Madden NFL 21 is out, and the game's best player isn't the cover athlete, Lamar Jackson. The best player in the NFL simulation game is going to be HB Christian McCaffrey. He's a fantasy football superstar, and part of the 99 OVR club. There's four other players who have 99 OVR ratings, including Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is tied with Aaron Donald, Michael Thomas and Stephen Gilmore as the highest-rated players in the game.
Mahomes will be the best player at the most important position in Madden, but there's a host of other quarterback options besides the Chiefs gunslinger. Along those same lines, Michael Thomas might be the easiest player to use in the game, but there is plenty of other highly rated options at the Wide Receiver position. As for Stephen Gilmore, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, his ratings are high but user-controlled cornerbacks are rare as players usually prefer controlling a linebacker, lineman, or safety on defense.
Christian McCaffrey is going to be the most valuable player on Madden 21's roster for two reasons. First, he plays a crucial position, halfback. Second, his player ratings are through the roof. Being 99 OVR allows McCaffrey to play halfback like no one else in the game. His perfect blend of pass-catching ability and running power, with high spin move and vision ratings, making him the ideal Madden back. He's perfect for all three downs, and possibly a sneaky pass to convert on fourth down. The four closest competitors at the halfback position all have catching stats below 75, and McCaffrey's 82 is the highest halfback in the league. He's the only halfback in the game who catches like a receiver and still has high juke and spin moves.
The only weakness McCaffrey's Madden avatar has is power. Medium break tackle and trucking stats are the only thing he lacks. Luckily, there's plenty of discount options with high trucking and break tackle in this year's Madden, such as Jacksonville's Leonard Fournette or Washignton Football Team's Derrius Guice.
The hardest player to predict in this year's Madden is RE Aaron Donald. The all-new pass rush system is Madden 21's biggest gameplay change from last year's edition. There's going to be a system for offensive linemen to remember which pass-rush moves a defender has tried, and which side they're going to go, as well as a special X-factor ability that causes linemen to forget all the moves pass rushers have tried, and Aaron Donald is the only player that has it. Depending on how powerful that new mechanics for pass rushing ends up being, Donald could be the most influential player on the field.
Between the five players in the 99 OVR club, there is not a bad choice to build a franchise. However, with his easy domination and unique moves, Christian McCaffrey is going to be the best player in the game. Aaron Donald will be the most powerful defensive player, especially with his unique ability. Mahomes may be the best quarterback, but McCaffrey is going to be the '04 Mike Vick of Madden '21.
