Madden 16: Stars Who Won't Live Up to Their NFL Player Ratings
The New York Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. isn't going to flop in 2015, but it seems hard to imagine him living up to the hype he generated as a rookie.
The Madden NFL 16 cover athlete will begin Madden season with a 94 overall rating. Defenses in real life and in the game will be keying on Beckham in his second season.
With real-life defensive coordinators making him the focal point of their strategy, Beckham will find it harder to rip defenses to shreds. The Giants will also welcome back Victor Cruz to their receiving corps. He won't be ignored in the offense.
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Cruz and Beckham are similar types of receivers, and the former's presence is bound to take some targets away from the latter.
He may only see a slight drop-off in 2015, but Beckham won't have another season quite like his rookie year.
NaVorro Bowman, 93 Overall Rating
The San Francisco 49ers defense has been gutted by retirements and castoffs. NaVorro Bowman remains, but he missed all of the 2014 season after a serious knee injury suffered in the 2013 NFC Championship Game.
Bowman will have to raise his game just to maintain the same level. He'll be playing alongside a defense that probably won't be as good as the one he played on in 2013.
According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, Bowman's teammate, Marcus Martin, says the veteran is looking in top form. “He’s looking 100 percent out there," he said. "He’s rolling right now.”
Even if Bowman proves that he hasn't lost a step, his production seems destined to drop on an inferior defensive unit.
Marshawn Lynch, 96 Overall Rating
It appears the Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch is nearly indestructible, but he is 29 years old. That's usually when running backs begin to show significant decline. As good as Lynch has been, it'll take a monster season for him to live up to his lofty overall rating.
Seattle's offensive line might experience a drop-off, and that'll definitely have an adverse effect on Lynch. The line lost center Max Unger and will be replacing him with Lemuel Jeanpierre.
With Lynch doing most of his work between the tackles, he may not see the same holes he's grown accustomed to.
Fewer holes equals fewer yards and lower ratings.
All player ratings courtesy of EASports.com.
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