David Thornton Madden Career 2003-2011 - Peak 89 OVR

Thornton arrived at North Carolina as a walk-on and left with a scholarship and a reputation for closing speed, which is why the Colts spent a fourth-round pick on him in 2002. He broke in under Tony Dungy in Indianapolis and grew into a full-time starter, leading the 2003 Colts with 145 tackles and adding two interceptions from the weak side. He spent four seasons in Indianapolis before Tennessee made him a priority free agent in 2006, and he started at outside linebacker for the Titans through 2010, when a hip injury forced him out of the game.

His Madden trajectory reads like a slow, honest climb. He entered as a 53 overall in the 2002 edition, a rookie afterthought, then jumped to 86 in the 2004 game once the starting job was his. The card topped out at 89 across the 2006 and 2008 editions during his Titans years before settling to 79 in the 2010 edition as the hip gave way. He stayed in the sport afterward, running player engagement for the Colts.