We're under two months away until the Pittsburgh Steelers face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 to kick off the 2023 season. Just before that, the new EA Sports NFL Madden 24 video game will come out. On an annual basis, like clockwork, fans of their respective teams gripe about the disrespectful ratings of their favorite players. This week, just a week before training camp, Madden has been slowly releasing their ratings for this year's game.
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Pittsburgh Steelers DB Minkah Fitzpatrick's 93 overall in NFL Madden 24 is second amongst safeties, just behind Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Most of the positions have been disclosed, as the full offensive line was released on Wednesday. Based off Madden ratings, there is a huge drop-off after the Steelers' top three players. By all accounts, that trio would be TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward. Madden agrees, as those three's ratings are 94, 93, and 93, respectively. Watt missed seven games in 2022, which has made him go a bit under-the-radar this offseason.
His 94 overall is tied-for-fourth amongst edge rushers, a fall from his 96 overall in Madden 23. For whatever reason, they continue to value Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett a lot more than Watt. Anyways, you have to go all the way down to 83 overall to find the fourth-highest rated Steelers player (so far at least). That would be 2021 first-rounder Najee Harris, whose 83 is only tied-for-18th amongst running backs.
Alex Highsmith, who signed a massive contract extension on Wednesday, and Diontae Johnson come in next with 82 overalls. Johnson's 82 is tied-for-35th amongst a loaded wide receiver group across the NFL. While he struggled in 2022, as he was held without a touchdown in 17 games, his route running is still up there with the best. Pittsburgh will need him to bounce back in order for the offense to take that next step forward in 2023.
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Despite the expectation that Steelers WR George Pickens will break out in 2023, NFL Madden 24 gave him just an 80 overall.
George Pickens is set to have a breakout Year 2 in Pittsburgh, and he will need it to boost his rating. Along with right guard James Daniels, Pickens is rated just an 80 overall. After an impressive rookie campaign, the physical wideout is rated below some questionable names. In 17 games, Pickens racked up 52 catches for 801 yards and four touchdowns.
Which Steelers player should be rated higher?
Allen Robinson (79) and Isaac Seumalo (78) round out the top-10 highest-rated Steelers thus far. With a few positions yet to be disclosed, including tight end and quarterback, this list will change a little bit. It will be interesting to see what Kenny Pickett is rated, as he had an up-and-down year as a rookie. Like Pickens, expectations are high for him in his sophomore year.
When the tight end ratings are released, it will also be interesting to see where Pat Freiermuth sits amongst the game's best. He's been everything the Steelers could have hoped for, as he has 1,229 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons. Everything should be fully released by Friday, and the game officially comes out August 18th.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (#88) warms up prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Many people around the league have selected the Steelers as their breakout team for the 2023 season. Considering the ultra-competitive AFC North, it will tough to make it back to the playoffs, but the pieces are there. For Madden, they don't seem to be feeling the same way. It will also be intriguing to see what the team is rated overall, as the offense struggled immensely in 2022.
What do you think of the Madden 24 ratings so far? Will you be buying the game this year? Who do you think should be rated higher (or lower)? What will Pickett and Freiermuth's ratings be? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites, yinz!
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