Ranking the 15 Best NFL Teams for "Madden 15"

Most of the free agents have found homes, and the 2014 NFL Draft is safely behind us. While teams still need to finalize their 53-man rosters, the core pieces of every team are already set. A lot can still change between now and the start of the season, but we at least have a good idea of what to expect from most teams.

On top of that, the release date for Madden 15 is fast approaching, and as more and more gameplay trailers and screenshots start to see the light of day, EA Sports' premiere franchise is all that we can think about. So, with football on our minds, we decided to try our hand at Ranking the 15 Best NFL Teams for "Madden 15". Who will be the powerhouse club in this year's edition? We do our best to answer that question. Keep in mind that these rankings aren’t necessarily reflective of how they may perform in real life. Success on the field doesn’t always translate to success on the virtual gridiron.

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Key Additions: Eric Ebron, Golden Tate, James Ihedigbo, Darryl Tapp, Jed Collins, Kyle Van Noy, Nevin Lawson, Travis Swanson, Larry Webster
Key Losses: Israel Idonije, Nate Burleson, Louis Delmas, Jason Fox, Willie Young

I realize this may not be a popular pick, but remember that we're talking about Madden here. Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, Golden Tate, Joique Bell, Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew? Yes, please. This is a passing league, and Matthew Stafford almost has too many weapons on offense. With a number of legitimate options to take pressure off of Johnson, it opens up the offense a lot more. Defensively, the Lions have the talent on paper, but that hasn't always translated to on-field production. Luckily for us, this is a video game, and their defense can perform better if correctly utilized.

Key Additions: Jake Matthews, Jon Asamoah, Devin Hester, Gabe Carimi, Tyson Jackson, Dwight Lowery, Ra'Shede Hageman, Devonta Freeman, Paul Soliai, Ricardo Allen, Prince Shembo
Key Losses: Tony Gonzalez, Thomas DeCoud, Asante Samuel, Jason Snelling, Bradie Ewing

You may be asking why the lowly 4-12 Falcons from a year ago broke into the top 15, and it's certainly a fair question. But let's take a look back at their roster from last season: Their offensive line was a turnstile, they couldn't generate any pressure on opposing quarterbacks, Julio Jones was out for the year, and Roddy White battled injuries nearly all season long. Atlanta has what should be a vastly improved offensive line, a better secondary, and a slightly more effective pass rush.

Most importantly, they'll have both Jones and White healthy and an offensive line that should be more capable of protecting Matt Ryan. Joining Steven Jackson in the backfield is the talented Devonta Freeman, and his addition to the roster should help to slightly negate the loss of Tony Gonzalez.

Key Additions: Aaron Donald, Greg Robinson, Lamarcus Joyner, Tre Mason, E.J. Gaines, Michael Sam, Kenny Britt
Key Losses: Kellen Clemens, Daryl Richardson, Cortland Finnegan

Good luck trying to block the St. Louis Rams defensive line. They already have Robert Quinn, Chris Long and Michael Brockers, and adding Aaron Donald to the mix is simply unfair. Offensively, with Sam Bradford back under center, expect their offense to be vastly improved. Tavon Austin has game-changing talent, and Zac Stacy and Tre Mason should prove to be an effective combination.

Key Additions: Steve Smith, Owen Daniels, Jeremy Zuttah, C.J. Mosley, Timmy Jernigan
Key Losses: Michael Oher, Ed Dickson, Vonta Leach, Jameel McClain

The Baltimore Ravens were dangerously thin at wide receiver last season, and they went out and added a tough, veteran receiver in Steve Smith. He provides the team with a reliable, possession receiver across from Torrey Smith. Owen Daniels will also be joining the fray, and you would be wise to run a lot more two tight end sets, as he should pair nicely alongside Dennis Pitta.

The running game, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Bernard Pierce is expected to be the team's lead back, and it's unknown if and when Ray Rice will suit up for the team. As usual, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome had a great draft. He spent four of the team's first five draft picks on defensive players, and the Ravens should once again be a force on both sides of the ball after a down year in 2013.

Key Additions: Darren Sproles, Jordan Matthews, Malcolm Jenkins, Nolan Carroll, Jaylen Watkins, Josh Huff, Marcus Smith
Key Losses: DeSean Jackson, Michael Vick, Clifton Geathers, Jason Avant, Patrick Chung

Despite the Philadelphia Eagles' impressive run to the playoffs last season behind the arm of Nick Foles, things will be quite different in Philly this year for one major reason: the departure of DeSean Jackson. Jackson is one of the most dangerous receivers in the league, and losing him could potentially change the dynamic of their entire offense. If Jeremy Maclin can come back strong, it helps to negate Jackson's loss.

However, their offense simply won't be the same, even with the addition of Darren Sproles and Jordan Matthews. LeSean McCoy and Sproles should make for a dangerous 1-2 punch out of the backfield, and you may have to lean more heavily on those two to do a lot of the damage on offense. There are even more questions on defense, so you better hope that they have enough firepower on offense to win you games.

Key Additions: Jared Veldheer, Antonio Cromartie, Tedd Ginn Jr., Deone Bucannon, Troy Niklas, Kareem Martin, Logan Thomas
Key Losses: Karlos Dansby, Andre Roberts, Javier Arenas, Antoine Cason, Rashard Mendenall

Adding Jared Veldheer to protect Carson Palmer's blindside is easily the best and most important move the Cardinals did this offseason, and it should pay dividends for their offense. Any extra time and protection the O-line can provide Palmer to get the ball downfield to Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd will help move the chains on offense. The offensive line should also hopefully be able to open up more holes for Andre Ellington, who provides the explosive option out of the backfield that Rashard Mendenhall failed to provide.

Troy Niklas, who was drafted in the second round, should make his presence felt immediately. He's a true two-way tight end that can help block, and he has the receiving skills to add another weapon to Palmer's arsenal. The Cardinals already have one of the top defenses in the NFL, and adding Deone Bucannon to their already strong secondary can only make them better. Although, Karlos Dansby won't be easy to replace on defense.

Key Additions: Darqueze Dennard, Jeremy Hill, Marshall Newhouse, Will Clarke, Russell Bodine
Key Losses: Michael Johnson, Andrew Hawkins, Anthony Collins

It remains to be seen how the Bengals' offensive and defensive playbooks change now that Hue Jackson is replacing Jay Gruden as offensive coordinator and Paul Guenther is replacing Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator. Although, with their stacked defense, there isn't much to be concerned about. And when you have A.J. Green as your No. 1 receiver, it's safe to say that he'll be the focal point of the offense. Andy Dalton is solid enough that he can make most throws. He also has one of the best receivers in the NFL in Green, so when all else fails, you can just throw it high and deep and let Green go get the ball.

Jeremy Hill has already supplanted BenJarvus "The Law Firm" Green-Ellis on the depth chart, and he'll be a nice complement to Gio Bernard in the backfield. Their offense has a nice balance between the ground and air game, which will keep defenses guessing.

Key Additions: Hakeem Nicks, Arthur Jones, D'Qwell Jackson, Jack Mewhort, Donte Moncrief, Ulrick John
Key Losses: Donald Brown, Antoine Bethea, Darrius Heyward-Bey

The Indianapolis Colts finally have a legitimate outside threat opposite Reggie Wayne in Hakeem Nicks, and it'll allow for T.Y. Hilton to continue to wreak havoc out of the slot. With Dwayne Allen and Wayne returning from injury, Andrew Luck now has an embarrassment of riches to throw to. If Trent Richardson can finally find his footing in Pep Hamilton's system, the Colts could have one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. The Colts will be inconsistent on defense, but when your offense is as dangerous as the Colts' should be, it'll be hard for the opposition to keep up.

Key Additions: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Julius Peppers, Davante Adams, Khyri Thornton, Carl Bradford, Richard Rodgers
Key Losses: James Jones, Marshall Newhouse, Evan Dietrich-Smith

The Packers got one of the steals of the draft when Ha Ha Clinton-Dix landed in their laps late in the first round, and they addressed a number of holes on their roster this offseason. They should be noticeably better on defense this season, which should take some pressure off the offense (as if they even needed that).

With a healthy Aaron Rodgers and new receiver Davante Adams to add to their already deep receiving corps, the Packers vertical attack will be as dangerous as ever. Add in a more seasoned Eddie Lacy, the league's reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Green Bay will once again have one of the league's most dominant offenses.

Key Additions: Jairus Byrd, Champ Bailey, Brandin Cooks, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Kairi Fortt, Vinnie Sunseri
Key Losses: Lance Moore, Will Smith, Jabari Greer, Roman Harper

The Drew Brees-Sean Payton marriage has resulted in one of the most explosive offenses the NFL has ever seen, and bringing Brandin Cooks into the fold will only make them all the more dangerous. Cooks is one of the fastest receivers to come out of the 2014 NFL Draft, and his ability to stretch the field will have a huge impact on their already explosive offense. Also, you can't forget about Jimmy Graham, the league's best tight end. With an offseason to recover, he should be back to 100 percent by the time the season starts.

New Orleans also now has a defense capable of matching their offensive exploits. Jairus Byrd should pair with Kenny Vaccaro to make one of the better safety duos in the league, and the addition of Champ Bailey and Stanley Jean-Baptiste should help to strengthen their secondary.

Key Additions: Stevie Johnson, Jimmie Ward, Carlos Hyde, Marcus Martin, Chris Borland, Brandon Thomas, Bruce Ellington, Dontae Johnson, Brandon Lloyd, Antoine Bethea
Key Losses: Aldon Smith (?), Carlos Rogers, Mario Manningham, Donte Whitner, Tarell Brown

Minus a few things out of their control, the offseason couldn't have gone much better for San Francisco. They hit a home run with their draft class, and 49ers general manager Trent Baalke should be patting himself on the back. The 49ers will be entering the 2014 season with one of the league's most talented and deep rosters. Colin Kaepernick is surrounded with weapons, Frank Gore should be fresher down the stretch with Carlos Hyde to spell him, and their defense is as fearsome as it has ever been.

Key Additions: Paul Richardson, Justin Britt, Cassius Marsh, Phillip Adams, Terrelle Pryor
Key Losses: Golden Tate, Brandon Browner, Walter Thurmond, Chris Clemons

The Seattle Seahawks had a relatively quiet offseason, but when you're the reigning champs stocked with talent on a young roster, you're afforded that luxury. The Seahawks lost a number of players, but they retained nearly all of their core pieces. Seattle has a suffocating defense, and while their ground-and-pound offensive attack isn't always pretty, it gets the job done. Most importantly, Percy Harvin should enter the season healthy, and he adds another dimension to their offense. With Golden Tate now in Detroit, Harvin will play an even more important role on offense.

Key Additions: Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, DeMarcus Ware, Bradley Roby, Cody Latimer, Emmanuel Sanders, Michael Schofield, Will Montgomery, Lamin Barrow
Key Losses: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Eric Decker, Knowshon Moreno, Trindon Holliday, Robert Ayers, Wesley Woodyard, Shaun Phillips, Jeremy Mincey, Champ Bailey

When you have the game's best quarterback (arguable) and the league's most potent offense (inarguable), it's hard not to rack up touchdown after touchdown. The Broncos may have lost Eric Decker and Knowshon Moreno, but what's scary is that they may have gotten even better on offense with Montee Ball seeing an expanded role and Emmanuel Sanders and Cody Latimer joining Manning's stable of offensive weapons. The Broncos experienced a lot of turnover on defense, but they are arguably better if not just as good as they were last season.