#18 - Joe Flacco, QB - Baltimore Ravens
It was no mystery that going into the draft that the Baltimore Ravens wanted Matt Ryan. However, when the Falcons took him at No. 3, the Ravens next option was to move down and get the next best thing, Joe Flacco. While the former Delaware quarterback doesn't have the type of refined ability as Ryan, he does have a cannon for an arm and can make big passes. While I'm among the group that believe Brian Brohm was the second best quarterback in the draft, Flacco does have the most Madden potential after Ryan. With the type of arm that will find any receiver going deep over the top, Flacco could help to spread the field against opposing defenses on Sunday and in Madden. Regretably, the Ravens really don't have the type of receivers that will utilize that strong arm. Instead, Baltimore may be in trouble as Flacco tends to go Brett Favre and try to force passes. The only downside being, Joe Flacco is not Brett Favre, and he'll end up with a lot of interceptions. If Flacco gets a full season to refine his mechanics and learn the playbook, he'll be a much better quarterback in the long run. Hopefully Baltimore learned from its failed Kyle Boller experience and won't rush Flacco into the game. Plus maybe we'll get to see if Troy Smith has any NFL potential while he's learning.
Impact Rating: 3/10

#22 - Felix Jones, RB - Dallas Cowboys
It's always exciting for Madden fans when one of the best teams in the game drafts a player at a major offensive position like running back. For those who aren't familiar with Felix Jones, he was the backup running back in Arkansas. While drafting a backup running back in the first round may sound crazy, Felix Jones is far from an ordinary substitute. Jones averaged 7.6 yards per carry in his collegiate career and eclipsed 1,100 yards in his last two seasons in Arkansas, despite not being the primary ball handler. Jones has the type of explosiveness the team lost in the offseason with Julius Jones going to Seattle, and can turn the corner and get up field in a hurry, something all Madden fans love. Just like on Sunday, most Madden fans will look for Jones to be a key contributor between the 20's and let Marion Barber rack up touchdowns in the red zone.
Impact Rating: 8/10

#23 - Rashard Mendenhall, RB - Pittsburgh Steelers
Willie Parker is among the ten best running backs in the NFL so it may seem strange for the Steelers to go this route in the draft, but with more teams relying upon multiple running backs, and Parker's injury in 2007, the pick makes sense. For Madden players, this pick makes perfect sense as Parker can sometimes have difficulty punching it in on those goal line situations or on 3rd & short. Mendenhall only carried the load for one season at Illinois, but proved he could be tough against some strong rush defenses in the Big Ten. Expect the Steelers to still rely heavily upon Willie Parker, but Mendenhall will have his role on Sundays and in Madden as he is great between the tackles. While he might not be Jerome Bettis, Mendenhall will be a valuable addition to a team many love to utilize in Madden.
Impact Rating: 7/10

#24 - Chris Johnson, RB - Tennessee Titans
There are few players that are more dynamic than Vince Young. One of the many problems Young has had since joining the Titans is his lack of supporting cast. In Madden 08 the Titans felt like the Atlanta Falcons of 2005 without Warrick Dunn. While the Titans have always had a platoon backfield, no one player was ever impactful in Madden, which makes the Titans very one dimensional, especially considering the two-dimensional Young under center.

In every draft there are many players like Chris Long and Glen Dorsey whose impact will be felt more on Sunday than in Madden. However, there are a select few whose impact may be greater in the virtual world than in the NFL. Not to take away from Chris Johnson's ability at the NFL level, but he is absolutely the type of player gamers will love to use in Madden. Johnson has been timed at 4.24 in the 40, giving him almost unmatched speed! Johnson also has switched between running back and slot receiver at times, giving him the best set of hands out of the backfield of any back in the draft. Gamers will find opportunities for Johnson at running back, wide receiver, and in the return game, as his speed will make him a widely utilized player. Look for the combination of Young's scrambling ability and Johnson's speed to make the Titans even more popular in Madden NFL 09, and a lethal combination in Madden circles.
Impact Rating: 10/10

With another NFL Draft in the books and the 08 NFL season and Madden NFL 09 on the horizon, it's only a matter of time until we see the level of impact these college stars really have at the next level.