With Madden 23 set to release August 19th, 2022, EA Sports continues to release ratings for players, teams, and positional groups. Recently, EA released their rookie ratings for many of the 2022 NFL Draft first-round picks. Interestingly, despite not being the first selected of their respective positions, Lions Rookies Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams received the highest ratings for rookies at their positions.
Throughout the off-season, Lions fans argued over which edge rusher the team should select with the second overall pick. With many fans set on Kayvon Thibodeaux from Oregon, or Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson. Thibodeaux was an athletic monster with unbelievable upside. Hutchinson was the perfect fit, no-quit mentality, with an unstoppable motor.
Hutchinson was obviously a better character fit for the Lions system, as Dan Campbell’s war room reaction seemed to suggest. Of course, some do not agree with this draft choice, but most agree the Lions got the right player.
This Consensus opinion is shared by EA Sports, the developer of the NFL’s video game series Madden. The latest edition of the game, Madden 23, has awarded Hutchinson with its highest rookie edge rusher rating. Sitting at 77 overall, shockingly lower than his new teammate Jameson Williams, Hutchinson sits 2 overall points above Thibodeaux (75 overall) and first overall pick Travon Walker (76 overall).
Similarly, the Lions’ other first round pick, Jameson Williams. As the highest rated rookie receiver, Williams received a 78 overall rating. While the three receivers picked ahead of him, Garret Wilson, Chris Olave, and Drake London, were given 76s and a 75. The last two first round receivers, Jahan Dotson and Treylon Burks, were given a 75 and 73 as well.
Although it is nice to see the Lions’ draft class get some love, it doesn’t confirm anything about these players. The 17-game season will truly determine if the Lions drafted the best rookie edge rusher and receiver. One thing it does prove is that this team has others behind it, not just the same tortured fans. Outside of Detroit their is belief in this team, but of course, time will tell.
More ratings will be slowly released over the next few weeks. They can found here.
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