NFL 12 Rookie Ratings: Top Defensive Linemen.

A fresh infusion of talent by way of the NFL draft is the surest way your favorite team can build for the future. Why do you think we always debate the top draft classes and not the top free agency classes of all time? We get excited adding rookies to Madden NFL 12 too. Rather than tweaking and adjusting ratings for the same old veterans we get to build new guys from scratch, projecting how they’ll transition to the pro game. If only their coaches could do that.

Here’s a look at the top rookie defensive linemen in Madden NFL 12. These guys can make all the difference in your blitz packages as the CPU is going to be in control of most of your D-linemen more often than not. The 2011 NFL draft was deep in defensive line talent, at least on paper. In Madden NFL 12, as in the NFL itself, these guys can be penciled in as anchors to any defense.

10. Da’Quan Bowers – DE - TB - 74 OVR

9. Cameron Heyward – DE - PIT - 74 OVR

8. Phil Taylor – DT - CLE - 74 OVR

7. Corey Liuget – DE - SD - 75 OVR

6. Nick Fairley – DT - DET - 77 OVR

5. Cameron Jordan – DE - NO - 77 OVR

4. Adrian Clayborn – DE - TB - 78 OVR

3. Robert Quinn – DE - STL - 78 OVR

2. J.J. Watt – DE - HOU - 80 OVR

1. Marcell Dareus – DE - BUF - 82 OVR

Two quick observations: a) Marcell Dareus’ skills and athletic ability must be tremendous if he’s sharing the honor of top rookie with Patrick Peterson and b) Tampa Bay’s 4-3 is going to be a force in Madden NFL 12. Also, it will be interesting to go through Nick Fairley’s individual ratings with a microscope after everybody flipped at the thought of him teaming up with Ndmukong Suh during the NFL Draft.

We’ll be consistently updating all rosters and all players during the 2011 NFL season, so these lists are just a starting point. Keep it here for more on Madden NFL 12 rookies, ratings and info.

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