Defensive end gets disrespected by EA Sports
It’s the beginning of August which means it’s the time of year to get irrationally mad at video game ratings as EA Sports is revealing where each player stands in Madden 25. While it’s admittedly ridiculous to get upset over something that literally means nothing, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce has a legitimate gripe with the initial ratings.
To give EA Sports some credit, before going on a tangent, most of the Raiders defensive line Madden ratings make sense. Maxx Crosby is fourth among EDGE rushers at 97 overall behind reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett (98), Micah Parsons (98) and T.J. Watt. Also, Watt and Crosby have the same rating and Crosby is one point ahead of Nick Bosa.
Top 10 edge rushers in @EAMaddenNFL: pic.twitter.com/B4XXTHbZjq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2024
At defensive tackle, Christian Wilkins (88) comes in at No. 9 and is only two points outside of the top five at the position. The only argument I’d make is that Wilkins could be higher than Jonathan Allen (89, No. 8) or Cameron Heyward (90, No. 6), but that’s getting into the splitting hairs category.
However, Koonce has a bone to pick with the Madden ratings people as his mark of 72 overall doesn’t make any sense. That ranks 38th among right defensive ends, not even the entire position group!
Yes, the fourth-year veteran has only had one good season and barely played until last year. But Nolan Smtih Jr. from the Philadelphia Eagles only took 203 defensive snaps as a rookie last season (including playoffs) and is rated one point higher than Koonce.
Former Raider and first-round bust Clelin Ferrell was given a 76 overall. No disrespect to Ferrell as he’s become a solid player in the league, but there’s no way he’s four points better than Koonce. That’s just ridiculous.
Here’s the real kicker that makes zero (0) sense about the Madden ratings, Tyree Wilson is listed at 73 overall…Let that sink in for a second, the guy Koonce is going to start over this season is rated one point HIGHER than him. What are we doing here?!
Whether you look at stats, PFF grades or any of the other millions of metrics that are available on the internet, Koonce’s Madden rating is just mind-numbing.
He’s in the backup player category and grouped with a bunch of rookies or unproven second-year players when he should be much closer to the top 20 of right defensive ends. I’m not even asking for him to be in the middle of the pack for the position as a whole, just one side of the center!
Again, a fictional rating in the pretend world of video games doesn’t mean much when it comes to the big picture, but someone has to fight the good fight. I just saw the bat signal up in the air and put my cape on to defend my guy!
At the end of the day, this is just one of the many reasons why NCAA—or College Football 25, whatever they’re calling it these days—will always be the superior product to Madden despite being made by the same company.
P.S. — I just realized I used the phrase “whatever they’re calling it these days”…I think that officially makes me old and washed!