Feel like getting a little crazy and sticking Cam Newton at running back in “Madden NFL 16”? It actually won’t work out that badly for you.
Believe it or not, the Carolina Panthers quarterback is such an elite athlete, according to the video-game simulator, that changing his position to halfback only drops his overall rating to 84 from its original 90. That makes the converted signal-caller the best rusher on Carolina’s roster and the 13th-best running back in the league.
The inimitable Jon Bois of SB Nation unearthed this surprising tidbit in his latest installment of “Breaking Madden,” the popular series in which he creates increasingly absurd scenarios in “Madden” games. In this particular episode, Bois created one team composed entirely of quarterbacks and another entirely of defensive ends — which is how the Newton discovery came to light.
The heroes of the third season of “Breaking Madden” actually are Margus Hunt and Obum Gwacham, two little-known D-ends in whom Bois discovered overlooked passing and receiving skills. And, oddly, stud pass-rusher Khalil Mack actually ups his rating when he shifts to safety.
The Newton revelation remains the most intriguing, though, because if Jonathan Stewart gets injured — which, because he’s Jonathan Stewart, he will — the Panthers appear to have another more-than-capable rusher already on their roster. That is, if they can swing a deal to make Hunt their QB.
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
