Madden 13: Running Backs Who Will Outplay Their Ratings

The hidden gems won't stay hidden forever.

EA Sports' Madden 13's creators, just like always, have done a fantastic job making all the players as close to their real life counterparts as possible.

But people change. Or, maybe more appropriately, players outshine their expectations.

It happens every year. Young players get an unexpected boost in carries and "run" with the opportunity, veterans find the fountain of youth. However it happens, players are constantly taking huge unexpected steps forward.

With that being said, let's take a look at the running backs who will most likely force Madden's designers to update the rosters early on.

Note: You can find the entire list of running back ratings at easports.com.

Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs (91)

Back in 2010, Jamaal Charles was second in the league in total rushing yards (1,549) and first among running backs in yards per carry (6.5). Just for some extra gravy, he could catch the ball out of the backfield, too (46 catches, 483 yards, three touchdowns). 

Those are, without a doubt, numbers good enough to rate him as one of the top running backs in Madden. But in 2011, Charles tore his ACL during Kansas City's second game of the season and was forced to miss the entire year.

It will obviously depend how the dynamic running back returns from his injury, but if he is 100 percent healthy, he has proven in the past he is one of the league's best backs.

Expect him to come back with plenty of vigor, and expect that to force Madden's hand in moving him up the rankings, as he's currently ranked No. 11 overall.

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (83)

In Murray's first five career games as a Cowboy, he racked up 25 carries for 73 yards. In his sixth game, he racked up 25 carries for 253 yards and a touchdown.

Well, then. 

After that historic game in which Murray broke plenty of records, he didn't look back, totaling 897 yards on just 164 total carries (5.5 ypc), despite slowing down at the end of the season. 

Should Murray stay healthy throughout the entire year—yes, that's a big "if"—he has the talent to lead the league in rushing with a full season of carries. He won't stay an 83 in Madden for much longer. 

Roy Helu, Washington Redskins (79)

Let me see here. The guy who racked up 1,019 yards on 200 total touches (5.1 yards per touch) as a rookie is just a 79.

Oh, alright. 

Anyways, regardless of who's around him or above him on the depth chart, Helu is too talented both as a runner and as a pass catcher to take any kind of a step back in terms of a workload in 2012. 

That means another ridiculously productive season, which would make him staying a 79 for any longer downright wrong. 

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