Video: Christian McCaffrey, Caleb Williams and More Guess Their Madden NFL 25 Ratings

Featured Columnist IVJuly 28, 2024

LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 11: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers heads to the end zone on a 21-yard touchdown catch during Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25-22. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, a number of fellow NFL rookies and San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey were asked to guess their Madden NFL 25 ratings heading into the 2024 NFL season. And some of the guesses were... a touch ambitious.

While most of the rookies kept themselves in the low to mid-80s range in their guesses, Buffalo Bills rookie halfback Frank Gore Jr. went with a 99—somewhat jokingly—right off the bat:

NFL @NFL
The rooks took their best guess at their <a href="https://twitter.com/EAMaddenNFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EAMaddenNFL</a> ratings. 🤔📈<br><br>Who do you think should be the highest-rated rookie in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Madden25?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Madden25</a>? <a href="https://t.co/gUnC0oP8sZ">pic.twitter.com/gUnC0oP8sZ</a>

McCaffrey expected to be a 99 overall, which was fair:

Madden NFL 25 @EAMaddenNFL
Cover athlete <a href="https://twitter.com/CMC_22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMC_22</a> predicts his Madden 25 Ratings <br><br>Full <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Madden25?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Madden25</a> Ratings reveals begin tomorrow 📈 <a href="https://t.co/riyhz8MSG3">pic.twitter.com/riyhz8MSG3</a>

Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams joked he would be a 99 before predicting he would be an 81 or 82 overall. New York Giants rookie wideout Malik Nabers predicted an 85 overall.

"I'm strong. Got good hands," he said. "My attributes should be up."

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr. went with an 80 overall, while Washington Commanders rookie defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton went with a 78 overall. Finally, New England Patriots rookie Ja'Lynn Polk went with a 78.

"As long as my catching is on like a 95," he said, "you know, we all good."

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For context, the highest rookie rating in Madden 23 was an 81 overall for Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. He was the only one to exceed an 80 overall.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was the next highest at 79 overall, while a number of players—Houston Texans edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr., Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba—came in at 78 overalls.

Granted, the rookies in the Class of 2024 are highly regarded. It wouldn't be shocking to see more hovering around the 80 range. Williams was the clear top overall pick in this year's draft class, while wideouts like Nabers, the Arizona Cardinals Marvin Harrison Jr., the Chicago Bears rookie Rome Odunze and Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers may all make a strong case to hit the 80 overall threshold.

As for reaching a 99, well... Gore has a lot of work to do to reach that goal.

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