Predicting the 20 Highest Rated Players in Madden NFL 13

The start of summer means just one thing to some people: The Madden release date is just around the corner.

With Madden 13 set to be released on August 28, we already know Calvin "Megatron" Johnson is the cover-man, and we also know one new spin on the game: new announcers—thank god, because I am so sick of Gus Johnson.

Now who those announcers might be? Jim Nantz and Phil Simms—CBS's pair of studs, the best announcers in the NFL.

Now with all that down, there's just a few things that we have yet to learn, one being the player ratings.

In that spirit, let's take a look at my predictions for the 20 highest rated players in Madden 13. 

Jason Pierre-Paul

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 95

Jason Pierre-Paul really jumped onto the scene in 2011 with the New York Giants, as he played a huge part in the team's run to a Super Bowl victory.

Pierre-Paul proved to be an elite pass-rusher, as he racked up 16.5 sacks as well as 86 tackles, forcing two fumbles, deflecting six passes and recording a safety. 

Haloti Ngata

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 95

You might think that the Baltimore Ravens defense is built around Ray Lewis—well, you're wrong. The center of Baltimore's defense is defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.

Ngata is simply an unstoppable force, as he recorded 64 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and deflected five passes in 2011 with the Ravens. 

There's no question that he's the best interior defensive lineman in the game today. 

Rob Gronkowski

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 95

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski set records last season, as he set the single season record for most touchdown receptions by a tight end with 17.

To go along with those 17 touchdowns, Gronk also reeled in 90 passes for a whopping 1,327 receiving yards and proved to be the best tight end in the NFL today. 

Joe Thomas

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 96

He might play for the Cleveland Browns and you might not know his name, but he's the best at this position: Joe Thomas.

There is no one in the game today who's a better left tackle than Thomas is. It's just a real shame that he plays for the lowly Browns. 

Justin Smith

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 96

Justin Smith might not have the greatest stats, but he's certainly a force to be reckoned with.

The San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle racked up 58 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass deflections in 2011 and was arguably the most important part of San Francisco's defensive success this past season. 

Arian Foster

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 96

The highest rated running back: Arian Foster. There should be no debate.

Foster continued his dominance in 2011, as he accumulated 1,224 rushing yards and punched in 10 touchdowns while snagging 53 passes for an impressive 617 yards and two touchdowns.

For an all-around running back, there is no one much better than Foster. 

Wes Welker

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 96

For being a possession receiver, there is no one better than Wes Welker. 

Welker continued his reign of dominance with the New England Patriots in 2011, as he recorded 122 receptions for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. 

It certainly helps when he has Tom Brady throwing him passes—but he's arguably the best at what he does. 

Troy Polamalu

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 96

Troy Polamalu is just a very special player—you can't deny that. 

In 2011, Polamalu racked up an incredible 91 tackles, one sack, 14 pass deflections and two interceptions. 

Having Polamalu roam around the secondary is a huge luxury for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he's as good as it gets for safeties. 

DeMarcus Ware

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 96

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware had yet another remarkable season in 2011 as he finished with a phenomenal 19.5 sacks while tallying up 58 tackles, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections.

Ware is arguably the greatest play-making pass-rusher in the NFL today. 

Eli Manning

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 96

If there's going to be a "clutch rating" in Madden 13, then Eli Manning needs to be a 99. 

But for an overall rating, there's nothing wrong with 96.

I certainly feel that Manning is the fourth best quarterback in the game today, as he posted a 92.9 quarterback rating in the team's run to the Super Bowl. Along with that 92.9 quarterback rating, Manning accumulated 4,933 yards on 61 percent passing while tossing 29 touchdowns compared to just 16 interceptions. 

Jared Allen

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 97

You might not realize it, but Jared Allen had a remarkable 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings, as he fell just a half sack short of the single season record with 22 total sacks.

Allen was arguably the only bright spot for the Vikings in 2011, as he was their heart and soul.

The Vikings need to start winning fast, as Allen is 30 years old and is in the prime of his career. They don't want those years to go wasted. 

Larry Fitzgerald

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 97

You can't get much better than Larry Fitzgerald. He can do it all at the wide receiver position.

Fitzgerald caught only 80 passes in 2011, but that's due to an inconstancy at the quarterback position, but still managed to accumulated a phenomenal 1,411 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. 

If Kevin Kolb or John Skelton can take their game to the next level in 2012, then Fitzgerald's numbers are going to be freakishly dominating. 

Andy Lee

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 97

Andy Lee...wait, who? 

Yeah, that's right. A punter. The punter for the San Francisco 49ers—the best in the game today.

Lee has the ability to change games with his punts, as he can really pin teams' back deep in their own end—and he certainly helps San Fran win the field position battle.

Lee had a remarkable 2011 campaign, as he averaged 50.9 yards per punt and landed 28 punts inside the 20-yard line and 14 punts inside the 10.

There's no debate that Lee is the best punter in the NFL entering 2012. 

Patrick Willis

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 97

Patrick Willis is the face of the San Francisco 49ers' defense. 

Willis is the top linebacker in the NFL, as he's an absolute monster and a tackling machine.

Despite missing three games in 2011, Willis still managed to rack up 97 tackles while adding in two sacks, one interception, 12 pass deflections and an impressive four forced fumbles. 

Willis can do it all: He's a bone-bruising tackler who comes up with huge plays in critical situations. 

Calvin Johnson

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 97

The Madden 13 cover-man: Calvin Johnson—the best wide receiver in the NFL.

Megatron was virtually unstoppable in 2011, as he reeled in 96 receptions for a whopping 1,681 yards while scoring a remarkable16 touchdowns.

I have a feeling that in Madden 13, all you're going to have to do is throw it in Johnson's direction and he's going to come up with the ball—which isn't all that far off from real life. 

Darrelle Revis

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 97

2011 was just another season for Darrelle Revis, as he continued his dominance over the NFL's best wide receivers.

Revis shutdown nearly every single man who lined up across him while adding in 21 pass deflections and four interceptions, with one of those being returned for a touchdown.

I'll give you all advice: In real life, no one throws Revis' way—so don't even think about doing it in Madden 13, because he'll likely pick it off. 

Sebastian Janikowski

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 98

This might be somewhat boring to you, but you have to realize how amazing Sebastian Janikowski really is.

Janikowski drilled 31-of-35 field goals in 2011 for the Oakland Raiders, as he made a remarkable 7-of-10 from 50-plus yards—with his longest being 63. 

Janikowski finished with 129 total points and is without a doubt the top kicker in the NFL. 

Drew Brees

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 98

Drew Brees, the single-season holder for most passing yards in a season, will without a doubt be at least a 98 in Madden 13. 

Brees had a legendary season in 2011, as he posted an 110.6 quarterback rating while completing a remarkable 71.2 percent of his passes and finishing with 46 touchdown receptions.

You can't deny that production—it's insane. 

Tom Brady

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 98

Tom Brady is like a fine wine—he gets better with age.

2011 was just another stellar season for Brady, as he finished with an 105.6 quarterback rating as well 39 touchdowns on 65.6 percent passing and was intercepted just 12 times.

If you ask me, Brady is just going to be even more unstoppable in Madden 13, simply because of the development and dominance of tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. 

Aaron Rodgers

Predicted Madden 13 Rating: 99

Aaron Rodgers being a 99? No question about it.

The 2011 NFL Most Valuable Player rightfully deserves that rating. 

Rodgers threw for 4,643 yards on 68.3 percent passing while tossing 45 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions and recorded an amazing 122.5 quarterback rating—while doing all of this and still missing one game at the final week of the season.

Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense in Madden 13 will likely be something that you'll want to avoid when playing online.