Top 5 Madden 20 QB's Based on Superstar and X Factor Abilities

Our friends over at Madden School did a nice job of breaking down all the individual abilities for each QB HERE. After reading about all of the individual abilities it got me thinking, "Who's the best QB ability wise in Madden 20?". With that in mind I decided to rank the top five QB's based on only abilities. This ranking does not take age, attributes, or team into consideration they are based solely on their Superstar and X Factor abilities.

#5) Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers

The Abilities:

X Factor Ability: Gambler

What it does:  When they enter the zone, they can’t be intercepted by AI Defenders.

Super Star Ability: Dashing Dead Eye

What it does: Passers with this ability have perfect accuracy on all throws while running outside the pocket except high/low throws

Super Star Ability: Roaming Dead Eye

What it does: Passers with this ability have perfect accuracy on all un-pressured throws while their feet are set outside the pocket except on high/low throws.

Why he made the list: Some people may have Rodgers higher on their lists, however I was actually a bit disappointed in the number of traits he received. While Dashing and Roaming Dead eye are nice traits that boost Rodgers accuracy I would have liked to have seen some sort of elusiveness trait like some of the other QB's on this list. The trait that really captured him a spot on this list though is his X Factor ability; Gambler. Gambler prevents the CPU from being able to pick off a pass from Rodgers. This ability alone is one of the most powerful of all the QB X factor abilities which snags him the 5th spot on the list.

#4) Cam Newton - Carolina Panthers

The Abilities:

X Factor Ability: Freight Train

What it does:  When they enter the zone, this ability increases their chance to break the next tackle.

Super Star Ability: Escape Artist

What it does:  Passers with this ability are faster and more responsive to user input while scrambling behind the line of scrimmage.

Super Star Ability: Fast Break

What it does:  What it does:  Passers with this ability immediately respond to user input (and defenders react more slowly) on designed quarterback run plays

Super Star Ability: Anchored Extender

What it does:   While in the pocket, passers with this ability are almost guaranteed to break the first sack attempt by a blitzing defensive back.

Why he made the list: If you're a fan of running with a QB Newton is probably going to be your guy. Newton's abilities revolve around his ability to run and they have provided him a lot of extra firepower in this department. With Escape Artist he will be able to navigate the pocket more freely while slipping tackles thanks to Anchored Extender. When it's time to run Fast break should let him navigate the hole better while his X Factor ability Freight Train will let him barrel over a defender. When all this is combined you have arguably one of the best running QB threats in the game.

#3) Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers

The Abilities:

X Factor Ability: Pro Reads

What this ability does: When they enter the zone, their first open receiver is highlighted while they are standing in the pocket.

Super Star Ability: Anchored Extender

What it does:   While in the pocket, passers with this ability are almost guaranteed to break the first sack attempt by a blitzing defensive back.

Super Star Ability: Lofting Deadeye

What this ability does: Passers with this ability have perfect accuracy on all lob or touch passes Except high/low throws and cross body throws.

Super Star Ability: Last Ditch

What this ability does: Passers with this ability have a higher chance of completing a pass animation and throwing the ball while being sacked

Super Star Ability: Sleight of Hand

What this ability does: Passers with this ability have an increased success rate when using pump fakes on double-move routes against zone coverage

Super Star Ability: Homer

What this ability does: When playing at home, players with this ability can easily enter the zone

Why he made the list: To me Big Ben is the perfect QB for a new user or someone who needs some time to adjust to the new improved pass rush. With Pro Reads the game will highlight the open receiver on each play. With Anchored Extender Ben will be able to break potential sacks, but in the event he doesn't Last Ditch will allow him to still throw the ball while being sacked. Add in the fact his Homer ability let's him get in the zone easier and Big Ben finds himself squarely in the discussion for top QB based on abilities.

#2) Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs

The Abilities:

X Factor Ability: Bazooka

What this ability does: Quarterbacks with generational arms have the power to stretch any defense to its breaking point. When they enter the zone, their maximum throw distance is increased by 15+ yards.

Super Star Ability: Dashing Deadeye

What this ability does: Passers with this ability have perfect accuracy on all throws while running outside the pocket except high/low throws

Super Star Ability: Escape Artist

What this ability does: Passers with this ability are faster and more responsive to user input while scrambling behind the line of scrimmage.

Super Star Ability: Red Zone Deadeye

What this ability does: Passers with this ability have perfect accuracy on all unpressured throws inside the red zone except high/low throws

Super Star Ability: No Look Deadeye

What this ability does: Passers with this ability have perfect accuracy on all cross-body throws.

Why he made the list: As the cover athlete it makes sense Mahomes found his way on this list as EA equipped him with quite the arsenal of abilities. Mahomes is not a runner, but his elusiveness while looking to throw is highlighted by his abilities. Escape Artist allows him to more effectively navigate the pocket while looking down field to unleash his Bazooka X Factor ability. With Dashing Dead Eye and No look Dead Eye even while on the move Mahomes is one of the most deadly QB's in the game.

#1: Tom Brady - New England Patriots

The Abilities:

X Factor Ability: Pro Reads

What this ability does: When they enter the zone, their first open receiver is highlighted while they are standing in the pocket.

Super Star Ability: Hot Route Master

What this ability does: Players with this ability have access to 4 extra hot routes during pre-play adjustments

Super Star Ability: Conductor

What this ability does: Passers with this ability can make all hot route and blocking assignments twice as fast excluding audibles.

Super Star Ability: Clutch

What this ability does: Midway through the 4th quarter in close games, players with this ability can easily enter (and remain in) the zone.

Super Star Ability: Protected

What this ability does: Passers with this ability receive better pass blocking from their offensive lineman

Super Star Ability: Pocket Lead

What this ability does: Passers with this ability have extended range on all un-pressured precision passing from the pocket except high/low throws.

Why he made the list: Not only is Brady the G.O.A.T he apparently is when it comes to Madden abilities as well. With a game leading six abilities Brady is equipped to basically do anything he wants to on his way to annihilating the competition. Pro Reads mentioned earlier is a top X Factor ability allowing users to see the open receiver. Brady however possess Clutch which allows him to get in, and stay in, the zone easier late in close games. Add in the fact Protected will buy you more time and Conductor will let you hot route the plays quicker and it seems, and it seems like Brady can truly do it all when it comes to playing QB in Madden.

There's my list, how'd I do? What would your list look like? Let me know by commenting or hitting me up on Twitter @T4Verts!