Madden 22: Top 10 rookie ratings led by Kyle Pitts, not Trevor Lawrence

The Madden 22 ratings for rookies in the NFL have started trickling out with the top 10 rookie ratings being released. Kyle Pitts leads the class.

Trevor Lawrence has been considered a number one NFL draft pick since he was still playing high school football. That hype translated to a National Championship at Clemson, an outstanding collegiate career, and the number one pick in the 2021 NFL Draft…but not the highest Madden 22 rating among rookies this year.

That distinction belongs to Atlanta Falcons rookie tight end Kyle Pitts. To be fair, Pitts is the highest-drafted tight end in league history.

Pitts has been given the coveted “unicorn” label and is undoubtedly one of the freakiest weapons coming out of the college ranks in some time with his combination of overall size, length, speed, leaping ability, and production.

The folks in charge of the always highly contested Madden 22 ratings apparently agreed.

Here’s a look through the top 10 rookies overall.

Madden 22: Top 10 rookies in 2021

• Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons – 81 overall
• Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars – 78 overall
• Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins – 76 overall
• Pat Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos – 76 overall
• De’Vonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – 75 overall
• Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals – 75 overall
• Zach Wilson, QB, New York Jets – 75 overall
• Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers – 74 overall
• Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears – 74 overall

Notably missing from this list are top-10 draft picks Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions) and Jaycee Horn (Carolina Panthers). Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys) is also a notable omission from this list with his rare physical skills and overall traits.

It’s surprising also to see Jaylen Waddle as the WR1 in a class where that distinction was highly contested. Cincinnati Bengals fans are not going to be thrilled with the Madden 22 crew for Ja’Marr Chase not at least being the highest-rated overall receiver with his combination of explosiveness and physicality at the catch point.

Denver Broncos defensive back Pat Surtain II is the highest-rated defensive player in this rookie class according to Madden 22 and is the only defensive player in the top 10. That is not altogether surprising considering Surtain has looked like a pro from the first day he stepped foot onto the field for the Crimson Tide.

Maybe the most surprising rating in here is the 74 for Trey Lance. Yes, Lance was the third overall pick in the Draft, but he has a very small sample size and is coming up from the FCS ranks. Madden 22 is clearly giving some respect to Lance’s physical attributes and draft status there.

One notable rating outside of this top 10? Mac Jones of the New England Patriots at 71 overall.