Top 5 Minnesota Vikings in Madden 26 By Official Rating

With the NFL season right around the corner, the top five ratings are coming out by team and player.
And the release date for Madden NFL 26 is officially less than a week away. So, with that being said, who are the top five ratings on the Minnesota Vikings?

This is also not the first time I have compiled such a list. Check out the Madden 24 edition from July 2023 here.
Now, Minnesota is coming off a relatively surprising season in 2024-25, when they found new life for quarterback Sam Darnold. However, they had a quick exit from the playoffs, losing in the Wild Card Round.
Full details on team and player ratings can be found on the Electronic Arts Madden 26 webpage. But enough chit-chat. Let’s break down who the top five players are in the Madden 26 ratings system for the Minnesota Vikings.
Table of Contents
Top Five Minnesota Vikings by Rating in Madden 26
Number One – Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson (99 overall)
No surprise at who cracks the top of the list. Superstar wideout Justin Jefferson, one of the seven members of the game’s 99 club this year, is at the top of the charts on Minnesota’s ranking. Why wouldn’t he be? Listen to some of these ratings. Jefferson’s vitals include a 96 catch, 99 spectacular catch, 98 catch in traffic, 98 short and medium route running, 97 deep route running, 99 release, 99 awareness, 91 speed, 92 acceleration, 95 agility, 99 awareness, 98 change of direction, and 94 ball carrier vision.
He also features the Double Me Superstar X-Factor Zone Ability. That ability increases the success rate of aggressive catches in single man-on-man coverage opportunities.
As he continues to evolve himself into one of the true superstars of the game, Justin Jefferson is well-deserving of a high honor.
Number Two – Left Tackle Christian Darrisaw (92 overall)
The second man in the top five is also the second Vikings player to crack 90 overall. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw has quickly blossomed into a star on the offensive line. Now entering his fifth year in the NFL, Darrisaw has only committed 14 penalties in four seasons. He is also a model of consistency. 46 starts in 48 career games, and there are signs of a young Joe Thomas in Darrisaw’s game.

The one superstar ability that stands out is Edge Protector. Blockers with the Edge Protector ability will reduce an edge rusher’s chances of using a quick block-shedding move. That is an important ability to have, especially when tasked with protecting a young quarterback like J.J. McCarthy.
To round out the top five, there is a three-way tie at 88 overall. But who are the three players that made it to 88? Here’s the first…
T-Three – Free Safety Harrison Smith (88 overall)
Barely cracking the top five at the free safety position, Harrison Smith holds down the first section of the three-way tie. Smith is now preparing to enter his 14th season in the NFL, so he is a true veteran leader in the Vikings’ defensive backfield. While his age may be beginning to show a bit, his ratings are rather impressive for someone of his caliber. 87 speed, 93 awareness, 87 agility, 86 acceleration, 91 play recognition, 91 hit power, 95 stamina, and 84 toughness. And Smith is coming off a very solid statistical season in 2024.
Three interceptions, ten passes defended, a sack, 87 total tackles, and a fumble recovery. The six-time Pro Bowler Smith is proving to be an ageless wonder in Minnesota’s secondary.
Who’s next in the top five?
T-Three – Defensive Tackle Jonathan Allen (88 overall)
It’s free agent acquisition Jonathan Allen. After spending his first eight years with the Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders, Allen signed a three-year contract with the Vikings this past offseason, worth $51 million. He did struggle with injuries last year, only tallying 19 total tackles and three sacks over seven games. But he can still be a key anchor on Minnesota’s defensive line.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Allen has 42 sacks over his first eight years in the NFL. 401 total tackles (60 for loss), an interception, five pass break-ups, two forced fumbles (two recoveries).
Not to mention, some of his ratings include a 93 strength, 91 impact blocking, 95 tackle, 88 play recognition, 86 pursuit, and 88 awareness. He looks to prove that the contract is worth it as he gets set to enter his age-30 season.
Now, for the final player in the Vikings’ top five, the attention turns back to the offensive side of the football.
T-Three – Tight End TJ Hockenson (88 overall)
Despite missing nearly half of last season due to injury, T.J. Hockenson is still among some of the best young players at the tight end position. He narrowly missed the top five of the tight end groups, placing seventh.
Through his first two and a half years in Minnesota, the former Iowa Hawkeye has already tallied 196 catches for 1934 yards and eight touchdowns.

Last season, battling the injury bug, Hockenson reeled in 41 catches for 455 yards.
A very exciting player who does it all as a safety valve, with some of his top ratings including 93 awareness, 94 catching, 90 spectacular catch, 86 acceleration, 89 toughness, and 83 speed. If he can come back healthy in 2025, the Vikings will have a very explosive offense and one of, if not potentially the best, receiving corps in the NFL.
And that’s a full look at the top five Minnesota Vikings in Madden 26. With the game set to kick off in full on Thursday, August 14, Vikings fans can look forward to a high-powered offensive attack with the Purple and Gold.
Stats for the 2024 season courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
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