Madden NFL 27’s Rookie Class Starts With Two 82 OVR Players
Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs lead the incoming class, while Fernando Mendoza begins his rookie season at 74 OVR.
EA Sports has revealed the opening rookie ratings for Madden NFL 27, giving fans an early look at which incoming players will be the most dangerous additions to their rosters. The announcement places Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs at the top with matching 82 OVR ratings.
The full rookie group includes several players rated in the high 70s. David Bailey follows at 81 OVR, while Rueben Bain Jr., Tre Harris, Mansoor Delane, Akheem Mesidor, and Spencer Fano each begin at 79 OVR. Malachi Lawrence and Francis Mauigoa round out the top 10 at 78 OVR.
Fernando Mendoza Starts at 74 OVR
Fernando Mendoza enters Madden NFL 27 with a 74 OVR rating. His card shows 91 Throw Power, 88 Short Accuracy, and 84 Speed, giving players a clear starting point for tracking how his rating could change during the season.
Love and Downs Lead the Class
Jeremiyah Love is tied for the best rookie rating at 82 OVR. The Cardinals running back also has 94 Speed, 94 Acceleration, and 94 Carrying, making him one of the most immediately appealing rookies for anyone building a new team.
Caleb Downs matches Love at 82 OVR and is the highest-rated rookie on defense. The Cowboys safety has 93 Acceleration, 91 Jumping, and 87 Hit Power on his rating card.
Sonny Styles starts at 78 OVR, with 93 Jumping, 90 Speed, and 84 Tackle. Those athletic numbers could make him a popular user-controlled defender despite his lower overall rating.
Makai Lemon begins his rookie campaign at 76 OVR. The Eagles wide receiver has 92 Change of Direction, 91 Acceleration, and 87 Jumping.
Players who pre-purchase the Deluxe Edition or MVP Bundle will receive three-day early access beginning August 10. EA Sports shared the ratings and early-access details in its official Madden NFL 27 announcement.
Which rookie rating are you watching most closely? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
Madden NFL 27
Developed by EA Orlando
Run the league one decision at a time in EA Sports Madden NFL 27, powered by the all-new Persona Engine.
- Genre: Simulator, Sport, Strategy
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
- Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Split screen
- Release: 2026-08-13
- Publisher: EA Sports
-
Age Rating:
