Even though the game quality is up for debate, the reveal of Madden ratings every year gets plenty of traction. The newest Madden, Madden NFL 23, will be released on August 19. I could predict Madden ratings for Cowboys players closer to that date, but it’s the offseason. There is nothing to talk about, so here we go.
Offense:
- QB Dak Prescott: 91
- RB Ezekiel Elliott: 85
- RB Tony Pollard: 82
- WR CeeDee Lamb: 88
- WR Michael Gallup: 83
- WR James Washington: 75
- TE Dalton Schultz: 84
- LT Tyron Smith: 94
- LG Tyler Smith: 72
- C Tyler Biadasz: 74
- RG Zack Martin: 98
- RT Terence Steele: 73
Prescott’s rating was a 90 last year. There’s no reason it should be lower than that this season. Elliott’s rating will likely go down but will stay higher than Pollard’s as long as he’s the starter. Lamb’s stellar 2021 season and his new status as Dallas’ No. 1 receiver should boost his rating. I think Gallup’s rating goes up as well, and it would go up higher if he stayed healthy last season. Schultz had his best season in 2021, and his rating should sizeably increase because of it.
Rookies are never rated high in Madden, which is why Tyler Smith’s will be so low. Tyron Smith’s rating should remain high, given he’s one of the best tackles in football. Martin is one of the best offensive linemen in football and should be one of the highest-rated players in the game. Steele will play his first season as the Cowboys’ starting right tackle, so his rating should slightly increase.
Defense:
- DE Demarcus Lawrence: 90
- DT Neville Gallimore: 74
- DT Osa Odighizuwa: 73
- DE Dorance Armstrong: 72
- DE Dante Fowler Jr.: 74
- LB Micah Parsons: 95
- LB Leighton Vander Esch: 78
- CB Trevon Diggs: 92
- CB Anthony Brown: 77
- CB Jourdan Lewis: 76
- S Malik Hooker: 77
- S Jayron Kearse: 82
Lawrence played well in 2021, but his rating will stay around the same since he missed many games. The rest of the defensive line should be rated in the low 70s. Parsons should be one of the highest-rated linebackers in the game after his outstanding 2021 season, while Vander Esch’s rating takes a minor decline.
After an 11-interception season, Diggs’ rating may take a significant increase. It might be the biggest increase of anyone on the team. Kearse’s solid 2021 season will be rewarded with a sizeable rating increase, while the rest of the secondary comes in at the mid-70s.
Special Teams/Others:
- K Jonathan Garibay: 66
- P Bryan Anger: 84
- LS Jake McQuaide: 40
- QB Cooper Rush: 63
- G Connor McGovern: 67
- WR Jalen Tolbert: 69
- WR Simi Fehoko: 68
- TE Jake Ferguson: 67
- DE Sam “De” Williams: 70
- DT Carlos Watkins: 71
- LB Jabril Cox: 69
- CB Kelvin Joseph: 73
- S Donovan Wilson: 74
Garibay, Williams, Tolbert, and Ferguson will get the rookie treatment from Madden, especially the former since he went undrafted. The highest-rated punter last season was the Rams’ Johnny Hekker at 85. Since Anger received an All-Pro selection in 2021, I think he’ll receive a similar rating. Long snappers are the worst-rated players in Madden, which is why McQuaide is so low.
Cox could take on a more prominent role for Dallas but didn’t play enough to warrant a vast rating increase. The same goes for Joseph and Wilson. In Gallimore’s absence, Watkins played well but will probably be rated around the same as both him and Odighizuwa.
