Jan 1, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports.
By now, you’ve heard that Justin Jefferson has been included among the exclusive 99 Club for Madden 24. Despite being the best wideout in the game, it’s not just the top Minnesota pass catcher that is noteworthy.
While EA Sports did unveil the top 10 wide receivers across Madden 24, with Justin Jefferson leading the charge, they also made overall ratings for everyone at the position available. That means first-round draft pick Jordan Addison’s numbers are viewable as well. While he has a ways to go before joining Jefferson atop the league, his 76 overall comes in respectably.
The Vikings rookie gets some solid underlying stats as well. Addison owns an 89 rating in speed, with 91 in acceleration and 86 in agility. Unfortunately, his catch rating is just 82, which will keep him from being a true playmaker until you progress through franchise mode.
Last year’s third wide receiver, K.J. Osborn, checks in just ahead of Addison with a 77 overall rating. He could definitely be in line for a greater level of production this season, with Adam Thielen heading to the Carolina Panthers. Jalen Reagor is still treading water with a 71 overall rating, but he’s just one ahead of Brandon Powell’s 70, and Jalen Nailor’s 69.
Speaking of Adam Thielen, he leads his new Panthers wide receiving corps with an 83 overall rating. While route running and sure hands have always been his calling card, separation was tougher to come by last season in Minnesota. He is given an 89 rating for speed and just a 90 rating for catching.
Seeing how Thielen fares in his first season outside of Minnesota will be interesting. Obviously, the wide receiver has now aged and is on the back side of his career, but he remains steadfast that there is more in the tank, and he’ll get ample opportunity to show that. Working with rookie Bryce Young, Thielen will look to be a veteran option that the youngster can lean on.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the top-rated rookie wideout checking in at 78 overall for the Seattle Seahawks, and he is closely followed by Baltimore Ravens Zay Flowers at 77 overall. There is a decent chance that Addison will have an opportunity to surpass both rookies in a Vikings offense that should be pass-heavy without Dalvin Cook.
Last season Kevin O’Connell was able to help Justin Jefferson reach new heights for Minnesota, and the hope would be that he can replicate the success for Addison. Kirk Cousins is entering a very important year in his career, and putting up passing yards in droves will undoubtedly elevate his future while supporting the Vikings formerly leaky defense.
We’ll have to check in as the season comes to a close to evaluate how accurate the starting positions of these younger wide receivers really were.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.