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Now that EA Sports has released the full Madden 21 ratings for every team’s roster, we can examine how the Ravens stack up from top to bottom. Earlier this week, I broke down the ratings of every offensive player by position. Now, let’s shift gears and do the same on the defensive side of the ball.
Here’s how the defense stacks up —
Defensive Tackle:
- Brandon Williams (86)
- Justin Ellis (71)
- Justin Madubuike (71)
- Daylon Mack (67)
- Broderick Washington Jr. (63)
This position group takes a hit with Michael Pierce’s departure. Pierce was a Madden darling, consistently boasting an overall rating in the upper-80s or low-90s over the past couple seasons.
However, Brandon Williams is still in the fold with a solid overall of 86. Behind Williams is a collection of players ranking in the 60s and 70s. Veteran Justin Ellis and rookie Justin Madubuike are both rated 71, but the former isn’t necessarily a lock to make the final roster.
Second-year DT Daylon Mack is right where he was last year - a shade under the threshold of a 70 overall. Broderick Washington Jr., who was drafted in the this year’s fifth round, might face an uphill climb to secure a roster spot and similarly has a steep battle to improve his low rating of 63.
Defensive End:
- Calais Campbell (95)
- Derek Wolfe (79)
- Jihad Ward (68)
The biggest addition for the Ravens this offseason is now their highest-rated player in Madden on either side of the ball, and that’s Calais Campbell. Campbell has been one of the top-rated defensive players in Madden for years on end now and with a 95 overall mark this time around, that is once again the case.
Alongside Campbell in the lineup is fellow newcomer Derek Wolfe, who checks in with a solid rating of 79. Wolfe may be able to crack the 80-overall threshold with a productive campaign but will likely hold steady in the upper 70s either way.
After Campbell and Wolfe is Jihad Ward, who the Ravens re-signed in free agency to a one-year deal. Like last year, Ward is a 68 overall and provides solid depth at the position.
EDGE:
- Matthew Judon (83)
- Pernell McPhee (78)
- Tyus Bowser (75)
- Jaylon Ferguson (72)
- Chauncey Rivers (60)
Despite producing a career-best season in 2019, Matthew Judon’s rating in Madden 21 is right where it was last year at 83. It’s a solid mark but could stand to be a point or two higher, especially considering he’s just the sixth highest-rated defensive player on the Ravens roster.
Behind Judon is veteran Pernell McPhee, who the Ravens retained on a one-year deal. McPhee will help the Ravens in real life but also on Madden, where he still possess an overall in the high-70s.
The ratings gap between McPhee and Tyus Bowser, as well as Jaylon Ferguson, could easily close as the season progresses, though. Bowser’s rating is slightly higher than it was in Madden 20 after posting a career-high in sacks (5.0) in 2019.
Ferguson, who’s entering his sophomore season, should perform well enough for his rating to increase from 72. UDFA Chauncey Rivers brings up the rear with an overall of 60.
Linebacker:
- Patrick Queen (72)
- L.J. Fort (71)
- Malik Harrison (69)
- Chris Board (62)
- Otara Alaka (62)
The weakest position on the Ravens roster in Madden is easily inside linebacker, where the highest-rated player, Patrick Queen, is just a 72 overall. Queen is another player whose rating will almost surely increase during the season, but his speed (89) will make him a fun player to use at the position right away.
Fellow rookie Malik Harrison comes in at just a shade under the 70 mark, while veteran L.J. Fort was given an overall rating of 71. It certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see Harrison leapfrog Fort on the depth chart and in terms of their ratings.
At the four and five spots, Chris Board and Otara Alaka are interlocked at 62 overall. It remains to be seen if either player can make the active roster.
Cornerback:
- Marlon Humphrey (89)
- Marcus Peters (85)
- Jimmy Smith (83)
- Tavon Young (76)
- Anthony Averett (67)
- Iman Marshall (67)
Whereas linebacker is the weakest position on the Ravens roster, cornerback is easily the strongest from top to bottom. And in Madden 21, there’s an argument to be made that it should be even stronger.
Marlon Humphrey checks in at an 89 overall, making him one of the game’s highest-rated cornerbacks. His All-Pro teammate, Marcus Peters, is rated an 85, making the two one of the best corner tandems in the game.
With a rating of 83, Jimmy Smith gives the Ravens three cornerbacks with an overall of greater than 80. They could potentially have four, too, if Tavon Young can stay healthy and put together a career-best campaign in 2020.
Anthony Averett and Iman Marshall are both rated 67, which is fair given their lack of experience and limited playing time.
Safety:
- Earl Thomas III (88)
- Chuck Clark (77)
- Anthony Levine Sr. (74)
- Geno Stone (68)
- DeShon Elliott (67)
Earl Thomas’ rating dropped a few points from last season, as he began Madden 20 with an overall of 92. Despite the decline, though, Thomas still holds a strong mark of 88, making him the defense’s third highest-rated player.
Fellow starter Chuck Clark holds a rating of 77, which seems a bit low given his strong play last season. Clark is now a full-time starter for the first time, though, and is just 25 years old, meaning he could climb into the 80s during the season.
Three overall points lower than Clark is veteran Anthony Levine Sr., who dropped a bit to 74 but is still a special teams ace. Unfortunately, special teams value isn’t as significant in Madden as it is in real life.
It’s a bit surprising to see rookie Geno Stone rated higher than DeShon Elliott, which can likely be attributed to Elliott’s struggles to stay on the field.
Top 10:
- Calais Campbell (95)
- Marlon Humphrey (89)
- Earl Thomas (88)
- Brandon Williams (86)
- Marcus Peters (85)
- Matthew Judon (83)
- Jimmy Smith (83)
- Derek Wolfe (79)
- Pernell McPhee (78)
- Chuck Clark (77)
What are your thoughts on the ratings of Baltimore’s defensive players? Who do you think should be rated higher or lower, or who do you think EA got just right?
Share below and join in on the conversation!