The new year is upon us, and with that, we bid the NFL’s 2025-26 regular season farewell. While the NFL itself was full of surprises, there were a few that really stood out, especially for Madden 26 fans. How accurate were the Madden 26 on-release ratings, and where does everyone stand now? The game was released mid-August of last year, and while speculative, it serves as a benchmark for where we expect to see players.
It’s safe to say there were definitely some outliers to the ratings, both good and bad. Today, I’ll be going over some unexpected performances and a look at the on-release ratings for those players. Stick around to find out if your favourites were able to perform, and where they stand now.
Underrated Players That Exceeded Madden 26 Ratings
Before we dive into the ratings, let me explain how I’ll go about them. Some players far exceeded expectations, while others did not live up to the mark. With the regular season having wrapped up a few days ago, it’s a good time to re-evaluate player standings, especially with upcoming balance changes.
Jonathan Taylor – RB, Indianapolis Colts
First up, we have Jonathan Taylor. Taylor is an RB for the Colts this season and received an 88 OVR in Madden on release. This made sense at the time since his performance last season was good, but not breaking the 90+ OVR mark. However, to everyone’s surprise, he became one of the NFL’s top rushers this season, with 215 scrimmage yards in Week 2. He also led the league in high-impact runs, which solidified his place amongst the top.
This definitely turned heads since he outperformed players with higher ratings than him. He was consistent throughout the regular season and dominated games, making his on-field presence felt. I wouldn’t put it past him to go over 90 OVR with the upcoming balance changes.
Joe Burrow – QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Some of you may be surprised to see this name in the underrated category, considering he received a 97 OVR on release. But people still seem to think that’s low after his performance in the regular split. Burrow led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. Being the No. 1 player in the league is no easy feat, and a QB at that.
While the 97 OVR is an outstanding overall for most players, Burrow might be more deserving of the 99 OVR spot. If his current performance continues, there’s a strong chance we’ll see him at 99 next season.
De’Von Achane – RB, Miami Dolphins
Next up, we’ve got another RB, but this time, from the Miami Dolphins. De’Von Achane has a Madden 26 rating of 88, but his regular-season performance proved he deserves a lot more. Achane’s biggest feat in 2025 is definitely his Pro Bowl selection with 1,350+ rushing yards. While he may not sit at the top of the ladder, he’s a strong contender for it.
The RB also had 12 touchdowns this season and was named MVP for the Dolphins. 88 is not a bad rating, but being an MVP plus a Pro Bowl selection merits at least a 90+ OVR. Hopefully, the new ratings will reflect better on his previous season’s performance.
Overrated Players Who Fell Short Of Madden 26 Ratings
While certain players excelled last season, others failed to perform. Some players just couldn’t keep up with their hot streaks from the previous season, and it showed. It is important to note that these are subjective and open to change. Some players could not perform due to injuries, and that was reflected in their season stats. But as it stands, players should expect some nerfs to their stats.
Travis Kelce – TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce has been flooded with attention ever since his relationship with pop idol Taylor Swift. But his time on the field hasn’t been all that helpful. Kelce was one of the top TEs in the league, but his performance has been declining over time. He received a 93 OVR Madden 26 rating, good but not great. Unfortunately, it seems his performance in the regular season might warrant an even lower rating.
He wasn’t seen making those big-impact plays he’s known for, and his yardage fell short of several other TEs in the league. Age has definitely played a significant role for the Chiefs’ TE, as many younger TEs were seen outperforming him. With his final game coming up, we might see a dip in his ratings soon.
Tyreek Hill – WR, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill was one of the most anticipated WRs in the league for the 2025-26 season. As a star player alongside a few other major picks for the Dolphins, all eyes were on him. However, Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury in early 2025, which spelt doom for the regular season.
No matter how hard he tried, Hill could not work up the stats to justify his 95 OVR rating in Madden 26, and might see a drop soon. However, he hopefully comes back stronger and regains his stride next season once his injury heals up.
Jalen Ramsey – CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The final name on the list is Jalen Ramsey, CB for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ramsey had a 94 OVR rating on release, which was justified according to his outstanding performance last season. However, in the 2025-26 regular season, he just didn’t have enough impact on games to justify that rating anymore. He was consistent throughout the season and was a powerhouse on the field, but was surpassed by several newcomers in the league.
While Jalen Ramsey is still a solid pickup, he won’t be sitting at the top anytime soon. That might bump his rating points a bit, but we’ll have to wait and see.
