Cover Athlete Predictions For Sports Video Games In 2023
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, the subsequent NBA 2K24 cowl athlete? (Picture by Elsa/Getty Photographs)
Completely satisfied New 12 months.
Sports activities players are trying ahead to the subsequent set of annual releases on the calendar. Right here’s an informed guess on the cowl athletes for the preferred sports activities online game titles anticipated to be launched this yr.
NBA 2K24 – Ja Morant
You can make a critical argument that the Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is essentially the most thrilling participant within the NBA at present. From an athletic standpoint, you can most likely depend on one hand the variety of guys able to pulling off among the mid-air strikes Morant executes on a nightly foundation.
Morant isn’t simply explosive, he’s additionally a performer of substance.
The 23-year-old famous person has established himself as a professional MVP candidate averaging 27 factors, 6.2 rebounds and eight.1 assists per sport this season. What’s extra, Morant’s Grizzlies appear primed for a protracted postseason run and that often helps so as to add consideration. Lastly, Morant’s type connects effectively with 2K’s major age demographic.
Why it Would possibly Not Work
Memphis continues to be a small-market group. Due to that, 2K may take a look at somebody just like the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, with whom they’ve had a relationship with since he got here into the NBA.
MLB The Present 23 – Julio Rodriguez
SEATTLE, WA – MAY 28: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners takes a swing throughout an at-bat in … [+]
Sony often likes to focus on younger, up-and-coming stars as effectively. Final yr’s sport had Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani, and the yr earlier than that, the San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. was tabbed.
This yr might the quilt athlete might be Seattle Mariners younger star Julio Rodriguez. J-Rod gained American League MVP and having simply turned 22 years outdated this week, he’s one other younger and dynamic match for the quilt athlete duties.
Why it Would possibly Not Work
Rodriguez continues to be actually younger and its doable this honor might be a yr too untimely.
Madden 24 – Justin Jefferson
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Minnesota Vikings extensive receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his … [+]
The Griddy dance has turn into the NFL’s hottest celebration. EA put it in Madden and it is smart to place Justin Jefferson, the man who popularized it within the NFL, on the quilt.
Jefferson on the quilt can be about greater than a dance. The Minnesota Vikings star is closing in on a record-breaking 2022 season. Via Week 16, Jefferson has 1,756 receiving yards which implies he’s 209 yards in need of breaking Calvin Johnson’s document of 1,964 receiving yards in a single season.
After all, Megatron completed the aim in 16 video games. Jefferson would wish to have a monster efficiency towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Sunday to get it carried out.
In any case, he’s having an enormous yr and it’s the sort of season that might land the 23-year-old on the quilt of Madden 24.
Why it Would possibly Not Work
If there’s a QB into consideration, primarily the Buffalo Payments’ Josh Allen or the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, Jefferson may get bumped by the game’s glamour place.
NHL 24 – Cale Makar
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JUNE 26: h8#2of the Colorado Avalanche carries the Stanley Cup following the sequence … [+]
In terms of younger stars within the NHL, you’ll be hard-pressed to search out yet one more productive and promising than the Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar.
The 24-year-old is averaging greater than some extent per sport in his younger NHL profession and he’s scored 57 objectives. It additionally doesn’t damage that he is among the few actually good NHL gamers beneath the age of 25 who has been a serious a part of a Stanley Cup successful group.
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Mikhail Sergachev has been glorious within the early phases of his profession and he helped the Lightning win two Stanley Cups, however cowl athlete just isn’t more likely to be an enormous defenseman, so we’ll go together with Makar.
Why it Would possibly Not Work
EA might elect to go together with a extra established star, maybe even a legend like Sidney Crosby on the quilt.
EA FC 24 -Kylian Mbappe
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 07: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates after scoring their … [+]
Kylian Mbappe has been the quilt athlete since FIFA 21, although he shared the distinction with Sam Kerr for FIFA 23. Kerr might return to share the honors with Mbappe, however the PSG star looks as if a lock to stay the face of EA’s soccer title.
Whereas France fell brief in its try to win the World Cup in 2022, Mbappe’s efficiency within the event was legendary.
Punctuated by his three-goal outing within the remaining towards Argentina, Mbappe took residence the Golden Boot as the most effective participant of the World Cup. Except EA goes in a wholly new path, Mbappe must be the quilt athlete for the brand new sport.
Why it Would possibly Not Work
I can’t consider a motive it gained’t.
