Madden NFL 16 Player Ratings: Top 5 Defensive Ends Revealed

It can't be a settling sight to see a defensive end bounding around the edge and heading right at you. For NFL quarterbacks, it's just a hazard of the job; for your team in Madden 16, it might spell a loss. 

On Tuesday, EA Sports announced the game's top five-rated defensive ends with a mix of the usual suspects along with some newer stars. Here is a look at their rankings:    

Rank	Player	Team	Overall	Notable Stat Ratings
1	J.J. Watt	Houston Texans	99	99 Power Move, 98 Pursuit, 97 Strength, 97 Tackle, 97 Block Shedding
2	Muhammad Wilkerson	New York Jets	96	94 Strength, 97 Block Shredding, 96 Tackle, 96 Pursuit
3	Michael Bennett	Seattle Seahawks	95	91 Strength, 91 Tackle, 94 Power Move
4	Calais Campbell	Arizona Cardinals	95	94 Pursuit, 92 Tackle, 87 Strength
5	Cameron Wake	Miami Dolphins	94	96 Power Move, 93 Pursuit, 79 Tackle

There should have been little doubt that J.J. Watt was going to be the top-rated defensive end in Madden 16. 

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is coming off another stellar campaign in which he recorded 20.5 sacks and 59 tackles. It was the second time in his four-year career that he has registered 20.5 sacks.

He can turn a game upside down in one play, and as he proved last season with three touchdown receptions, it could happen on the offensive end as well. 

From the AFC South to the AFC East, New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson moves up to second-best in the league even though he experienced a down season. 

Wilkerson answered a 2013 season in which he sacked the quarterback 10.5 times with one in which he recorded six sacks and 31 tackles in 13 games. He prepares to lead a Jets defense that could be under some pressure as it might be forced to win some games to help out a weaker offense.

While Sheldon Richardson serves his suspension, Jets fans will get a chance to see Wilkerson working with rookie Leonard Williams, a duo that could put up some big-time numbers next season.

Appearing in Madden's top five again are the Miami Dolphins' Cameron Wake and the Arizona Cardinals' Calais Campbell. 

Wake ranked 11th in the league in 2014 with 11.5 sacks and will be joined by Ndamukong Suh on a Dolphins team that will make a serious push for the AFC East crown next season. 

Campbell is not near the top of the sack chart, but he only trailed Watt and the New York Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul for tackles among defensive ends last season. With superior speed at the end, Campbell is able to hit the edge and find his way in the backfield quicker than anyone in the league.

There is one player who makes Madden's list after being left off last season. Seattle Seahawks end Michael Bennett has developed into a proven member of one of the best defenses in the NFL in his first two seasons with the team.

In the past three seasons, Bennett has recorded seven sacks or more as Seattle attempts to win its third consecutive NFC championship. 

Though these defensive ends find themselves on different ends of the standings, there is no doubt that they are the best in the business. So when looking for that player to put your defensive line over the top, take a look at these five.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.