Rob Gronkowski’s Madden 21 rating is a joke
Rob Gronkowski will be rated a 95 overall when Madden 21 launches.
Bring a Madden ratings adjustor is hard work, no doubt. It’s a thankless job often met with criticism from fans and players alike. Madden Ratings Week has been especially brutal for these guys as the exposure from ESPN’s programming has opened up even more conversation and debate for Madden 21.
But perhaps no rating was more controversial than that of Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski. The veteran tight end, who will return to the gridiron after a year of absence, will be rated a very generous 95 overall in Madden 21. Suffice to say, his rating garnered plenty of talk online.
Despite having not played since 2018 and his history of injuries, Gronkowski will be the third best-rated tight end in Madden 21. He’s behind only George Kittle (49ers, 98 OVR) and Travice Kelce (Chiefs, 97 OVR) but ahead of proven veterans like Zach Ertz (Eagles, 90 OVR) and Austin Hooper (Falcons, 89 OVR). Gronkowski has always been a talented tight end but at this stage in his career, after a year off from the game, most seem to agree that he’s way overrated in Madden 21.
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Once considered one of the NFL’s best tight ends, Gronkowski’s 2018 season — his last in the league — was a down year for him across the board. A slow start to the season resulted in a lackluster stat line of 47 receptions for 682 yards and three touchdowns. But he did come up big in the Super Bowl, hauling in a 29-yard catch from Brady to help set the Patriots up for the go-ahead touchdown against the Rams. Is that enough to warrant a 95 overall? I don’t think so.
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Gronkowski is a fun and exciting player with a big personality on the field, so I can understand why EA wants him to remain a top tier tight end in the game. But in rating him a 95 overall, I don’t think they are being honest with themselves.
Gronkowski is a Hall of Famer, for sure, but that doesn’t mean he’s an elite tight end at this stage of his career. Even a rating in the low 90s, high 80s would’ve been more well-received because there’s at least some debate to be had there. But right now the issue is just how much better rated he is than the other tight ends below him. Is Zach Ertz really five overall points lower than him?
I’d probably rate Gronkowksi somewhere between 85 to 90 overall. If he can stay healthy, he’ll have a solid year. He’ll be a top 10 tight end. But top three overall? Come on, EA, you’re better than that.
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Thankfully, Gronkowski will have to prove himself this season or his rating won’t stick. Thanks to weekly roster updates, player ratings are adjusted on a weekly basis so if Gronkowski doesn’t deliver, expect him to be knocked down a peg or two from that 95 overall.