Madden 23 rookie ratings guide to all the best young players

Madden 23
(Image credit: EA)

Madden 23 rookie ratings remain under the microscope as we hit the halfway point of the NFL season. Whether you're playing Ultimate Team or franchise mode, these are players you can build around long-term in Madden 23 – and some of them, such as Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett, are already defying their in-game numbers. Below we profile this year’s most notable debutants, before taking you through ratings for the entire first round of the 2022 NFL draft class. This is your Madden 23 rookie ratings guide.

Travon Walker (LOLB, Jacksonville Jaguars)

Madden 23

(Image credit: EA)

The first overall pick gets a modest initial rating of 76, although Jacksonville fans are granted signs of encouragement. Walker boasts 88 Speed, 92 Acceleration, 88 Strength and 82 Ability: building blocks for a bright Madden future. Wondering how you can deploy him best? Then switch over to our Madden 23 tips rundown. 

Aidan Hutchinson (LOLB, Detroit Lions)

Madden 23

(Image credit: EA)

The Lions’ new ‘backer scores a strong 77 – although it’s not quite a best-in-class OVR. That honor is shared by Sauce Gardner (New York Jets), Jameson Williams (Detroit) and Jordan Davis (Philadelphia). They all boast a 78 rating, and will hope to the 80 via mid-season updates.

Kyle Hamilton (SS, Baltimore Ravens)

Madden 23

(Image credit: EA)

Safety is a key position in the Ravens’ ball-hawking defense, and 76-rated Hamilton looks poised to fit right in. 88 Speed and 86 Acceleration are going to be handy tools in motoring around the backfield, while 90 Jumping and 83 Hit Power should produce turnovers.

Treylon Burks (WR, Tennessee Titans)

Madden 23

(Image credit: EA)

The above three are all defenders, so how about Tennessee’s new receiver hope? Burks is already a threat over the top with 91 Acceleration and 89 Speed. His Catch rating is a middling 83, but 86 Change Of Direction ensures danger once in possession. Burks’ OVR is 73.

The complete NFL Draft R1 Madden 23 rookie ratings list

Below are the complete set of ratings for the 2022 draft class first round, correct as of the Madden 23 release date. Looking for veteran players instead? Then you need GR's Madden 23 ratings guide.

  • 1 Travon Walker (LOLB, Jacksonville Jaguars) 76
  • 2 Aidan Hutchison (LOLB, Detroit Lions) 77
  • 3 Derek Stingley Jr (CB, Houston Texans) 77
  • 4 Sauce Gardner (CB, New York Jets) 78
  • 5 Kayvon Thibodeaux (ROLB, New York Giants) 75
  • 6 Ikem Ekwonu (LT, Carolina Panthers) 76
  • 7 Evan Neal (RT, New York Giants) 77
  • 8 Drake London (WR, Atlanta Falcons) 75
  • 9 Charles Cross (LT, Seattle Seahawks) 73
  • 10 Garrett Wilson (WR, New York Jets) 76
  • 11 Chris Olave (WR, New Orleans Saints) 76
  • 12 Jameson Williams (WR, Detroit Lions) 78
  • 13 Jordan Davis (DT, Philadelphia Eagles) 78
  • 14 Kyle Hamilton (SS, Baltimore Ravens) 76
  • 15 Kenyon Green (LG, Houston Texans) 72
  • 16 Jahan Dotson (WB, Washington Commanders) 75
  • 17 Zion Johnson (RG, Los Angeles Chargers) 73
  • 18 Treylon Burks (WR, Tennessee Titans) 73
  • 19 Trevor Penning (LT, New Orleans Saints) 72
  • 20 Kenny Pickett (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers) 68
  • 21 Trent McDuffie (CB, Kansas City Chiefs) 76
  • 22 Quay Walker (MLB, Green Bay Packers) 73
  • 23 Kaiir Elam (CB, Buffalo Bills) 73
  • 24 Tyler Smith (LG, Dallas Cowboys) 70
  • 25 Tyler Linderbaum (C, Baltimore Ravens) 74
  • 26 Jermaine Johnson II (LE, New York Jets) 74
  • 27 Devin Lloyd (MLB, Jacksonville Jaguars) 73
  • 28 Devonte Wyatt (RE, Green Bay Packers) 73
  • 29 Cole Strange (RG, New England Patriots) 70
  • 30 George Karlaftis (LE, Kansas City Chiefs) 74
  • 31 Daxton Hill (FS, Cincinnati Bengals) 75
  • 32 Lewis Cine (FS, Minnesota Vikings) 75
Ben Wilson

I'm GamesRadar's sports editor, and obsessed with NFL, WWE, MLB, AEW, and occasionally things that don't have a three-letter acronym – such as Chvrches, Bill Bryson, and Streets Of Rage 4. (All the Streets Of Rage games, actually.) Even after three decades I still have a soft spot for Euro Boss on the Amstrad CPC 464+.