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Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer
NFL training camps across the league are set to kick off over the next two weeks, which means Madden NFL 24 season is almost upon us. This year’s version of the video game from EA Sports will be released worldwide Aug. 18.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen makes his Madden cover debut this year. Where does his Madden rating rank among last year’s cover star Patrick Mahomes and the league’s top quarterbacks? We’re unveiling position ratings each day this week, along with more content on ESPN and ESPN.com.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the first member of this year’s 99 Club to be revealed. Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald joined Jefferson on Tuesday, marking a record seventh 99 club appearance.
Madden Week continues with the top-rated running backs in the game.
Below is the remaining schedule, with ratings released every afternoon.
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Thursday: Cornerbacks
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Friday: Quarterbacks
Check out our “SportsCenter Special: The Madden 24 Ratings” on ESPN and the ESPN app on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET..
More from EA Sports:
Explore more Madden NFL 24 Ratings | What’s new
Running backs are trying to make a comeback. Bijan Robinson was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 and Jahmyr Gibbs was taken by the Detroit Lions at No. 12. Once plodders, running backs are now among the most versatile players on the field if the skill set warrants.
And in Madden, that can make them devastatingly good to play with. Like receiver and edge rusher, there’s a new name atop the Madden ratings, though, as Nick Chubb has — at least at launch — dethroned the king, Derrick Henry, making it the third straight year a different running back has held the No. 1 mark.
1. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (97 overall): After being tied for second with a 96 overall last season, Chubb now has the top spot to himself after a 302-carry, 1,525-yard, 12-touchdown year, all career-highs or tied for a career-best mark. Chubb did this with the best break tackle rating in the game (99) and tied for fifth in carrying (96). Those are one-point increases in both categories from last season.
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (96 overall): McCaffery remains at No. 2 after the Carolina Panthers sent him to San Francisco in October. He’s tops in carrying (98), second in change of direction (93) and third in juke move (93), mirroring his elusiveness on the field. Healthy for the first time since the 2019 season, McCaffrey had 1,139 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, and 85 catches with 741 receiving yards and caught five touchdown passes last season.
3. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders (95 overall): After being in the Top 10 in Madden ’23, Jacobs dropped out last season. A massive 1,653-yard, 12-touchdown season where he led the NFL in rushing and also caught 53 passes for 400 yards catapulted him all the way up to No. 3. Jacobs is second in break tackle (97) and eighth in juke move (90).
4. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans (94 overall): The King is not No. 1 anymore, but he’s still a dynamic Madden (and real-life) force. Henry is fourth in break tackle (94). Henry still had 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, the fifth consecutive year he’s had double-digit rushing touchdowns. It was also the third time in the last four seasons he had over 1,500 yards rushing. Don’t be surprised if he gets a big in-season bump if things go well.
5. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (93 overall): At least the virtual Barkley won’t have to answer contract questions. After being rated No. 7 in Madden ’22, he dropped out of the Top 10 in Madden ’23 and he’s back this season with a better rating and an equal position to his stature among running backs in Madden ’21 (he started as a 91 that year). Barkley is tied for seventh in speed (93), fifth in change of direction (91), seventh in break tackle (91), fifth in carrying (96) and tied for fourth in juke move (92). In other words, he’ll be fun to play with.
6. Dalvin Cook, Free Agent (91 overall): The former Minnesota Vikings back drops slightly from No. 5 last season, down from a 94 to a 91. It’s the second straight year he’s dropped, as he was a 95 overall and fourth in Madden ’22. Cook still rules change of direction (94) and has the best juke move among running backs (95), along with being eighth in break tackle (90). All this after his fourth straight 1,000-yard season (1,173 yards, eight touchdowns).
T-7. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers (89 overall): Ekeler jumps up a point to 89 and a couple of ratings spots from being tied for ninth last season. Ekeler is tied for fourth with Barkley in juke move (92) and had the best rushing year of his career (915 yards, 13 touchdowns) with 722 yards receiving and five touchdowns on a career-high 107 catches.
T-7. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (89 overall): Taylor dropped from fourth and a 95 rating last year after a disappointing 2022 season hampered by injuries and rushing for under five yards a carry for the first time in his career (4.5 YPC, 861 yards). He’ll be a quick rebound candidate if he returns to form in Indianapolis. The game still has appreciation for him, with the No.3 speed rating at the position (94, tied with Kenneth Walker III, Kene Nwangwu and Gibbs), the No. 6 spot in break tackle (92) and tied for sixth in juke with Joe Mixon (91).
T-9. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys (88 overall): Now the lead player in Dallas’ backfield without Ezekiel Elliott, he takes the spot of his former backfield mate in the Top 10 (Elliott was T-9 last year). Pollard had a career-best 193 carries for 1,007 yards and nine rushing touchdowns last season, more than the eight rushing scores he had in his first three seasons combined. Pollard is tied for seventh in speed (93), tied for fifth in carrying (96) and tied for ninth in juke move (89).
T-9. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (88 overall): Jones drops from eighth to tied for ninth and from 89 to 88 after he gained a career-best 1,121 yards last season, but only had two rushing touchdowns, the lowest number of his career. Jones is No. 2 in juke move (94) and tied for ninth in break tackle (89) with Tyler Allgeier.
Dropped out from last year’s launch: Joe Mixon (No. 6), Alvin Kamara (No. 7), Ezekiel Elliott (T-9).
Considered the premier position on the defense, having a good edge rusher in Madden can change the game and cause havoc for your opponent, much like real life. The players rated at the top have all caused consternation for opposing quarterbacks for years now, with only a couple of new names in the Top 10.
The difference this year is there’s no 99 Club member at the position after Myles Garrett dropped down to a still-exceptional 98 overall, where instead of being the top edge rusher, he’s now tied for first.
T-1. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers (98 overall): Bosa makes a four-point jump from 94 to 98 and finds himself in a tie with Garrett for the top spot after an NFL-best 18.5 sacks last season, his second straight with at least 15 sacks. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is first in finesse moves (98) and second in power moves (94), helping him land in a strong position and holding some brotherly bragging rights over Joey Bosa, who will make an appearance later.
T-1. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns (98 overall): The first Browns player to ever be part of the 99 Club, Garrett remains one of the best in the game and could end up as a 99 again at some point this season. Garrett had a career-high 60 tackles last year and had 16 sacks for the second straight season, notching double-digit sacks for the fifth consecutive year. He’s the best power rusher in the game (98) and fifth in finesse moves (91), which may be the reason he wasn’t a 99 Club member for the second straight year.
3. Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys (97 overall): It feels like a matter of time before Parsons hits the 99 Club and ends up as the top edge rusher. Parsons takes a huge jump this season from an 88 overall, where he was tied for seventh among linebackers, to his rating as the No. 3 edge rusher with the second-best finesse rating (95) and tied for fifth in power moves with Matthew Judon (89). Parsons, an avid Madden player, had 13.5 sacks last season and has had at least 13 sacks in his first two NFL seasons.
T-4. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers (94 overall): The Defensive Player of the Year after the 2021 season, Watt dealt with injuries throughout 2022 and saw his production drop from 22.5 sacks to 5.5 in 10 games. He dropped from a 96 overall, which was No. 2 last year, to a 94 and had his finesse and power ratings drop slightly as well: His finesse fell from a 96 to a 94 and his power dropped from an 85 to an 84.
T-4. Von Miller, Buffalo Bills (94 overall): Like Watt, Miller had an injury-shortened 2022 season, but still picked up eight sacks in 12 games. The former 99 Club member is on the back end of his career, but still a problem-causing presence. His rating jumped up two points from last season’s 92 at launch, although he remains tied for fourth. Miller is fourth in power (90) and tied for third with Watt in finesse (94).
T-4. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders (94 overall): The second newcomer to the list, Crosby had the best season of his career with 89 tackles, 12.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss, making his second Pro Bowl. Crosby has the high rating despite not being in the Top 10 in either power or finesse.
7. Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers (91 overall): Bosa’s 91 overall remains unchanged from last year, but he does drop a spot due to the emergence of Parsons and Crosby last season. Perhaps the Madden raters are banking on a big year for Bosa, who has played in at least 16 games in odd years of his career and hasn’t appeared in more than 12 games in any even-numbered season, including last year when he played in five games with 2.5 sacks. Like Crosby, Bosa is not in the Top 10 in finesse nor power.
T-8. Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles (90 overall): Reddick went to Philadelphia last offseason and had his best season as a pro with 16 sacks and five forced fumbles, making his first Pro Bowl. It pushed Reddick into the Top 10, although like Crosby and Joey Bosa, he’s not in the Top 10 in either power or finesse.
T-8. DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys (90 overall): The veteran made the Pro Bowl last year and remained exactly where he was a year ago: A 90 overall and tied for eighth among edge rushers. Last year, he was tied with Chandler Jones, and this year with Reddick. Lawrence is tied for seventh among edge rushers in finesse moves (88).
10. Matthew Judon, New England Patriots (89 overall): In his second year with the Patriots, Judon had a career-best 15.5 sacks along with 28 quarterback hits and 14 tackles for loss. He’s tied with Parsons for fifth in power moves (89), enough to push him above some other talented edge rushers.
Dropped out from last year’s launch: Khalil Mack (T-4), Cameron Jordan (T-6), Chandler Jones (T-8), Rashan Gary (10).
As receivers have become more of a priority position in the NFL — look at the salaries given to the position and the increased importance in the draft — the skill of the players at receiver will rise. And speed, well, often speed and route running rule all with receivers.
And now, after two years of Davante Adams at the top of the Madden receiver order, there’s been a change to the player considered the fastest receiver in the game. And with the talent at the spot, there’s going to be a clear debate over who might be No. 1 and who might come after.
1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (99 overall): Jefferson sees a nice jump from a 93 overall and becomes a member of the 99 Club for the first time at launch in his career. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year takes the crown after a season where he had 128 catches for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns.
2. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (98 overall): Hill moves up to the second spot, ahead of last year’s leader. Hill’s first year in Miami led to career-best numbers in receptions and yards, even with multiple quarterbacks throwing him the ball (and not playing with Patrick Mahomes anymore), posting 119 catches for 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns.
3. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders (97 overall): After back-to-back years as Madden’s top receiver and a former holder of a 99 Club rating, Adams drops to third in this year’s game. His overall rating dropped two points, as did his catch rating, from a 99 to a 97. His deep route running remained at a 95, his medium route running remained at a 97, while his short route running dropped one point to 97 and his catch in traffic fell from a 99 to a 95. This despite a 100-catch, 1,516-yard, 14-touchdown season during his first year away from Aaron Rodgers.
T-4. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills (96 overall): Diggs gets a small bump from last year, going from a 95 to a 96. Diggs is tied with Tyler Lockett for the second-best catch rating (98) and is in the Top 3 in all route running categories — he’s second in deep (97), third in medium (96) and third in short (96) after 108 catches for 1,429 yards and a career-best 11 touchdowns last season.
T-4. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (96 overall): Kupp dropped from No. 2 overall and a 98 rating to a tie for fourth and a 96, in part because he was injured for half of last season. Even in nine games, he had 75 catches for 812 yards and six touchdowns, so a Top 5 rating is still warranted. He’s the best in the game in catching (99) and short route running (99), after catching over 75% of passes thrown to him the past two seasons.
6. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (94 overall): Chase took a huge jump up in the ratings from an 87 at launch last year into the Top 10, the first new face in the launch Top 10 this year. One could easily argue he should have been there after his dynamic rookie year, but he followed it up with 87 catches, 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games last season. He’s No. 6 in all route running categories (92 in deep, 93 in medium and 93 in short).
7. DeAndre Hopkins, Free Agent (93 overall): Rare is the free agent rated in the Top 10 this late in the Madden ratings cycle, but Hopkins is a rare case after being cut by the Arizona Cardinals. A former member of the 99 Club, he dropped from No. 4 and a 96 last season but he’s still one of the best in the game and could be helped quickly depending on which team he signs with. Hopkins is seventh in catching (96) and the leader in catch in traffic (98). He’s also No. 10 in all three route-running categories (89 in deep, 89 in medium and 90 in short).
8. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (92 overall): McLaurin moves up a spot from No. 9 to No. 8 and one ratings point from a 91 last year. McLaurin’s hands are lauded — a 97 catching rating and 94 catch in traffic mark — and he’s a 90 in both deep and medium route running after having a career-best 1,191 yards last season. He’s caught over 75 passes in each of the last three years.
T-9. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (91 overall): The second newcomer to the Top 10, Brown was an 87 at launch last year and tied with Chase and Brandin Cooks for the No. 18 receiver in Madden ’23. Brown’s short route running (92) is No. 7 and his catch in traffic is tied for No. 8 (93), helping him into the Top 10 after his first season in Philadelphia — and by far his best — with 88 catches for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns.
T-9. Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns (91 overall): Cooper bumps up one point and up from No. 10 into a tie for ninth. The game praised Cooper’s route running: 93 in deep route running (No. 5), 91 in medium route running (No. 8) and 91 in short route running (T-8). A move to Cleveland saw a return to consistency for Cooper, who had 78 catches for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns.
Dropped out from last year’s launch: Mike Evans (No. 7), Keenan Allen (T-8).