Credit: easports
Wide receivers:
1. Davante Adams, Raiders (99)
2. Cooper Kupp, Rams (99)
3. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (97)
4. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (95)
5. Stefon Diggs, Bills (95)
6. Deandre Hopkins, Cardinals (93)
7. JaMaar Chase, Bengals (92)
8. Deebo Samuel, 49ers (92)
9. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (91)
10. Keenan Allen, Chargers (91)
Credit: cbssports.com
In their rankings, the Madden developers left JaMaar Chase and Deebo Samuel completely out of the top 10, had Cooper Kupp at a 98 overall despite winning the triple crown and the Super Bowl MVP, and ignorantly ranked Deandre Hopkins at a 96 overall without considering his inconsistency to stay on the field and that he will be suspended for the first 6 six games of next season.
Other slight changes I made include moving Justin Jefferson from a 93 to a 95 overall, as he has shown the ability to be a top 5 (potentially top 3) wide receiver in the NFL, and I moved Mike Evans and Amari Cooper out of the top 10. Evans and his teammate, Chris Godwin, produce very similar numbers, thus it is very hard to rank Evans in the top 10 when his numbers are not in the realm of anyone I have on the list. For Amari Cooper, I simply believe he is one of the most overrated players, who consistently underperforms on the road every season.
I would rank Mike Evans a solid 90 and Cooper an 87.
Running backs:
1. Derrick Henry, Titans (99)
2. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (97)
3. Nick Chubb, Browns (96)
4. Dalvin Cook, Vikings (94)
5. Alvin Kamara, Saints (94)
6. Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (93)
7. Joe Mixon, Bengals (92)
8. Aaron Jones, Packers (90)
9. Austin Ekeler, Chargers (89)
10. Najee Harris, Steelers (89)
Credit: vgr.com
Madden had Christian McCaffrey tied for 2nd with Nick Chubb at a 96 overall, even though the young Panthers’ running back played just 7 games last season and a measly 3 games in 2020. Do not get me wrong, when he his healthy, McCaffrey is a top 3 running back in the NFL but his inability to stay off the IR drops him to a 93 overall in my book.
Furthermore, Madden ranked Jonathan Taylor as the 4th best running back in the NFL with a 95 overall, which is utterly disgraceful. They also ranked Alvin Kamara at a 90 overall which I adjusted to a 94 to match Dalvin Cook’s rating, and they had the audacity to rank Ezekiel Elliot tied for 9th with Austin Ekeler at an 88 overall. To give credit where credit is due, Ekeler’s rating was not far off, but Elliott’s performance has consistently declined over the years and there has been no sign of a change in that direction.
Elliott does not belong in the top 10 and should be replaced by Najee Harris, who had an impressive rookie season behind a sub-par Steelers’ offensive line.
Quarterbacks:
1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (97)
2. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (96)
3. Tom Brady, Buccaneers (95)
4. Josh Allen, Bills (94)
5. Joe Burrow, Bengals (91)
6. Justin Herbert, Chargers (90)
7. Matthew Stafford, Rams (90)
8. Russell Wilson, Broncos (89)
9. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (88)
10. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (88)
Credit: forbes.com
From Tom Brady being ranked above Aaron Rodgers to Matthew Stafford being ranked an 85 overall, Madden missed on all cylinders when it came to their top 10 quarterbacks ranking. Considering Rodgers is a back-to-back reigning MVP, he should be the best quarterback in the game, and Patrick Mahomes deserves to be #2 ahead of Tom Brady, especially in a video game when athleticism and throw power hold loads of value.
Moreover, some small changes I made include moving Josh Allen from a 92 to a 94 for his performance in the postseason and Herbert from an 88 to a 90 for his numerous game-winning drives and clutch throws at the end of games.
I also moved Matthew Stafford from #10 to #7 and from an 85 to a 90 overall, slightly adjusted Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson’s overalls, and added Kyler Murray in place of Dak Prescott. Madden ranked Prescott at #6 with an 89 overall but in my opinion, Prescott is barely a top 15 quarterback.
Tight ends:
1. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (98)
2. George Kittle, 49ers (96)
3. Mark Andrews, Ravens (94)
4. Darren Waller, Raiders (93)
5. Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (89)
6. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (89)
7. TJ Hockenson, Lions (87)
8. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (86)
9. Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (86)
10. Zach Ertz, Cardinals (84)
Credit: twitter.com/raiders
Out of all the positions, Madden’s tight end ranking was by far the most accurate. I made some slight adjustments, which include moving Gesicki from an 86 to an 89 overall, Pitts from an 87 to an 89, and Waller from a 91 to a 93. I also added Dalton Schultz in place of Hunter Henry for the breakout year he had last season and with the expectation that Dallas’ offense will be much more pass-centric than New England’s. All other overall changes were made by no more than 1 overall.
Edge rushers:
1. T.J. Watt, Steelers (99)
2. Myles Garrett, Browns (98)
3. Nick Bosa, 49ers (94)
4. Khalil Mack, Chargers (93)
5. Maxx Crosby, Raiders (92)
6. Joey Bosa, Chargers (91)
7. Cameron Jordan, Saints (91)
8. Von Miller, Bills (90)
9. Chandler Jones, Raiders (90)
10. Rashan Gary, Packers (89)
Credit: vgr
Despite a respectable tight end list, Madden managed to lose all credibility once again with their edge rushers’ top 10. First of all, Madden ranked T.J Watt, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, as the second-best edge rusher at a 96 overall behind Myles Garrett who they deemed a member of the 99 club. Additionally, Madden left Maxx Crosby, one of the best defensive players in the entire NFL, completely off the top 10 list.
Other changed I felt needed to be made include moving Von Miller down from a 92 to a 90 overall as he continues to age and will play alongside a much weaker defensive line in Buffalo compared to the powerhouse of Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd in Los Angeles.
Finally, DeMarcus Lawrence not only did not deserve a 90 overall but does not belong in the top 10 entirely. Over the past several years, Lawrence’s play has consistently declined, and I think many Cowboys’ fans would agree that the former pro-bowler was overshadowed last season by rookie Micah Parsons as the best pass rusher on the team… and Parsons classifies as a linebacker.
Linebackers:
1. Fred Warner, 49ers (97)
2. Darius Leonard, Colts (96)
3. Devin White, Buccaneers (94)
4. Micah Parsons, Cowboys (93)
5. Demario Davis, Saints (92)
6. Bobby Wagner, Rams (91)
7. Roquan Smith, Bears (90)
8. Lavonte David, Buccaneers (90)
9. Eric Kendricks, Vikings (89)
10. De’Vondre Campbell, Packers (88)
Credit: reddit.com/colts
For the second list in a row, the Madden developers have embarrassed themselves once again. Two glaring issues with the linebackers’ list are Darius Leonard being a 90 overall and Micah Parsons an 88. Leonard could easily make the case he is the best linebacker in the football but, for now at least, that title belongs to Fred Warner.
In Parsons’ case, the Cowboys’ rookie sensation won the Defensive Rookie of the Year and for the majority of the season was a serious candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, thus I believe he deserves a 93 overall when his pass rushing and all-around ability are considered.
Finally, I thought Madden made a huge mistake with the two Tampa Bay linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David. It will be tough to find anyone that genuinely believes David is a better linebacker than White, so Madden’s decision to rank David a 92 and White an 85 raises many questions in my eyes.
Safeties:
1. Derwin James Jr., Chargers (95)
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers (94)
3. Tyrann Mathieu, Saints (93)
4. Budda Baker, Cardinals (92)
5. Kevin Byard, Titans (91)
6. Jessie Bates III, Bengals (91)
7. Justin Simmons, Broncos (91)
8. Harrison Smith, Vikings (90)
9. Micah Hyde, Bills (90)
10. Jordan Poyer, Bills (89)
Credit: bleacherreport.com
Minkah Fitzpatrick must no longer exist anymore based on Madden’s safeties ratings. Fitzpatrick, arguably the best safety in the NFL, did not even make the top 10 on Madden’s list for reasons I cannot even fathom. Madden also ranked Tyrann Mathieu as the best safety in the league which is obnoxious.
Had Madden not completely forgotten one of the best safeties in the NFL, this list would actually be fairly respectable but the absence of Minkah Fitzpatrick and the overrating of Mathieu ruins it all.
Cornerbacks:
1. Jalen Ramsey, Rams (97)
2. Tre’Davious White, Bills (95)
3. Xavien Howard, Dolphins (94)
4. Jaire Alexander, Packers (94)
5. Denzel Ward, Browns (93)
6. Darius Slay Jr., Eagles (92)
7. Marshon Lattimore, Saints (91)
8. J.C. Jackson, Patriots (91)
9. A.J. Terrell, Falcons (90)
10. Marlon Humphrey, Ravens (90)
Credit: miamiherald
In the final category, Madden has yet to regain its dignity as they left Xavien Howard off their top 10 list. Howard receives an overwhelming amount of respect from opposing receivers, many of whom believe he is the best corner in the NFL. Howard is easily a top 3 corner in my opinion and could make the case to be #2.
Speaking of second-best, my #2 corner Tre’Davious White was severely underrated in Madden’s rankings at a 93 overall. Tre White is one of the most consistent and fundamentally sound cornerbacks in the league, but nobody wants to acknowledge it. White deserves a 95.
Finally, while I do agree that Jalen Ramsey is the best cornerback in the league, I docked him 1 overall for his poor play in the postseason and more so in the Super Bowl. All other overall changes were no more than a 1 overall increase.
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