Marc Edwards Madden Career 1998-2005 - Peak 85 OVR

Marc Edwards was a second-round fullback out of Notre Dame, drafted by San Francisco in 1997 to do the blocking and short-yardage work that keeps an offense on schedule. He spent his first two seasons with the 49ers before moving on, a lead blocker and occasional receiver of the classic mold, back when every team still carried one.

Madden rated him a 62 as a rookie and climbed him into the 80s over the course of his career, peaking at an 85 for the 2004 season with Jacksonville, the standard slow rise for a fullback as he goes from raw rookie to trusted veteran. The number never got high because the position never scored high, but it tracked his development steadily enough.

Edwards found his greatest success after leaving the Bay Area. He signed with New England and won Super Bowl XXXVI on the 2001 Patriots, a champion fullback clearing the way in a title offense. He finished his career with the Browns, Patriots and Jaguars, a dependable blocker who lasted eight seasons. San Francisco drafted and developed him; someone else got the ring, which is often how it goes for the men who play in front of the ball.