Madden NFL 23 ratings release: Lions rate poorly in CBs and DL

EA Sports released the CB and DL player ratings for Madden NFL 23 and the Lions don’t rate highly in either position group

EA Sports released more of their flagship game’s player ratings for the upcoming installment, Madden NFL 23, this time focusing on the cornerbacks and D-Line. These ratings are always something to take with a grain of salt, because a video game developer, much like any die-hard NFL fan can be as wrong as some coaches in the league. It isn’t a perfect science, and these things are purely for entertainment, but offer a good insight into how others view the Lions roster.

Keep in mind, these ratings are frequently tweaked during the season based on consistent performance and production, so take this at face value.

Released earlier today were the cornerbacks and defensive lineman. Take a look at the following overall ratings that will be featured at the game launch, August 19th:

 

Cornerbacks

Mike Hughes 78 Overall

Amani Oruwariye 77 Overall

Jeff Okudah 73 Overall

Ifeatu Melifonwu 68 Overall

AJ Parker 66 Overall

Jerry Jacobs 66 Overall

Chase Lucas 65 Overall

Mark Gilbert 61 Overall

Bobby Price 60 Overall

Saivion Smith 59 Overall

 

Defensive Line:

Michael Brockers 73 Overall

Alim McNeill 72 Overall

Levi Onwuzurike 69 Overall

John Cominsky 68 Overall

Jashon Cornell 60 Overall

Bruce Hector 59 Overall

Eric Banks 59 Overall

The Detroit Lions defensive line is one of the worst in the league, on paper. But training camp season is upon us, and with the additions to the core defense, we could see a much more improved team when they actually hit the field this summer.

Watch: Jameson Williams nails his Madden NFL 23 speed rating prediction

Williams is exceptionally fast and the Madden NFL 23 ratings did not disappoint

One of the sure signs a player has made it to the NFL is being included in the seminal Madden series of video games. The ratings for all the attributes a player gets are more important to most players than you might think, too.

EA Sports is releasing the latest edition of Madden soon, but they teased the Madden NFL 23 by having some rookie wide receivers guess their in-game attribute ratings. Detroit’s Jameson Williams was one of the players featured.

Williams correctly nailed his speed attribute. He told host Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson that he was a 98 speed guy, and that’s exactly what the No. 12 overall pick earned from the Madden rating analysts.

“They know,” Williams boasts when his 98 rating is revealed.

Entering the league with a 98 speed rating is well justified for Williams, even though he couldn’t run during pre-draft workouts due to a torn ACL. His Alabama and Ohio State game tapes are littered with examples of his top-shelf speed. That’s why the Lions traded up to get him.

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Frank Ragnow leads the way for Lions players in latest Madden 22 ratings

The Madden ratings were not kind for the Detroit Lions, but there are notable ratings that are quite interesting among the team

In the midst of the opening of training camp, EA Sports released their latest Madden 22 ratings for every player and team. With the new regime in place, not many people have high hopes for the Detroit Lions this coming season, and it showed with the ratings that were given to the team and players.

With only five players managing to receive an 80 overall rating or higher, the team came at a 74 overall rating, coming in at third-worst in the league behind the Carolina Panthers (73 overall) and the New York Jets (72 overall).

Frank Ragnow comes in as the highest-rated Lion with an 88 overall rating, which was good enough to (barely) crack Madden’s Top-100 players — coming in right at 100. To no surprise, he is the lone Lions representative. Ragnow is easily the best player on the Lions and will be looked upon as a cornerstone for the organization going through a rebuild.

T.J. Hockenson follows with an 85 overall rating, landing him as the 8th-best tight end in the league. That seems disrespectful considering who is ahead of him: Hunter Henry, Rob Gronkowski, and Austin Hooper. None of those three tight ends came near what Hockenson produced last year and it leaves you scratching your head.

Next comes Michael Brockers (82 overall), who will be looked upon providing a veteran presence, especially for the two rookies, Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill, while providing a force up the middle. Trey Flowers comes in with an 81 overall rating as a right outside linebacker, following suit to his position change from end. He will be a player to keep your eye on with the new coaching and see how he responds.

Finishing out the top five lands us in the special teams category with Pro Bowl sensation punter Jack Fox with an 80 overall rating. Fox lit the NFL on fire leading, averaging 49.1 yards per punt, ranking third in the league, and was easily was one of the better players for the Lions last season.

To round out the top ten Lions, Jamie Collins (79 overall), Tyrell Williams (79 overall), Romeo Okwara (79 overall), D’Andre Swift (78 overall), and Taylor Decker (78 overall). Jamaal Williams finishes outside the top ten with a 77 overall rating, but interesting how close the two running backs are rated.

For the rookies, Penei Sewell comes at a respectable 75 overall, landing him eighth among rookies. McNeill and Onwuzurike each earn a 71 overall rating, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Amon-Ra St. Brown receive a 67 overall rating, Derrick Barnes gets a 66 rating, and Jemar Jefferson lands with a 64 rating.

Since these two are tied at the hip with comparisons, Jared Goff comes in with a 77 overall rating, while ex-Lion Matthew Stafford receives an 83 overall rating.

Other interesting rating nuggets for the Lions:

  • Brockers comes in with the highest tackle rating with a 96, ahead of Aaron Donald with a 95.
  • Williams ranks as the third-best back in the carrying attribute with a 97 rating. Also, rates at the 20th-best back in stiff-arm with an 85 rating.
  • Melifonwu ranks as the 18th-best player (95 rating) in the jumping rating, the best among rookies
  • Goff ranks as the 11th best (86 rating) in medium throw accuracy, 12th best quarterback (88 rating) in the play-action category, and short-throw accuracy (90 rating). But comes at 29th overall with an 89 throw power rating.
  • Kalif Raymond rates as the fastest Lion with a 94 rating in the speed section.
  • Ragnow comes in as the 13th-toughest player rating with a 98 overall, but it should be a 99 considering he played with a broken throat.

Quintez Cephus gets some surprises in his initial Madden 21 ratings

Quintez Cephus gets some surprises in his initial Madden 21 ratings, notably in his speed and blocking ratings

Quintez Cephus is the first of the Detroit Lions rookies to get his Madden 21 game ratings. The fifth-round wide receiver from Wisconsin had his initial ratings for things like speed, strength, hands and more revealed with the other rookie WRs by game developer, EA Sports.

The first thing that stands out is Cephus’ speed rating. He earned an 87, a lofty number for a player who ran a 4.73 in the 40-yard dash. He has a higher rating than several other receivers who ran better 40 times. Cephus earned his highest ratings in acceleration and jumping, at 89 in each. His impact blocking score is one of the lowest of the rookie wideouts, another strange development.

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The rating places Cephus 22nd among rookie wideouts in the game. That matches his actual 2020 NFL Draft status.