Top Ten Tuesday: Most Disrespectful ‘Madden 20’ Ratings

Yesterday, dozens of NFL players voiced their displeasure about their Madden 20 ratings, and rightfully so, as plenty of guys were slighted in both individual ratings (example: Keenan Allen’s route running) and overall ratings. For this article, I’m going to stick with the latter.

 

10. Tom Brady, NE QB (96 OVR)

Brady isn’t higher than this because he may have less reason to complain than others considering he’s a 96 OVR with Patrick Mahomes (97 OVR) being the only quarterback ahead of him, but how is the greatest player in the history of the league—coming off his sixth Super Bowl victory—not a 99? The lack of realism in Madden is obvious when TB12’s clutch trait doesn’t boost him above everyone else at the position.

 

9. Malik Hooker, IND FS (82 OVR)

The criteria used to evaluate safeties should be completely overhauled by EA, as Derwin James (86 OVR), Tony Jefferson (84 OVR), Landon Collins (83 OVR), and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (80 OVR) are among several other backend patrollers that were slighted—especially when you see Malcolm Jenkins is a 92 OVR. Hooker has as good a case as anyone to be into the high 80s as one of the league’s top ballhawks.

 

8. David Johnson, ARI RB (87 OVR)

There is currently a surplus of superstar and star running backs in the NFL, but for Johnson to be No. 12 at the position is a joke. The Madden team must go purely by numbers (DJ averaged 3.6 YPC in 2018) rather than taking the time to evaluate players, so hopefully a creative offense will allow Johnson to get more space and quickly fix this ridiculousness when the ratings are updated during the season.

 

7. Christian Kirk, ARI WR (76 OVR)

Calvin Ridley (79 OVR) is another second-year wideout that’s been disrespected, but we’ll go with the second Arizona offensive player in a row. Last season, Kirk was on pace for about 800 yards and four touchdowns before a foot injury ended his season—and that was while catching passes from Josh Rosen in one of the league’s worst offenses. He shouldn’t be behind declining veterans like Jermaine Kearse (78 OVR) and Torrey Smith (77 OVR).

 

6. O.J. Howard, TB TE (84 OVR)

You would think rare athleticism for a tight end would make Howard a force in Madden, but that’s clearly not the case as the No. 16 player at his position. The former Alabama standout has averaged exactly 16.6 yards per reception in each of his first two NFL seasons, and gamers can only hope that he somehow plays better (and more realistic) than the ratings suggest.

 

5. Xavien Howard, MIA CB (83 OVR)

The Dolphins making Howard the highest-paid cornerback in the league this offseason doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the best in the league, but he certainly deserves to be better than an 83 OVR in a video game that’s supposed to be accurate. Howard’s seven interceptions last season led the NFL, and he was named a Second-team All-Pro.

 

4. Darius Leonard, IND LOLB (84 OVR)

Getting overlooked is nothing new for Leonard after he somehow didn’t make the Pro Bowl last season despite leading the league in tackles, being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and being named a First-team All-Pro linebacker. This one really doesn’t make sense based on the accolades, statistics, and pure athleticism Leonard possesses.

 

3. Daniel Jones, NYG QB (63 OVR) 

The pure disrespect for Daniel Jones in Madden seems almost spiteful in a way, as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft is rated lower than undrafted quarterback Tyree Jackson (64 OVR). This is more proof that whoever is making these decisions really doesn’t have a clue, because a case could be made for Jones—who has a pro-ready game coming out of Duke—being as high as an 80 OVR.

 

2. Tre’Davious White, BUF CB (85 OVR)

White’s overall matches his inaccurate man coverage rating (85), and arguably the best corner in football not even making the top 20 in Madden is crazy. Objectively, the Buffalo defense should be one of the highest-rated units in the league, so with their best player just an 85 OVR, it’s no surprise that EA ranked them as the NFL’s eighth worst defense. If that’s not evidence NFL 2K needs to come back, nothing is.

 

1. Saquon Barkley, NYG RB (91 OVR)

The ratings guy must have a serious vendetta against the Giants with Daniel Jones and Barkley being two of the most disrespected players in this year’s game. Saquon almost looked betrayed when having his Madden ratings revealed to him, and he should be several points higher in basically every category, including awareness (79), elusiveness (90), and ball carrier vision (79). Barkley should not only be the top running back in the game, but also perhaps the top overall player.