Madden 15: Top Player Ratings and Release Date for NFL Video Game

The release of Madden NFL 15 is scheduled for Aug. 26 in North America (Aug. 29 internationally), and the focus for many NFL and video game fans is on the player ratings for the top stars in the league.

From top quarterback Peyton Manning to top defensive back Richard Sherman, the best players in the league were rewarded with the highest ratings for their elite play on the field and their unique physical gifts.

Here is a full list of the top players by position, and a focus on the player who gamers will find the most dangerous in Madden NFL 15.

Top Quarterbacks	Team	Rating
Top Fullbacks	Team	Rating
Top Running Backs	Team	Rating
Top Tight Ends	Team	Rating
Top Wide Receivers	Team	Rating
Top Offensive Linemen	Team	Rating
Top Defensive Ends	Team	Rating
Top Defensive Tackles	Team	Rating
Top Middle Linebackers	Team	Rating
Top Outside Linebackers	Team	Rating
Top Cornerbacks	Team	Rating
Top Free Safeties	Team	Rating
Top Strong Safeties	Team	Rating
Top Kickers and Punters	Team	Rating
Peyton Manning	Denver Broncos	98
Aaron Rodgers	Green Bay Packers	98
Drew Brees	New Orleans Saints	96
Russell Wilson	Seattle Seahawks	93
Tom Brady	New England Patriots	93
John Kuhn	Green Bay Packers	93
Mike Tolbert	Carolina Panthers	92
Marcel Reece	Oakland Raiders	92
Anthony Sherman	Kansas City Chiefs	90
Jerome Felton	Minnesota Vikings	88
Adrian Peterson	Minnesota Vikings	98
LeSean McCoy	Philadelphia Eagles	97
Jamaal Charles	Kansas City Chiefs	97
Matt Forte	Chicago Bears	95
Marshawn Lynch	Seattle Seahawks	95
Jimmy Graham	New Orleans Saints	97
Rob Gronkowski	New England Patriots	96
Vernon Davis	San Francisco 49ers	94
Jason Witten	Dallas Cowboys	93
Greg Olsen	Carolina Panthers	88
Calvin Johnson	Detroit Lions	99
Brandon Marshall	Chicago Bears	96
Andre Johnson	Houston Texans	95
A.J. Green	Cincinnati Bengals	95
Dez Bryant	Dallas Cowboys	94
Joe Thomas	Cleveland Browns	98
Evan Mathis	Philadelphia Eagles	97
Josh Sitton	Green Bay Packers	97
Trent Williams	Washington	95
Joe Staley	San Francisco 49ers	94
J.J. Watt	Houston Texans	99
Robert Quinn	St. Louis Rams	97
Cameron Wake	Miami Dolphins	96
Calais Campbell	Arizona Cardinals	96
Cameron Jordan	New Orleans Saints	93
Muhammad Wilkerson	New York Jets	93
Ndamukong Suh	Detroit Lions	97
Geno Atkins	Cincinnati Bengals	96
Gerald McCoy	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	95
Kyle Williams	Buffalo Bills	95
Jurrell Casey	Tennessee Titans	93
Patrick Willis	San Francisco 49ers	96
NaVorro Bowman	San Francisco 49ers	96
Luke Kuechly	Carolina Panthers	94
Derrick Johnson	Kansas City Chiefs	91
Jerod Mayo	New England Patriots	91
Von Miller	Denver Broncos	96
Aldon Smith	San Francisco 49ers	96
Justin Houston	Kansas City Chiefs	93
Lavonte David	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	93
Robert Mathis	Indianapolis Colts	93
Richard Sherman	Seattle Seahawks	99
Darrelle Revis	New England Patriots	97
Joe Haden	Cleveland Browns	95
Patrick Peterson	Arizona Cardinals	93
Vontae Davis	Indianapolis Colts	92
Jairus Byrd	New Orleans Saints	96
Earl Thomas	Seattle Seahawks	95
Devin McCourty	New England Patriots	94
Eric Weddle	San Diego Chargers	94
Charles Woodson	Oakland Raiders	86
Kam Chancellor	Seattle Seahawks	93
Troy Polamalu	Pittsburgh Steelers	93
T.J. Ward	Denver Broncos	91
Eric Berry	Kansas City Chiefs	90
Reshad Jones	Miami Dolphins	89
Brandon Fields	Miami Dolphins	96
Matt Prater	Denver Broncos	95
Andy Lee	San Francisco 49ers	95
Robbie Gould	Chicago Bears	93
Justin Tucker	Baltimore Ravens	93

*All ratings via EASports.com.

Most Intriguing Player: Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

There are dozens of elite players in this year’s edition of the Madden series, but the most intriguing star for fantasy owners will be Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles.

Charles is the third-highest rated running back in the game, but his skill set makes him one of the most dangerous all-around weapons. The official Twitter account of the Madden brand shared Charles’ ratings for Madden NFL 15:

While your friends and foes will look to Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson and Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy first, it is Charles that offers the most to your Madden team. His 98 speed makes him one of the fastest in the game, but it is the combination of speed with a 99 rating in both elusiveness and ball-carrier vision that makes him the most dynamic outside running back in the game.

Add in his 85 catching rating, and there is no doubt that Charles is the most dangerous player in the game when in open space. Whether it’s a strong toss or a halfback screen pass, the Kansas City back will make tacklers look silly as he runs all over defenses.

As if his skill with the ball wasn’t enough, Charles has worked extensively during the offseason to improve his pass protection, ensuring he will be an every-down back once again this season for the Chiefs.

When asked about his willingness to block on third downs, Charles told Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star about his excitement over laying a big hit on opposing defenders:

"

I just don’t like getting embarrassed when a linebacker tries to bull-rush me. If you bull-rush me, I’m going to come back the next play and cut your legs … next time it’ll slow him down.

[...]

You have to have motivation to do it — you just have to be hungry. You just have to feel like you have to go knock their head off before they knock yours off. That’s my job. I love contact.

"

Chiefs’ reporter Rachel Santschi talks about head coach Andy Reid’s desire to be the best:

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller talked about his confidence in Charles:

While there is always an injury concern for Madden players who use Charles, his health for the majority of last year indicated that he could take the abuse of a long season. The running back carried the ball 259 times in 2013 and added 70 more receptions, proving his durability was not an issue.

Charles went on to add 1,980 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns as well.

For Madden players, trading for Charles in your Connected Career or selecting him early in your fantasy draft is the right move and will yield a huge return.

*Stats via NFL.com.

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