Madden 19: Every Superstar Development Trait Players

Developing players in Madden 19's Franchise Mode is not as simple as it once was. Before you could build XP and spend it on the stats you wanted. Now you have to get XP to convert into points that you can add to player archetypes, which select the stats for you. However there is one thing that is true, the development trait of a player is vital to how quickly you can improve them.

How to choose superstar development trait players in Madden 19's Franchise Mode

There is no way to see who has what development trait until you have already selected your franchise or drafted your team. Superstar development traits are very rare, with just 38 players being handed the quickest path to brilliance. Some of those players are already elite, but some are young stars that can carry your franchise for a decade or more. Here is every player with a superstar development trait in Madden 19.

Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots (OVR 99)

Age: 41

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 2 years/$35m

2018 Cap Hit: $17.2m

Best Stats: Speed (61), Throw Power (95), Short Accuracy (99), Medium Accuracy (98), Deep Accuracy (86), Throw On The Run (88), Throw Under Pressure (96), Play Action (99)

It's no surprise that even at 41 Tom Brady has a superstar development trait. The veteran quarterback is coming off his eighth trip to the Super Bowl and his third MVP season. He has been a roadblock for many good teams and great players in his 18 year career, and looks set to dominate the AFC again this season.

In Madden 19 Brady is already a 99 overall player, so there is very little you can improve with him. One area you might be keen to add a few points is the deep accuracy (86), but otherwise Brady is a brilliant Madden quarterback. The development trait will allow you to fend off any regression at the end of the first season, if he doesn't retire of course.

Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers (OVR 99)

Age: 34

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 2 years/$40.3m

2018 Cap Hit: $16.9m

Best Stats: Speed (79), Throw Power (97), Short Accuracy (98), Medium Accuracy (94), Deep Accuracy (88), Throw On The Run (96), Throw Under Pressure (96), Break Sack (90), Play Action (96)

Another passer that shouldn't surprise you is Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers. The two-time MVP is returning to the field this season after missing time with a broken collarbone, which scuppered the Packers whole season. Rodgers is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, with 313 touchdowns, 38,502 passing yards, and a record-high 103.8 QB rating.

With a 99 overall in Madden 19 there isn't much to improve for Rodgers. His superstar development will let you build his deep accuracy (88) and hold off any regression that comes due to age. He should play for another five years so building his stats even more will help you dominate your franchise mode.

Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks (OVR 91)

Age: 29

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 2 years/$42.6m

2018 Cap Hit: $19.4m

Best Stats: Speed (86), Throw Power (93), Short Accuracy (93), Medium Accuracy (87), Deep Accuracy (83), Throw On The Run (96), Throw Under Pressure (93), Break Sack (91), Play Action (91)

A third-round pick in 2012, Russell Wilson wasn't supposed to be a star quarterback in the NFL, but through hard work and terrific fundamentals he has done it. A Super Bowl winner, Wilson was a yard away from repeating as Super Bowl champion when he threw an interception to Malcolm Butler. In his time with Seattle, Wilson has thrown 161 touchdowns and rushed for 16 more, while completing 64 percent of his passes.

In Madden 19 Wilson gets the coveted superstar development trait, and at just 29 that means you can soon catch up to the likes of Brady and Rodgers. Wilson's speed (86) is an X factor in Madden, but his passing is pretty good too. You will soon be able to improve his medium accuracy (87) and bump up things like his play action (91) and throw under pressure (93) to elite levels as well. 

Carson Wentz, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles (OVR 87)

Age: 25

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 2 years/$13.63m

2018 Cap Hit: $6.42m

Best Stats: Speed (81), Throw Power (94), Short Accuracy (89), Medium Accuracy (87), Deep Accuracy (84), Throw On The Run (91), Break Sack (93), Play Action (89)

Carson Wentz was the de facto MVP of the 2017 season, and only an ACL tear in December stopped him from winning the award in just his second season in the NFL. Wentz was a monster last season, leading the Eagles to an 11-2 record with his 3,296 passing yards and 33 touchdowns, all while throwing just seven interceptions. Without Wentz the Eagles were still able to win the Super Bowl, but when he steps onto the field again, he will be one of the best in the league under center.

In Madden 19 Wentz's superstar development trait and young age means that you will have a star quarterback for at least 10 years. He already has an 87 overall rating, but with that trait and solid stats already you can very quickly build enough XP to turn Wentz into a destroyer of defenses. With 94 throw power and good accuracy at all levels he will be a strong quarterback in the first year, and an unstoppable one by season 4.

Antonio Brown, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers (OVR 99)

Age: 30

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 4 years/$37.3m

2018 Cap Hit: $8.98m

Best Stats: Speed (92), Agility (98), Catching (99), Catching In Traffic (99), Spectacular Catch (98), Short Route Running (98), Medium Route Running (98), Deep Route Running (96)

Antonio Brown is one of the most successful receivers in the modern NFL. He is the only player to make the last four First Team All-Pros, and in that time he has averaged 1,587 yards and 11 touchdowns per season. The Steelers took Brown in the 6th round in 2010, but even they couldn't have expected him to turn into this uncoverable beast.

Madden 19's cover athlete is justifiably a 99 overall player and has such ridiculous stats that it is nearly impossible to improve him. However, at 30 Brown is nearing the decline phase of his play, and that is where the superstar development trait will come in handy. You can continue to keep his route running and athleticism at elite levels despite yearly regression.

Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons (OVR 98)

Age: 29

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 3 years/$30m

2018 Cap Hit: $9.64m

Best Stats: Speed (93), Agility (96), Catching (96), Catching In Traffic (98), Spectacular Catch (98), Short Route Running (97), Medium Route Running (93), Deep Route Running (92)

Julio Jones is one of the most dominant players in the NFL. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro, Jones was taken sixth-overall in 2011 and has been a force of nature for the Falcons ever since. Over the last four years he has averaged 103.6 yards per game and over 15 yards per reception.

In Madden 19 Jones has a 98 overall rating and is nearly a flawless player, but you can still improve him. With the superstar development trait you can build up those route running stats until he is uncoverable and turn him into a monster with the ball in his hands.

Odell Beckham Jr, Wide Receiver, New York Giants (OVR 95)

Age: 25

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 3 years/$26.04m

2018 Cap Hit: $7.47m

Best Stats: Speed (94), Agility (98), Catching (89), Catching In Traffic (92), Spectacular Catch (99), Short Route Running (96), Medium Route Running (95), Deep Route Running (93)

Beckham has been brilliant ever since he came into the NFL as a first round pick in 2014. He racked up over 1,300 yards in his first three seasons, and almost certainly would have done so last year if he wasn't sidelined with an ankle injury. He's also scored 38 touchdowns already and just signed the biggest contract for a wide receiver in NFL history, a five-year, $95 million, extension that will keep him with the Giants.

In Madden 19 Beckham is a 95 overall player, but with his superstar development trait you can soon turn that in a 99. His catching (89) is oddly low and should be the first thing you focus on, but with elite agility (98) and stellar route running (short 96, medium 95, deep 93) Beckham is already an elite option at wide receiver.

DeAndre Hopkins, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans (OVR 94)

Age: 26

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 5 years/$68.5m

2018 Cap Hit: $12.7m

Best Stats: Speed (92), Agility (92), Catching (98), Catching In Traffic (96), Spectacular Catch (97), Short Route Running (95), Medium Route Running (93), Deep Route Running (91)

DeAndre Hopkins is often a forgotten man when it comes to receivers. So often stuck with bad quarterbacks it has been easy to discount his talents, but there is no disputing just how affective he can be. A first round pick in 2013, Hopkins has missed just one game in his career and already racked up 5,865 yards and 36 touchdowns despite some truly awful quarterback play.

In Madden 19 Hopkins is a 94 overall player and already great. His route running (short 95, medium 93, deep 91) creates separation and his catching (98) is brilliant at all times. With his superstar development trait you can quickly create a 99 overall receiver that will be simply unstoppable.

Le'Veon Bell, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers (OVR 96)

Age: 26

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 1 year/$14.5m

2018 Cap Hit: $14.5m

Best Stats: Speed (90), Agility (95), Carrying (88), Juke Move (96), Catching (75), Short Route Running (80)

Bell has been a star for the Steelers ever since they took him in the second round in 2013. He has averaged 1,067 rushing yards per season and that includes 2015 when he played just six games. He's scored 81 touchdowns on the ground, but part of what makes Bell so dangerous is his ability in the passing game. He has made 312 catches for the Steelers, with 160 of those in the last two years, and added another 2,660 yards and seven touchdowns as a receiver.

Bell is the best running back in Madden 19, and it's no surprise that he has the superstar development trait. His agility (95) and juke move (96) make him a nightmare with the ball in his hands, and thanks to that development trait you can quickly build his receiving stats until he is truly unstoppable.

David Johnson, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals (OVR 93)

Age: 26

Development Trait: Superstar

Contract: 1 year/$720k

2018 Cap Hit: $720k

Best Stats: Speed (92), Agility (93), Carrying (85), Juke Move (94), Catching (78), Short Route Running (81)

David Johnson burst onto the scene at the end of his rookie season in 2015 when he took over the lead back role thanks to injury in game 12. He registered 99 yards on the ground against the Rams, and then the next week 92 yards against the Vikings before gashing the Eagles for 187 yards and three scores. In 2016 as the feature back for Arizona he ran for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns, and added 80 catches, 879 receiving yards, and four more scores to lead the NFL in both yards from scrimmage and touchdowns. A broken wrist ended his 2017 campaign in week 1, but he's back and ready to dominate this season.

Johnson is an elite back on a cheap contract for the first year in franchise mode, that makes him incredibly valuable, and with that superstar development trait he can quickly become the very best running back around. He already has good speed (92) and a great juke move (94) but if you improve his catching (78) and receiving stats then you can use him on every down and punish defenses.

Other players with the superstar development trait