5 Buffalo Bills that will improve their ratings in Madden 21
Zack Moss (70 Overall)
Perhaps the most disappointing rookie launch rating for the Bills is running back Zack Moss at only 70 overall. While Moss was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Buffalo was fortunate once again to see Moss slide to their 86th overall pick. During his time at the University of Utah, Moss earned over 1,000 yards rushing in every year but his freshman season. Additionally, Moss earned the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year award in 2019 as he led the Pac-12 in four categories; rushing touchdowns with 15, rushing yards with 1,416, yards from scrimmage with 1,804, and touchdowns from scrimmage with 17.
However, Moss didn’t do himself any favors during the 40-yard dash event during the combine by posting a lackluster 4.65 seconds. What Madden should understand, is that a running back’s agility drills at the combine are much more predictive of success in the NFL than his 40 yard dash time.
Once again, although Moss’s overall rating is a bit lower than expected, Madden did give him a few accurate skill rating categories. These include his 90 carrying rating which portrays a player’s ability to hold onto the football and reduce fumbles, 88 acceleration which can be cross-referenced with Moss’s 20 yard shuttle time at the combine, and 89 toughness. While toughness is not a skill that shows itself often in Madden, it may be the most accurate of all the skill rating categories given to Moss as he does not get tackled easily.
The categories fans should expect Moss to receive upgrades throughout the season include agility, change of direction, and juke move ratings at 84, 80, and 79 respectively. Those that have scouted or watched film on Moss in college understand that he may not have the best straight-line speed, but he runs with an excellent mix of power and elusiveness for someone weighing over 220 pounds.
Two rookie running backs selected before Moss in the 2020 NFL Draft are Cam Akers and A.J. Dillon at 73 and 72 overall respectively. Both rookies were selected in round two of the draft, just one round before Moss was selected by the Bills. Although this is about where Moss’s initial overall rating should’ve been at the Madden 21 launch, it shouldn’t take long for Madden Rating Adjustors to realize the mistake they made with Zack Moss.
He was drafted by Buffalo to compete and complement Devin Singletary in the Bills backfield and has shown the ability to do both during training camp as he has taken a lot of reps with the first-team offense.