Gamers in green got a bit of a treat this week, as the New York Jets’ ten best players in Madden NFL 21 were revealed.
The status of the 2020 NFL season may be in question, but pixelated gridiron endeavors are perhaps more ensured than ever.
As the arrival of Madden NFL 21 looms next month, player ratings from the game have begun to trickle out through either leaks or official releases from developer Electronic Arts. Popular Madden strategy and fan site Madden School (which is not affiliated with EA) has obtained the top ten highest-rated players from each of the league’s 32 teams. The top portion of the Jets’ list is dominated by defense, with six defenders leading the rankings. Safety Jamal Adams headlines the proceedings with a mark of 92, up two points from last season.
The full top ten is below…
| Player | Rating | Difference From Madden 20 |
| S Jamal Adams | 92 | +2 |
| RB Le’veon Bell | 87 | -5 |
| LB CJ Mosley | 85 | -2 |
| LB Avery Williamson | 83 | -2 |
| CB Pierre Desir | 81 | +1 |
| S Marcus Maye | 81 | +3 |
| CB Brian Poole | 80 | +3 |
| WR Jamison Crowder | 80 | +1 |
| RB Frank Gore | 79 | -2 |
| G Brian Winters | 79 | -3 |
Additionally, EA officially released the top ten players in each skill position, as well as the ratings for rookies in those spots…
| Player | Rating |
| WR Denzel Mims | 70 |
| RB La’mical Perine | 66 |
| QB James Morgan | 60 |
Notably absent among the top ten is quarterback Sam Darnold, who had a 74 labeling in last year’s original postings. Madden rankings can fluctuate and update throughout the season, so these rankings are subject to change.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is set to grace the cover of Madden NFL 21, which will be the 34th edition of the iconic franchise. Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey are the latest members of the “99 Club”, earning the highest rating a player can achieve in the game, which is named after renowned football coach and commentator John Madden. Brett Favre is the only Jets player to grace the cover of Madden. He originally appeared in a Green Bay Packers uniform for Madden NFL 09 (released in August 2008), but an alternate cover was made available after he was traded to New York shortly before the start of the season.
Madden NFL 21 well be released on August 28 on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags