Madden 19 Ratings: Best rookie defensive ends (DE)

The defensive end has seen a huge influx of talent in recent years, with Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Yannick Ngakoue all making their mark as young players in the NFL. 

How to choose the best rookie defensive ends in Madden 19's Franchise Mode

23 defensive ends were drafted this year, all with the hope of providing a boost to their teams pass rush. In Madden 19 you are looking for a good balance between speed and strength, as well as strong power moves or finesse moves and block shedding so they can get around the offensive line and impact the quarterback. Here are the best rookie defensive ends on Madden 19 with an OVR of 65 or more.

Taven Bryan, Jacksonville Jaguars (OVR 77)

Age: 22

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$10.1m

2018 Cap Hit: $2.43m

Best Stats: Speed (73), Strength (93), Power Moves (83), Finesse Moves (70), Block Shedding (80)

The Jaguars made Taven Bryan the 29th pick in the draft. Bryan played his college ball in Florida, where in three years he racked up 62 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. At the combine Bryan ran a 4.98 40-yard dash and put up 30 reps on the bench press as well as a 35 inch vertical jump and a 7.12 second 3-cone drill.

Listed as a defensive end in Madden 19, Bryan is far better suited to defensive tackle, which is how the Jaguars list him in their current roster. At 6'5", 293 lbs and with poor speed (73) that is where you should play him too. His strength (93) and power moves (83) will play well on the inside.

Marcus Davenport, New Orleans Saints (OVR 75)

Age: 21

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$13.7m

2018 Cap Hit: $3.31m

Best Stats: Speed (85), Acceleration (88), Strength (82), Power Moves (79), Finesse Moves (72), Block Shedding (74)

Marcus Davenport was the 14th overall pick for the New Orleans Saints this year. He played his college football at UTSA, where he finished his four seasons with 185 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks. Davenport ran an impressive 4.58 40-yard dash at his combine, along with a 10'4" broad jump and a 4.41 second short shuttle.

Davenport's athleticism comes through well in Madden 19 with good speed (85) and excellent acceleration (88) for the position. However, his small school background shows with just how raw his technical skills are. His power moves (79), finesse moves (72) and block shedding (74) are all low considering his draft position. They will need to be developed for Davenport to become anything more than just a third-down pass rusher.

Kemoko Turay, Indianapolis Colts (OVR 74)

Age: 23

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$3.34m

2018 Cap Hit: $1.22m

Best Stats: Speed (84), Acceleration (88), Strength (69), Power Moves (64), Finesse Moves (78), Block Shedding (73)

Kemoko Turay was a second-round pick, 52nd overall, for the Indianapolis Colts. He played four years at Rutgers but was blighted by injury. He played just 34 games, racking up 96 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks. At the combine he ran a 4.65 40-yard dash, injuring himself on a second attempt and forcing him out of the rest of the drills.

Turay has strong athleticism in Madden 19, with good speed (84) and acceleration (88). He is horribly weak (strength 69) for the position though, limiting him to 4-3 outside roles. He has solid finesse moves (78) to help him beat blockers, but his block shedding (73) needs work.

Sam Hubbard, Cincinnati Bengals (OVR 71)

Age: 23

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$2.86m

2018 Cap Hit: $880k

Best Stats: Speed (78), Acceleration (83), Strength (74), Power Moves (70), Finesse Moves (77), Block Shedding (75)

Sam Hubbard was a third-round, 77th overall pick for the Cincinnati Bengals this year. He had to wait for opportunities during his three years at Ohio State, but once he saw the field regularly Hubbard made an impact. In his junior year he made 42 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss, and picked up seven sacks. At the combine Hubbard posted a 35 inch vertical and completed the short shuttle in 4.32 seconds. At his pro day Hubbard ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds.

Slower than you'd like in Madden 19 (speed 78) and lacking strength (74), Hubbard is stuck in between roles. He can't kick inside because he's too small and weak to hold up, but he can't consistently be on the edge as he lacks speed. Hubbard does at least have a good finesse move (77), but that is about all he has going for him right now. He will need some concerted training to become an impact player.

Chad Thomas, Cleveland Browns (OVR 71)

Age: 22

Development Trait: Normal

Contract: 4 years/$4.04m

2018 Cap Hit: $950k

Best Stats: Speed (81), Acceleration (85), Strength (84), Power Moves (68), Finesse Moves (77), Block Shedding (79)

Chad Thomas was a third-round pick, 67th overall, for the Cleveland Browns this year. He comes to the NFL after four years playing college ball at Miami (FL) where he racked up 103 tackles, including 26 tackles for loss, and registered 10 sacks. At his pro day Thomas posted a 4.78 second 40-yard dash, a 32.5 inch vertical, and a 9'10" broad jump.

In Madden 19 Thomas has a great balance between speed (81) and strength (84). His power moves (68) are underdeveloped, but he has nice finesse moves (77) and reasonable block shedding (79) to help him get to the ball carrier.

Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles (OVR 71)

Age: 21

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$3.01m

2018 Cap Hit: $700k

Best Stats: Speed (85), Acceleration (88), Strength (74), Power Moves (71), Finesse Moves (76), Block Shedding (74)

Josh Sweat was a fourth-round pick, 130th overall, for the Philadelphia Eagles this season after playing three years at Florida State. In his time at FSU Sweat racked up 138 tackles, including 29 for a loss, and got 14.5 sacks. At the combine Sweat registered a 4.53 second 40-yard dash and a 39.5 inch vertical jump as well as a 4.28 second short shuttle.

Sweat's excellent athleticism shines in this year's Madden with his speed (85) and acceleration (88) stats. He's not particularly strong (74), and his technique is very raw, with a finesse move of just 76, but with all that speed and at just 21 years old Sweat could well be a quality player if you take the time to develop him.

BJ Hill, New York Giants (OVR 71)

Age: 22

Development Trait: Normal

Contract: 4 years/$3.98m

2018 Cap Hit: $930k

Best Stats: Speed (73), Acceleration (83), Strength (87), Power Moves (74), Finesse Moves (65), Block Shedding (82)

BJ Hill was a third-round pick, 69th overall, for the New York Giants. He played four years at North Carolina State, finishing his college career with 183 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. At the combine Hill ran the 40-yard dash in 4.99 seconds and put up 35 reps on the bench press.

In Madden 19 Hill is ideal as a 3-4 defensive end thanks to his size (6'3", 311 lbs) and good strength (87). He also has strong block shedding (82) to help him play against the run. He lacks a great move to rush the passer, with just 74 power move and 65 finesse move, but as a run defender Hill is ready to go.

Other rookie defensive ends