Madden NFL 26 Ratings for Top 10 Players at Every Offensive and Defensive Position

As gamers eagerly await the release of Madden NFL 26 on Aug. 14, EA Sports provided a glimpse into the best players in this year's game.

Developers already revealed the members of the hallowed "99 Club," which is reserved for stars with the game's highest overall rating. They also pulled the curtain back on the top-ranked rookies from the 2025 NFL draft class.

On Thursday, Madden announced the 10 best players across the offense and defense. Here's a position-by-position list.

Top 10 Quarterbacks

AP Photo

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (99 overall)

2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (99 overall)

3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (97 overall)

4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (95 overall)

5. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (88 overall)

6. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (87 overall)

7. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (86 overall)

8. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (86 overall)

9. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (85 overall)

10. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (85 overall)

The fact Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes is the fourth-best quarterback is likely to be the biggest talking point, but he's coming off somewhat down season by his usual standards. His 245.5 passing yards per game were his lowest since entering the league, and he had his fewest touchdown passes (26) as a full-time starter.

In the case of the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, their mobility also accounts for some of the overall edge they have on Mahomes.

Top 10 Running Backs

AP Photo

1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (99 overall)

2. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (98 overall)

3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (95 overall)

4. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (94 overall)

5. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (92 overall)

6. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (91 overall)

7. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (90 overall)

8. James Cook, Buffalo Bills (89 overall)

9. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (88 overall)

10. Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks (88 overall)

Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley received a perfect rating after becoming the ninth running back to go for 2,000 yards in a season. He played an instrumental role in the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX run.

Madden developers remain high on the San Francisco 49ers' Christian McCaffrey after he was limited to just four games in 2024 due to injury. The Niners are counting on the two-time All-Pro to rediscover his peak.

Top 10 Wide Receivers

AP Photo

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (99 overall)

2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (99 overall)

3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (96 overall)

4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (95 overall)

5. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (95 overall)

6. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (94 overall)

7. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (93 overall)

8. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (93 overall)

9. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (91 overall)

10. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams (90 overall)

The Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase and Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson will be forever linked thanks to playing together in college at LSU. It's only appropriate they both got 99 overall ratings.

Chase pulled off the receiving triple crown in 2024 by leading the NFL in receptions (127), yards (1,708) and touchdowns (17). Jefferson was no slouch himself, finishing with 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 scores.

Top 10 Tight Ends

AP Photo

1. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (98 overall)

2. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (92 overall)

3. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (92 overall)

4. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (91 overall)

5. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (90 overall)

6. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (89 overall)

7. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (88 overall)

8. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (87 overall)

9. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (86 overall)

10. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (85 overall)

For at least a brief stretch of the offseason, Trey McBride was the highest-paid tight end after he signed an extension with the Arizona Cardinals worth $19 million annually. George Kittle had to do him one better by signing a deal worth $19.1 million per year with the 49ers.

McBride at least has the opportunity in the virtual realm to chase down and perhaps overtake the six-time Pro Bowler.

Top 10 Offensive Linemen

AP Photo

1. Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles (99 overall)

2. Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers (97 overall)

3. Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions (96 overall)

4. Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (96 overall)

5. Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles (96 overall)

6. Quinn Meinerz, Denver Broncos (95 overall)

7. Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs (94 overall)

8. Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons (94 overall)

9. Laremy Tunsil, Washington Commanders (94 overall)

10. Joe Thuney, Chicago Bears (93 overall)

Not to take anything away from Barkley, but life in an NFL backfield is a little easier when you're running behind two offensive tackles who have an overall Madden rating that's 96 or higher.

There isn't a better tandem on the edge than Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, and their contributions were why Philly didn't miss a beat following Jason Kelce's retirement.

Top 10 Defensive Linemen

AP Photo

1. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs (97 overall)

2. Dexter Lawrence II, New York Giants (97 overall)

3. Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers (95 overall)

4. Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers (94 overall)

5. Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (93 overall)

6. Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens (93 overall)

7. Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans (92 overall)

8. Quinnen Williams, New York Jets (91 overall)

9. Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles (90 overall)

10. DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts (88 overall)

New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II set a career high with nine sacks despite missing five games in 2024. He was a Pro Bowler for the third time and a first All-Pro nod may have been headed his way if he had stayed healthy.

The Chiefs' Chris Jones has set the gold standard among interior defenders after Aaron Donald retired. Maybe this is the year when Lawrence surpasses him.

Top 10 Edge-Rushers

AP Photo

1. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns (99 overall)

2. Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys (98 overall)

3. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers (96 overall)

4. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders (96 overall)

5. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers (95 overall)

6. Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions (93 overall)

7. Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals (92 overall)

8. Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans (91 overall)

9. Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars (90 overall)

10. Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans (89 overall)

If you're looking to play Franchise Mode in Madden NFL 26, you'd be advised to steer clear of the AFC North when three of the top seven edge-rushers call the division home.

When you're facing the Cleveland Browns, you'll likely wish Myles Garrett had gone all the way with his trade request instead of penning a new deal with the team.

Top 10 Linebackers

AP Photo

1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers (97 overall)

2. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens (94 overall)

3. Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders (91 overall)

4. Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints (90 overall)

5. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (88 overall)

6. Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles (88 overall)

7. Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars (87 overall)

8. Dre Greenlaw, Denver Broncos (86 overall)

9. Bobby Okereke, New York Giants (86 overall)

10. Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars (85 overall)

The Washington Commanders' Bobby Wagner continues to be an ageless wonder. The 35-year-old collected 132 combined tackles and broke up four passes in his 13th season.

Wagner's 91 overall rating is a testament to his consistency, which will almost certainly earn him a bust in Canton, Ohio, after he retires.

Top 10 Cornerbacks

AP Photo

1. Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos (97 overall)

2. Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots (95 overall)

3. Sauce Gardner, New York Jets (94 overall)

4. Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs (94 overall)

5. Jalen Ramsey, Pittsburgh Steelers (94 overall)

6. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans (93 overall)

7. Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens (92 overall)

8. Jaire Alexander, Baltimore Ravens (91 overall)

9. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns (90 overall)

10. Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears (89 overall)

Intercepting four passes and having 11 breakups en route to winning Defensive Player of the Year wasn't enough to catapult the Denver Broncos' Patrick Surtain II into the 99 Club. That might put a small chip on his shoulders.

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez clearly impressed the Madden devs in his first full season in the NFL. He saw his rating soar over the course of last year, and he could feasibly end the upcoming season as the best corner in Madden 26.

Top 10 Safeties

AP Photo

1. Jessie Bates III, Atlanta Falcons (95 overall)

2. Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers (93 overall)

3. Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers (93 overall)

4. Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals (92 overall)

5. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins (92 overall)

6. Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers (91 overall)

7. Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens (90 overall)

8. Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions (90 overall)

9. Brian Branch, Detroit Lions (89 overall)

10. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings (88 overall)

Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch both help demonstrate why the Detroit Lions emerged as a contender. Joseph was a third-round pick in the 2022 draft, while Branch was a second-rounder in 2023.

General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have done a fantastic job of identifying talent within the college ranks and developing it once a player arrives in the NFL.

The fact Joseph is one rating point better than Branch might be the source of some light trash talk within the locker room.