As the 2022 NFL season nears for the Minnesota Vikings and the rest of the NFL, excitement is starting to build for the start of pre-season and then regular-season football returning to the field (here are the Vikings easiest games and their most difficult in 2022). Part of that anticipation commences with the annual release of the Madden NFL video game ahead of the new football season. Madden NFL 2023 is set to be released on Aug. 19, but ratings and other information are starting to appear for players and teams. EA Sports recently started releasing ratings and rankings of players at each position, and a few Vikings players have begun to appear among lists of top players at their position. One of the first lists released for Madden NFL 23 was for wide receiver, a position group that is always flooded with star power. Two Vikings receivers were ranked in the top 20 (maybe Minnesota will feature a pass-first offense in 2022).
Madden Ratings Prove Minnesota Vikings Talent at Wide Receiver
Among the top 20 receivers ranked by the video game, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are two of those players who made the cut. Jefferson found himself in the top 10 at number six (rating of 93), with Thielen placed just outside of the top 15 at number 16 (rating of 88).
These ratings are not that surprising, as everyone already knew Jefferson and Thielen were talented wide receivers. But they do further prove that this duo still is one of the top pairings in the NFL.
Top 10 Receiver Rankings
On Monday, EA Sports officially released the receiver rankings for Madden NFL 2023, starting with the top 10 players at that position. Here is the list of top 10 talents:
1. Davante Adams, Raiders: 99
2. Cooper Kupp, Rams: 98
3. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins: 97
4. DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals: 96
5. Stefon Diggs, Bills: 95
6. Justin Jefferson, Vikings: 93
7. Mike Evans, Buccaneer: 92
T-8. Terry McLaurin, Commanders: 91
T-8. Keenan Allen, Chargers: 91
10. Amari Cooper, Browns: 90
It is not surprising to see the names that fill the top 10 list, although an argument could be made that some players ranked 10-20 deserve to jump into the top 10 in place of some players who made the cut. Jefferson saw himself come up just shy of cracking the top five, a ranking he would most likely admit is too low, as his team does.
Jets too low tbh
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 18, 2022
Jefferson, Thielen Could See Another Stellar Year
The Madden ratings prove one thing fans already knew was true; this receiving tandem of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen is one of the most talented duos in the NFL and they will once again be a force to deal with.
Jefferson, entering just his third season in the NFL after two straight Pro Bowl selections, had another impressive year in 2021. The 23-year-old played in all 17 games a season ago and tallied career-highs in receptions (108), yards (1,616), and touchdowns (10) to lead the Vikings. In 2022, Jefferson will continue to play a vital role in helping to lift Minnesota’s offense
Thielen, entering his eighth season in the league at the age of 32 years old, has settled into a second option role with the emergence of Jefferson but he has still been a talented wideout for the Vikings. The Minnesota native is coming off a year in 2021 where he tallied 67 catches on 95 targets and hauled in 726 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns in 13 appearances.
Minnesota will rely on many of the returning players on this year’s team, especially Jefferson and Thielen, to once again lead the team and help push the Vikings back into the postseason. The start of the new year is approaching fast, and the excitement is starting to build thanks in part to the Madden NFL 2023 ratings which has Jefferson, Thielen and others ranked against other NFL players. As the ratings continue to be released, one thing that was confirmed is that those at EA Sports also believe Minnesota has one of the top receiving duos in the league.
Main Photo
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