The latest iteration of the Madden video game franchise is due out soon, and info about the rosters is slowly being streamed out to fans. As is customary, some of the first news to be shared is the overall ratings for the incoming rookie class. Here's Buffalo's:
75 | Shaq Lawson | OLB
74 | Reggie Ragland | ILB
70 | Adolphus Washington | DL
66 | Cardale Jones | QB
67 | Jonathan Williams | RB
66 | Kolby Listenbee | WR
63 | Kevon Seymour | CB
The ratings were shared courtesy of ESPN's Mike Rodak:
Madden overall ratings for Bills rookies:
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) July 21, 2016
OLB Shaq Lawson: 75
ILB Reggie Ragland: 74
DL Adolphus Washington:... https://t.co/0QvEhKdosT
It may be of slight interest that Jones has a lower rating than Jonathan Williams, which could reflect the fact that Williams was considered a stronger pro prospect before his injury, or that Jones is a project, or that Madden tends to be bearish on rookie quarterbacks in general. Also of note in Jones' rating is his 96/99 throw power, mentioned in this promo video recorded by EA Sports:
The throw power should make him an appealing player to take through a career in the game, especially if it corresponds with high scores in areas like speed and tackle breaking.
The top rating in this year's class belongs to Jalen Ramsey, who scored an 82. Top quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz both scored a 77, and Ezekiel Elliott rated an 80. Lawson and Ragland stack up pretty well with the rest of the competition, at least from a birds-eye view.