EA Sports has announced the top 10 highest-rated rookies in "Madden NFL 27," with running back Jeremiyah Love and safety Caleb Downs tied for the highest overall rating among first-year players at 82.

Love, entering his rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals, earned the Doak Walker Award at Notre Dame following a junior year where he rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns. Downs, who joins the Dallas Cowboys, received top honors in college, winning the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott Trophy in 2025 after earning unanimous All-American status.

Edge rusher David Bailey of the New York Jets holds the third-highest rating among rookies with an 81 overall. Bailey was recognized as the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and a unanimous All-American at Texas Tech after recording 14.5 sacks in 2025.

Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, narrowly missed the top 10 with a 74 overall rating.

Other notable rookies in the top 10 include:

  • Defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rated 80 overall, who won the Ted Hendricks Award as the top defensive end in college football.
  • Linebacker Arvell Reese of the New York Giants, rated 79 overall, who was named Big Ten Linebacker of the Year.
  • Cornerback Mansoor Delane of the Kansas City Chiefs, also rated 79 overall.
  • Defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor of the Los Angeles Chargers, rated 79 overall, who earned first-team All-ACC and second-team All-American honors.
  • Spencer Fano, an offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns, earned a 79 overall rating and won the 2025 Outland Trophy.
  • Edge rusher Malachi Lawrence of the Dallas Cowboys, rated 78 overall, who recorded 20 career sacks at UCF.
  • Offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa of the New York Giants, rated 78 overall, who started all 42 games of his college career at right tackle for the Miami Hurricanes.

The list highlights a competitive rookie class with multiple players receiving high ratings across various positions, indicating a strong influx of talent entering the league in the game's representation of the 2026 NFL season.