For most football fans, the season never stops. Even after the Super Bowl champion has been crowned, teams are looking toward the next season in how to become the next best team or keep tech success rolling. For gamers, we always have Madden football to fall back o🔥n and how we can keep improving our skills.
The next iteration of the popular EA sports game is here with spectacular graphics, new features for its story mode, Face of the Franchise, and more. The developer has created Gridiron Notes, a . But more importantly, a new NFL season means the beginning of many young players' careers. It’s a dream for these players to play in the NFL, and as a bonus, they’ll be heavily featured in a video game as well. These are the top rookies heading into Madden 22.
Updated March 11, 2022, by Avery Lawrence Feyrer: Since the publication of this article, Madden 22 has received considerable updates to the player roster. Besides properly updating the listed player ratings, we've also added more entries to provide additional options for building a competitive team on the gridiron.
14 🔯 Eౠlijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers - 80
Already having drafted Trey Sermon in the third round, and needing to trade up to do so, it was interesting to see the San Francisco 49ers double-dip and draft another running back in the sixth round. But at the end of the day, it turned out for the best for the 49ers in selecting Elijah Mitchell. The young back was electric on the field, rushing for 963 yards and five touchdowns. Sermon might've been the favorite to become the primary ballcarrier before the season started, but it was Mitchell who emerged as the lead runner.
Mitchell possesses very good speed (90) and acceleration (90), allowing him to quickly reach top speed. Even though he may be considered small in stature at 5'10" and 201 pounds, he's incredibly hard to tackle (84). Mitchell committed zero fumbles in his rookie year, which is why his carry rating (95) is so high. Although San Francisco is a bit crowded at the running back position, Mitchell is poised to be the starter for years to come.
13 DeVonta 🍒Smith, Philadelphia Eagles🐬 - 80
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In a time when most players head to the NFL Draft early, DeVonta Smith chose to spend all four years in college. Playing for a 🦩juggernaut of a program in Alabama with legendary coach Nick Saban might have influenced Smith’s decision, but ultimately proved to be a good one. In his final year with Alabama, Smith had 1,856 receiving yards, good enough for the sixth-most in a season in college football history. As a result, Smith became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman in 29 years, and only the fourth receiver overall to win the award.
Despite Smith winning the Heisman, he was surprisingly not the first receiver selected in the NFL Draft. In fact, Smith was the third receiver taken in the draft, tenth-overall to the Philadelphia Eagles. Smith had a decent NFL debut season, leading the team with 916 receiving yards and five touchdowns. For a rookie, Smith already has fast feet with high ratings in speed (91), agility (91), and acceleration (93). Smith was heavily featured in the Eagles offense with 104 targets. With an above-average catch rating (89), there's always an opportunity for Smith to bring down the ball. Overall, he's a very good route runner no matter the type of route (85 short, 83 medium, 83 long).
12 🌄 ဣ Greg Newsome II, Cleveland Browns - 80
Coming ou༺t of Northwestern, Greg Newsome II was the fourth cornerback selected in the first round to the Cleveland Browns. Although Newsome ♋did not record an interception in his rookie season, he established himself as the opposite starter of incumbent star Denzel Ward in the secondary. Only 21-years-old, Newsome has the potential to be a cornerstone for the Cleveland defense for quite some time.
One of Newsome's strengths on defense is his legs. He's extremely fast (93) with quick feet (92) and high acceleration (92). His awareness is a bit low (79), making him vulnerable to unexpected play calls or juke moves by the opposition. Newsome doesn't specialize in a specific type of coverage but is decent in both man-to-man (78) and zone (82).
11 Jꦫevon Holland, Miami Dolphins - 80
While most teams hope rookies can make an immediate impact, sometimes it helps when they can learn from a high-profile veteran. And that's certainly the case with free safety Jevon Holland. Drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round, Holland was brought under the wing of Jason McCourty. In his first season with the Dolphins, Holland snagged two interceptions with ten pass deflections.
For a rookie, Holland has high awareness (81), play recognition (81), and change of direction (86), allowing him to adjust easily on defense. When the ball carrier is in his sights, Holland hits with massive power (83) that can jar the ball loose and create turnovers. It won't be long until McCourty either retires or moves on to another team, paving the way for Holland to be the bonafide starter.
10 ꦓ 🌺 Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos - 81
W🍰hile it’s certainly exciting for any player to be drafted in the NFL, it was a whole different story for Patrick Surtain II. For much of the offseason, the hot topic was th💃e looming divorce between superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. The Broncos considered themselves a possible destination for Rodgers if a breakup was imminent with Surtain as a possible trade chip, but the disgruntled quarterback committed to Green Bay. Surtain put the noise behind him and collected four interceptions and one touchdown in his rookie season.
In🗹terestingly enough, while Surtain was the second defensive back taken in🍬 the draft, he’s the best overall rookie cornerback in Madden 22. Surtain’s speed (93) and acceleration (91) allows him to stick to his man to disrupt any passes thrown his way. He has a good rating in press coverage (83), but out in the field, his man (81) and zone (78) coverages are a bit more average.
9 🎀 Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers - 81
Having found their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Los Angeles Chargers were committed to protecting him. The team drafted Rashawn Slater in the first round out of Northwestern to hold down the left side of the offensive line. And he certainly held 🐟down the position, as the 22-year-old started every game in the 2021 season en route to a Pro Bowl selection.
Slater is extremely strong (90) and can hold most opposing pass rushers by brute force. Although he has low speed (75) and agility (68), Slat♒er has surprisingly high acceleration (85). Across the board, Slater is an above-average pass (83) and run (80) blocker. The young left tackle for the Chargers is slated to be one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.
8 𝕴 Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos - 81
Having signed Melvin Gordon III in 2020, you wouldn't expect the Denver Broncos to commit a high draft pick for another running back, but they did. The team selected 21-year-old Javonte Williams out of North Carolina in the second round, giving Gordon a solid backup to spell him in games but also a suitable successor. Splitting time with Gordon, Williams rushed for 903 yards with four touchdowns and also collected 316 yards through the air and another three receiving touchdowns.
Williams isn't that fast (88) for a would-be starting running back, but he's nearly impossible to tackle (94). Even though he doesn't have amazing strength (80), Williams trucks over defenders with ease (89). And despite tallying over 300 receiving yards and multiple touchdowns, he has a low catch rating (68) that will hopefully get adjusted next season.
7 𓆉 Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins - 81 ꦫ
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Being on a top college team has its pros and cons. Contending for national championships puts you on the map and gives you much-needed national attention, but that can also mean your production might be hindered by other players. Jaylen Waddle was drafted before his Alabama teammate, DeVonta Smith, but Waddle didn’t put up nearly the same type of numbers as Smith. Waddle never amassed over 1,000 yards or double-digit touchdowns in three collegiate seasons. Despite the inferior collegiate stats, Waddle got the better 🐼of Smith in their rookie year putting up 1,015 yards and six touchdowns.
Without a doubt, Waddle is the fastest rookie receiver in the league. His speed (97), agility (97), and acceleration (97) are off the charts. With that kind of speed, Waddle also brings value as a kick returner (84) for the Dolphins. Not only can Waddle make spectacularꦦ catches (82) with an extremely high jump rating (90), he can make defenders miss in the open field with a variety of juke (88) and spin (83) moves. Miami might’ve not drafted the best statistical Alabama receiver, but they might’ve drafted the most talented one.
6 Ev♈an McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals - 82 🔴
Interestingly enough, Evan McPherson was the only kicker selected in the 2021 draft. The Cincinnati Bengals plucked the , and while some might think using a fifth-round pick on a kicker is a waste, the move paid huge dividends for the Ben💦gals. McPherson converted on 84.8 percent of his field goals and set a postseason record with 14 made field goals.
McPherson is on track to become one of the game's next great kickers and Madden certainly thinks so too. The Bengals' kicker has an extremely high rating in kick power (95), giving him an opportunity on any kick from any distance. Although he has a powerful leg, his accuracy (87) could use a little work, but as a rookie, he could be considered one of the best players in the draft.
5 Creed Humphrey, Kansas City🐷 Chiefs - 83 𒆙
Knowing that they already have many of the skill positions locked up, one of the main priorities for the Kansas City Chiefs is protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In tꦗhe second round of the 2021 draft, the Chiefs selected center Creed Humphrey fro✨m Oklahoma and the former Sooner started every game of the season and finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
As a center, Humphrey is more effective in run blocking (84) than pass blocking (78). He utilizes his immense strength (90) to block with power and can be one of the better impact (89) and lead blockers (89) in the game. If you're looking for a young center to build your offensive line around, there are few better options out there than Humphrey.