The NFL's Next Wave of Fast, Hard-Hitting Defensive Draft Prospects for "Madden '15"

Every year the NFL draft adds a stable of new toys for players to use in the next Madden, and we’re going to be spoiled with an embarrassment of riches at practically every position this year.

This is widely considered to be one of the deepest draft classes in years, and there’s a plethora of talent just waiting to be unleashed on the virtual gridiron.

While everyone loves to play on offense, being adept on the defensive side of the ball is equally important. When it comes to playing defense in Madden, players typically tend to stick with pass -rushers or those that are able to roam deep or in the box, which is why the cornerback position has been completely excluded.

Otherwise, Justin Gilbert would undoubtedly find himself on this list. Find me a player that regularly uses cornerbacks while playing defense, and I’ll find you a liar.

Now, let’s take a look at the defensive prospects coming out of this year’s draft class that you should be foaming at the mouth to use in the next Madden.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 237 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.36 (unofficial)
Bench press: 25 reps

Ryan Shazier's draft stock has skyrocketed in recent weeks, and he has his eye-opening performance from Ohio State's pro day to thank for that. While Shazier wasn't officially timed at the NFL combine for the 40 due to a tweaked hamstring, he was clocked with an unofficial 4.36 at his pro day. This would make him the fastest linebacker in the draft, and it would group him with the fastest running backs and wide receivers. On top of his blazing 40 time, he also had an absurd 42-inch vertical with nearly an 11-foot broad jump. It's clear that Shazier is one of the most explosive defensive players in the draft, but he's more than just some freak athlete. Shazier can do it all: he can penetrate into the backfield to tackle ball carriers behind the line and pressure the quarterback, he's excellent in coverage, and he's a tackling machine. You'll be able to fly all over the field with Shazier, and it should be easy to both produce big numbers and develop him.

Height: 6-4
Weight: 273 lbs.
40-yard dash: 4.92 seconds
Bench press: 22 reps

Considered to be the second best, natural defensive end prospect behind Jadeveon Clowney, Kony Ealy is a big and imposing force. His frame can definitely handle some more weight, and once he gets into the weight room and bulks up, he'll be able to both burn offensive linemen off the edges and power through them. Ealy ran a slower than expected 40 time at the combine, but he did better during the drills, notching one of the top times for the three cone drill. He's fast and agile enough that he can maneuver around offensive linemen, and he plays long and loose. Ealy still has some work to do to become a more complete player, but he has all the tools to become an impact player in Madden right away.

Height: 6-3
Weight: 251 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.65 seconds
Bench press: 23 reps

If there's one defensive player that has a chance to be drafted ahead of Jadeveon Clowney, it's Khalil Mack. He offers the full package, and he's versatile enough to be able to play as an outside linebacker in any formation as well as a defensive end in certain fronts. With a quick first step and a polished set of pass-rush moves already in his arsenal, he'll be able to regularly disrupt plays in the backfield with ease. On top of his pass-rushing abilities, he's more than capable of dropping back into coverage and playing against the pass. And if you think you can run around him, you better think twice. He's explosive and quick in pursuit, and you may very well break your joystick trying to truck everyone in sight. If you want an every-down, hard-hitting defensive player, Mack is your guy.

Height: 6-5
Weight: 266 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.53 seconds
Bench press: 21 reps

When it comes to football players, Jadeveon Clowney hit the genetic lottery. He is easily one of the most athletic prospects to ever enter the NFL, and that's saying a lot considering the stable of athletic freaks that have passed through the league. Clowney offers a unique blend of size, speed and strength. On top of his absurd 40 time, he was also measured with a 37.5-inch vertical. Combine his 6-5 frame with his 34.5-inch long arms and NBA-like vertical, and he's more than capable of leaping up and swatting passes away if he gets blocked at the line. There's absolutely no question that Clowney will have superstar potential in Madden, and if he's properly developed and utilized, he'll be threatening Michael Strahan's single-season sack record in no time. He was practically bred for the sole purpose of terrorizing quarterbacks, and he's going to be a monster right out of the gate.

Height: 6-2
Weight: 252 pounds
40-yard dash: N/A
Bench press: N/A

Dee Ford was unable to participate in the NFL combine due to a medical issue, but his body of work more than speaks for itself. He was the most explosive pass-rusher on Auburn's defense, and that's saying a lot considering the speedy rushers in their front seven. Even though he played defensive end at Auburn, he doesn't have the size to play the position at the next level. He'll more than likely be a rush linebacker in the NFL, and it's a role that will suit him well. Ford has an extremely high motor, and he works relentlessly to get to the quarterback. Using his quick first step, he can easily beat blockers off the line while closing in fast on quarterbacks.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 208 lbs.
40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
Bench press: 11 reps

Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix had a solid, if unspectacular showing at the combine when it came to all the measurables. However, he excelled when it came time to get on the field and do drills, and that's really what counts the most for safeties. He had one of the top times for a safety in the 20 and 60 yard shuttle drills, and it only verified his ability to move fluidly on the field and cover a lot of ground. For those of you out there that like to roam with a free safety on defense, you won't find a better prospect than Clinton-Dix. He's quick to react to plays, and he has good hands, which are useful in pass coverage. He's also a strong, secure tackler that can deliver big blows. Clinton-Dix can be a day one starter in the NFL, and he has pretty much everything you're looking for in a free safety.

Height: 6-2
Weight: 234 pounds
Projected 40 Time: 4.65 seconds
Bench press: N/A

C.J. Mosley will enter the NFL as one of the most polished linebackers in the 2014 draft class. He had a stellar career at Alabama, and it's hard to imagine him making anything less than a seamless transition to the big leagues. Mosley isn't the biggest linebacker out there, but he's extremely strong for his size. He's a punishing tackler that delivers huge blows to anyone that comes across his path, and is going to be a tackling monster in the NFL. He moves fluidly around the field, and can drop back in coverage and blanket tight ends and shifty backs. For those of you that like to play in the box, pick up receivers that run underneath routes, blitz when called upon, and take down tailbacks that get passed the line, Mosley will suit your playing style well.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 207 lbs.
40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
Bench press: 18 reps

Calvin Pryor is the only other safety that can potentially challenge Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix as the top safety taken off the board in the draft. He matched Clinton-Dix in the 40, and he offers enough range to cover a lot of ground as a center-fielder. Pryor measured smaller than his listed height at 5-11, but his 34.5-inch vertical will help make up for that. Pryor really stood out after he put up 18 reps on the bench. He plays much bigger than his size, and he has the strength to jam bigger receivers and tight ends off the line. He's arguably the hardest-hitting defensive back in the draft, and he can really set the tone on defense with the bone-crunching hits he's been known to deliver.

Height: 6-5
Weight: 255 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.66 seconds
Bench press: 15 reps

Anthony Barr is a converted fullback that went from relative anonymity and into the national spotlight after he switched to outside linebacker. It didn't take long for him to comfortably transition to the defensive side of the ball, and he has thrust himself into the conversation as a potential top 10 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Barr is a superb athlete, and while his official combine time was a little slower than expected, he clocked in much faster at USC's pro day. He's fast to jump off the snap, and he's able to quickly accelerate to that next gear when in pursuit. You can expect to regularly penetrate into the backfield using his speed alone, and once he begins to develop a cache of moves to beat his man off the line, he can become a dominating force at the next level.

Height: 6-1
Weight: 285 lbs.
40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds
Bench press: 35 reps

Aaron Donald has quietly been ascending up draft boards after his showing at the Senior Bowl and combine, and he has proven himself to practically rival Jadeveon Clowney in the athletic freak department. Donald may be undersized as a defensive tackle, but he makes up for that with his sheer strength. He did 35 reps on the 225-pound bench press, and he was second only to one other defensive player - Kaleb Ramsay, who weighs nearly 10 pounds more than Donald - by one rep. With his combination of speed, size and strength, Donald is going to tear through defensive lines. He's versatile enough that he can easily be moved from the interior to the edge of the defensive line, and he offers both the strength to power through linemen and the speed to get around them.