Connect with us

Steelers News

Steelers Player Ratings Going into Madden 21

Published

on

NFL players take their Madden ratings very seriously. And so do the people behind the uber-popular football series.

It’s not a stretch to say that there will be a lot of players taking to Twitter when the ratings for Madden 21 comes out in July (pending a coronavirus-caused delay.)

But the initial ratings aren’t the entire story. Since we’re living in a completely connected world, Madden Publisher EA Sports pushes out updates for ratings based on a player’s in-season performance.

With that in mind, we decided to go back and look at how some of the Steelers fared throughout 2019.

David DeCastro -2 (91)

The Steelers’ top rated player in Madden 20 lost two points as the offensive line struggled during the season, ending up at a 91 rating.

Cam Heyward +4 (90)

Heyward had an All-Pro caliber season, which was reflected in Madden giving the defensive lineman a well-deserved point four point jump.

Stephon Tuitt +2 (87)

Despite getting injured in October, Tuitt’s excellent early campaign earned him a two point jump in the ratings.

Maurkice Pouncey +1 (86)

Pouncey wasn’t highly rated by Pro Football Focus, but the NFL considered his 2020 season to be Pro Bowl caliber. Madden gave Pouncey a one point boost.

JuJu Smith-Schuster -2 (86)

Smith-Schuster had his worst season as a pro, hampered by inconsistent quarterback play and a nagging injury. The third-year receiver lost two points throughout the season.

T.J. Watt +4 (86)

Watt came into the season with only an 82 rating but shot up four points by the end of it. Still probably undervalued at 86, the DPOY runner-up will probably get another large boost when Madden 21 debuts.

Minkah Fitzpatrick +5 (85)

Going from the Dolphins to the Steelers was a blessing all-around for the young safety. Fitzpatrick rocketed up the ratings, gaining seven points after an early season drop.

Joe Haden -1 (83)

Haden started the season with an 84 and ended up at 83. No we don’t understand this one either.

Steven Nelson +6 (82)

Nelson island was one of the best cornerbacks in the league last year (6th best according to PFF) and Madden reflected that with a six point boost from his starting rating of 76.

Alejandro Villenaueva -3 (82)

The Steelers offensive line didn’t have a great 2019, with Villenaueva being one of the primary culprits. The UDFA tackle lost three points off his Madden rating as well.

Chris Boswell +13 (82)

Don’t call it a comeback, but Chris Boswell rocketed up the ratings in 2019. After a dismal 2018 which saw his rating drop to just a 69, Boswell bounced back in a big way, making 93.5% of his field goals attempts, 100% of his extra points, and earning 13 points on his Madden ratings.

James Conner -2 (81)

The oft-injured Conner had a disappointing 2019 and was never able to stay healthy. Madden knocked two points off his rating as the season progressed.

Ben Roethlisberger -4 (81)

Roethlisberger struggled versus the Patriots, then was lost for the season. Apparently the Madden ratings people aren’t positive he’ll be able to return to form.

Bud Dupree +7 (80)

Whether it was the effect of playing next to T.J. Watt, or because it was a contract year, Dupree had by far his best season as a Steeler, earning him a franchise tag and seven points in Madden.

Vance McDonald -5 (78)

A promising 2018 was sabotaged by a 2019 filled with injuries and not having Ben Roethlisberger under center. The ratings gurus at Madden were not kind to McDonald, knocking off five points as the season progressed.

Devin Bush +4 (76)

Rookies have famously low ratings and Bush was no exception, only earning a 72 to start the season. Bush was able to earn a four point bump throughout the season and might be in line for another bump in Maden 21.

Diontae Johnson +6 (75)

Johnson had one of the best seasons by a rookie receiver in franchise history and was also the recipient of one of the largest in-season rating bumps on the team.

Other big gainers/losers

  • Benny Snell +3 (72)
  • Nick Vannett -3 (72)
  • Ryan Switzer -3 (71)
  • Matt Feiler +6 (71)
  • Devlin Hodges +7 (59)