Every year, during the summer doldrums, we undergo the same tired exercise.
The video game company Electronic Arts releases the player ratings for their annual pro football simulator, Madden. And, after diving through their lists, the football world collectively wonders: Have those people ever watched a game?
This year, the process was no different in advance of Madden NFL 23. While a few expected names headlined (Myles Garrett, Davante Adams, hello!), there was no shortage of overrated head-scratchers. These selections show that the creators are generally familiar with the NFL but maybe haven’t paid close attention for a while.
Yes, in case you were wondering: These ratings are totally worth getting angry about! Here are the five most overrated players in Madden NFL 23.
1
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers RB: Overall 96
AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman
This one befuddled me. As it stands, according to these ratings, McCaffrey is the 10th best player in football. I mean, really?
Even though McCaffrey is a fine player when healthy and getting copious touches, that didn’t happen last year! He barely scraped over 1,000 total scrimmage yards (1,086) and scored just seven touchdowns in only 10 starts during the 2021 season.
Like, those are good numbers for any tailback. But a top-10 player in the league? Get the heck out of here.
2
Darius Slay Jr., Eagles CB: Overall 92
Yong Kim/Pool Photo via AP
Another good player, Slay Jr., is the lynchpin of what might be a promising Eagles secondary.
But, again, according to these ratings, he’s a top-four cornerback. Uh, sure. Better than Marshon Lattimore? Better than pick machine (25 since 2018) J.C. Jackson? No, no. I don’t think so.
3
Khalil Mack, Chargers ROLB: Overall 92
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
When the curtain falls on his career, Khalil Mack will probably stroll into the Hall of Fame. He’s one of the greatest pass rushers/edge defenders of all time. No questions asked. However, he’s been a shell of his usual superstar self lately, especially injury-wise. That is part of why he’s a Charger and no longer a Bear.
A 92 at this stage of Mack’s career feels like he’s getting by more on reputation than what he’s accomplished lately.
4
Harrison Smith, Vikings SS: Overall 90
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Another player who used to be a premier superstar, Harrison Smith, still helps patrol the Vikings’ back-end quite well. Even so, he hasn’t made an All-Pro in almost half a decade (2018) and, to me — given his lack of general on-ball production last year — doesn’t warrant being in the 90s club.
Those ratings are for the best of the best.
5
Tyrann Mathieu, Saints SS: Overall 94
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Look, who doesn’t love Tyrann Mathieu? He’s been one of the league’s top defenders for most of his career and has one of the coolest nicknames (Honey Badger!).
However, per the latest ratings of Madden, Mathieu is not only the NFL’s No. 1 safety (flatly untrue) but a top-20 player (extremely untrue). No coach or executive in their right mind is picking Mathieu as football’s best safety with so much talent at that position. Discussing him as a top-20 talent overall is so nonsensical that I won’t even dignify it further.
