Which NFL rookies are rated the highest in Madden 27?

An early look at the Madden 27 ratings is here, and there are some surprises for fans.

One of those comes when taking a look at the highest-rated rookies in the game. There are several recognizable names among that grouping, and unsurprisingly, every name on the list was selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, there is one prominent player selected in the first round this year that was shockingly omitted from the top 10 rated rookies.

Despite capturing the Heisman Trophy last year and being selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the No. 1 overall draft pick, Fernando Mendoza was not among the top 10 rated rookies in the new game. The cut-off to make that list was a 78 overall rating, while Mendoza only sits at a 74 overall – missing the top 10 by just a few points.

But reports indicate that the franchise plans to run with Kirk Cousins as the starter this year, so his rating should reflect that he may not make as big an impact in his rookie season. And no one is going to care about his Madden rating in July if he does make the field and plays well this season. It is just a game, after all.

But someone has to be among the top 10 rated rookies in the game, so who made that list? Well, at the top of the list was running back Jeremiyah Love, the third overall selection in the draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Love procured an 82 overall rating in the game. Joining him with an 82 rating was safety Caleb Downs, who was picked by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick in the draft.

Jets defensive end David Bailey (81 overall rating), Buccaneers edge linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (80 overall rating), and Giants linebacker Arvell Reese (79 overall rating) rounded out the top five rookies. And of special interest are the Cowboys and the Giants, who landed two rookies each in the top 10. Check out the full list below.

1. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals – 82

2. Caleb Downs, S, Dallas Cowboys – 82

3. David Bailey, DE, New York Jets – 81

4. Rueben Bain Jr., LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 80

5. Arvell Reese, LB, New York Giants – 79

6. Mansoor Delane, CB, Kansas City Chiefs – 79

7. Akheem Mesidor, LB, Los Angeles Chargers – 79

8. Spencer Fano, OT, Cleveland Browns – 79

9. Malachi Lawrence, LB, Dallas Cowboys – 78

10. Francis Mauigoa, OL, New York Giants – 78

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals – 82

Caleb Downs, S, Dallas Cowboys – 82

David Bailey, DE, New York Jets – 81

Rueben Bain Jr., LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 80

Arvell Reese, LB, New York Giants – 79

Mansoor Delane, CB, Kansas City Chiefs – 79

Spencer Fano, OT, Cleveland Browns – 79

Malachi Lawrence, LB, Dallas Cowboys – 78

Francis Mauigoa, OL, New York Giants – 78

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Which NFL rookies are rated the highest in Madden 27?