Watch CBS News

The 3 Bay Area NFL Players Ranked As Elite By Madden NFL '16

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - For years, NFL fans have feared the "Madden Curse" - the appearance of their big star on the popular video game's cover. In the past, some of those cover shoots have been followed by poor performances and injuries, leading to the curse rumors. But there's no need for the 49ers or Raiders to fear the Madden curse. Based on the recently-released player and team rankings for Madden NFL '16, the teams aren't expected to do much.

The ratings, which are used to determine how much players can accomplish in the game, show that the expectations are low for both Bay Area teams. On a scale of 100, the 49ers are rated as a 78 and the Raiders at a 74. That projection rates John Madden's former team as the third worst in the NFL and puts the 49ers in a battle with the Rams to stay out of the NFC West cellar. Still, the individual player rankings suggest there are a couple of bright spots on local rosters. Here are the players who score as elite on Madden's player rankings.

Amari Cooper - #1 Rookie

Amari Cooper
Amari Cooper. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

With an 82 overall rating on Madden, the #4 pick in the draft is expected to be the number one receiver right out of the gate, and is tagged by the Madden producers as the top rookie in the game.

NaVorro Bowman - #2 Middle Linebacker

NaVorro Bowman
(Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

After missing all of 2014, the Madden producers think Bowman will come back and regain his old form, fast. They've rated him as a 93 overall player, just behind top LB Luke Kuechly. 

Phil Dawson - #5 Kicker

Phil Dawson
(Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Nobody is going to go bragging about having the 5th best kicker in the league on the team, but Dawson has been solid for years, and with a 91 player rating, Madden rates him as a top weapon for the Niners.

That's it for Bay Area standouts, unless you're counting former local college stars like Marshawn Lynch, Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck. See the full list of Madden rankings here Are there any local players you expect to establish themselves as elite this season? Leave a comment below.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.