Top 10 Impact Rookies For Madden 09

#10 - Ohio State

DE Vernon Gholston

(Round 1, Pick 6)

The New York Jets are a team that most gamers won't see online too often. However, Gholston is just one of two defensive rookies that will be able to create some problems for opponents. Gholston should have solid speed and quickness ratings, providing Jets' users with a nice passing rushing threat on every down. The duo of Coles and Cotchery on offense, combined with a decent defense should be enough for some gamers to make Gholston's presence felt on the field.

#9 - Indiana

WR James Hardy

(Round 2, Pick 41)

The Buffalo Bills found a Madden superstar in the second round of the NFL Draft when they selected 6'6 WR James Hardy. It's amazing that even with Hardy's huge frame he was still able to pull a 4.47 on his 40 time at the combine. Hardy should be similar to former 6'6 Baltimore Raven Madden star Clarence Moore. However, Hardy's a bit wider and has better hands and speed. The Bills are now just a quarterback away from becoming a serious Madden threat every season.

#8 - Tennessee State

CB Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie

(Round 1, Pick 15)

Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie is a 6'2 cornerback that ran the 40 time in 4.3 seconds. The combination of size and speed that Cromartie will bring into Madden 09 should almost instantly make him one of the top 5 cornerbacks in the game. This selection by the Cardinals was the perfect answer for a team that didn't have a single member in the secondary with over 90 speed last season. Cromartie will consistently be called upon by Arizona users to shut down the opponent's best receiver. The Cardinals already have enough offense to score, so fixing the defensive side of the ball will certainly make this team more exciting to use next season.

#7 - Texas

WR Limas Sweed

(Round 2, Pick 53)

Pittsburgh Steelers' users finally got the big-time Madden receiver that they're looking for in Limas Sweed. Sweed doesn't have great speed, but his 6'4 size and jumping ability will make him an easy target for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to hit. Pittsburgh won't quite be with the upper echelon teams just yet, but having a more complete team offensively is certainly a step in the right direction.

#6 - California

WR DeSean Jackson

(Round 2, Pick 49)

Philadelphia Eagles' wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis might just be the fastest tandem in Madden 09. Curtis had a speed rating of 96 last year, while Jackson just finished running a 40 time high of 4.35 and a low of 4.27. Regardless of which time is right, Jackson can fly and quarterback Donovan McNabb has the arm strength to let it rip. The Eagles don't really have any major tall threats, but their ability to score quickly will be as good as any team in the game.

#5 - West Virginia

RB Steve Slaton

(Round 3, Pick 89)

Houston Texans' users were in need of speed in the backfield and that's exactly what they'll get with the selection of running back Steve Slaton. Houston already has two extremely fast receivers in Andre Johnson and Andre Davis (both 95 speed last season). However, users will be able to throw Slaton and his 40 yard time of 4.3-4.4 into the mix. The Houston Texans will have the ability to score consistently in Madden 09, as well as get stops on defense thanks to the continually improving defensive end Mario Williams. This will definitely be a team to watch out for next year.

#4 - Louisville

WR Mario Urrutia

(Round 7, Pick 246)

The loss of 6'4 Madden stud Chris Henry was no doubt a blow to the Cincinnati Bengals. Fortunately, in the seventh round the Bengals were able to grab 6'6 Mario Urrutia. Urrutia should step in as either your #2 or your #3 receiver. As good as T.J. Houshmandzadeh is on Sundays he simply isn't as valuable as a guy who's 6'6 in Madden. Defensively, the Bengals improved their pass rush by acquiring Antwan Odom and their secondary remains as one of the fastest in the game. The only question for Urrutia is will he actually make the team or not? Bengals' users better hope so if they want to see this beast on the field.

#3 - East Carolina

RB Chris Johnson

(Round 1, Pick 24)

Remember the Vick and Dunn show that opponent's were subjected to in basically every online game they played just a few short years ago? Well, now we're all about to enter the Young and Johnson show. Quarterback Vince Young was given a speed rating of 90 last season, topping all other quarterbacks in the game once Vick was removed. Now, recently drafted running back Chris Johnson and his ridiculous 40 yard dash time of 4.24 will team up with Young to form the most feared running attack in Madden 09. Johnson should enter next year with a speed rating of at least 96 and it could even be higher. There's no doubt that these two will have opponent's pulling out their hair.

#2 - Arkansas

RB Darren McFadden

(Round 1, Pick 4)

The best Madden off-season award goes to the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders were not only able to land three Madden superstars in cornerback DeAngelo Hall and wide receivers Drew Carter (6'4, 96 speed) and Javon Walker (6'4, 93 jump), but they were also able to get the best running back in the draft in Darren McFadden. McFadden (4.33 40 yard time) will come right in and be a problem for opponents in Madden 09. On the other side of the ball, the Raiders already had one of the top 3 defenses in the game even without the addition of Hall. However, now that they've got Hall they have a defender that can be used to guard Randy Moss deep. The only thing keeping the Raiders from our top spot is the lack of accuracy provided from the quarterback position.

#1 - Arkansas

RB Felix Jones

(Round 1, Pick 22)

Our #1 impact player for upcoming Madden 09 season goes to Dallas Cowboys' running back Felix Jones. There's no question that McFadden is a better back than Jones right now, but Madden gamers will no doubt see more users using the Cowboys online than they will Raiders. Jones (4.37 40 time) provides the Cowboys with the big play threat that current starter Marion Barber (88 speed) lacks. Barber will be great between the tackles for short yardage situations, but Jones' speed will force defenses to account for him every where he goes. The addition of Jones, combined with the improvements of quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver's Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton will make the Dallas Cowboys one of the best overall teams in Madden.