Overrated or Underrated? Making the Case for 5 NFL Players' Madden 26 Ratings

This week was the "Football is Back" bat signal for NFL fans. The first preseason game (Hall of Fame) is in the books. At the same time, EA Sports dropped the top ten player ratings separated by divisions for the new and improved Madden 26.

Madden ratings are always a hot topic of discussion, whether it's players rated too high, too low, or some other excuse to argue. Let's look at five players and discuss whether their ratings make them overrated or underrated in the latest Madden installment.

Jonathan Taylor

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Jonathan Taylor has been the heartbeat of the Indianapolis Colts' offense since being drafted in 2020. He rushed over 1,100 yards in consecutive season, including an 1,811 yard and 18 touchdown performance during his second-year in the league.

Taylor hit a rough patch with injuries during both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. After that, he returned in 2024 and put up dominant numbers with a revolving door at quarterback and less-than-stellar quarterback play. Taylor rushed for over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024. When healthy, he is a model of consistency as a runner. He has never averaged less than four yards per carry in any season.

Taylor carried the Colts' offense on his shoulders last season and still had a highly productive season, which makes seeing his 88 overall on Madden 26 head-scratching. He should not be lower than a 90, and the Houston Texans' starting RB, Joe Mixon, somehow ended up with a higher rating than Taylor.

Despite being less productive and impactful. Taylor was the best running back in the AFC South last season, and it wasn't close. He is on upgrade watch as the season progresses and if he replicates last year's success, that 88 should increase gradually.

Verdict: Underrated

Travis Kelce

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Travis Kelce is a surefire and first-ballot Hall of Famer—one of the greatest tight ends to ever grace the gridiron. Kelce has been the de facto WR1 for the Kansas City Chiefs offense for most of his career.

Kelce's dominance has been a delight to watch, and on Madden, he's been one of the funniest tight ends to utilize and most annoying to defend. Unfortunately, Kelce has not been the same dominant force over the last two seasons. He has a combined 1,807 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. These numbers are not pedestrian but displays that Kelce's closer to retirement than his prime.

Kelce comes in with a Madden 26 overall of 92, putting him behind only George Kittle. He is tied with Arizona Cardinals star, Trey McBride but ahead of rookie sensation Brock Bowers. This isn't to say Kelce isn't an effective receiving target for the 2025 NFL season but he isn't dominate anymore.

After the season Bowers had for the Las Vegas Raiders, he has a stronger case for a 92 overall than Kelce. Bowers is only a couple of points below him, but it wasn't close regarding who was the better tight end in 2024. Kelce's speed and athleticism appeared to have declined last season. He will be a productive option for Mahomes and the Chiefs offense but he is not a 92 overall player in the NFL anymore.

Verdict: Overrated

Jayden Daniels

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Jayden Daniels is coming off an outstanding rookie campaign where he led the Washington Commanders to the playoffs and the NFC Championship game. He helped manifest a significant shift for this organization as he went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year and break several rookie records for passing and rushing touchdowns.

Entering his second year in the league, Daniels received an 85 overall, putting him behind Justin Herbert, Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, and Jared Goff. Outside of Hurts (Super Bowl MVP), Daniels had either an equal or greater season than the other talented quarterbacks listed. Heck, he defeated one convincingly when they upset the Detroit Lions on the road.

Goff, Mayfield, and Herbert have multiple seasons of proven productivity, but Daniels has a case for a higher overall than them, or at least equal to Goff and Herbert with an 87. The way he takes games over, throwing and rushing the football, could only be rivaled by the electric Lamar Jackson. Daniels played at such a high level last season without an elite cast of characters surrounding him on offense.

Daniels will slice a defense apart from the pocket, but when he engages his rushing ability, his game reaches higher heights. I understand playing it safe after CJ Stroud's fantastic rookie season, and he had a sophomore slump with the Texans. Regardless, Daniels' bag of tricks is large, and he knows how to attack defenses to apply constant pressure on them. His overall score should be a few points higher.

Verdict: Underrated

Derrick Brown

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Derrick Brown is a terrific defensive lineman whose impact was negatively felt when he was ruled out for the rest of the 2024 NFL season. The Carolina Panthers defense was atrocious especially against the run where Brown is a clear floor elevating talent.

That said, his Madden 26 overall is a 95, placing him third behind Chris Jones and Dexter Lawrence II. Regarding Madden, Brown is overrated! He does not impact the passing game to the level of a superstar defensive tackle. Brown is rated above Vita Vea, Nnamdi Madubuike, Jeffrey Simmons, Quinnen Williams, DeForest Buckner, and Jalen Carter.

Every defensive tackle rated behind Brown offers more pass-rush upside and ability. Brown has never eclipsed three sacks or 40 pressures in one season. His run defense is outstanding but to have a 95, you have to be a three down impact defender.

Brown should be lower and closer to a 90 rating. He is still a problem on the defensive line but the three down upside is not the same as his counterparts.

Verdict: Overrated

Jalen Carter

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Jalen Carter is among the best and most disruptive interior defensive linemen in the NFL after only two seasons. The former ninth overall pick has wholly changed the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive line and pass rush. In 2024, Carter led the Eagles' defense in quarterback pressures with 59, per NFL Pro.

This is more impressive considering how frequently Carter faced double teams from opposing offensive lines weekly last season. He created ample one-on-one pass rushing opportunities for his teams, and the defense benefited as a result.

Carter starts the 2025 NFL season with a 90 overall Madden 26 rating, ranking him as the ninth-highest defensive tackle on Madden 26. He is better than this. His raw sack numbers, but he ranked 16th in pressures last season. If Carter faced fewer double/duo blocks, his sacks would balloon. He is one of the most difficult defenders to stop in one-on-one situations.

Put some more respect on Carter's name! A 90 overall rating isn't chopped liver by any means, but a player of his caliber should be rated closer to 95 than 90. He can wreck offensive game plans and create chances for other players to feast.

Former Eagle Milton Williams was able to dominate the Kansas City Chiefs with four pressures and two sacks on Patrick Mahomes based on favorable matchups, created by the attention Carter received. He belongs closer to the top of the defensive tackle ratings.

Verdict: Underrated