Madden Ratings: Top Rookie and Veteran Wide Receivers

As NFL training camp kicks off for the 2021 campaign, we present to you the highest-rated wide receivers in Madden NFL 22, so when the game launches worldwide on August 20, you’ll know who the best players are at their respective positions. Below you’ll find both the top rookie WRs in the game, and the top veteran WRs (that aren’t in the 99 Club). Let the debate begin!

Top-Rated Rookie WRs

• Jaylen Waddle: 76 OVR
• Ja’Marr Chase: 75 OVR
• DeVonta Smith: 75 OVR
• Elijah Moore: 73 OVR
• Kadarius Toney: 72 OVR
• Rashod Bateman: 72 OVR

Top-Rated Veteran WRs

• DeAndre Hopkins: 98 OVR
• Tyreek Hill: 98 OVR
• Stefon Diggs: 97 OVR
• Julio Jones: 95 OVR
• Michael Thomas: 94 OVR

ROOKIE WRs

JAYLEN WADDLE | 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 NFL 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.

JA’MARR CHASE | 75 OVR
Cincinnati Bengals

LSU product Ja’Marr Chase was the first wide receiver off the board in the 2021 draft, landing with the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 5 overall. Chase enters Madden NFL 22 with a 95 Jumping rating, making him a sure-fire red zone threat and his 88 Toughness and 85 Spectacular Catch ratings only serve to boost his value on the virtual gridiron.

He’s a lethal deep threat archetype who in 2019 as the nation’s top wideout, logged 14 receiving touchdowns on deep targets (20+ air yards) per Pro Football Focus;  more than any other FBS player in the 2019 and 2020 seasons combined. He also led the FBS and set SEC records for single-season receiving yards (1,780), and receiving touchdowns (20), though both records were broken by DeVonta Smith in 2020.

DEVONTA SMITH | 75 OVR
Philadelphia Eagles

Another Alabama product and deep threat archetype, DeVonta Smith came off the board at No. 10 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles. He enters Madden NFL 22 with ratings of 91 Speed and 93 Acceleration, plus an 85 Catching rating and 86 Spectacular Catch rating, both best among rookie wideouts.

Smith became only the fourth wide receiver ever to win the Heisman Trophy in 2020. He led the FBS in receptions (117),  receiving yards (1,856), and receiving touchdowns (23) and ranked first or tied for first in all of the above on deep targets (20+ air yards). Smith also posted a 12/215/3 line in the National Championship game against Ohio State. Smith is set to give absolute fits to opposing defenders in Madden NFL 22.

ELIJAH MOORE | 73 OVR
New York Jets

Drafted by the New York Jets in the second round, Elijah Moore is a slot archetype with elite agility. He enters Madden NFL 22 with standout ratings like 93 Change of Direction, 92 Speed, 90 Acceleration, and 92 Agility, so expect to see him darting around his slot routes on and racking up YAC.

At 5-foot-9, 178 lbs., Moore's physique is on the smaller side for an NFL wideout, but he more than makes up for it with his quickness and footwork. Moore posted a 4.00-second short shuttle and a 6.67-second three-cone drill at his pro day, both marks that were top-two among the 2021 receiver class. The Mississippi product led the FBS 149.1 receiving yards per game in 2020.

KADARIUS TONEY | 72 OVR
New York Giants 

Drafted by the New York Giants at No. 20 overall in the first round, Kardarius Toney is a physical slot archetype who can do some crazy things after the catch. His 95 Change of Direction rating and 92 Juke Move rating are the highest marks among the top rookie wide receivers entering Madden NFL 22, so watch out for this guy as a shifty gadget player with crazy athleticism and the ability to make defenders miss.

The Florida Gator was a Paul Hornung Award finalist in 2020 for being one of the most versatile players in the FBS; Toney was one of two FBS players with 1+ return touchdown, 10+ receiving touchdowns, and  1+ rushing touchdown.

RASHOD BATEMAN | 72 OVR
Baltimore Ravens

Another first-round pick, in the five games Rashod Bateman started in the 2020 season before opting out he led Minnesota with 472 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Bateman, a deep threat archetype in Madden NFL 22, has an uncanny ability to separate, especially downfield, and comes into the game with 90 Speed, 90 Acceleration, and 87 Agility ratings.

In 2019, Bateman was his team’s MVP, ranked eighth in the FBS with 20.3 yards per catch, and posted the second-most receiving yards (1,219) in a single season in Gophers history, with 11 touchdowns. 

VETERAN WRs

DEANDRE HOPKINS | 98 OVR
Arizona Cardinals

Perhaps the most secure pair of hands in the game, Hopkins can pluck the ball out of the air with ease. His effortless jumps leave defenders grasping for straws below, and the ball almost seems magnetically attracted to him.

After seven awards-drenched seasons with the Texans, Hopkins moved to the Cardinals in 2020 and his link with quarterback Kyler Murray already appears to be pushing him to new heights–literally. 

TYREEK HILL | 98 OVR
Kansas City Chiefs

A five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, Hill isn’t just the speediest receiver in the game...he’s the fastest player in all of Madden NFL 22.

And even though his speed is his greatest asset, Hill can change direction on a dime, juke defenders out of their cleats, and make spectacular catches at any distance. Get you a receiver who can do anything on the field. Get Tyreek Hill.

STEFON DIGGS | 97 OVR
Buffalo Bills

All the physical gifts in the world are nothing if you don’t have the brains to put them to work at the highest level. Stefon Diggs not only has speed, strength, and safe hands, he’s also a route-running machine with a knack for improvisation when the situation calls for it.

You can be sure he’ll do exactly what’s needed for the play, whether it’s shaking off a defender with an off-the-cuff move or perfectly executing a last-minute audible. After breaking records and leading the NFL in catches after his move to the Bills in 2020, Diggs has shown over his six years in the league that any quarterback can sleep better knowing they’ll have him lined up on the field.

JULIO JONES | 95 OVR
Tennessee Titans 

Perhaps one of the first names that comes to mind when you think of spectacular and clutch catches over the last decade, Julio Jones spent ten seasons racking up awards and records with the Falcons and helped earn them a Super Bowl LI appearance.

A true veteran of the league in 2021 who is set to start a new chapter with the Titans, Jones still has the talent to make highlight reel catches and make even the most experienced of defenders look silly. If you want a guy who will put in the work on every snap and come up big when you need him the most, Jones is your man.

MICHAEL THOMAS | 94 OVR
New Orleans Saints

After spending his entire career catching inch-perfect passes from a legendary quarterback, Michael Thomas’ numbers more than prove what everyone already knew–he’s an elite wide receiver whose legacy in the game is already cemented. 

He won nearly every individual honor he could get in 2019, and is the current holder of more than 20 NFL records and eight Saints records. Still only 28 and prepared to start his first NFL season without Drew Brees under center, Thomas is set to make more spectacular catches 2021.

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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.