2005 PTF Draft Review- RB’s
This will be my attempt at using AI (Chat GPT) to help provide opinions for the top 5 RB’s in this years draft class. This is the 2nd type of article behind the top5 QB’s. I’ve went to Chat GPT’s website and entered the following text:
”We play Madden 08 PC and our gameplay is CPU vs CPU. We put an emphasis on size and weight with usually taller and heavier players being valued more. Can you tell me what would your your top 5 RB's in our upcoming draft from the following uploaded file? By the way our game play year is 2005 not 2025.“
Note: I am starting out by not uploading our sliders and league settings as I am just hooping for general info. I figure I can fine tune it as I like. I’ve started this research at 7:54 PM EST.
I went to our league draft setting and downloaded the incoming RB class. After I entered the above text into Chat GPT I uploaded a CSV file with the RB class and waited for Chat GPT’s answer. I will note Chat GPT’s response then do a review of the top 5 RB’s, based on my criteria. I’ll then compare the results and provide them below,
Chat GPT’s feedback starts below:
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This is pure Madden 08 PC, CPU vs CPU, 2005 tuning, and size/weight absolutely matters. I’m ranking these RBs based on how they actually sim, not stick skills or modern Madden logic.
I’m heavily weighting:
• Weight + strength (bigger backs fall forward more)
• BTK / CAR / TGH / INJ
• Stamina (huge in long CPU seasons)
• Speed matters, but it’s secondary for you guys
Top 5 RBs – 2005 Draft (CPU vs CPU, Size-Weighted)
Cedric Benson — 5’11”, 227
Why he’s RB1
• Elite power profile for Madden 08
• SPD 93 + STR 70 (rare combo)
• Good BTK / CAR
• Big enough to avoid constant negative plays
CPU vs CPU profile
• Falls forward a lot
• Excellent inside-zone and power sims
• Doesn’t disappear behind mediocre OLs
This is the safest long-term feature back in the class for sim leagues.
Marion Barber III — 5’11”, 218
Why Madden loves him
• High stamina (99) — massive for CPU usage
• Strong power runner tendencies
• Great short-yardage and red zone simmer
Weakness
• Slightly lighter than your ideal bell-cow
CPU vs CPU profile
• Consistent YPC
• TD magnet
• Perfect RB1/RB2 hybrid in heavy-run books
One of the best “sim grinders” in Madden 08 history.
Ronnie Brown — 6’0”, 223
Why he’s so steady
• Ideal height/weight blend
• Very good durability (INJ 94)
• Balanced across all core RB stats
CPU vs CPU profile
• Less explosive than Benson
• Fewer negative plays
• Excellent all-purpose back who never implodes
Low-variance, high-floor RB — Madden-safe.
Maurice Clarett — 6’0”, 234
Why he’s here
• Mass monster for Madden 08
• INJ 99 / TGH 80
• CPU loves his downhill style
Concerns
• Less refined vision
• Can stall drives if overused
CPU vs CPU profile
• Short-yardage beast
• Good clock-killer
• Needs committee usage to shine
If you value size above all else, he’s a cheat code in power schemes.
Cadillac Williams — 5’11”, 202
Why he still makes it
• Excellent balance and burst
• Good ball security
• Sims better than lighter finesse backs
Why he isn’t higher
• Lighter frame = more stuff plays over time
• Less durable long-term than the big boys
CPU vs CPU profile
• Strong early-career production
• Better in zone / stretch-heavy books
Last “safe” RB before the volatility cliff.
Big Names That Missed (And Why)
• Reggie Bush – too light; CPU Madden wastes him
• J.J. Arrington – finesse back, poor inside success
• Frank Gore – good all-around, but not dominant size-wise
• Eric Shelton – big but lacks efficiency traits
Draft Strategy (CPU vs CPU Only)
If you want a franchise RB
• Top 3 pick → Cedric Benson
• Late Top 10 → Marion Barber III
If you want size-first
• Clarett in a power book = value monster
If you want stability
• Ronnie Brown won’t wreck your offense
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Top 5 RB’s According to GM Mellon
Here is where my personal opinion and input begins.
I reviewed the RB class and removed all players with SPD less than 83. I then removed players that were less than 5’9”. From there I compared attributes and removed RB’s Cobb, Houston, Williams,& larrett (due to his low CAR). This brought my list down to 6. It was not easy figuring out who would be my #5 and #6. Ultimately I choise to leave Cedric Benson out. There might be GM’s who would rank Benson higher than me. In the end I did not like his combo of BTK of 68 & ACC of 86.
My top 5 ended up being:
1.) Frank Gore- 22 years old, 5’9”, 212#, College: Miami
SPD 95, AGI 91, ACC 99, CAR 80, BTK 80, STR 67, AWR 63, INJ 73, TGH 83, STA 97
I know, I know: I ranked a 5’9” first and before a 6’4” 260# and a 6’1” 240#. I am shocked as anyone about this. The more I loooked at Gore though and knowing our training camp system, the more I liked him to be a legit franchise RB. Of course, if he skews poorly, this could all change but he could be 99 SPD, 99 ACC, with great CAR & BTK plus 70+ STR. That would one be one mean RB! Plus, with 87 STA he will be in there nearly every play.
2.) Ronnie Brown- 23 years old, 6’0”, 223#, College: Auburn
SPD 92, ACC 98, AGI 98, CAR 83, BTK 81, STR 59, AWR 64, INJ 94, TGH 59, STA 80
Brown has an amazing combo of SPD, AGI & ACC with AGI and ACC basically being 99 each. With a good skew and training camps SPD could also hit 99. With all this, his CAR and BTK have to be low right? Nope, those start out at 83 and 81. If AGI and ACC get maxed by rookie and sophomore progression extra training camp points can go to CAR and BTK. The only thing I don’t like about Brown is his 59 TGH however he boasts 94 INJ so the chances of him getting injured are low. If he does get injured, it might take him a bit longer to heal.
3.) Brandon Jacobs- 22 years old, 6’4”, 264#, College: Southern Illinois
SPD 83, AGI 81, ACC 82, CAR 76, BTK 81, STR 77, AWR 59, INJ 87, TGH 92, STA 99
Jacobs is a beast! ^’4” and 260# with what could end up being pretty decent SPD. He has good STR of 77. His ACC, CAR and BTK could be better but those, especially ACC can improve with training camps. One attribute that Jacobs has that I love is his STA of 99. He will be a 6’4”, 260# RB that does not come out of games very often. This means on the goaline, he could be going up against backup DL and LB’s. I could make an argument that he could be the #1 RB to GM’s who put an even greater value on size.
4.) Eric Shelton- 22 years old, 6’1”, 246#, College: Louisville
SPD 85. AGI 85, ACC 92, CAR 70, BTK 78, STR 78, AWR 50, INJ 98, TGH 78, STA 99
Shelton is also a beat even though he is 18# lighter than Jacobs. I guess that just solidifies how huge Jacobs is. Shelton is a better overall athlete than Jacobs and may end up being a better overall RB than him due to his +2 SPD, +4 AGI and +10 ACC. Shelton is also going to be a monster who is in the backfield almost every play due to his 99 STA. If you need a RB and plan on investing in one early, this looks to be the draft for you.
5.) Marion Barber- 23 years old, 5’11”, 218#, College: Minnesota
SPD 91, AGI 91, ACC 88, CAR 80, BTK 69, STR 56, AWR 58, INJ 91, TGH 78, STA 99
Barber should be a very capable RB in PTF. He will have a nice SPD, AGI, ACC combo and obviously it will only get better with rookie & sophomore progression as well as training camps.
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Chat GPT and I only shared 2 RB's in the top 5. What is really glaring is I did not have their #1 in my top 5 now did they have my #1 in their top 5. This could very well have to do with me stating we (usually) value size and weight.
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Personal commentary: There you go, between the QB and RB review that was about 2,5 hours of my time. I tried including GPT along with what I would normally do to give a reasonable and unbiased review. What I've came up with is, in my opinion, the technology of Chat CBT looks like it could help GM’s who normally do not have the time to invest into doing articles that take hours and hours to do. I think tech like Chat CPT would help bridge a gap with that. It really is hard to get 32 people on the same page though. Again, I would personally like to thank Darren for bring this idea to us as we try to find new ways of doing things to this game that is what, 19 years old?
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