Like clockwork, as each NFL season approaches, a new Madden NFL game is released. Sport video games have become an integral part of sports culture, for fans and for players.
With each edition of Madden, new ratings are assigned for every player. While Madden ratings are not the final word on how good a player is or is not, it is certainly exciting to compare ratings across the league.
Although Oakland Raiders rookie running back Josh Jacobs received his rating early, the rest of the Madden 20 ratings have finally been released. With optimism surrounding the Raiders offseason, their potential has carried over to the virtual world.
With little surprise, the Raiders’ top-rated player is recently acquired wide receiver, Antonio Brown. Brown has been one the game’s premier players in reality and in Madden. He received a 98 overall, one of only seven players with a 98 or higher.
Second on the Raiders list is center Rodney Hudson, who has been with the Raiders for four years as a rock on the offensive line. Hudson received a 93 overall, third-best amongst centers.
After Hudson, the team’s ratings begin to dip somewhat significantly. Rounding out the top five are safety Lamarcus Joyner (85 overall), wide receiver Tyrell Williams (83 overall), and quarterback Derek Carr (80 overall).
Carr certainly struggled in 2018, but may still turn things around in 2019. One of his biggest issues in 2018 was keeping the offense on the field. Carr was sacked an NFL high 51 times, and the Raiders also could not convert on big plays, with Carr only throwing 19 touchdowns, a career-low. With Brown sharing the field with Carr, things should be improving for the young quarterback.
Continuing down from there, the team begins to dip into the 70s. Isaiah Crowell and Doug Martin are both rated 78 overall. Of course, Crowell will miss the whole season with a torn Achilles, but Jacobs, 74 overall, will hopefully be able to step up.
Jacobs and No. 4 overall pick Clelin Ferrell, also a 74 overall, are some of the top-rated rookies in the game. Third overall pick Quinnen Williams is the highest rookie with an 80.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow received a 70 and safety Jonathan Abram earned a 69. Abram has made big impressions so far in the Raiders offseason, so it would not be surprising to see his rating improve over the course of the season.
The Raiders should be a fun team to play with in Madden due to their versatility. Their high rated players cover a number of sections on defense and offense and could surprise even the best virtual teams.
Madden NFL 20 is set to release on August 2, with editions available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. A full list of ratings can be viewed over on the Madden website.
