The two have swapped places. Donald is one of just three players in the league to be given 99 Overall, while Watt drops to 98 Overall, sharing that designation with four others.
Donald’s ratings include 96 in Power Moves, which is tied for first in the attribute with Watt, who also features 97 Strength, 90 Finesse Moves and even 78 in Catching given his occasional utilization at tight end.
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Khalil Mack and Brandon Graham are the next highest-rated players on the defensive line. Mack, who can also play at a high level at linebacker, has 95 Power Moves and 93 Block Shedding. The strongest player in the game is Ndamukong Suh with a 98 in the category.
Madden 18 player ratings: defensive Tackle
Aaron Donald, Rams: 99 Overall Ndamukong Suh, Dolphins: 93 Overall Geno Atkins, Bengals: 91 Overall Fletcher Cox, Eagles: 91 Overall Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers: 90 Overall Damon Harrison, Giants: 89 Overall Kawann Short, Panthers: 88 Overall Linval Joseph, Vikings: 86 Overall Leonard Williams, Jets: 85 Overall Marcell Dareus, Bills: 85 Overall
Madden 18 player ratings: defensive End
J.J. Watt, Texans: 98 Overall Khalil Mack, Raiders: 97 Overall Brandon Graham, Eagles: 95 Overall Cameron Jordan, Saints: 92 Overall Calais Campbell, Jaguars: 91 Overall Michael Bennett, Seahawks: 90 Overall Cameron Wake, Dolphins: 89 Overall Joey Bosa, Chargers: 88 Overall Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants: 88 Overall Olivier Vernon, Giants: 88 Overall Mike Daniels, Packers: 87 Overall Jadeveon Clowney, Texans: 86 Overall Jurrell Casey, Titans: 86 Overall Carlos Dunlap, Bengals: 86 Overall Cliff Avril, Seahawks: 86 Overall Everson Griffen, Vikings: 86 Overall
Though they don’t have anyone 90-plus Overall, the Giants will have a formidable defensive line as the only team to feature three players off the lists. The Texans, Dolphins, Bengals, Eagles, Vikings and Seahawks each have two.
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EA Sports recently released the first gameplay trailer for “Madden NFL 18,” which includes a quick look at new features like Target Passing, Play Styles, and WR/DB Interactions.
“Madden NFL 18” also introduces the series’ first ever story mode, featuring actors that include Mahershala Ali and Scott Porter, plus appearances from licensed colleges Texas and Oregon.
The game will release Aug. 22 for those who buy the $80 “G.O.A.T” edition, and Aug. 25 for the standard edition. Those with an EA Access subscription on Xbox One will be able to start playing a 10-hour trial of the game Aug. 17.
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 [email protected].
