Madden 22: Ranking the 4 best Cover Athlete candidates
By Zach Cohen
Madden 22 Cover Athlete Candidate No. 4: Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs may be the most unlikely of the players on the list to be on the cover. Some may argue he’s not even the best option on his team (more on that later). However, the appeal is certainly here for Diggs.
In his first season in Buffalo, Diggs proved why he’s one of the NFL’s most electric wide receivers. He led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards while helping the Bills secure their first division title since 1995.
But if Diggs is on this list, then why isn’t Davante Adams? After all, Adams led all players in receiving touchdowns and was a key part of Green Bay’s division title run.
Looking back at recent years, Madden has seemingly favored breakout athletes. Rather than go with established stars like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, they’ve opted for young up-and-comers like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
Simply put, Diggs’ performance feels more like a main storyline to the 2020-21 season. He’d be a fine cover athlete, though there are a few others players who may be better suited to grace this year’s cover.
Madden 22 Cover Athlete Candidate No. 3: Aaron Donald
Isn’t it about time Aaron Donald gets on the Madden cover? I know I just said EA Sports tends to focus on young up-and-comers, but Donald did just win his third Defensive Player of the Year award.
Not only may Donald be the NFL’s best defensive player, but he’s arguably one of the best players in the entire league, maybe even the best — singular.
As great as Donald is, EA Sports seems to favor offensive players for the cover. Only three defenders have ever made it onto the cover: Ray Lewis (Madden 2005), Troy Polamalu (with Larry Fitzgerald on Madden 10) and Richard Sherman (Madden 15).
Adding Donald would be a fine way to honor a player of his caliber while putting emphasis on defense. It may not be the flashy pick, but Donald is well worthy of gracing a Madden cover at some point.