With the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft in the books, here’s our ratings predictions for Madden 22 for the players that got drafted on April 29, 2021.
The most exciting part of the NFL offseason is here — the NFL Draft. Though we knew who the first overall pick was going to be since the 2020-21 season ended (congrats Trevor Lawrence), the rest of the first round was anybody’s guess. There were more than a few surprises, to say the least.
After months of mock drafts and predictions, now we get to predict how EA will rate these rookies in Madden 22. Though Madden 21 Ultimate Team added Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and other top draft picks, they are all incredibly overrated and nowhere close to where their ratings will be when Madden 22 releases later this year.
So here’s what we predict the overall ratings to be for the 1st round of the NFL Draft in Madden 22:
Picks 1-5
Trevor Lawrence – QB – Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 1)
The most hyped generational QB prospect since Andrew Luck (rated an 84 his rookie year), I think we’ll see Lawrence somewhere similar. Prediction: 83 OVR
Zach Wilson – QB – New York Jets (No. 2)
An athletic playmaker with great arm talent and a flair for the dramatics, but had a poor 2019 compared to 2020. Prediction: 78 OVR
Trey Lance – QB – San Francisco 49ers (No. 3)
Lance is a project, not playing in 2020 and being from a small school like North Dakota State. But he has a really high ceiling and game IQ. That said, he’s nowhere near ready to play. Prediction: 74 OVR
Kyle Pitts – TE – Atlanta Falcons (No. 4)
Too high to draft a tight end? Not when you have the receiving skills of Kyle Pitts, who might be the best athlete at the position we’ve seen in years. Prediction: 83 OVR
Ja’Marr Chase – WR – Cincinnati Bengals (No. 5)
Chase has incredible size and speed and can do it all as a pass catcher. He’s been compared to DK Metcalf and AJ Brown regularly. Prediction: 82 OVR
Picks 6-10
Jaylen Waddle – WR – Miami Dolphins (No. 6)
Tons of speed and Tyreek Hill-like ability, and will provide an explosive weapon for Tua. But can he stay healthy? Prediction: 76 OVR
Penei Sewell – OT – Detroit Lions (No. 7)
Might be the most sure thing in the draft, with best odds to become a pro bowler and hall of famer. He’s given up only one sack in over 1,300 snaps. Prediction: 84 OVR
Jaycee Horn – CB – Carolina Panthers (No. 8)
An explosive athlete who could shut down number one wide receivers with his aggressiveness, but still needs to be coached up a bit. Prediction: 77 OVR
Patrick Surtain II – CB – Denver Broncos (No. 9)
Though I fully expected a QB here, Surtain will fit into the Denver defense nicely. He’s the most polished corner in this draft and can cover anyone, but there are concerns over his change of direction. Prediction: 79 OVR
DeVonta Smith – WR – Philadelphia Eagles (No. 10)
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner lit up the National Title game. He might be the best route runner in the draft, but the 6’1″ receiver is only 166 pounds. Can he hold up in the NFL? Prediction: 75 OVR
Picks 11-15
Justin Fields – QB – Chicago Bears (No. 11)
The Bears traded up and got their QB. Fields was slipping due to concerns over his ability to read defenses and react quickly enough, but he’s a top talent with a strong arm and can run. Prediction: 76 OVR
Micah Parsons – LB – Dallas Cowboys (No. 12)
Even though he didn’t play in 2020, Parsons is widely regarded as the best defensive player in this draft, as he brings an uncanny blitzing ability with an unrivaled combination of strength and speed. But there are character concerns. Prediction: 79 OVR
Rashawn Slater – OT – LA Chargers (No. 13)
Slater can play multiple positions and is everything you look for in a tackle. He’ll fill the LT need for the Chargers, and it’s worth noting he has shut down Chase Young every time he’s faced him. Prediction: 78 OVR
Alijah Vera-Tucker – G – New York Jets (No. 14)
The Jets moved up to get this versatile lineman, who projects as a guard, but while full of potential, this pick is just too high. Prediction: 73 OVR
Mac Jones – QB – New England Patriots (No. 15)
I get he’s accurate, but I just don’t understand the hype around Mac Jones. He’s not athletic enough and doesn’t flash the arm ability to get me thinking he’s a franchise QB. Prediction: 71 OVR
Picks 16-20
Zaven Collins – LB – Arizona Cardinals (No. 16)
It’ll be interesting whether Collins is used as an Edge rusher or an athletic defender on the inside, but he’s versatile and has a knack for forcing turnovers. Prediction: 75 OV
Alex Leatherwood – OT – Las Vegas Raiders (No. 17)
Probably more of a guard than a tackle at the NFL level, Leatherwood is a big boy but doesn’t play to his size all the time. Prediction: 69 OVR
Jaelan Phillips – Edge – Miami Dolphins (No. 18)
Phillips is probably the best pass rusher of this draft class and should be an immediate contributor in the NFL due to his NFL-ready pass rush skills. Let’s just hope his injury history is just that — history. Prediction: 76 OVR
Jamin Davis – LB – Washington Football Team (No. 19)
Davis creates turnovers and plays fast at the linebacker position. There’s not a ton of tape on him, so he’s inexperienced. Prediction: 70 OVR
Kadarius Toney – WR – New York Giants (No. 20)
Another speedy WR that can play underneath and stretch the field, Toney should be an instant playmaker as long as Daniel Jones can reliably deliver him the ball. Prediction: 73 OVR
Picks 21-25
Kwity Paye – Edge – Indianapolis Colts (No. 21)
Paye is the other top pass rusher in this draft class, with all of the tools to be elite with power and quickness, but awareness is going to drive down his rating. Prediction: 72 OVR
Caleb Farley – CB – Tennessee Titans (No. 22)
More of a zone corner than man, Farley has great size and ball skills. With the right coaching he can be a top corner, but he’s a little too inconsistent in his mechanics. Prediction: 74 OVR
Christian Darrisaw – OT – Minnesota Vikings (No. 23)
I expected Darrisaw to go earlier, as he’s a tackle that plays with a ton of power and athleticism in both pass protection and the run game. But he can be a bit lazy at times. Prediction: 74 OVR.
Najee Harris – RB – Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 24)
The top RB of the draft, Harris is a potential highlight reel runner on every play. He can block, run inside and outside, and has the hands of a WR. He’ll quickly contribute, but is he the missing piece for a contender a RB needs to be to be drafted in the first round? Prediction: 78 OVR
Travis Etienne – RB – Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 25)
Etienne is a one-cut runner with tons of explosiveness both as a runner and receiver. He should eventually be an everydown back used like a Christian McCaffrey, but Coach Meyer said he envisions him as a third down back… so why waste a first on that when you need help at every other position and have James Robinson as your starter? Prediction: 76 OVR
Picks 26-32
Greg Newsome II – CB – Cleveland Browns (No. 26)
Newsome has good size and strength, but is a little late on his adjustments in coverage. Can be prone to pass interference calls as well. Prediction: 73 OVR
Rashod Bateman – WR – Baltimore Ravens (No. 27)
A physical WR that can play both outside and in the slot he’ll immediately become a reliable target for Lamar Jackson. But it’ll need to be seen how he refines his route running and competes against NFL-caliber physical corners. Prediction: 73 OVR
Payton Turner – DE – New Orleans Saints (No. 28)
Turner is a bit of a project, which seems weird for a team that could use immediate contributions. If he’s coached up, he could have a size and length advantage that allows him to dominate the edge. Prediction: 71 OVR
Eric Stokes – CB – Green Bay Packers (No. 29)
Another corner with size, speed, quickness and athleticism. He can be an outstanding defender outside, but despite two interceptions returned for touchdowns, he needs to display better ball skills. Prediction: 72 OVR
Greg Rousseau – Edge – Buffalo Bills (No. 30
Is a strong, physical pass rusher that just doesn’t quit. Will need to improve against the run but will contribute immediately rushing the QB. Could be dominant with help from coaches and Bills players. Prediction: 73 OVR
Jayson Oweh – Edge – Baltimore Ravens (No. 31)
He. Is. An. Athlete. Just a specimen of speed, size and quickness. But there’s something missing that hasn’t converted his tools into production. Maybe the Ravens can find that missing piece. Prediction: 72 OVR
Joe Tryon – Edge – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 32)
Long and athletic and can dominate the line of scrimmage with the ability to take over a game. That said, he doesn’t have a ton of experience and could definitely benefit learning the intricacies of the position from Shaquil Barrett. Prediction: 72 OVR
Let us know what you predict as ratings for some of these players in Madden 22.