Madden 23 player ratings: Best running backs at launch
Today’s focus for Madden Ratings Week was on the running back position as EA revealed the player ratings for Madden 23. Although the running back position is no longer the primary focal point of an offense in the NFL, the importance of the running back position can’t be understated.
An elite running back will not only help put team’s in favorable passing situations, but they can wear down the defense and even provide an out for a quarterback should the play break down. It’s imperative for teams to establish the run in order to help the passing game thrive.
And when looking at Madden 23, these guys do it best:
- Derrick Henry – 97 OVR
- Christian McCaffrey – 96 OVR
- Nick Chubb – 96 OVR
- Jonathan Taylor – 95 OVR
- Dalvin Cook – 94 OVR
- Joe Mixon – 93 OVR
- Alvin Kamara – 90 OVR
- Aaron Jones – 89 OVR
- Austin Ekeler – 88 OVR
- Ezekiel Elliott – 88 OVR
- Josh Jacobs – 87 OVR
- Leonard Fournette – 87 OVR
- Kareem Hunt – 86 OVR
- Cordarrelle Patterson – 85 OVR
- Najee Harris – 85 OVR
- David Montgomery – 84 OVR
- James Robinson – 84 OVR
- Cam Akers – 83 OVR
- Chris Carson – 83 OVR
- Melvin Gordon III – 83 OVR
Naturally, the ratings reveal wasn’t without a bit of controversy as Jonathan Taylor, last year’s leading rusher, is just the fourth-best running back in Madden 23. Taylor is coming off a monster season in which he rushed for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns. Now entering his third season in the league, Taylor is widely regarding as the NFL’s best running back, especially in terms of fantasy production. So to see him rated fourth in Madden 23 at launch is a bit of a head scratcher.
That being said, I had Taylor as the second-best running back in Madden 23, with Derrick Henry as the top-rated player. Although Henry’s season was cut short last year due to injury, he still finished with 937 yards and 10 touchdowns in just eight games. And remember, this was coming off a 2,000 yard season in 20202. EA doesn’t typically lower a player’s rating due to injury, so I’m not surprised to see Henry return with a 97 overall.
Speaking of injury, Christian McCaffrey is back at the top of the ratings board. Although he’s played in just 10 games over the past two seasons combined, McCaffrey is still an elite running back when healthy. As I mentioned, EA doesn’t hold injuries against a player’s overall rating, so seeing him with a 96 overall isn’t too surprising.
As for the others, Nick Chubb and Dalvin Cook also find themselves in the top five for Madden 23’s running backs. Both players are among the best at the position, so I don’t have a problem with them being in the top five.
Other Madden 23 Launch Ratings
Do you agree with EA’s Madden 23 ratings for running backs? Let us know in the comments below!