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Wisconsin Football: Former Badgers receive high ratings in Madden ’22

By Christian Borman

Sep 27, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) reacts after recording a sack on Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) reacts after recording a sack on Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Wisconsin football program has quietly been putting a lot of talent into the NFL for the past 20 years. Most people would assume they are a big offensive line or running back pipeline for the NFL, and they would be correct. But they should be getting some recognition for getting players at another position into the NFL as well.

The edge rusher position.

Okay, this isn’t your typical position. Because of different defenses like the 3-4 and the 4-3, the edge rusher could line up in different spots. But in today’s NFL, there is essentially a position labeled ‘EDGE.’ This could include defensive ends and outside linebackers. Anyone whose primary job is to rush the quarterback and get sacks.

Madden is slowly releasing their ratings for each position this year. They are releasing the top ten for each position before they get to everyone else. The edge rushers were revealed a few days ago, and in the top ten are two Badgers. Actually, both appear in the top five. And both are brothers.

That’s right. Both T.J. Watt and J.J. Watt are considered top-five pass rushers in Madden ’22.

T.J. Watt comes is the third-best player at the position with a 94 overall rating. J.J. Watt is not far behind. He’s the fifth-best edge rusher also with a 93 overall rating. J.J. is also tied for third in the game when it comes to ‘power moves.’ His rating in that category is a 94 behind Myles Garrett (98), teammate Chandler Jones (95), and tied with Bears linebacker Khalil Mack (93).

So far, these are the highest-rated Wisconsin football players in Madden this year. We are still waiting for the rest to come out. I think when the offensive linemen ratings come out we will see at least one more former Wisconsin football player. Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk just received a new 5-year contract worth $96 million with the Saints this offseason, making him the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL. So I think we can look forward to seeing at least one more Badger in the top ten of Madden ratings soon.

A dark horse candidate in my opinion could be Jonathan Taylor too. He had a great rookie season, but I’m thinking he might be right on the fringe of the top ten and be left out.

Keep up on Madden rating releases by following Madden on @EAMaddenNFL.