Ashton Jeanty hasn’t yet played a snap for the Las Vegas Raiders, but EA Sports is already showing him significant respect. The explosive rookie running back has earned an overall rating of 83 in Madden NFL 26, placing him second among all rookies, just behind Travis Hunter, who has an 84. This rating puts Jeanty ahead of notable names like Mykel Williams, Cam Ward, and Abdul Carter.
For Raider Nation, it’s more than just pixels—it’s a glimpse of potential. If Jeanty lives up to the hype on the field, Vegas might’ve just found its next breakout star.
For those in the gaming community, Madden ratings create a buzz of excitement. NFL players who are also gamers eagerly anticipate seeing their attributes rated as high as possible. Consequently, the most anticipation surrounds the players designated with a 99 overall rating.
Only 99 players’ and rookies’ ratings have been made public as of yet. Seven players have achieved the highest possible overall rating for Madden 26. In addition, 18 Raider rookies are now included as playable characters in the football video game.
Ayye @EAMaddenNFL how in the world is Tommy Mellott a 68 speed and he ran a 4.39
— Phil Jones (@PhilJonesNFL) July 30, 2025
All things considered, the two leading Heisman candidates are once again in competition. Similar to the Heisman race, Travis Hunter claims the title again. Hunter has an overall rating of 84, while Jeanty only achieves an overall rating of 83. The Boise State alum boasts a toughness rating of 93 and a break tackle rating of 87. Madden developers classify him as an elusive back archetype. He is expected to score many touchdowns in Madden NFL 26.
In the third round of the NFL Draft, Las Vegas selected Darien Porter with the 68th pick. Rather than opting for an experienced cornerback, the Raiders chose to invest in a developmental project. However, the Iowa State alum is highly athletic and possesses the prototypical cornerback build favored by Pete Carroll. The rookie cornerback boasts a speed rating of 96.
Similarly, Donte Thornton Jr. has the same speed in the video game. The blazing fast deep threat had been getting early praise at training camp. In due time, his 68 overall will skyrocket by the end of this season.
Evidently, every player drafted after the third round has an overall rating below 70. Charles Grant and Caleb Rogers have comparable ratings across nearly all categories. However, Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller currently do not have their faces implemented in the game.
Cody Lindenberg has a higher rating than both rookie quarterbacks. Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues have similar ratings. However, Hemingway is slightly faster and Pegues is slightly stronger.
Whenever additional players are created, new discussions will arise. Furthermore, Brock Bowers’ rating in Madden NFL 25 is expected to improve significantly.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!