First & 10: Dallas Cowboys Madden Ratings - Top 10 Takes
It’s video game season! With the release of Madden NFL 21 on August 25, EA Sports has released the full player ratings. Here is everything you need to know about the Dallas Cowboys’ Madden 21 ratings.
1. Top-10 QB, who dis?
Dak Prescott makes that cut as one of the players best in the NFL with an 84 overall ranking, which puts him at No. 9 among quarterbacks. Prescott jumped three points from the previous year, with much thanks to his career-best numbers from 2019. The contract negotiation roller coaster did not affect the two-time Pro Bowler on Madden.
Of course, Patrick Mahomes landed at No. 1 with a 99 ranking, the highest possible number in the game.
2. Lamb’s Debut
Cowboys budding star CeeDee Lamb was the second highest rookie wide receiver with a 75 ranking. Maybe even better than his debut ranking is the short video the team released of Lamb catching a touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field, with new Eagles cornerback Darius Slay in the background.
3. Respect his name
On the heels of Ezekiel Elliott’s message to his critics to respect his name, the Cowboys running back earned a 92 overall ranking.
Elliott is tied for the third-best running back rating with Nick Chubb. Coming in an No. 1 is Christian McCaffrey(99) and No. 2. is Derrick Henry (93).
4. Top-rated Cowboy
The Dallas Cowboy with the highest rating? Right guard Zack Martin with a 98 overall ranking. As a six-time Pro Bowler, Martin is already tied for second-most at the position within the Cowboys franchise. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Notre Dame product has allowed only eight sacks in his entire career, per Pro Football Focus. In 2019 Martin committed two penalties, both in the first week of the season. He looks to continue his domination into 2020 and beyond.
5. Cowboys in the 90s
Four players ranked in the 90s headline the ratings; Martin, Elliott, wide receiver Amari Cooper (93) and left tackle Tyron Smith (91). No surprise to see that the best-rated players also happen all be on offense.
6. Curious who in the NFL is in the elite 99 club?
Mahomes, McCaffrey, Aaron Donald, Stephon Gilmore and Michael Thomas are the players with the best rating in the game.
For full player ratings, click here.
7. On the cover
EA Sports unveiled the game's cover athlete is Lamar Jackson. It's a deserved cover for the reigning MVP, who is rated 94.
8. Cowboys in the 80s
In 80s ratings, you’ll find more of the Cowboys defense. The Dallas players in the 80s, on both sides of the ball: End DeMarcus Lawrence (89), right tackle La’el Collins (87), defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (85), Prescott (84), linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (83), cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (82), punter Chris Jones (81), linebacker Jaylon Smith (81), wide receiver Michael Gallup (81) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (80).
9. Snub?
Which Cowboy do you consider under-ranked? After a 1,000-yard season, Gallup with an overall ranking of 81 surprised me. In the midst of all the hype around Lamb, Gallup has fallen from the headlines. Entering his second-season as a starter, Gallup is a consistent weapon that I think will jump in ranking.
Oh, and then there's Blake Jarwin, who is apparently no Rob Gronkowski to the Madden folks.
10. Team Ratings
Overall, the Cowboys came in at an 83 team rating, according to Madden School. That puts them tied for fourth with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Only the New Orleans Saints (85), San Francisco 49ers (84) and Baltimore Ravens (84) have a higher ranking.
