5 NFL players destined to be on Madden cover in the future

4. Derwin James, S, Los Angeles Chargers

Derwin James missed most of the 2019 season, but he flashed Defensive Player of the Year potential as a rookie. In 2018, the 17th overall pick amassed three interceptions, 13 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks and 105 tackles. Despite being a 22-year-old rookie, James earned a First-Team All-Pro selection as a safety and a Second-Team All-Pro selection as a defensive back.

When James is healthy, he’s the best safety in the NFL. Other young safeties like Jamal Adams and Minkah Fitzpatrick, can make their cases for the throne, but James is the best all-around player at his position. If the Florida St. product gets back on track in 2020, his NFL stardom should continue rising at an astonishing rate.

Only three defensive players (Ray Lewis, Troy Polamalu, and Richard Sherman) appeared on Madden covers during the past 20 years. Not even Aaron Donald and J.J. Watt, who won multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards during the past decade, earned appearances.

With veterans like Donald, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, and Watt reaching their late 20s and early 30s, it seems more likely that a younger player like James could appear on the cover of a Madden game in the 2020s. Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt are two other young players with Defensive Player of the Year potential. Expect them to make a run at the cover in the coming decade.