Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, Caleb Downs, Full Madden NFL 27 Rookie Class Ratings Revealed - Bleacher Report

What the report says

Bleacher Report says EA Sports continued its Madden NFL 27 ratings rollout Tuesday by publishing the initial ratings for the game’s 2026 rookie class. The highest-rated rookies are Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs, who each received an 82 overall rating. Fernando Mendoza, identified as the No. 1 overall pick, starts at 74 overall.

According to Bleacher Report, Love and Downs were widely viewed near the top of the pre-draft class, and B/R’s own scouting department had them ranked first and second, with Downs ahead. Their 82 overall marks are described as the third-highest rookie launch ratings in the past eight Madden NFL releases, behind last year’s Travis Hunter at 84 and Ashton Jeanty at 83.

Mendoza’s 74 rating places him in a tie for 49th among rookies and 29th among first-round selections, per the report. New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq, selected No. 16, and Houston Texans guard Keylan Rutledge, selected No. 26, also received 74 overall ratings. Ty Simpson, described by Bleacher Report as one of the most debated picks in the 2026 class, is the lowest-rated first-rounder at 71. Mendoza’s opening rating is still higher than the 72 overall given to 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward in last year’s game.

The report also notes Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. as a player whose individual traits stand out, with a 75 overall rating but 90-plus marks in speed, agility, change of direction and injury. Madden NFL 27 is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows and Nintendo Switch 2 on Aug. 13, with early access for EA Sports MVP+ members beginning Aug. 6.