Madden NFL 16 Player Ratings - Top Outside Linebackers

[MoneyOvaHuds]

The measurables: These two pass rushers are an interesting comparison because of their respective paths. Both were drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, but Miller was taken second overall by the Broncos while Houston fell to the Chiefs in the third round due to off-field concerns. Since coming into the league, Houston's had a clean off-field run while Miller's dealt with various issues, including a suspension in 2013 that involved issues with urine collection. He has also been frequently injured.

One of those injuries is a torn ACL suffered in 2013 (rough year!) which Miller returned from last season. It makes the linebacker's performance even more impressive. Miller recorded 14 sacks, 66 total tackles, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. For a guy whose career felt in the balance heading into 2014, it was a statement season.

In terms of raw numbers, it fell short of Houston's 2014, however. Take Texans freakshow and superhuman J.J. Watt out of the equation and Houston has a legitimate case for Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.

The Chiefs outside linebacker recorded an NFL-high 22 sacks (a half-sack shy of the NFL record), 68 total tackles, five passes defensed and four forced fumbles. He was an absolute monster down the stretch, recording 10 sacks in Kansas City's final six games.


The sacks came in spurts for Houston, but he still only had three games without a sack. He also recorded 56 total quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus data. By comparison, Miller finished with 40 quarterback hurries per PFF.

Miller graded out better against the run, posting the second-highest run score by any linebacker at PFF. You can see Miller working as a spy against speedy quarterbacks too, nullifying their ability to change the field with their feet. As Prisco wrote, Miller's "ability to influence the quarterback is much greater than that sack total."


He's not alone, though. Houston was good against the run too, totaling 50 stops ("solo defensive tackles which constitute an offensive line failure") per PFF. Miller recorded 37.

Both guys have the benefit of playing on impressive defenses. Miller plays across/near DeMarcus Ware, while Houston gets Tamba Hali (and a stout Chiefs defensive line anchored by Dontari Poe).

The difference in defense here is an interesting one. Houston gets a slight advantage rushing the passer out of the 3-4, while Miller is probably asked to do more moving around as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 formation.

That will change in 2015 with Wade Phillips taking over Denver's defense and shifting the Broncos to a 3-4 full time. There were plenty of principles in use with John Fox's regime, but Phillips is a diehard 3-4 guy and has a nice setup to operate with when it comes to the Broncos.

"I think we have guys who can play in lots of spots," Miller said. "I think you look at the guys we have, we can do a lot of things, we can line up in whatever defense they want us to and make plays."

If we're basing this strictly on flatulence, Miller is gassing Houston.

Bottom line: You would be perfectly happy taking either guy, because as it turns out, having a top-10 NFL player -- or one who is close to the top 10 -- on your team is a good thing.

Right now, based off of 2014, Houston is the pick. He produced a better statistical season; if the argument is Miller's year was more well rounded well that's just fine.

Predicting forward is a little more tricky. In 2015 Miller might not just be the safer play but the higher upside play too. Houston has only produced one season above 11 sacks and it came in 2014, when he was playing for a contract.

Miller has only produced one season under 11 sacks, his troubled 2013.

Phillips has a history of transitioning highly talented pass rushers from 4-3 defenses to 3-4 and seeing a lot of success, so it's no stretch to think Miller could absolutely explode under his tutelage next season.

Last year's comparison of these two pass rushers is a bit of apples to oranges. With both in 3-4 defenses -- and facing similar divisional schedules too -- we'll have a very nice apples/apples matchup after the 2015 season.

[JohnnyCash2015]

Wish madden was a football game and ranked 3-4 linebackers and 4-3 linebackers instead of "outside linebackers"


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[Birdman18]

Pro Football Focus graded Justin Houston as the #3 overall player in their top 101.. Behind JJ Watt and Aaron Rodgers. Von Miller was 10th on that same list.. I prefer to take their word for it rather than a fan.. Jarebear looks at the entire body of work instead of strictly what happened last season, and Houston had a better year in every statistical category then Miller. If we went by career numbers then Peyton Manning would be a 99 this season


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[BleedGreen710]

Quote: Originally Posted by The JareBear

Disagree 100 percent Four year careers Von - 49 sacks (missed half of 2013 season) Houston - 48.5 sacks (missed considerable time in 2013 as well) They are the same, and that's fair In my opinion of course

If the ratings depended on the players careers, Peyton Manning would have been in the top 5 QBs. Houston was clearly the better player last year, and thats what should matter. In my opinion

[BleedGreen710]

Quote: Originally Posted by JohnnyCash2015

Wish madden was a football game and ranked 3-4 linebackers and 4-3 linebackers instead of "outside linebackers"

well they do have 'schemes' that will change the players rating on the depth chart based on what type of linebacker your scheme prefers (havent played much next gen madden so someone please correct me if im wrong)

[Sheba2011]

The Patriots have two of the best young LB;s in the NFL in Jamie Collins and Donta Hightower. Good to see Hightower getting the recognition he deserves.

[Sheba2011]

Quote: Originally Posted by JohnnyCash2015

Wish madden was a football game and ranked 3-4 linebackers and 4-3 linebackers instead of "outside linebackers" Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The problem with that would be teams like the Patriots who play 80% of the game in sub packages where they have anywhere from 2-4 LBs on the field depending on the situation. Many teams these days spend most of the game in Sub, the traditional 3-4/4-3 isn't as prominent as it once was.