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EA Sports is preparing to release its latest installment of its Madden NFL video game ahead of the 2025 season.
Naturally, many fans will be looking forward to Madden 26’s arrival due to the new players included in the game. Notably, the game will feature all 257 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as a portion of the undrafted rookies on each team’s 90-man roster.
Most of these rookies won’t immediately be high-level impact players in the game. That said, a handful could emerge as early impact players and X-factors who could help gamers win in head-to-head battles or build quality contenders in Madden’s franchise mode.
But who earned the distinction of being Madden 26’s top overall rookie? Four players were given ratings of at least 80, but one unicorn stands alone atop the list ahead of the game’s release.
Who is the top rookie in Madden 26?
Travis Hunter is the top-rated rookie in Madden 26. The 2025 NFL Draft’s No. 2 overall pick earned a rating of 84 overall for the 2025 edition of the video game, one point higher than No. 6 overall pick Ashon jeanty.
Hunter’s top billing comes amid his attempt to become a two-way star with the Jacksonville Jaguars after playing both receiver and cornerback at Colorado. Gamers will be able to use the 22-year-old at both positions in Madden 26.
Madden 26 rookie ratings
Hunter and Jeanty are the highest-rated offensive rookies in Madden 26, while Abdul Carter represents the top-rated defensive rookie in the game.
Below is a look at the 10 highest-rated rookies for Madden 26:
- Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars: 84 overall
- Ashon jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders: 83 overall
- Abdul Carter, New York Giants: 81 overall
- Mason Graham, Cleveland Browns: 80 overall
- Will Campbell, New England Patriots: 79 overall
- Jalon Walker, Atlanta Falcons: 79 overall
- Kenneth Grant, Miami Dolphins: 78 overall
- Jahdae Barron, Denver Broncos: 78 overall
- Mykel WilliamsSan Francisco 49ers: 78 overall
- Maxwell HairstonBuffalo Bills: 78 overall
All 10 of the top-rated rookies were first-round picks. Hunter was the highest drafted on the list at No. 2 overall, while Hairston, the 30th overall pick, was the lowest.
In total, seven of the top-10 rookies primarily play on defense, while two play on offense. Hunter is the lone two-way player of the bunch.
What is Cam Ward‘s Madden 26 rating?
Ward is set to have a rating of 72 for his first-ever appearance in Madden. The mark is four points lower than the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams, who earned an opening mark of 76 in Madden 25.
Sanders received an opening rating of 67 for Madden 26. That compares favorably to the two fifth-round quarterbacks from Madden 25: Spencer Rattler and Jordan Travis. They earned ratings of 67 and 66, respectively.
Notably, Sanders is the fourth-highest rated rookie quarterback in Madden 26. Only Ward (72), Jaxson Dart (68) and Tyler Shough (68) are ahead of him.
