J.J. Watt Rated 99 in Madden Again

Once again #99, J.J. Watt, has a rating that reflects his number

On the NFL Top 100 countdown, Cam Newton was listed as the top player in the NFL. But the experts at EA disagree. They rated four players with the top possible rating of 99, and once again Watt was among them.

The others were linebackers Von Miller and Luke Kuechly, the former the reigning Super Bowl MVP and the latter the leader of the Carolina Panthers stingy defense. The lone offensive player that received the 99 rating was Rob Gronkowski.

It comes as no surprise that any of these players get the rating that they got, but how many players are really deserving of the rating? Should the top player at every position get the top possible rating?

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The argument says that in essence, all the players are being rated against one another so on a curve they are compared to the best, and they should be graded accordingly. What makes the best player at one position inferior to the best at another?

The opposite approach says that the 99 rating should only be reserved for the top player in the league since nobody can measure up to him. Well, maybe one on offense and one on defense.

Moreover, I was surprised no quarterback was rated 99. They have the most impact on the team. There are teams out there that if they lost their quarterback, they would be totally toast. Not that that instantly makes them worthy of a 99 rating but considering the importance of the position I expected it.

But back to the players that did get a 99, I don’t think either Miller or Kuechly have the impact that Watt does. Miller was simply living off of his Super Bowl MVP reputation. He’s a great player without a doubt, but he doesn’t have the impact on the game that Watt does.

As for Kuechly, he’s a smart middle linebacker and the best in the league. He plays well in the run and passing games and is as smart as they come. But I wouldn’t put him quite at 99 because I too don’t think he has the impact that Watt does.

Gronk is the cover boy so it comes as no surprise that he is given the top rating. But honestly, is he the first offensive player you would take if you were building a team (other than quarterbacks)? I don’t think so.

Yes, when he’s healthy he’s an elite playmaker, but his injury history is concerning to me. I would take a receiver like Antonio Brown or Julio Jones because they haven’t taken the hits that Gronk has, so they should have more time left. With another year like last year, DeAndre Hopkins could be in that same conversation.