Madden NFL 21 allows you to build your dream team and take them all the way to the Super Bowl. But to do that, you’re going to need the cream of the crop. There are hundreds of different players available in the game, and it can be hard to pick the best ones to make your team unstoppable. Fortunately for you, we’ve taken the guesswork out of it - here are the top 10 players in Madden NFL 21.
10. Michael Thomas
Overall Rating: 93 Position: Wide Receiver (WR) Team: New Orleans Saints Jersey Number: 13 Height: 6’3 Weight: 212 lbs This brilliant wide receiver has been playing for the New Orleans Saints since 2016, and he’s made his mark on the NFL already. His 2019 highlights were chock-full of excellent highlight reels, leaving him just a single reception away from achieving his 150 catch milestone. In Madden NFL 21, Thomas is a heavy hitter. His Catching and Awareness ratings are both 99 - if someone throws a ball anywhere near him, you can bet that he’ll catch it. Pair that with a 92 Acceleration, and you’ve got one of the best pass-catchers in the entire game.
9. Christian McCaffrey
Overall Rating: 95 Position: Running back (RB) Team: Carolina Panthers Jersey Number: 22 Height: 5’11 Weight: 202 lbs McCaffrey is often referred to as “Carolina’s breakout player”, and it’s easy to see why. He was the 8th overall pick for the Carolina Panthers in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he holds the NCAA record for the most all-purpose yards in a season. His record? 3864 yards. Wowza! In Madden NFL 21, McCaffrey matches this real-life need for speed. With a Speed of 92, an Acceleration of 93, and an incredible Agility of 97, he’s one of the fastest running backs in the game. Along with a huge Awareness stat and a whopping 96 Carrying stat, you’d better make sure that you get the ball into his hands.
8. Russell Wilson
Overall Rating: 96 Position: Quarterback (QB) Team: Seattle Seahawks Jersey Number: 3 Height: 5’11 Weight: 215 lbs If you’re shopping for quarterbacks with excellent track records, then Russell Williams should definitely make the list. He’s been playing with the Seattle Seahawks since 2012, and he’s been named to eight Pro-Bowls during that career. He’s one of only four quarterbacks in NFL history to have a career passer rating over 100. In-game, Wilson is the second-highest rated quarterback behind Patrick Mahomes. He’s a master of first downs with a 96 Deep Throw Accuracy, 94 Play Action, and 94 Running. He’ll be a nightmare for any defensive line to stop.
7. Lamar Jackson
Overall Rating: 97 Position: Quarterback Team: Baltimore Ravens Jersey Number: 8 Height: 6’2 Weight: 212 lbs Of course, we can’t have a list of the best players in Madden NFL 21 without introducing you to the man on the cover - Lamar Jackson. Jackson started playing for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2018 NFL draft, and got a chance to show what he was made of after the Ravens’ starting quarterback, Joe Flacco, suffered an injury during the season. He’s the youngest quarterback ever to have started a playoff game, and he’s the second unanimous NFL MVP in history. Jackson is the fastest quarterback in the game, topping the charts on both speed and acceleration. Pair that with his intense 95 Agility stat, and it’ll be a miracle if defenders can even see him, let alone stop him.
6. Tyreek Hill
Overall Rating: 97 Position: (Wide Receiver) WR Team: Kansas City Chiefs Jersey Number: 10 Height: 5’10 Weight: 185 Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Tyreek Hill, the fastest wide receiver in Madden NFL 21. Hill is so fast that his teammates on the Kansas City Chiefs call him “Cheetah.” He is a defending Super Bowl LIV Champion alongside superstar quarterback Patrick Mahones (who we’ll talk about later) and is a punt returner on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. In-game, Tyreek leaves burnt turf behind him with his 99 Speed stat. His Change of Direction and Acceleration stats are also 99, allowing him to beat out pretty much any defender. He might as well teleport across the field.
5. Aaron Donald
Overall Rating: 97 Position: Defensive End (DE) Team: Los Angeles Rams Jersey Number: 99 Height: 6’1 Weight: 280 lbs If you’re looking for a tough, powerful defensive tackle to bulldoze your competition, look no further than Aaron Donald. Donald has been playing for the Los Angeles Rams since 2014 and has been selected for seven Pro Bowls, one for each year that he’s been in the league. He’s a three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year - if you’re looking for an incredible defence player, Donald is your man. In the game, good old Number 99 has a string of 99 scores in important stats - Strength, Power Move, Play Recognition, and Awareness are all top-tier. Add that to a 93 Toughness and 92 Tackling, and you’re looking at a whole offensive line of terrified opponents.
4. Bobby Wagner
Overall Rating: 99 Position: Middle Linebacker (MLB) Team: Seattle Seahawks Jersey Number: 54 Height: 6’0 Weight: 242 lbs While he might not make a lot of top 10 lists, Madden NFL 21 players love Bobby Wagner. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2012 and has been steadily collecting awards and accolades since then. He was a Super Bowl Champion in his second season (Super Bowl XLVII), he’s a seven-time Pro Bowler, and he’s been the NFL Tackles Leader twice. Wagner has a 92 Speed in-game, paired with a 95 Acceleration. He’s pretty fast for an MLB, but his defensive stats are the real dazzlers. This man is a tank on the field, and opponents will have no choice but to get out of his way.
3. George Kittle
Overall Rating: 99 Position: Tight end (TE) Team: San Francisco 49ers Jersey Number: 85 Height: 6’4 Weight: 247 lbs Kittle is the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, and it’s easy to see why. He’s a First-team All-Pro selection and was one of only 19 collegiate tight ends to be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in 2017. That same year, he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, and he’s been dazzling us ever since. While he might not be the highest-paid tight end in Madden NFL 21, he is most certainly the highest-rated. He boasts an insane 98 Toughness stat, and none of his key stats falls below a 90. Kittle is a must-have on an all-star team, no questions asked.
2. Stephon Gilmore
Overall Rating: 99 Position: Cornerback (CB) Team: New England Patriots Jersey Number: 24 Height: 6’1 Weight: 202 lbs Stephon Gilmore has been in 9 Madden NFL games, and he only gets better with every instalment. His 99 rating makes him the highest-rated cornerback in the game since Madden NFL 15 (where the honour stood with Richard Sherman). He was victorious at Super Bowl LIII with the New England Patriots, and his extensive experience makes him an asset on any all-star team. In the game, Gilmore comes championship-ready right out of the box, with no important stats dipping below a 95. His Press, Man Coverage, and Awareness stats all sit at 99, making us think that Gilmore might just be superhuman.
1. Patrick Mahomes
Overall Rating: 99 Position: Quarterback (QB) Team: Kansas City Chiefs Jersey Number: 15 Height: 6’3 Weight: 230 lbs If you want a superstar football team, then there’s nothing better than having a quarterback who’s a defending Super Bowl Champion. Patrick Mahomes fits the bill. The 25-year-old star entered the NFL draft in 2017 and quickly rose through the ranks after the Kansas City Chiefs traded Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins. In 2019, Mahomes led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory since 1970 and was awarded the Super Bowl MVP for his performance on the field. In Madden NFL 21, Mahomes’ stats are almost unearthly - he has the second-highest throwing power in the game, and his incredible Awareness and Throw Under Pressure stats allow him to essentially materialize plays from thin air. Put a good defence and a star-studded offence behind him and you’ll steamroll any other team on the field. And there you have it! We hope our star-studded list of the top 10 Madden NFL 21 players helps you dominate the field in your next game.
