Madden 24 Preview-palooza Part 1 - Top 5 Win Now Rosters
by adelfish | 1 year ago | 0 Comments
Red Zone M24 Preview-palooza Part 1
Look, it's time to turn the page.
Madden 23 was, by all accounts, a disaster. The condition the game was shipped in created numerous issues for our league, and our leadership team. The frustrations with the game lead to league members complaining ad nauseum, which lead to a frustrated leadership team. Despite multiple workarounds, our original league was lost forever to EA servers, leading to a restart. The restart was unable to capture long-term magic, and fizzled out in Season 84, one of the earliest endings to a Red Zone cycle in some time.
The entire three-man commissioner team stepped down at the end of the year, handing the responsibility to the former #SliderGurus in Kelly & Astin. Now, with three months or so until the next Madden drops, it is best to leave Madden 23 in it's entirety in the rear view mirror (besides the Dolphins winning a title, thank you very much). I tip my cap to the commissioners on a good run as a trio, especially to JP who was my partner for years before I moved on from a leadership role. It's a thankless job, and you guided us through a very rocky season.
With that being said, as Bob Seger once brilliantly said, let's turn the page.
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Now what exactly is PREVIEW-PALOOZA?
I have a list of topics that I'll hit on over the course of the summer, ranging from team analysis to predictions, and I plan to drop these sporadically in anticipation of the new league year. When we have a team draft date, that will certainly generate some more conversation.
With teams unassigned, I'd like to start the preview off with my five "Win Now" teams for the Madden 24 cycle. If you're looking to cheese your way into that first championship win (looking at you Terry), these teams are for you, and you should sprint to the podium if these teams have any interest in you as a head coach.
#1 - Philadelphia Eagles
Key Additions: Terrell Edmunds (S), Rashaad Penny (RB), D'Andre Swift (RB)
Notable Draft Picks: Jalen Carter (DT), Nolan Smith (OLB)
No surprise, the NFC champions and Super Bowl runner-ups are the number one choice to win right away. Jalen Hurts is locked in to a brand new contract, and the Eagles managed to bring almost everyone back to make another run. The biggest loss was Javon Hargrave to free agency, but the Eagles replaced him with Jalen Carter in the first round.
Loaded at running back with a new tandem of Swift and Penny, receiver with A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, and tight end with Dallas Goedert, there is no shortage of weapons for Hurts. Along with an elite offensive line, this offense is built to win right away, but there are certainly questions coming down the road with Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson.
Defensively, the front seven is phenomenal. A rotation of Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Hassan Reddick, and Josh Sweat is very deep, to go along with rookie edge rusher Nolan Smith and the aforementioned Jalen Carter. The secondary brings back Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and Avonte Maddox.
The problem with the Eagles is that in 2024 (S85 offseason), the available cap number is around $4 million. It will become increasingly difficult to keep this group together, so winning early is very important.
#2 - San Francisco 49ers
Key Additions: Javon Hargrave (DT), Jon Feliciano (OG), Clelin Ferrell (DE), Sam Darnold (QB)
Notable Draft Picks: Ji'Ayir Brown (S), Cameron Latu (TE)
The 49ers are the second straight NFC team in this top five, and another team loaded on defense. They added a stud in Javon Hargrave at defensive tackle this offseason, to go with an already lethal front featuring Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Javon Kinlaw. Their depth on defense is very impressive, to go along with elite talent like Fred Warner at linebacker.
Offensively there are more questions, but there are some blue chip pieces in place, like George Kittle (TE), Christian McCaffrey (RB), and Deebo Samuel (WR). The questions lie at offensive line and quarterback, with the owner of this team having to make a choice between two young quarterbacks in Trey Lance and Brock Purdy.
This team is ready to win now, and for the forseeable future, but that quarterback decision needs to be made early. This team needs a good coach/GM combination to guide them through that choice.
#3 - Kansas City Chiefs
Key Additions: Donovan Smith (OT), Jawaan Taylor (OT), Drue Tranquill (LB), Richie James (WR)
Notable Draft Picks: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (DE), Rashee Rice (WR), Wanya Morris (OT)
The Chiefs still have Patrick Mahomes on an extremely favorable contract, therefore they are still in the top five win now rosters. Mahomes is the best quarterback on the planet, and is locked up long-term on a team friendly contract. The Chiefs have done a great job surrounding him with a very talented offensive line, and a deep stable of weapons.
Travis Kelce returns as the best tight end in football, along with a group of wideouts featuring Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, and some newcomers. The Chiefs have good depth at running back as well, especially after re-signing Jerick McKinnon.
Defensively, the Chiefs are very strong in the secondary, and have a gamebreaker in Chris Jones, but work needs to be done on the edge. Outside of that weakness, the Chiefs offense is loaded enough to score points against anyone.
#4 - Buffalo Bills
Key Additions: Taylor Rapp (S), Poona Ford (DT), David Edwards (OG), Connor McGovern (OG), Damien Harris (RB)
Notable Draft Picks: Dalton Kincaid (TE), O'Cyrus Torrence (OG)
The Bills did everything this offseason to improve the protection around Josh Allen, as that is the biggest weakness facing this otherwise elite offense. Allen is a top five quarterback in the league, due to the combination of arm talent and mobility. Keeping him upright is paramount, so bringing in two veteran guards in Edwards and McGovern was a big upgrade, along with drafting O'Cyrus Torrence.
The weapons around Allen are stronger with the addition of Dalton Kincaid as well, joining Stefon Diggs and Gave Davis. There is upside in the running back group as well, with Damien Harris joining James Cook in the backfield.
Defensively the front seven is very strong, with edge rushers Von Miller & Greg Rousseau, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, and linebacker Matt Milano. The secondary is still deep, and they added Taylor Rapp to a loaded safety room with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.
This Bills team is built to win right away, and for the forseeable future. All the key contributors are locked into long term deals, outside of Gabe Davis and Ed Oliver. The problem is that the Bills are currently slated to be in negative cap, around -$35 million. Once again, another good coach/GM combination will be needed to take advantage of the talent on this roster, and keep them together.
#5 - Cincinnati Bengals
Key Additions: Orlando Brown (OT), Irv Smith (TE), Nick Scott (S), Sidney Jones (CB)
Notable Draft Picks: Myles Murphy (DE), D.J. Turner (CB), Charlie Jones (WR)
Joe Burrow is good enough to push this team into the top ten, but the roster construction over the past two seasons have solidified the Bengals as a top five team. The group of wide receivers and tight ends are talented and deep, especially superstar Ja'Marr Chase. A decision is coming between wideouts Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins, but it seems as though the Bengals have drafted a replacement with Charlie Jones.
The offensive line has been upgraded the last two seasons, as Orlando Brown joins La'el Collins, Ted Karras, and Alex Cappa in a much improved group. Protecting Joe Burrow is the key to this team's success.
Defensively, the Bengals are solid across the board. The front seven has difference makers in Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, along with linebackers Jermaine Pratt and Logan Wilson. The secondary has depth as will, despite the loss of Jessie Bates to Atlanta. The defense is not the strength of this team, but certainly holds it's own.
The Bengals have done a fine job of drafting the last few years, and have plans in place for future replacements already on the roster. Joe Burrow's extension is the biggest item on the new GM's plate, but this should come with relative ease.
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I hope you enjoyed the Top Five "Win Now" teams. I'll be back in the next couple weeks with another ranking, hopefully as we get closer to the M24 Team Draft!