It’s that time of the year again. Just before preseason, EA posts its annual ratings for the upcoming year’s installment in the Madden franchise. Madden ratings always spark debate among fans. Some players are rated too high due to their popularity or perhaps prior success, while others who are either under the radar or on the younger side get severely underrated. The developers will tweak these ratings throughout the season, but until that happens, let’s see whose numbers don’t match their play.
Jalen Ramsey: Too High
We start off this list with Jalen Ramsey, who’s a 94 overall. While Ramsey is still an above-average starter, he’s past his prime. That’s not to say he’s unreliable. There’s a reason that the Steelers wanted him over a younger Minkah Fitzpatrick when they made the trade to get Ramsey, along with Jonnu Smith.
However, a 70% catch rate allowed and a career worst 19.4% missed tackle rate show his decline. His best days are behind him, and having him rated above Derek Stingley, Jaylon Johnson, and Denzel Ward is a big mistake.
Patrick Surtain II: Too Low
You may raise an eyebrow as to why a player who’s got 97 overall next to their name is rated too low. However, not having Patrick Surtain in the 99 overall club is an oversight. Surtain was far and away the best defensive back, if not the best defensive player, in the NFL last season.
Surtain capped off his elite season by earning Defensive Player of the Year honors. He became the first corner to win Defensive Player of the Year since Stephon Gilmore in 2019. It’s tough to make the 99 club, but Surtain deserves it.
Christian McCaffrey: Too High
After San Francisco’s workhorse running back was on the cover of Madden last year, he followed it up with a disappointing injury-riddled campaign. Whether this is the effect of the Madden Curse is another discussion, but his 94 rating should be questioned.
You could make the argument that he deserves the high number due to his past success. However, after the seasons that Bijan Robinson, Joe Mixon, and Josh Jacobs had, it’s hard to justify Christian McCaffrey’s top 4 ranking.
Nico Collins: Too Low
Nico Collins followed his breakout year with an outstanding 1,000+ yard season, despite missing 5 games. Madden has seemingly ignored Collins’ efficiency and kept him out of the top ten ranked wide receivers. An 89 overall rating isn’t bad per se. However, after earning the second-best Pro Football Focus grade at wideout, Collins should be rated higher.
Tyreek Hill: Too High
Despite Tyreek Hill’s speed, Father Time appears to finally be catching up. In his age-30 season, Hill failed to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark for just the third time in his career. Granted, he played much of the season without his starting signal caller. Tua Tagovailoa missed six total games last year, while Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley did not meet expectations.
However, other top receivers maintained their high production despite poor quarterback play. His Madden rating is at a staggering 95 overall, making him the fifth-best at his position. Similar to other vets, Tyreek Hill’s popularity and track record of good play give him the benefit of the doubt. However, signs suggest that he may not return to his past glory.
Brian Thomas Jr: Too Low
Brian Thomas Jr. was far and away the best receiver of last year’s rookie class. His 1,282 receiving yards put him at the top of the leaderboard among rookies and third amongst all wide receivers. Additionally, it is worth noting that he accumulated that yardage despite sporadic quarterback play.
Mac Jones was his man under center for a good chunk of the year, and he kept on producing despite that. His Madden rating of 84 is lower than that of his LSU teammate and fellow rookie Malik Nabers. Nabers rightfully got an 87 overall, but there’s no reason that Thomas Jr. shouldn’t have the same rating or even a slightly higher one.
Darren Waller: Too High
The tight end ratings are particularly egregious. Travis Kelce (93 overall) is another star on the decline who gets favored by Madden’s rating system. Mark Andrews is listed higher than Brock Bowers, while his teammate Isaiah Likely is rated at 80 overall. One of the worst offenders is Darren Waller’s 82 rating.
Waller just recently announced his return from retirement after missing the entirety of 2024. In the two seasons prior to his retirement, his numbers showed he was past his prime, with injuries contributing heavily to his disappointing numbers.
Jonathan Greenard: Too Low
Jonathan Greenard was highly effective in his first year with the Minnesota Vikings. He followed up his 12.5 sack performance from 2023 with another 12 sack campaign and 18 TFLs. Last year, his 80 pressures overall ranked him third in the league.
You would assume that with his production being among the best in the game and not a flash in the pan, it would translate to a respectable rating. 83 overall is what EA decided was appropriate for him, putting him just slightly higher than rookie Abdul Carter.
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