At the beginning of the cycle, before games had gotten going and we had any sense of what would go down between high-powered offenses and new faces in PML, I predicted a superstar for each team in the league, who had to start the cycle at normal dev. I’ll now revisit my predictions and see if they boomed, busted, or are still potentially developing.
If you want specifics, these predictions were made after three games played, when I was still considered a contender.
Awful Prediction
There’s Still Hope
What a Call!
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NFC
Bears: SAM LB Ruben Hyppolite II
“I believe I can get this fast rookie linebacker up in overall and dev trait. He has the makings of a Madden PML linebacker and is in the hands of a good defensive user.”
He didn’t play all the well and I am no good defensive user like I used to think. However, he is a star dev so one lucky practice dev and the prediction cashes.
Packers: HB MarShawn Lloyd
“Josh Jacobs is old, slow, and expensive so I see Cruz shifting to the rookie who surprisingly is normal dev. It’s not too hard to work running backs up and the Packers have the speed threats on the outside to lighten the box.”
Yeah, he was an old rookie, but Cruz just signed Jaylen Warren to be Josh Jacobs’ handcuff so the Lloyd dream is dead.
Lions: 2026-2027 Rookie QB
“The offense is pretty set outside QB and the Lions don’t have buildable defensive pieces yet so I think Goff’s replacement completes the offense.”
Goff is a free agent ahead of schedule and Detroit sits with pick 7.
Vikings: CB Isaiah Rodgers Sr
“He’s still young enough to build and he’s pretty good, the offense is good and full of stars and JJ McCarthy is going to get it moving. Dallas Turner and the pass rush should give Drama a chance to build up a defensive back.”
He’s not bad, but he’s not going from normal to superstar anymore. That had to start and move fast.
Eagles: EDGE Jalyx Hunt
“A team this loaded makes it tough to predict a superstar because there is almost one at every position, including the DL. I think we could see some sneaky development as users focus on Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith Jr.”
Impressed with him in real life, but Bohmer just signed Kwity Paye, making Hunt even more irrelevant.
Giants: QB Jaxson Dart
“A rookie QB from day 1? Burn is blessed even if he won’t admit it. If, and big IF, Burn can limit the interceptions he has a very solid offensive and defensive core to let Dart be successful and work up to a superstar.”
Burn messed this up not getting a dev and now might draft a new QB.
Commanders: HB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
“Que knows how to spam and build a running back, and I think he wants to get big Bill going as his workhorse.”
One season and Bill is a superstar. He had 1k rushing and receiving. Despicable.
Cowboys: WILL LB Damone Clark
“I don’t know much about this user, but the Cowboys are a weird roster except for their lineup of speedy linebackers. One of them has got to become the user and make plays so I’m calling 91 speed Clark to get tackles for loss, sacks, and interceptions to become a player of value beyond speed.”
I chose the right one! Clark is star dev and has been killing it as the man in the middle.
Panthers: MIKE LB Trevin Wallace
“JT made Trevin a beast last cycle, and I can see him doing it again. With his offense set up well, even though he’ll draft more running backs, he’s the perfect linebacker for JT, who is one of the best defensive schemers in the whole league.”
He’s young and so athletic so I’ll say there’s still a chance, but JT’s defensive scheme has taken a beating in this offense-heavy Madden.
Falcons: 2026-2027 Rookie WR
“Atlanta still has pieces on both sides of the ball, like Pitts, Bijan, and AJ Terrell, but WR is not very deep or even top heavy. HD is a good drafter, though, so I see him finding the final piece next offseason.”
HD is a sneaky guy, so I’ll hold out on calling this flat out wrong, but he did sign Toney and Wandale so he can draft a more pressing position of need.
Buccaneers: EDGE Chris Braswell
“Vet isn’t a great developer, but I do believe he’s decent at defensive playcalling and could get his young edge going and making plays in a weaker division.”
Yeah, no. Another case of defense being hard AND a player being neglected.
Saints: 2026-2027 Rookie HB
“The Saints have Spencer Rattler starting at QB and really nothing special outside of maybe Chris Olave. He’ll find a workhorse and have him split carries, but it should be enough in his offense to develop.”
He had a worse season than I thought so it’ll be more of a QB/WR focus but I’m sure he’ll still draft one and then the prediction stays alive.
Seahawks: WR Tory Horton
“With stars set up in spots, I see the Seahawks looking at their young wideout to pair with JSN and be a dynamic duo like DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett were.”
Once again, please send him to Chicago. He’s young and played well, but CB didn’t give him the love he needed.
49ers: FS Malik Mustapha
“If Ant can get Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to make plays and be scary forces on the field, Mustapha can dominate and turn into the final superstar this defense needs to have one at each level and be truly scary.”
Fred Warner won DPOY, but that didn’t let Mustapha capitalize.
Cardinals: CB Max Melton
“Shoutout Miles, the Cardinals look good for many offensive reasons, but the talent is there. I think Miles getting in shootouts can lead Melton to make plays and become an important aspect in Arizona.”
I swear I was gonna say Pappoe in the original article. F**K! Anyway, Melton is extremely mediocre and will be replaced/traded/benched eventually. Pappoe went from normal to XF in one season, actually absurd.
Rams: CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr
“With two speedy edges and quality defensive tackles, good run defense and pressure could let Spawn develop Forbes with his speed and youth.”
He is more buried in the depth chart than King Tut. The former Washington first-round pick’s career is all but over.
