EA Sports released the Madden 21 player ratings recently, and the inevitable discourse surrounding who’s overrated and underrated ensued.
Vikings fans were angry about several players’ ratings. Minnesota is coming off a year where it went 10-6 in the regular season and won its first playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.
Despite that, several big contributors from 2019’s Minnesota team did not exactly earn high marks in Madden 21. Many of those players had productive seasons and have yet to reach an age where decline is expected.
Here are some Vikings players who I think were unfairly rated, followed by the rating I think they should have received:
Fullback C.J. Ham
I mean this as a sincere question: If C.J. Ham is a 73 overall fullback, how can there even be a fullback with more than an 85 overall rating?
I think by most accounts, Ham was pretty good in 2019. The blocking fullback played 359 snaps and was a big part of a Vikings offense that finished sixth in rushing. The Vikings ran the ball quite a bit, and Ham was a big part of the offense.
He also made the Pro Bowl, albeit a flawed metric by itself to evaluate the quality of players.
Ham was named the best fullback in the NFC North by Zone Coverage’s Bo Mitchell, with Mitchell adding that “it’s not particularly close right now.”
In terms of his Madden rating, Ham was ranked as the sixth-best fullback in the NFL. I think he should probably be a little higher up.
Actual Madden Rating: 73
Ideal Madden Rating: 82
Safety Anthony Harris
Harris is coming off a year where he had six interceptions.
A lot of players get interceptions but give up big plays when they’re not getting picks. How was Harris in coverage besides his ability to create turnovers? The best in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
Harris earned a coverage grade of 92.7 from PFF, the highest in the NFL.
So where did Harris rank among the best free safeties in Madden 21? He ranked 12th. He should be higher up as well.
Actual Madden Rating: 83
Ideal Madden Rating: 89
Tackle Brian O’Neill
O’Neill didn’t start for the Vikings until Week 6 of 2018, his rookie year. After that he solidified the right tackle position for the Vikings.
O’Neill has allowed two sacks in two NFL seasons, as reported by PFF. That stat ranks him tied for second among tackles who have played more than 500 pass blocking snaps.
O’Neill also earned the highest PFF rating of any mainstay starting Vikings offensive lineman from 2019.
But in Madden 21, O’Neill ranked 17th among right tackles. I definitely think he shouldn’t be below average at his position.
Actual Madden Rating: 75
Ideal Madden Rating: 80
