If you’re like me, then you love Madden and look forward to the new release every year. It’s always fun to check out the player ratings and see how good your team will be. You can go check out the full list of player ratings yourself, but I saved you all some trouble and listed the full ratings for the Steelers roster, as well as some some analysis for the grades.

The players are in the positions they’re listed as on the spreadsheet. 

Quarterback 

• Ben Roethlisberger – 93
• Bruce Gradkowski – 69
• Landry Jones – 66
• Dustin Vaughn – 62

Ben is one of the best in the league, so it comes to no surprise to see him as one of the top QB’s in the game. The rest of the guys don’t get much love, but the ratings given are pretty fair.

Running Back

• Le’Veon Bell – 94
• DeAngelo Williams – 81
• Daryl Richardson – 67
• Fitzgerald Toussaint – 67

The running backs are represented well, as Bell & Williams are one of the best duos in the league. Both get respectable ratings.

Fullback

• Roosevelt Nix – 80
• David Johnson – 74

I was genuinely surprised Nix got such a high grade. I love him and I’m glad to see him starting to get some respect. Johnson’s 74 isn’t bad at all – solid grade for a vet.

Wide Receiver 

• Antonio Brown – 97
• Martavis Bryant – 82
• Markus Wheaton – 76
• Darrius Heyward-Bey – 71
• Sammie Coates – 70
• Demarcus Ayers – 62
• Canaan Severin – 62
• Marcus Tucker – 61
• Eli Rogers – ???

Antonio Brown rightfully owns the highest receiver rating in the game, making him unstoppable on the screen along with on the field. Bryant gets an 82… at least we’ll be able to use him in the game. Wheaton, DHB, and Coates all seem to have low scores, but they will all surely rise as the season goes on.

For some Eli Rogers was absent on the spreadsheet.

Tight End 

• Ladarius Green – 81
• Jesse James – 67
• Xavier Grimble – 62

Green gets a very solid 81 – we’ll surely notice a difference when playing with him compared to Heath Miller. James’ score is surprisingly low considering his solid play last year.

Offensive Tackle 

• Marcus Gilbert – 83
• Ryan Harris – 76
• Alejandro Villanueva – 70
• Jerald Hawkins – 67
• Brian Mihalik – 65

Gilbert’s rating of 83 is way too low for anybody who watched him last year. Assuming he shuts down almost every edge rusher he faces once again, his rating should see an increase.

Offensive Guard 

• David DeCastro – 84
• Ramon Foster – 82
• Chris Hubbard – 67

Similar to Gilbert, DeCastro doesn’t get the respect he deserves. As one of the next star offensive lineman in the league, there is no way his rating doesn’t rise this year.

Center 

• Maurkice Pouncey – 88
• BJ Finney – 65
• Cody Wallace – 65
• Quinton Schooly – 59

Pouncey is one of the best centers in the league, but has been plagued by injuries in the past year. His rating is dependent on health; if he plays all year, expect an increase.

Defensive End 

• Cam Heyward – 88
• Stephon Tuitt – 78
• Giorgio Newberry – 62
• LT Walton – 59
• Cashaud Lyons – 59
• Johnny Maxey – 57

Heyward is the man I always play with on defense, he’s a monster in the game. Tuitt though is underrated in this league. On many occasions I’ve written that I see him being a breakout star this year, and I stand by that.

Defensive Tackle 

• Ricardo Mathews – 69
• Javon Hargrave – 68
• Dan McCullers – 66
• Lavon Hooks – 60
• Devaunte Sigler – 58

What an ugly group ratings-wise. Assuming Mathews & Hargrave both play roles this year in the nickel, I’d expect a marginal increase in their ratings.

Inside Linebacker

• Ryan Shazier – 79
• Lawrence Timmons – 78
• Vince Williams – 73
• Steven Johnson – 68
• Tyler Matakevich – 65

This angers me. Shazier flashed so much talent last year so I’m kind of shocked he is still in the 70’s. Shazier will be a star in this league if he stays healthy. His rating will change. Timmons rating is also jarring; he’s hardly lost a step despite getting older and is still a cornerstone on this defense.

Outside Linebacker 

• James Harrison – 85
• Arthur Moats – 78
• Jarvis Jones – 73
• Bud Dupree – 70
• LJ Fort – 68
• Jordan Zumwalt – 65
• Anthony Chickillo – 62
• Travis Feeney – 62

Harrison is very respected in this game. The rest of the ratings are all pretty fair, especially for Jones and Dupree since neither played that great last year. I’m hopeful all of these young players get increases, including Chickillo.

Cornerback 

• William Gay – 82
• Ross Cockrell – 73
• Artie Burns – 72
• Senquez Golson – 71
• Doran Grant – 66
• Donald Washington – 65

This seems pretty accurate. Gay is a very solid cornerback and his 82 is fair. Cockrell’s rating seems low, but that’s likely due to his non-flashy play last year. The rest are all unproven.

Safety 

• Mike Mitchell – 84
• Robert Golden – 74
• Shamarko Thomas – 72
• Sean Davis – 71
• Ross Ventrone – 64

Mitchell gets a respectable 84. Once he managed to be in full health and learn the defense, he’s been a great player for us. Golden & Davis will both get extensive playing time this season so I expect their ratings to rise.

Special Teams 

• Jordan Berry – 79
• Chris Boswell – 77
• Will Monday – 68
• Greg Warren – 65

Similar to Nix, i’m surprised Berry and Boswell got such solid ratings. I’m glad all of these young players are gaining respect!

Steelers Overall: 85