Anyone with two opposable thumbs could throw for more than 400 yards in a game with Tom Brady in Madden NFL 12. But can we sling the polygonal pigskin around for 400 yards in a game with, say, Packers’ clipboard-carrier Graham Harrell?

As Barrack Obama would say, “Yes we can.”

There are many players in Madden with overall ratings less than 75 (after EA’s fourth roster update) who can help you dominate on the virtual gridiron, either against friends in an exhibition game, in your offline franchise or in the online community.

Here are five of the best:


Josh Johnson, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overall rating: 67
Johnson may not be the best when it comes to spinning a pass on target – he has the aim of a blind dart thrower -- but he can scramble for yards and operate adequately in a short passing attack.

His 88 speed rating is right up there with the fleet-of-foot types at the position in the game like Michael Vick, and his throw power of 89 is very respectable. Just don’t plan on completing many deep passes with Johnson under your cyber center.

Noel Devine, RB, Free agent
Overall rating: 65
Devine is a poor-man’s Darren Sproles, without the choppy strides that make him look like Sonic the Hedgehog in cleats. In fact, Devine and Sproles have a very similar build (both make Peter Dinklage look like a center for the Chicago Bulls) and very similar ratings.

What keeps Devine down is his poor awareness rating of 27 -- a rock is more aware -- but that doesn’t matter so much in Madden when you are the one pulling his strings with your stick skills.
Just don’t ask him to stay in and pick up a blitz.

Romo's the best player under 75 overall in the fourth quarter....or is he?

Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Overall rating: 71
Baldwin flat out has hops. His 97 jump rating puts him in an elite class with Calvin Johnson (not Jr.) and Larry Fitzgerald (who, ironically, is a Jr.)

A high jump rating is a very valuable skill for a receiver in Madden. Lob up a few goal line fades or under-throw a few streak patterns in Baldwin’s direction and you’ll find out just how valuable he can be to your team.

Dontay Moch, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Overall rating: 59
Speaking of jump ratings … want to knock down those pesky deep in and crossing patterns? Well, look no further than Moch, a dude Madden players outside of the Queen City probably have never heard of in their lives.

Moch has a crazy good jump rating of 93, which, in the current pre-patch state of the Madden engine, means he can swat down any pass thrown anywhere between the hash marks if you nestle him in a nice little zone.

He isn’t just a one-trick pony. He also has a 91 speed rating and a hit power rating of 90, which means he packs a pretty good wallop with the hit stick.

Brad Smith, ?, Buffalo Bills
Overall rating at QB: 64
The question mark is there because Smith has one of the most unique rating sets of any player in Madden.

He’s a quarterback in the game, which is a huge waste of his talents. Sure, you can sub him into any shotgun set and run him around like a caffeinated Vick. You can’t, however, use him to return kicks or catch a pass and put his 90-plus speed, agility and acceleration skills to good use.

Edit him to a wide receiver, and his overall jumps to a 74. Switch him to a running back, and his overall spikes to an 83.

Running back is the best position for Smith because he can be better utilized in a wildcat set, can line up at receiver or at running back, where he can slip through holes on draw plays or release out into the flats where he usually will be open.

Best of the rest: RB Reggie Bush (74), WR Jacoby Ford (74), QB Harrell (66, but with a 90 short throw accuracy rating) and QB Hope Bromley (65, she may be short but she can sure sling the rock).

Who do you think is the best player in Madden rated below 75?