EA places Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas in Madden 15 cover vote

EA Sports revealed the sixteen players that will square off in this year's edition of the Madden NFL video game cover vote during the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday evening.

Denver Broncos fifth-year wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is among the candidates to be on the next cover. Thomas, 6-3, 229 pounds, has earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections over the past two seasons after catching 186 passes for 2,864 yards and 24 touchdowns since quarterback Peyton Manning arrived in Denver via free agency in 2012.

Thomas is a long shot to make it past it past the first round of voting as he is up against the reigning Defensive Player of the Year—Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who was featured in the game's first promo video earlier this month.

In addition to Thomas and Kuechly, Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery, Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, Packers running back Eddie Lacy, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, Bengals receiver A.J. Green, Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, Redskins running back Alfred Morris, and Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman have also been nominated to grace the cover.

Sherman and Kuechly are the favorites to win the vote.

Madden 15 will hit stores August 26. Fans can vote for the cover athlete at ESPN.com.

What will the next Madden be called? EA Sports says "Madden NFL 15"

(Photo courtesy: EA Sports)

From 2005 through 2012, EA Sports dubbed their annual Madden NFL video game the number of the following year (Madden NFL 06 through Madden NFL 13). Last year, EA commemorated the twenty-fifth edition of the game by calling it Madden NFL 25. Starting this August, EA will be returning to the yearly number.

The next installment of Madden, due to hit stores on August 26, will be called Madden NFL 15, EA Sports announced on Monday. This year's version of the game will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

EA said in a press release that this year's game will feature "the most immersive defensive gameplay control in franchise history." EA also boasted of an improved broadcast presentation and coined this year's marketing campaign: "Madden Season."

Pushing their improved defensive gameplay, EA's first commercial for the game features Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly "transforming" into a Madden player.


This year's cover athlete will again be voted on by the fans, ESPN announced in a tweet Monday.

Last year's cover vote included current Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (who was eliminated in Round 2) and former Bronco running back Terrell Davis (who was eliminated in Round 1). More details on the Madden 15 cover vote will be announced on ESPN and NFL Network during the NFL Draft on Thursday, May 8.

Update: EA announced on Monday evening that cover voting will begin on the first night of the NFL draft (May 8).