209 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.49 seconds

Bishop Sankey managed to have a productive career despite being in a less-than-favorable situation while at Washington, and as one of the most versatile backs in this year's draft class, his skillset should earn him some playing time as a rookie somewhere. Despite his small size, Sankey proved to be one of the top performers at the combine. He was second only to Jerick McKinon of all the running backs on the bench press, and he aced all of the drills, ranking at or near the top of nearly every single one he participated in. It's clear that he has the speed and strength to play at the next level, but it wouldn't hurt for him to add on a few pounds. Playing in a pro-style system while at Washington, Sankey shouldn't have much trouble adjusting to the NFL. He has also proven to be a solid route-runner with reliable hands - something that every team looks for in a tailback these days.

Blake Bortles

School: Central Florida
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6'5
Weight: 232 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.93 seconds

Blake Bortles has vaulted up draft boards in recent months, and it's easy to see why when you look at all his measurables. He has the prototypical size you're looking for in a quarterback, and once you add in his strong arm and intangibles, he arguably has the most upside of all the signal-callers in the draft. If Bortles is given a superstar development rating in Madden, he should be able to quickly grow into a stud. As a rookie, he'll need some time to mature as a player. But if given the reigns as a starter from day one, it won't take long before he begins to move up in the quarterback rankings.

Brandin Cooks

School: Oregon State
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5'10
Weight: 189 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.33 seconds

Speed kills in Madden, and Brandin Cooks is the fastest receiver in the draft. He competed in the Junior Olympics as a sprinter, and his blazing fast 4.33 in the 40-yard-dash only confirms what we already knew about him. Cooks is small for a receiver, but he should be able to wreak havoc on opposing defenses working out of the slot. He can easily stretch the field and get behind the secondary, and defenses will constantly have to keep an eye on him. He runs good routes, and has solid hands. With the ball in his hands, he has the acceleration and agility to elude defenders and break off big gains. Cooks should also be able to contribute as a returner, which is always a nice added bonus.

Tre Mason

School: Auburn
Position: Running Back
Height: 5'8
Weight: 207 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.50 seconds

As the SEC Player of the Year, Tre Mason earned that honor after he rushed for 1,816 yards and 23 touchdowns. There's no question that Mason will have to bulk up if he hopes to cut it in the NFL, but if you watch him run, you would think he's a much bigger tailback. He's not afraid of contact, and is capable of grinding out those extra yards after contact. He has compared himself to Marshawn Lynch, and while that comparison isn't entirely apt, he is capable of making Lynch's trademark jump-cuts. Mason wasn't used as a receiver often, so his route-running is suspect. However, he flashed enough as a pass-catcher to warrant some confidence in that aspect of his game, and his 38.5-inch vertical helps his case. He has the type of well-rounded skillset that could fit in multiple schemes and merit a full-time workload.

Carlos Hyde

School: Ohio State
Position: Running Back
Height: 6'0
Weight: 230 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.66 seconds

Carlos Hyde has separated himself from the rest of the other running back prospects, and there's little doubt that he'll be the first rusher taken off the board. Hyde is a big, physical and aggressive runner that has the power to run over defenders and the speed to elude them, too. As a one-cut runner, he hits holes hard and shows good burst, and looks primed to be a featured back in the NFL. He won't be breaking off a lot of huge gains, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake as he dances toward the end zone. But he'll be a chain-mover, flattening anyone that tries to get in his way.

Marqise Lee

School: USC
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'0
Weight: 192 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.52 seconds

Marqise Lee's career at USC was about as good as it gets, and he'll be a welcome addition in Madden. With a versatile and polished skillset, he has the potential to be a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL. Lee's 40 time was slower than expected, but if you've seen him play, you know that he has the speed to get behind secondaries and deep into the backfield. He can shift gears extremely quickly, and he shouldn't have much trouble creating separation when needed. Lee is a playmaker, plain and simple. He's a precise route-runner with a nose for the ball, and can easily weave through traffic once he has possession of the ball.

Odell Beckham

School: LSU
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5'11
Weight: 198 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.43 seconds

If there's any receiver that can challenge Mike Evans as the second wideout taken off the board, it's Odell Beckham. The speedster out of LSU appears destined to make a living out of the slot, but he has the ability to shift to the outside, too. Beckham is the type of player that can catch a short pass and take it all the way to the house on any given play. He has big-play potential written all over him, and he'll keep defenses honest with his ability to stretch the field. He's not very physical, and you won't see him coming away with many contested passes. However, he can go up and snag nearly everything that comes his way with his 38.5-inch vertical.

Teddy Bridgewater

School: Louisville
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6'2
Weight: 214 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.82 seconds

Teddy Bridgewater has quickly gone from the near-consensus No. 1 overall pick in the draft to a potential second-round slide, and it's a bit difficult to completely understand why. Playing in a pro-style offense, Bridgewater is arguably the most pro-ready quarterback prospect in this year's draft class. And if you take a look at his resume, his body of work more than speaks for itself. Bridgewater is a polished pocket passer. While he has the ability to scramble, he'll do most of his damage between the tackles. He shows great poise in the pocket, and can move around with ease when he needs to. He's not much of a threat as a runner, but he can still rollout and hit receivers in stride. There are some questions about his arm strength, but he'll be able to throw it deep enough if you've got some burners for receivers. More importantly, he's got great touch on his throws, and he's very accurate as a passer.

Johnny Manziel

School: Texas A&M
Position: Quarterback
Height: 5'11
Weight: 207 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.68 seconds

Johnny Manziel is scrutinized most for his off-the-field problems, but luckily for you, that's not something you'll have to worry about in Madden. Say what you will about the former Heisman winner, but he just has a knack for making plays. Like most prospects, it's nearly impossible to say for sure whether or not he will pan out in the NFL, but he certainly has all the tools to be a special player at the next level. Manziel doesn't have the ideal size you're looking for in a quarterback, but that hasn't stopped players like Drew Brees or Russell Wilson from making a name for themselves as a pro. He's shown that he has the arm strength to make nearly every throw at the next level, and his accuracy and ball placement have clearly improved since he got his first start at Texas A&M. Known for his ability to run with the ball, he won't be burning defenses in the NFL like he did in college. However, even though he doesn't possess game-changing speed, he'll be dangerous while outside of the pocket and on the move. He's a dynamic athlete and true dual-threat quarterback that will be a nightmare to gameplan against for opposing defenses.

Eric Ebron

School: North Carolina
Position: Tight End
Height: 6'4
Weight: 240 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.60 seconds

When it comes to tight ends, Eric Ebron is in a class of his own. The consensus No. 1 tight end prospect in this year's draft class, Ebron is one of the most highly-coveted skill position players on offense projected to go early in the first round of the draft. Ebron is not the type of tight end that you should count on when it comes to blocking, and it would be a waste of his talent to utilize him in that way. He's a superb athlete with the type of speed and agility to beat nearly any type of man coverage, and a smart player should be able to exploit some serious mismatches by moving him around the field. The former Tarheel will be entering the NFL with elite route-running skills. Add in his phenomenal hands and ability as a playmaker with the ball in his hands, and you have one of the most dangerous weapons in the draft.

Mike Evans

School: Texas A&M
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'4
Weight: 231 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.53 seconds

Mike Evans is widely considered to be the second best wide receiver prospect in this year's draft, and it's difficult to imagine him falling out of the top 10. As a former basketball player, he possesses a rare mix of size and speed with an incredible 37-inch vertical. Combine his leaping ability with his massive 6-4 frame, and Evans should have little trouble leaping over defensive backs. He's not afraid to get physical, and with his excellent body control and great hands, he should be able to regularly win out on contested catches in traffic. Evans won't get behind secondaries very often, but with his size, he can still go deep and beat out smaller corners. He's a powerful possession receiver with some elite playmaking abilities, and he should be able to make an impact as a rookie.

Sammy Watkins

School: Clemson
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'1
Weight: 200 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.40 seconds

Sammy Watkins is as close to a can't-miss prospect as you can get, and he's without a doubt the most coveted wide receiver entering the NFL. He should be able to make an immediate impact for whichever team decides to draft him, possessing all the tools to be a stud right out of the gate. Watkins has nearly everything you're looking for in a receiver: good build, game-changing speed, excellent hands, solid as a blocker, superb body control, quick burst to create separation, and the type of exceptional playmaking ability to turn any possession into a big gain. Whether you like to throw it deep or use screens to get him the ball in space, Watkins can do it all. Get used to seeing and hearing his name now, because he's going to be abusing defenses for years to come.