Madden 22 ratings reveal: Top 10 rookies and players with new teams

The Madden 22 rookie ratings are in! Following a brief teaser earlier today, the ESPN Kickoff Special dropped the top ten rookies in this year’s game. And there’s certainly room for debate.

The most surprising reveal is that Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft, is not the highest rated rookie Madden 22. That honor goes to Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, who was selected with the No. 3 overall pick. Pitts is the only player in this draft class to begin his Madden career with an overall rating in the 80s.

Trevor Lawrence is rated a 78 overall. It’s a bit lower than we expected but still respectable — especially for a player that hasn’t played an NFL snap yet.

Lawrence is actually rated higher than 2020 No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow, who was rated a 76 overall in Madden 21 for the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s also the highest rated quarterback out of 2021 class, ahead of New York Jets QB Zach Wilson (75 overall), San Francisco 49ers QB Trey Lance (74 overall) and Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields (74 overall). New England Patriots QB Mac Jones, who has the tall order of becoming the next Tom Brady, has an overall of 71.

Here are the top 10 rookies in Madden 22:

• Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons – 81 OVR
• Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars – 78 OVR
• Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins – 76 OVR
• Pat Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos – 76 OVR
• Zach Wilson, QB, New York Jets – 75 OVR
• Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals – 75 OVR
• DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – 75 OVR
• Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers – 74 OVR
• Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears – 74 OVR

It just goes to show that the position you are drafted does not necessarily reflect the ratings in Madden. I’m a little disappointed that Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons didn’t make the cut but I expect him to be right on the edge — perhaps a 73 overall. EA’s ratings are a little bit harsher  than our predictions, which you can check out below.

Interestingly, many of these rookies are rated higher than some veteran quarterbacks in Madden 22. In addition to the rookies, EA and ESPN also revealed ratings for players who will be with new teams, and many of them are quarterbacks.

Matthew Stafford, who was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason, is rated an 83 while Jared Goff, who was sent to the Lions along with three draft picks, is rated a 77 overall. 28-year-old Carson Wentz, who was run out of Philadelphia, is a 72 overall, while Jalen Hurts, who replaces him, is a 71.

Here are some other notable ratings:

• Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams – 83 OVR
• Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions – 77 OVR
• Carson Wentz, QB, Indianapolis Colts – 72 OVR
• Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles – 71 OVR
• Sam Darnold, QB, Carolina Panthers – 71 OVR
• Julio Jones, WR, Tennessee Titans – 95 OVR
• JJ Watt, DE, Arizona Cardinals – 94 OVR
• Jonnu Smith, TE, New England Patriots – 81 OVR

I’m pleased to say that I was fairly accurate with my prediction for Julio Jones. I expected the 32-year-old veteran to be rated a 93 overall, but he checks  in with the Titans at an impressive 95 rating. That’s where he finished last season in Madden 21, and apparently EA has no concern over his age or health. Depending on how they rank some of other receivers in the league, it’s possible that Jones could find himself as a top five WR in Madden 22.

Check back this week as each position gets revealed through ESPN. Here’s when you can expect each position rating:

• July 26: Wide receivers
• July 27: Defensive linemen & edge rushers
• July 28: Running backs
• July 29: Safeties
• July 30: Quarterbacks

Madden 22 will launch on August 20, 2021. It’s available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC.