The first look at all the ratings for Madden NFL 20 is especially intriguing this year due to the new system put into place that has spread out the ratings to provide increased differentiation between players and their performance on the field. A lot has changed since Madden NFL 19 and in theory for the better. While the top four players included only one change the shift was initially evidenced in the rookie numbers.

Now through the sortable form on the game’s official website the entire picture can be analyzed with the complete roster revealed. Read more

Of the four players to be rated 99 Overall in Madden NFL 20 only one is new to the group. DeAndre Hopkins has received an upgrade from the 97 Overall he finished with last season to become the only offensive player rated 99 in the game at launch. With the move he overtook two other receivers who were rated higher than him heading into the offseason.

Hopkins rise is the only surprise from the reveal of 99 Overall players. Antonio Brown had been rated 99 and Julio Jones was also above Hopkins at 98.

Hopkins ranks #1 in Catching, Spectacular Catch, Catch in Traffic, Jumping, and Release with a 99 in all those attribute categories.

The others rated 99 Overall are all carryovers from where they finished in Madden NFL 19. Aaron Donald, Bobby Wagner, and Khalil Mack have predictably remained in the 99 Club.

The other interesting aspect of the reveals come with the players’ respective X-Factor abilities with all four obviously getting the Superstar treatment. When in the ‘zone’ Hopkins wins aggressive catches against single coverage. Donald can place pressure on the QB even while still engaged in a block. Wagner gets tighter coverage and a higher chance of picking off a pass on contested catches. Mack’s pass rush leads to quicker block shedding.

One of the big initiatives with Madden NFL 20 is to make players feel more true to their real skill levels through both X-Factor Abilities and a greater ratings spread. The latter is on display for the first time with the release of the rookie ratings.

Winners include Quinnen Williams as the top rated rookie with Ed Oliver, Hollywood Brown, D.K. Metcalf, and Irv Smith rated well above their respective draft slots. Multiple first rounders are not even rated in the 70s but it’s the #6 pick in the draft, New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who received the most embarrassing treatment getting rated just 63 Overall. That places him behind 203 rookies including a QB that went undrafted.

All the ratings can be viewed for the rookies with through the official sortable form on the Madden website. Next week EA will unveil the 99 Overall Players and the following week will bring the entirety of the league.

For more on the standouts and explanations of why certain positions or player types are rated higher or lower than others check out the rookie ratings piece on Sporting News.