Predicting Madden Ratings for the Top 10 2012 NFL Draft Prospects

EA Sports' standby Madden NFL gets the common critique of being a yearly roster update with a new cover player. That may be a fair critique, but for many teams these roster additions can be a major cause for excitement and concern.

None of these additions are more important than the ones made through the NFL Draft. In addition to being the new faces of the team (and subject to awkward filler commentary sentences), they can bring a new dynamic to both sides of the ball that can make them tricky to play against, whether they're played by the computer or online. 

However, before these players join the rosters, it's important that they get a ranking appropriate for their skill set.

It's one thing to mock draft them onto their future teams. It's quite a different animal to draft them into their respective video game stat categories.

Here are the Madden rankings for the top 10 prospects of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

The consensus No. 1 draft pick, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is a great combination of physical ability and intelligence. He should fit in with a pro-style offense with ease.

Ratings

Throw Power: 85

Throw Accuracy: 80

Throw Short: 85

Throw Mid: 83

Throw Deep: 81

Awareness: 60

Speed: 70

Overall Player Ranking:  83

Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

With several teams vying for a legitimate quarterback to build around, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III will have his name tossed around in conversations for the No. 2 overall pick. He's the real deal: a pocket passer with athletic skills few can match. He will make his new team very happy.

Ratings

Throw Power: 88

Throw Accuracy: 79

Throw Short: 79

Throw Mid: 80

Throw Deep: 79

Awareness: 50

Speed: 90 (He was a member of Baylor's track team and qualified for Olympic trials)

Overall Player Ranking:  82

Matt Kalil, OT (University of Southern California)

The ultimate offensive line prospect, USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil is a great combination of great athleticism and smart play. His footwork is immaculate. He has impressed a lot of people with his combine work.

Ratings

Speed: 74

Strength: 86

Awareness: 53

Run Block: 83

Pass Block: 81

Overall Player Ranking: 83

Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma St.)

The top wide receiver in the class, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon will have multiple teams interested in bringing him into the fold.

While there are some questions about his past activities off the field, most notably a DUI arrest in 2010, he has been nearly spotless on it.

Ratings

Speed: 85

Acceleration: 86

Strength: 83

Catching: 87

Awareness: 60

Jumping: 90

Overall Player Ranking:  84

Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

A top three pick in a less quarterback-dominant draft, Alabama running back Trent Richardson can do it all on the football field. He can run confidently and slip through opposing tacklers with ease. He is also effective at catching the ball in the backfield.

Look for him to be an immediate contributor on the Madden field.

Ratings

Speed: 88

Acceleration: 87

Strength: 81

Agility: 84

Awareness: 55

Catching: 85

Overall Player Ranking:   82

Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

LSU's Morris Claiborne has established himself as the top secondary talent going into the draft, and will be an effective contributor at the pro level immediately. He has been praised for his excellent ball-catching skills for someone playing cornerback.

Ratings

Speed: 87

Acceleration: 84

Tackle: 83

Awareness: 70

Jumping: 86

Overall Player Ranking:  81

Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Quinton Coples, out of North Carolina, has developed a reputation for aggressively pursuing the ball. He had an excellent Senior Bowl performance, improving his rank with many scouts.

Ratings

Speed: 86

Acceleration: 88

Strength: 84

Tackle: 82

Awareness:  64

Overall Player Ranking:  80

Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff has impressed many scouts with his above-average size and hustle. While he will have some work to do to improve his blocking to adjust to the pro game, he has shown that he will put in the necessary effort to justify the high draft pick.  

Ratings

Speed: 72

Strength: 85

Awareness: 60

Run Block: 83

Pass Block: 80

Overall Player Ranking: 81

Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

Taking full advantage of his size and athleticism, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers has impressed a lot of people with his aggressiveness. While he will need to work to be as effective rushing against the pass as he is going against the run, Brockers should find himself right in the thick of his new team's defensive schemes right away.

Ratings

Speed: 82

Acceleration: 80

Strength: 88

Tackle: 86

Awareness:  60

Overall Player Ranking:  80

Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly has impressed many with his tackling abilities, stacking up huge numbers (in an admittedly lousy defense). While he will have to work to adjust to the pro game and avoiding buildups at the line, he should be a solid starter right away.

Ratings

Speed: 81

Acceleration: 80

Strength: 85

Tackle: 85

Awareness:  70

Overall Player Ranking:  82