The NFL and Madden are both centered on the offensive side of football, as many see it as more exciting. Sure, Madden 22 continues the trend of making playing defense much more difficult than offense, but people love a good challenge.
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Building a dream roster in the Ultimate Team mode is also quite a challenge as players must use either their time or money to gather enough resources to obtain the high overall cards of their favorite players. Defense wins championships, and Madden 22 is full of studs on that side of the ball.
Updated February 26, 2022 by Jerrad Wyche: The Los Angeles Rams are the reigning Super Bowl champions, and fans of the NFL will now have to wait until next year to get their football fix. That is unless they boot up Madden NFL 22 and dive into the various modes the simulation football experience has to offer. Its Ultimate Team mode allows you to collect cards of your favorite modern and retired NFL stars and build a fantasy team comprised of some of the sport's all-time greats.
8 Jevon Kearse - LE - 97
Jevon Kearse, the 1999 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, helped the Tennessee Titans during a season in which they played and lost in the Super Bowl. He tallied up 14.5 of his 74 career sacks that year and helped towards building his case as one of the organization's all-time greats.
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He'll likely never make the Hall of Fame, but his first three seasons in the NFL are a run rarely matched in the modern era. Regardless of a gold jacket, he is a legend of the NFL and his 97 overall Legends program card in Ultimate Team shines a light on a forgotten Titan.
7 Von Miller - LOLB - 97
Von Miller is coming off of a season in which he won a second Super Bowl ring, further cementing his case as a first-ballot NFL Hall of Famer and an all-time Denver Broncos legend. With free agency looming it's unclear where he will be playing in 2022 and beyond, but he'll have plenty of suitors to choose from. Rarely are current players regarded as legends, but Miller's career has been so incredible that Madden 22's Ultimate Team mode gave him a card that says as much as part of the Legends program. A card that sports a 97 overall, and an image of a player who's given everything to both the game of football and the Denver Broncos organization.
6 Ronde Barber - CB - 97
These days the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' secondary is led by an emerging superstar in safety Antoine Winfield Jr., but back in the early 2000s, a cornerback by the name of Ronde Barber patrolled a vaunted unit. What Barber lacked in size and strength he more than made up for with effort and athleticism. He helped display the dominance a Tampa 2 defense could display, given the right players were in place. His Legends card is a 97 overall and serves as a bit of evidence for new fans of the NFL that his brother who played running back for the New York Giants wasn't the most football gifted twin.
5 Roquan Smith - MLB - 97
Many modern NFL fans consider Roquan Smith to be the most underrated player in the game. Despite statistically being arguably the best middle linebacker in the NFL, he has yet to make a Pro Bowl appearance in his first four seasons, despite making the AP All-Pro Second Team twice. Part of his lack of respect is likely due to playing alongside other defensive superstars, but at least Madden 22 gifted Smith with a 97 overall card in Madden Ultimate Team. It displays his hitting power and is part of the Gridiron Guardians program inside the mode.
4 Ronnie Lott - FS - 97
The story of how Ronnie Lott lost a finger in order to play in the playoffs is one of the NFL's most legendary tales. Not only was Lott feared by offenses during his era of playing, but he remains as one of the game's fiercest competitors regardless of position or era.
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Part of the Super Bowl Past program, his 97 overall card allows you to start a roaming free safety in your defense who isn't afraid to lay the lumber on anyone coming across the middle. Lott may have nine fingers, but he only needs four, one for each Super Bowl ring.
3 Nick Bolton - MLB - 98
Nick Bolton is a rookie linebacker who had a solid initial outing in the NFL, but his play was shadowed by the elite level year fellow rookie linebacker Micah Parsons had as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. The Kansas City Chiefs' defense competed in the NFL playoffs and a lot of that had to do with the effort Bolton showcased. His 98 overall card that's a part of the Season 3 program is a bit hilarious, but for both Chiefs fans and those looking for a solid option at MLB, it's hard to pass up.
2 Luke Kuechly - MLB - 98
When it comes to the NFL, there are plenty of 'What If' scenarios fans contemplate when it comes to the careers of their favorite players. Despite Luke Kuechly only playing eight seasons in the NFL, his resume likely lands him in the Hall of Fame one day, which is a testament to his talent and hard work. Kuechly had to call his career short due to a string of multiple concussions that put his long-term health at risk. Fans of his looking to rekindle their love for his play will need to track down his 98 overall Team Diamonds card.
1 Deion Sanders - CB - 98
Deion Sanders, otherwise known as Primetime, may now be a collegiate coach, but he is also considered one of the most electrifying superstar athletes to ever put on an NFL uniform. Not only could Sanders shut down an opposing offense's number one option, but he could also make game-changing plays in the return game. His 98 overall card is the highest for a defensive player in Madden 22's Ultimate Team mode and pays tribute to his man coverage skills. It is part of the program known as Gridiron Guardians.
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