Tampa Bay Buccaneers

O.J. Howard Madden's Second-Best Rookie

EA Sports rated Howard as the second-best rookie in this year's class.

Jul 27, 2017 at 03:21 AM

A few months back, Madden Ultimate Team Ratings were released for this year's rookie class, with the Buccaneers' first-round pick, O.J. Howard, earning an 81. This week, the official ratings for the 2017 rookie class were released, with Howard earning the second-highest grade of any player drafted this year.

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According to Sporting News, Howard is an 82 overall. The only player rated ahead of him is Cleveland's Myles Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick. Garrett was given a rating of 83.

Jacksonville's Leonard Fournette, Carolina's Christian McCaffrey and the New York Jets' Jamal Adams rounded out the top five, all earning an 81.

Many analysts felt the Buccaneers got a "steal" by picking Howard No. 19 overall, and this year's Madden Ratings support that idea. Of Madden's top five rookies, Howard was drafted at the lowest position. Garrett, McCaffrey, Fournette and Adams were all top-ten picks.

For the complete list of Madden Ratings, click **HERE**.

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