Madden 16: Stars with Best Shot at Being Next Year's Cover Athlete

The New York Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. won the Madden cover vote this year over the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski. The Giants receiver saw his popularity soar as he made dazzling catches and put up huge numbers as a rookie.

The cover voting process was largely different in 2015. There wasn't a representative from each team this year, as has been the case in the past. This time, there were four candidates: Beckham Jr., Gronk, the Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Antonio Brown. This new approach seemed to streamline the process and could return next year.

It's hard to predict who the next four candidates might be in 2016, but there are three players who could be early favorites for the cover of Madden 17. 

Cam Newton

As one of the few true Madden gamers who's actually been close to making the cover in the past, the Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton is one to watch.

Newton is already part of the EA Sports team, as his voice was used in last year's Gauntlet mode.

He is a personable guy with a huge smile, and he's a really good quarterback as well. His Panthers could be considered the favorites to win the NFC South again this season, and that would undoubtedly thrust him into the spotlight. EA Sports Madden NFL even got a kick out of Newton's mean face during a training camp scrum that created some buzz:

Most won't admit it, but training camp scraps involving a QB can be great for the reputation of the man in the red jersey. Newton is poised for a strong year despite losing second-year wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin for the season. He still has tight end Greg Olsen and talented rookie Devin Funchess. If Newton can lead the Panthers back to the postseason, his popularity will rise, as will his chances of making the Madden 17 cover.

Rob Gronkowski

Gronk just missed landing the cover this year, and he looked genuinely disappointed when the announcement was made and OBJ got the honor.

Public perception and opinion about his Patriots could hurt his chances moving forward. But as long as Gronk stays healthy, he should have the performance and statistics to remain the game's best pass-catching tight end. His partying personality helps in this instance and should keep him on EA Sports' radar for the cover.

Aaron Rodgers

Along with Gronk and the Houston Texans' J.J. Watt, the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers is one of three players to receive a 99 overall rating in Madden 16. It seems strange that only one of the top-five-rated quarterbacks has ever been on the cover of the game (New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees). That could change in 2016.

If the Packers blow it up as many expect them to this season, you can bet the NFL MVP will play a pivotal role in his team's success.

With a stout offensive line and receivers like Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, Rodgers has everything he needs to have one of his best seasons. That might be enough to get him the long overdue honor of gracing the cover of Madden.

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Tweeted Images from EA Sports Madden NFL

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