5 NFL stars who could be on the Madden 22 cover

4. Potential Madden 22 cover stars: Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants

The New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley is also a good bet to be a Madden cover-athlete. Not only is he already one of the most talented backs in the game, on pace to join the 99 club and become an unstoppable Madden force; but the 2018 second overall pick plays in one of the largest markets in the United States, for a team well-positioned to be on the rise if their second-year quarterback Daniel Jones takes a big step forward.

In his first two seasons in the league, Barkley has 2300 yards on the ground and 17 rushing touchdowns. He’s added another 1150 yards in the air and six more touchdowns, amassing one of the highest totals in yards from scrimmage across the NFL over that two-year span.

Barkley was also instantly marketable upon entry to the league, coming from high profile college Penn State, and being a Heisman Trophy finalist, drafted to New York, made him an instant star.

Even if the Giants continue to be bottom-dwellers, Barkley has a shot at the Madden cover just based on his exposure and talent. After all, EA put Peyton Hillis on the cover despite the Browns 5-11 season preceding his selection.