Madden 2013: Power Ranking Players Left in NFL Video Game Cover Contest

Madden 2013 will undoubtedly be one of the best video games of the year, and the contest to decide who graces the front cover is just starting to heat up.

ESPN SportsNation has the voting process, which is done by the fans this year. I love the idea of getting the fans involved because it gives them a vested interest in what is going on with the game.

If voting for the cover doesn’t get the limited players who weren’t going to buy the game to the store, nothing will. All of the following players have the chance to grace the Madden cover, but there is a realistic pecking order.

Here it is!

UPDATE: Wednesday, April 11, 10:38 a.m. ET by Donald Wood

After a week of deliberation, the final voting for the third round of the 2013 Madden Cover contest has given the fans their final four.

In the first semifinals matchup, No. 1 seed Cam Newton will square off with No. 11 seed Patrick Willis. As good as the 49ers linebacker’s Cinderella run has been, Cam Newton and his swag are just too much.

The other semifinal battle royal will see No. 1 seed Aaron Rodgers square off with No. 6 seed Calvin Johnson. While Megatron offers the Madden cover artists far more creative freedom, the people love Aaron Rodgers.

With the matchups set, I predict Cam Newton vs. Aaron Rodgers for the Madden cover title, with Newton going on to be the 2013 video game king.

---------------End of Update---------------

No. 1: Cam Newton

As much as experts and scouts said that Cam Newton would not find success in the NFL, the young star defied the odds and came out of his rookie season as a fan favorite.

With 35 touchdowns (21 passing, 14 rushing) and enough swagger to sink a ship, Newton has shown the NFL fans that he is video-game good and deserves the Madden 2013 cover.

No. 2:  Aaron Rodgers

While it may be best for Newton’s career if he isn’t on the cover of the game, one star player too good to be bitten by the Madden curse is Aaron Rodgers. With over 4,600 yards and 45 passing touchdowns, no one on this list deserves the honor of being the Madden cover boy more.

No. 3: Rob Gronkowski

My upset pick to win it all has to be New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Gronk has become a cultural phenomenon outside of football, which bodes well for a long run in the voting process because of his notoriety. Spiking watermelons doesn’t hurt, either.

No. 4: Patrick Willis

Another Cinderella story that has a chance to continue is also the only defender left on the board—49ers star middle linebacker Patrick Willis. One of the hardest hitters in the league, Willis and his quiet demeanor and hard-hitting style make him a perfect candidate for the cover art.

No. 5: Victor Cruz

While Victor Cruz is still riding the high of the dream Super Bowl run, the wide receiver’s run towards the Madden cover will be no more. As good as his last few months have been, Cruz doesn't have the mainstream appeal to grace a video game.

Dance about that, Cruz!

No. 6:  Calvin Johnson

While Megatron is a complete animal on the field, he is non-typical wide receiver in the sense that he doesn’t spend his free time running his mouth. The man plays a huge game and leaves it all on the field, but that won’t help him when facing the popular Rob Gronkowski.

Johnson's Megatron nickname would make designing cover art for Madden 2013 amazing, and he should win on that premise alone.

No. 7: Ray Rice

As good as the Baltimore Ravens running back has been over the last few seasons, he just doesn’t have the mainstream appeal to get him over the hump of facing Aaron Rodgers.

Rice is a great running back, but Rodgers will destroy him in the fan voting. It was a good run, though.

No. 8: Larry Fitzgerald

I can’t believe that I have arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL as the least likely person to grace the cover. Something is wrong with that. With the talent in this year’s bracket and Fitzgerald’s lack of production with a hodgepodge of QBs slinging the ball in Arizona, its not his fault.

Plus, he already was on the cover once. It should be once a career; you hear me Madden?

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

Follow @Donald_Wood