Eli Manning and the 10 Most Likely Madden NFL '13 Coverboys

Ah, Madden. How else would we live out our football simulation fantasies? Punting once every four games, attempting 87-yard field goals, and doing ridiculous dives into the end zone when there are no defenders in sight—that's just how we roll.

Each year, a player is chosen to grace the cover of Madden. This honor, or curse as some believe (though I'd argue that neither Ray Lewis' 2005 or Drew Brees' 2011 season warranted "curse" status), leads to some fun debate each year.

Which players have stood out enough, which have captured our attention, and which are worthy of being coverboys?

The following list is comprised of the players who I consider the 10 most likely choices. It's not meant to be definitive by any means. I'm just putting it out there to encourage discussion, debate, and get everyone pumped up for next season while we inch closer to the end of this one. 

10. Maurice Jones-Drew: (RB) Jacksonville Jaguars

Tough to comprehend what MJD did this year. As pretty much the only option in the Jaguars offense, Jones-Drew carried the ball 42 more times than the next closest player in the NFL, and led the entire league in rushing by nearly 250 yards.  

He also might be the densest human being I've ever seen. Built like a World's Strongest Man candidate from Sweden, and standing only 5'7", it's not hard to imagine him on the cover of everyone's favorite football simulator.

Unfortunately for Maurice, he plays for the Jaguars. Players on bad teams, and especially bad teams with relatively smaller fan followings, don't tend to have a great chance at being cover athletes.

9. LeSean McCoy: (RB) Philadelphia Eagles

LeSean McCoy broke out in a big way this year, and if you didn't know much about him before the season, you sure do now. Shady was fourth in the NFL in rushing, and first in rushing touchdowns with 17.

Most impressive, though, is his lateral movement. The comparisons with McCoy and Barry Sanders that some networks did during Eagles games were startling. The man cuts around the field so brilliantly—like the knifework of a veteran chef at Benihanas.  

If the Eagles weren't so disappointing in the beginning of the season, and McCoy had a chance to make a playoff impact, his odds of making the cover would be much higher. As it is, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him on there.

8. Marshawn Lynch: (RB) Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch is about more than stats. Marshawn Lynch is about skittles, about beast mode, and about creating man-made earthquakes.  

Watching him drag about eight Philadelphia Eagles, three actual bald eagles, and two eagle scouts into the end zone on a play where it looked like he would be stopped for a minimal gain was incredible.

Lynch had a career revival this year and is one of the strongest runners in the NFL. His quirky personality also makes him a great fit for a Madden cover, and it's a distinct possibility that's where he ends up. 

7. Rob Gronkowski: (TE) New England Patriots

Gronk is another guy who burst onto the scene in a huge way this year. He ended up breaking records with 17 receiving touchdowns as a tight end, and also racked up over 1,300 yards.  

He also hung out with a porn star, and, apparently, "is a party."  

Gronkowski—not to be confused with Gostkowski, another Patriot who I'm sure many amateur fantasy owners will mistakenly draft next year—is an absolute physical freak. He's fast, strong, has a tremendous wingspan, and must be an absolute nightmare to defend.  

Interestingly, though, Gronkowski would be the first Patriot ever on a Madden cover, which is odd considering the good teams and superstar quarterback that they've put on the field for the past bunch of seasons.  

I wonder if it's a Belichick thing, a Patriot thing, or just a coincidence.  

6. Darrelle Revis: (CB) New York Jets

Say what you will about the Jets, but "Revis Island" is legit. He is one of a kind in his ability to lock down a go-to receiver and is unquestionably the best cornerback in the game right now.

Normally, defensive players don't make the Madden cover. Ray Lewis was on it in 2005, and Troy Polamalu was a co-coverboy with Larry Fitzgerald in 2010. It makes sense: Defensive players don't usually score touchdowns, put up points, or have a ton of exciting statistical categories to follow.  That's why most fantasy football leagues don't draft individual defensive players, and why they traditionally don't win MVP's or Heisman Trophies.  

Darrelle Revis, though, sticks out for a couple of reasons. He's dynamic when he actually has the ball in his hands. He plays for a popular, big-name team. And he oozes swag—he's one of the rare guys who talks trash and actually backs it up most of the time.  

Darelle Revis is the only defensive player that I could see being on the Madden cover this year, because how many other positions are there in football where nearly everyone agrees on who the best player is?

5. Eli Manning: (QB) New York Giants

There was a lot of doubt this preseason when Eli called himself an elite quarterback, but his play in the last few months has spoken for itself.  

With an NFL record 14 fourth-quarter touchdown passes this season, he has let his play back up his words in a way not many thought he could. And he still has one game left against the Patriots to try and distance himself from the competition—you may have heard about it.  

Eli hasn't always gotten the credit he's probably deserved, but the time is now for the goofy little brother, and he's making the most out of it. After finding his clutch gene and winning some huge games this year, Manning would be an ideal Madden cover candidate.  

Something about his humble, unassuming personality, though, is keeping me from putting him higher on the list.  

4. Cam Newton: (QB) Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton was absolutely electric this year, as he (figuratively) exploded for a rookie record 4,051 yards. To put that into perspective, Donovan McNabb had never thrown for 4,000 yards in his entire career.

More importantly for his Madden hopes, Cameron was dynamic. He was a player that you changed the channel to watch when he was in the red zone—or, at least you would if any Panthers games were ever on basic cable.  

He did what no one thought he could this season: brought hope to the Carolina Panthers franchise. He even made Steve Smith (CAR) the best Steve Smith in the NFL again—sorry, Steve Smith (PHI).  

After his likely Rookie of the Year win, Cam Newton may well plant his mug right on the cover of Madden '13.

3. Tim Tebow (QB) Denver Broncos

Whether you love him or hate him, everyone has their opinion on Tim Tebow.  

Tebow captivated the country in a way few have before him, even relegating the once undefeated Packers to the second-most discussed story of the season.  

Plus, how awesome would the "Tebow Time" element of Madden '13 be? In the footsteps of such additions as Playmaker, QB Vision, and Hit/Truck stick, all players could have separate ratings that came into play in the fourth quarter.  

Tim Tebow on the front cover of Madden would flat-out sell games, and probably help everyone who bought it hit a couple 59-yard field goals.

2. Calvin Johnson, Jr.: (WR) Detroit Lions

If anyone has Madden '12, they are used to Gus Johnson's voice booming out, "They call him Megatron!" every time they play a game with Calvin Johnson. That's because he's amazing. He's the man. He's just really, really, really good.

Plus, I hear he has great manners, too.

Calvin Johnson started out the year on an absolute tear. When he started commanding tons of defensive respect and double teams, he responded the only way he knew how: by just generally jumping over guys, being awesome, and racking up yardage.  

Calvin Johnson would make a great cover athlete because he is such an unstoppable physical specimen. Few players in the game have ever had the physical tools he possesses, and boy does he know how to use them.

Calvin Johnson would be an incredible Madden cover athlete and ambassador, if not for one other player standing in his way.

1. Aaron Rodgers: (QB) Green Bay Packers

This one just makes too much sense.

A guy who had an MVP caliber season with a ridiculous 45 touchdown passes to only six interceptions. A guy who almost led his team to an undefeated season a year after winning a Super Bowl. Perhaps most importantly, a guy who has helped a lot of Packer's fans forget about Brett Favre.

Aaron Rodgers has thrown, ran, and Discount Double Checked his way to becoming this year's likely Madden coverboy. He's incredible on the field, he's likable, and he's funny.  

All things considered, it would be a little surprising to see anyone else on the cover of Madden '13.