Madden Mistakes: Underrated Defensive Players in Madden 21
EA Sports’ ‘Madden’ video game is one of the most important early indicators of a player’s success. Both fans and players tend to take their ratings very seriously, and it often causes an uproar when Madden gets them terribly wrong. Here are the biggest rating mistakes per position, continuing with defense.
Pass Rusher:
TJ Watt - 86 OVR
After a dominant DPOY-level campaign, TJ Watt was utterly disrespected by the Madden Ratings Adjusters. His 14.5 sacks in 2019 brought him to 27.5 over the past two seasons, trailing only four pass rushers. His 14 forced fumbles over the past two years pace the league. Only seven players ever have had more than the eight he had just this past season. If his brother can remain a 98 (!!!) overall after missing 19 games in three seasons, the younger Watt deserves even more respect.
2019 Stats: 14.5 sacks, 8 FF, 14 TFL
My Rating: 95 OVR
Linebacker:
Darius Leonard - 85 OVR
After an impressive rookie season that earned him a first-team All-Pro nod, Leonard followed up with a Pro Bowl season. That’s right, first-team All-Pro, then Pro Bowl, then… 15th best linebacker rating in the game? Despite missing four games, Leonard still ranks second among all players in total tackles since 2018. He’s also been responsible for 13 INT/FFs in that span. Bobby Wagner is the only inside linebacker that is definitely better than Leonard, and his rating should reflect that.
2019 Stats: 121 tackles, 5 INT, 2 FF
My Rating: 92 OVR
Cornerback:
Tre’Davious White - 90 OVR
One issue with Madden ratings is that it seems to be based heavily on name recognition. That would explain why Stephon Gilmore somehow got into the 99 club (which is way too easy to get into) and why Jalen Ramsey remains the second-highest rated CB in the game. Stats don’t tell the whole story, but in virtually every category that matters to cover men, White was equal to or better than Gilmore. This isn’t anything new to White, who was snubbed of the 2017 DROY award by Saints CB Marshon Lattimore. Playing for Buffalo has its downsides.
2019 Stats: 58 tackles, 6 INT
My Rating: 94 OVR
Safety:
Minkah Fitzpatrick - 87 OVR
Maybe the most egregious rating error in this year’s edition of Madden is that of Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. After coming to Pittsburgh thanks to an in-season trade, Fitzpatrick nearly willed the Steelers to the postseason with his exceptional play on the back end. He recorded 130 return yards and a TD on five interceptions while forcing two fumbles and recovering three. His transformation after leaving Miami was insane, as he allowed just a measly 46.3 passer rating in Pittsburgh (compared to a putrid 158.3 mark in Miami).
2019 Stats: 69 tackles, 5 INT, 2 FF
My Rating: 93 OVR
All statistics are from pro-football-reference.com
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