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Madden 21 Ratings: NFL’s most underrated and overrated players

NFL power rankings: Carolina Panthers
Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

As the 2020 NFL season comes to a close, it seems appropriate to look back at this year’s Madden 21 ratings, and see where EA sports went right and where they went wrong. 

Every year, a new Madden comes out, and with it, comes new ratings. It is always interesting to see how many players EA Sports miss on, and where they undervalue certain players. 

Here are the most overrated and underrated players in Madden 21. 

What is Madden 21?

Madden 21 is a digital video game available on Xbox and Playstation. Madden has become extremely popular among avid football fans and gamers alike. 

EA Sports, which stands for “Electronic Arts,” is the publisher of Madden. As of recently, it has garnered a lot of spotlight due to its rating system. 

What are Madden 21 player ratings?

Madden 21 player ratings are conducted on a scale of 1-99. The higher the overall rating is the better the player is supposed to be. 

The general consensus is the 70 overall range is average. The 80 overall range is above average bordering on very good, and the 90 overall range is considered to be one of the best at the position. 

The most confident rating is joining the 99 overall club. This prestigious club is occupied by the best of the best the NFL has to offer. 

There are currently six players who make up the 99 club: Aaron Donald, Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Patrick Mahomes, Stephon Gilmore and Travis Kelce. 

Related: Predicting NFL playoff bracket and Super Bowl winner

Most underrated players in Madden 21

Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, Green Bay Packers

Overall: 95

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Dec 13, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) gestures during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

It seems ridiculous that the sure-fire NFL MVP is not a part of the 99 club. Rodgers had a statistical phenom of a season leading the Green Bay Packers to the NFC Championship. 

The 37-year-old quarterback threw for over 4,200 yards with 48 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He was simply unstoppable at times. Yet, EA Sports did not induct him into the 99 club. 

Deshaun Watson, quarterback, Houston Texans

Overall: 90

This rating is an utter shame. Watson put up some of the best numbers in the NFL with a coaching carousel throughout the season and one of the worst supporting casts in the NFL. 

Despite a poor offensive line and inconsistent receiving group , he threw for over 4,800 yards along with 33 touchdowns. He did all of this at the age of 25. 

Watson should at least be a 96 if not close to being a part of the 99 club. 

Read More: 5 most realistic Deshaun Watson trade offers

Logan Thomas, tight end, Washington Football Team

Overall: 77

Thomas is not only under-appreciated in Madden, but he is also under-appreciated in the NFL. Thomas was a glue piece for the Washington Football Team, being a consistent target for four different quarterbacks. 

He caught 72 passes for 670 yards. Yet, he had only a 77 overall rating. To put it into perspective, Mike Gesicki only had 53 receptions, and he was at 85 overall. 

Gesicki has been a big name in fantasy football, and he is four years younger than Thomas. However, it is still inaccurate that Thomas is below his counterpart with the Miami Dolphins.

Most overrated players in Madden 21

J.J. Watt, defensive end, Houston Texans

Overall: 95

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Dec 20, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during warmups before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Watt is a class act on and off the field, and he has become one of the most recognizable figures in football. 

However, he simply is out of his prime and has not put up good numbers in 2020. He finished the season No. 56 in the NFL in total sacks with five. While a plethora of players who have better sack numbers than him are nearly not on his overall level. 

His brother, T.J. Watt, led the league in sacks with 15. Yet, he is only 93 overall.

J.J. Watt is one of the best defensive players in recent memory, but EA has to stop being nostalgic and give Watt the lower rating he deserves. 

Read More: 6 exciting J.J. Watt trade scenarios

Michael Thomas, wide receiver, New Orleans Saints

Overall: 94

Thomas has been in the conversation for being the league-best receiver over the last couple of years. However, the 2020-21 season was not kind to the former Buckeye. 

He played in only seven games this past season, and his stats were still lackluster. Even though he was reportedly dealing with injuries, when he did play, he simply did not play to his usual standards. 

Wide receivers like Terry McLaurin, Calvin Ridley and D.K. Metcalf are all ranked lower than him, but all three of these receivers had fantastic numbers this past season. 

Christian McCaffery and Nick Chubb, running backs

Overall: 98 and 96

Madden 21 ratings: Christian McCaffrey
Sep 20, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

McCaffery battled the injury bug all year. But when he did play, he performed like his old self. When he is healthy, 98 is a warranted rating for the Panthers’ running back. However, he did not play a lot this season, so he shouldn’t be the highest-ranked running back in the game. 

Chubb came into the 2020-21 season as the second-leading rusher in the NFL the year before. However, after the conclusion of this past season, he finished as the seventh leading rusher. in the league.

Derrick Henry had an extraordinary season rushing for over 2,000 yards and Dalvin Cook finished as the second leading rusher, yet, both of them are ranked lower in Madden than Chubb. 

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