Madden 21 ratings: 5 NFL players rated too high, 5 rated too low

J.J. Watt is overrated in Madden 21

Current Rating: 98 OVR | Suggested Rating: 93 OVR

Of the many ratings that fans had gripes with from around the league, J.J. Watt coming in at a 98 overall was one of the most perplexing. Make no mistake, the Houston Texans defensive lineman can still be a fearsome player in the trenches. But he’s also no longer the overall player that he once was earlier in his career, specifically when he was healthy.

Watt has missed 32 of a possible 64 regular-season games over the past four seasons dealing with injuries. Again, he’s been productive, including racking up 16 sacks in 2018 when he played a full year. But after playing in only eight games with four sacks last season and now sitting at 31 years old, making him one of the best players in Madden feels like a bit much.

Quenton Nelson is underrated in Madden 21

Current Rating: 94 OVR | Suggested Rating: 98 OVR

In his two seasons in the NFL, Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson has already firmly established himself as one of the best and most dominant offensive linemen in the league. So it was a little bit of a shock to me to see him not be rated as such. 94 overall is nothing to totally scoff at but he should’ve been flirting with the 99 Club.

The highest-rated offensive lineman in the upcoming game is Dallas Cowboys right guard Zack Martin and deservedly so. However, it would feel more appropriate to have an ascending player like Nelson on par with his peer, giving him a 98 overall rating as well. If he continues with another All-Pro type season, the Colts standout should be able to achieve that as the year progresses.