Madden NFL 26 launched with 34 former Miami players in the game, headlined by Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku at 89 overall, the highest-rated Cane in the game. The rookie headline is led by Patriots K Andrés Borregales debuts at 73 overall, edging out Titans QB Cam Ward at 72. Seahawks RB Damien Martinez rounds out the 70-plus rookie group at 70 overall.
- David Njoku — 89
- Greg Rousseau — 88
- Calais Campbell — 82
- Jaelan Phillips — 82
- Rayshawn Jenkins — 78
- Kamren Kinchens — 78
- Denzel Perryman — 76
- Mike Jackson — 75
- Tyrique Stevenson — 75
- Braxton Berrios — 73
- Andres Borregales — 73
- Cam Ward — 72
- K.J. Osborn — 71
- Phillip Dorsett — 71
- Al-Quadin Muhammad — 71
- Damien Martinez — 70
- Tyler Baron — 69
- Travis Homer — 69
- Xavier Restrepo — 69
- Elijah Arroyo — 68
- DeeJay Dallas — 68
- Brevin Jordan — 68
- Jalen Rivers — 67
- James Williams — 67
- Jonathan Garvin — 66
- Jacolby George — 66
- Francisco Mauigoa — 66
- Deon Bush — 65
- D.J. Ivey — 65
- Leonard Taylor — 65
- Will Mallory — 65
- Javion Cohen — 63
- Jonathan Ford — 63
- Matt Lee — 62
Ward’s 72 OVR is modest for a No. 1 overall draft pick but it aligns with Madden’s historically conservative stance on rookie QBs until the in-season updates arrive. Still, it is jarring to see him ranked lower than his former teammate and rookie kicker Borregales.
Njoku posted 64 catches, 505 yards and five TDs in 2024 despite missing time. Rousseau logged eight sacks, 53 tackles and 3 forced fumbles in 2024 and signed a four-year extension through 2029 reportedly worth $80M ($54M guaranteed). Campbell played 17 games for the Dolphins in 2024 registering five sacks. He will be returning to Arizona on a one-year deal. Phillips is an impact pass rusher when healthy (he had 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2021 and seven sacks in 2022). Phillips suffered a torn Achilles in November of 2023 and a season-ending ACL injury the following year in October of 2024).