5 Madden 22 player ratings that are major head-scratchers

Aug 28, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball before the Blue-White Scrimmage at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball before the Blue-White Scrimmage at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 3
Madden 22 player ratings
J.J. Watt, Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: David Wallace – USA TODAY Sports via The Arizona Republic

Madden 22 player ratings have been releasing and, while it’s hard to argue with the 99 Club, there are some spots where they got it wrong.

It’s that time of year when Madden rolls out their updated player ratings for the upcoming installment, doing so in painstakingly methodical fashion as they reveal the top 10 at every position throughout the week before a final reveal.

It’s also that time of year when NFL fans get irrationally angry over some of those Madden player ratings. Becuase what else are people going to do while waiting on the regular season or, heck, even the preseason?

Consider me one of those fans as I couldn’t let these five Madden 22 ratings slide by without being picked on.

5. J.J. Watt, DL, Cardinals

Madden 22 rating: 94

Let me be clear: J.J. Watt is a future Hall of Famer. That tends to be the case when you win three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Sadly, it’s become pretty clear Watt is past his prime.

This past season, the 32-year-old posted career lows (within a full season) in sacks and quarterback hits. While not all of Watt’s impact can be appropriately displayed through statistics, I find it tough to claim Watt was better than Joey Bosa and his brother, T.J. Watt.

Yet the veteran was given a better grade than Bosa and the same grade as his younger brother, the latter of whom many felt was snubbed for Defensive Player of the Year last season. The elder Watt may still instill fear in opposing offenses, but he wasn’t better than those two ascending edge rushers.

Watt’s rating should’ve been a bit lower.