Madden 2012: Predicting the 50 Highest Rated Offensive Players

Brace yourself football fans, Madden 12 is set to be released August 30, and it's being hyped up to be the "best football game of this generation." 

The game may be in stores the 30th, but ESPN has already released a sneak peak at how players are being rated. 

Here are the offensive players that I'm projecting to be the top offensive players in Madden 12. 

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50. Kris Dielman

Predicted Madden Rating: 86

Offensive guard Kris Dielman made All-Pro in 2008 and 2009 for the San Diego Chargers and is rather unknown across the NFL. 

49. Dallas Clark

Predicted Madden Rating: 86

2010 was an injury-plagued year for Dallas Clark, but there's not a doubt in my mind that he'll be back in a big way this year. 

48. Andre Gurode

Predicted Madden Rating: 86

Andre Gurode is a versatile part of Dallas' offensive line as he's started 122 games for guard and center for the Cowboys—but he's emerged as a dominant center over the past couple of years. 

47. Rashard Mendenhall

Predicted Madden Rating: 87

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall was a touchdown machine in 2010 as he punched in 13 scores last year as well as rushing for 1,273 yards. 

46. Anquan Boldin

Predicted Madden Rating: 87

Anquan Boldin's first year in Baltimore was rather disappointing as he only caught 64 passes—I am expecting more from him in 2011, as he's still one talented, playmaking wide receiver. 

45. Leonard Davis

Predicted Madden Rating: 87

Despite being labeled a bust after being selected out of Arizona, Leonard Davis has settled into right guard for the Dallas Cowboys and is one of the league's best. 

44. Chris Snee

Predicted Madden Rating: 87

Chris Snee is a mean offensive guard that is a massive force along New York's offensive line. 

43. Ryan Kalil

Predicted Madden Rating: 87

Center Ryan Kalil is the anchor to a rather surprising quality offensive line for the Carolina Panthers. 

42. Dwayne Bowe

Predicted Madden Rating: 88

Dwayne Bowe was a touchdown machine for the Kansas City Chiefs last year as he caught a career-high 15 touchdowns but only caught 72 passes. 

41. Wes Welker

Predicted Madden Rating: 88

Wes Welker managed to snag 86 passes last year for the Patriots, but believe it or not, it was a career-low while being in a Patriots' uniform. 

40. Brandon Marshall

Predicted Madden Rating: 89 

During Brandon Marshall's first year in Miami, he certainly took a dip in production but was still a dominating receiver as he caught 86 passes for just three touchdowns. 

39. DeSean Jackson

Predicted Madden Rating: 89

DeSean Jackson will likely be the fastest player in Madden 12 as well as being one of the game's greatest deep-threat receivers. 

38. Jordan Gross

Predicted Madden Rating: 89

Left tackle Jason Gross is definitely a strength on a rather weak Carolina Panthers' roster. 

37. Carl Nicks

Predicted Madden Rating: 89

Carl Nicks is quietly emerging as a dominating interior linemen as he allowed only 14 quarterback pressures in 2010.  

36. Ray Rice

Predicted Madden Rating: 89

Ray Rice's numbers were down a bit in 2010 compared to 2009, but he should get back on track in 2011, especially with Baltimore's passing game progressively getting better. 

35. Michael Turner

Predicted Madden Rating: 90

Michael Turner was an intregal part in Atlanta's offense in 2010 as he ran for an incredible 1,371 yards. 

34. Frank Gore

Predicted Madden Rating: 90 

When healthy, Frank Gore is usually a sure-lock for 100 yards each game. 

33. Matt Schaub

Predicted Madden Rating: 90

Matt Schaub has an accurate arm and is always a threat when he's slinging the ball to Andre Johnson. 

32. Maurkice Pouncey

Predicted Madden Rating: 91

Maurkice Pouncey is not only the center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he's the anchor for the team's offensive line. 

31. Vernon Davis

Predicted Madden Rating: 91

Vernon Davis may be a controversial player, but he's still an extremely productive tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. 

30. Alex Mack

Predicted Madden Rating: 92

After Nick Mangold comes Alex Mack, and he's one of the league's most unknown centers. 

29. Arian Foster

Predicted Madden Rating: 92

You may argue that this is rather low for the NFL's leading rusher, but Arian Foster still has to prove that he's not an one-year-wonder. 

28. Jason Witten

Predicted Madden Rating: 92

The Dallas Cowboys may have struggled in 2010, but Jason Witten didn't as he reeled in 94 passes for 1,002 yards while scoring nine touchdowns. 

27. Matt Ryan

Predicted Madden Rating: 92

Matt Ryan's 28 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in 2010 is good enough to land him a rating of 92. 

26. Jahri Evans

Predicted Madden Rating: 93

New Orleans Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans has quietly become one of the league's most dependable blockers. 

25. Greg Jennings

Predicted Madden Rating: 93

After winning Super Bowl XLV, Greg Jennings proved to the league that he's an elite receiver. 

24. Ben Roethlisberger

Predicted Madden Rating: 93

Ben Roethlisberger has one of the biggest arms in football and is arguably one of the league's gutsiest performers. 

23. Nick Mangold

Predicted Madden Rating: 94

When it comes to the center position, there's no one better in the business than Nick Mangold. 

22. Michael Roos

Predicted Madden Rating: 94

Not too many people are aware of Michael Roos, but realize, he's an elite pass blocker and a key part in Chris Johnson's rushing attack. 

21. Steven Jackson

Predicted Madden Rating: 94

Steven Jackson has been St. Louis' best player for quite sometime now and will continue his greatness in 2011, as he'll likely be rated at a solid 94. 

20. Ryan Clady

Predicted Madden Rating: 95

Ryan Clady missed all of 2010 due to a torn patella tendon but will return to All-Pro caliber in 2011.  

19. Maurice Jones-Drew

Predicted Madden Rating: 95

Maurice Jones-Drew is the lone bright star on Jacksonville's roster, and he's one hell of a rushing threat. 

18. Calvin Johnson

Predicted Madden Rating: 94

Come on, Calvin Johnson isn't nicknamed "Megatron" for nothing! 

17. Reggie Wayne

Predicted Madden Rating: 95

Anytime Peyton Manning is throwing the ball to Reggie Wayne, he'll be an elite wide receiver.

16. Jamaal Charles

Predicted Madden Rating: 95

Jamaal Charles emerged as the league's most explosive running back in 2010 with his stellar 6.4 yards-per-carry. 

15. Logan Mankins

Predicted Madden Rating: 95

There's a reason why Logan Mankins held out for nearly the majority of 2010—because he wasn't being paid as the top offensive guard in football, which he is. 

14. Larry Fitzgerald

Predicted Madden Rating: 95

Larry Fitzgerald managed to still stay productive in 2010, despite not having a true quarterback as he reeled in 90 passes for six touchdowns.

With the new addition of Kevin Kolb, hopefully Fitzgerald will be a bit easy to get the ball to in Madden.  

13. Roddy White

Predicted Madden Rating: 96

Roddy White had a breakout year in 2010 as he reeled in 115 balls for 10 touchdowns. 

White is well-deserving of a 96 overall. 

12. Philip Rivers

Predicted Madden Rating: 96

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tossed 30 touchdowns to go along with his career-high 4,710 total passing yards in 2010. 

Rivers has now emerged as an elite quarterback. 

11. Joe Thomas

Predicted Madden Rating: 96

I wouldn't be surprised if you're not familiar with left tackle Joe Thomas, but let me put it this way—he's one of the best left tackles in the NFL, despite playing for the Cleveland Browns. 

10. Drew Brees

Predicted Madden Rating: 96

Drew Brees had a rather disappointing 2010 season, as he was intercepted 22, but he'll be back and ready to go in 2011 in one of the league's most dangerous offenses. 

9. Andre Johnson

Predicted Madden Rating: 97

Andre Johnson is the league's most well-rounded wide receiver; he can do it all.

Despite playing just 13 games last year, Johnson managed to reel in 86 balls for 1,216 yards while scoring eight times. 

8. Chris Johnson

Predicted Madden Rating: 97

Despite Chris Johnson's current contract issue, he is still the league's most explosive and elusive running back. 

I'm sure that we all know how fast CJ really as, as we've been probably burned by him in Madden. 

7. Michael Vick

Predicted Madden Rating: 97

2010 was Michael Vick's coming out party as a new and improved version of himself. 

Vick is now more of a pocket passer and should continue his growth as one of the league's most explosive players. 

6. Adrian Peterson

Predicted Madden Rating: 98

Adrian Peterson is NFL's most dominant running back as he's averaged an incredible 4.8 yards-per-carry during his four-year career. 

5. Jake Long

Predicted Madden Rating: 98

Jake Long may play for the Miami Dolphins, but he is the best left tackle in the game—by far, the most important offensive line position of them all. 

4. Aaron Rodgers

Predicted Madden Rating: 98

Aaron Rodgers is the reigning Super Bowl MVP and is arguably the league's most dynamic passer.

Rodgers has always put up solid numbers and should really light up the sky in 2011. 

3. Peyton Manning

Madden Rating: 98

Status: Even

Besides Tom Brady, Peyton Manning is the league's most dominating passer.

There's no question that Manning is an elite player, considering that he's rated 98 overall. 

2. Antonio Gates

Predicted Madden Rating: 99

When healthy, Antonio Gates is the NFL's most dominating and almost uncover-able wide receiver.

In 2010, Gates snagged 50 balls for 782 yards and 10 touchdowns in just 10 games played—now imagine how impressive his numbers would be if he played all 16.  

1. Tom Brady

Predicted Madden Rating: 99 

How can you not expect the reigning NFL's Most Valuable Player not to be rated as a 99 overall? 

Tom Brady became the first player in league history to be honored as an unanimous winner—that says a lot. 

Brady posted an 111.0 quarterback rating while accumulating 3,900 yards and tossing 36 touchdowns and only being picked off four times.