Jerald Sowell Madden Career 1999-2007 - Peak 90 OVR

Jerald Sowell owns the longest play in Tulane history, a 98-yard run against Alabama in 1993, though his NFL living came from blocking and covering kicks rather than breaking off long runs. Green Bay drafted him in the seventh round in 1997 and traded him to the New York Jets during his rookie year, and he stayed in green for nine seasons.

Sowell was primarily a lead blocker who grew into a useful outlet receiver, catching 47 passes in 2003 and 45 in 2004 out of the backfield. He also punished ball carriers on special teams, where his 135 career tackles remain a Jets franchise record. He closed his career with a single 2006 season in Tampa Bay.

His Madden line traces a role player earning trust slowly. He opened at a 33 in the 2000 edition and a 43 in 2001, numbers that fit a special-teamer few noticed, then climbed steadily as his receiving work expanded: a 72 in 2003, an 85 in 2004, an 88 in 2005, and finally a 90 in the 2006 game, by which point he ranked among the position's better all-around fullbacks.