Madden Ratings: Rookies

As NFL training camp kicks off for the 2021 campaign, we present to you the highest-rated rookies in Madden NFL 22. Which rookies do you think will improve the most this season? Let the debate begin!

• Kyle Pitts, TE: 81 OVR
• Trevor Lawrence, QB: 78 OVR
• Jaylen Waddle, WR: 76 OVR
• Patrick Surtain II, CB: 76 OVR
• Najee Harris, HB: 76 OVR
• Greg Newsome II, CB: 76 OVR
• Travis Etienne Jr., HB: 76 OVR

KYLE PITTS | TE | 81 OVR
Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts, the nation’s top tight end last season, was selected by the Atlanta Falcons as the No. 4 overall pick, and he’s the highest-rated rookie overall in Madden NFL 22 with an 81 OVR. Pitts comes into the game with ridiculous 91 Speed and 92 Acceleration ratings, which are not only tops among rookie TEs, but the highest marks at those respective ratings among all tight ends in the game. 

The Florida product led all FBS tight ends in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns versus man coverage in 2020. He also racked up 12 total touchdowns in his eight games last year, and set a Florida school record for a TE with 1,492 career receiving yards. The guy is an absolute matchup nightmare.

TREVOR LAWRENCE | QB | 78 OVR
Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and is the highest-rated rookie quarterback in Madden NFL 22.

Lawrence’s 80 Awareness rating, arguably one of the most important ratings in the game for a quarterback, puts him on the starting-caliber level and it’s one rating that his rookie QB peers don’t come close to. The hype is real, and for good reason; Lawrence threw 90 touchdown passes in his three seasons at Clemson (T-1 in FBS since 2018) and threw for 10,098 yards in that span.

JAYLEN WADDLE | WR | 76 OVR
Miami Dolphins

Alabama product Jaylen Waddle was drafted sixth overall to the Miami Dolphins. Waddle is a return specialist and special teams star, and enters the season with blistering ratings of 97 Speed, 95 Acceleration, and 97 Agility in Madden 22. 

The deep threat archetype is the best rookie wideout in the game at launch, despite the fact that he missed seven games in 2020 with a broken ankle. Still, he managed four-straight 100-yard games in his first four outings last season.

PATRICK SURTAIN II | CB | 76 OVR
Denver Broncos

Patrick Surtain II was a top 10 draft pick last April, and he landed with the Denver Broncos to bolster the team’s secondary. He’s a man-to-man archetype and enters Madden NFL 22 tied as the third-highest rated rookie in the game with a 76 OVR.

Surtain II sports 91 Speed, 90 Acceleration, and 92 Jumping ratings. Plus, his 77 Man Coverage and 82 Press ratings make him a force to be reckoned with on passing plays. The son of a three-time Pro Bowler for the Miami Dolphins, Surtain II was the SEC defensive player of the year and led his team with 12 pass break ups in 2020.

NAJEE HARRIS | HB | 76 OVR
Pittsburgh Steelers

Arguably the most talented running back in the 2021 draft class, Najee Harris landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 24 overall. He’s a power back archetype with an 81 Strength rating, highest among top rookie backs in Madden NFL 22, and has 94 Jumping and 95 Stamina ratings at launch.

In 2020, Harris led the FBS with 26 rushing touchdowns and 30 total touchdowns. He has an uncanny ability to make defenders miss, as he forced 93 missed tackles on scrimmage touches in 2020, the most in the FBS per Pro Football Focus. Harris also posted 821 rushing yards after contact, second-most in the FBS.

GREG NEWSOME II | CB | 76 OVR
Cleveland Browns

Another defensive player among the top-rated rookies in Madden NFL 22, Greg Newsome II was drafted by the Cleveland Browns at No. 26 overall. He’s a zone archetype with a 76 OVR at launch. 

The Northwestern product is speedy; Newsome II comes in with 93 Speed, 92 Agility, and 92 Acceleration ratings, plus a 78 Zone Coverage rating. The rookie cornerback led his team with nine pass break ups in 2020, and led his team again in 2019 with 11 pass break ups.

TRAVIS ETIENNE JR. | HB | 76 OVR
Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars invested in the future of their offense with two Clemson stars in the first round, taking quarterback Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 overall, and nabbed dual-threat running back Travis Etienne Jr. at No. 25 overall. 

Etienne Jr. is an elusive back archetype with a 92 Speed rating and a 93 Acceleration rating coming into Madden NFL 22. There’s no doubt he’ll make an immediate impact in the Jacksonville backfield alongside James Robinson. He set ACC records with 4,952 career rushing yards and 70 career rushing touchdowns. He also led all FBS running backs in receiving yards (588) and receiving first downs (28), and ranked second at his position in receptions (48) in 2020.

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Madden NFL 22 is available worldwide on August 20. Pre-order the Madden NFL 22 Dynasty or MVP Edition and play three days early. Stay in the conversation by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and EA Forums. Sign up for the Newsletter today to receive updates on Madden, and other EA news, products, and events, all season long.