Chiefs rookie ratings in Madden 26 are shockingly accurate this year

With the release of Madden NFL 26 set for August 14th, fans are once again treated to one of the game’s most anticipated traditions: the unveiling of 2025 NFL Draft rookie ratings.

For the incoming draft class, these initial scores can serve either as a mark of prestige or as fuel for proving doubters wrong. For the average fan, however, they offer an early glimpse into each player’s perceived strengths and developmental areas.

Will the Kansas City Chiefs produce a rookie who matches the all-time high debut rating of 84 overall? Unlikely, but examining how this year’s class stacks up provides valuable context about their NFL potential and how they compare to rookies of the past.

2025 NFL Draft Recap

• Round 1 Pick 32: Josh Simmons (OT from Ohio State)
• Round 2 Pick 63: Omarr Norman-Lott (DT from Tennessee)
• Round 3 Pick 66: Ashton Gillotte (DE from Louisville)
• Round 3 Pick 85: Nohl Williams (CB from Cal)
• Round 4 Pick 133: Jalen Royals (WR from Utah State)
• Round 5 Pick 156: Jeffrey Bassa (LB from Oregon)
• Round 7 Pick 228: Brashard Smith (RB from SMU)

How does Madden come up with rookie rankings?

Surprisingly, many fans remain unaware of how Madden determines its rookie ratings each year. These initial scores are derived from four primary factors: pre-draft rankings from major sports outlets, positional value, draft slot, and the player’s odds of winning the NFL's Rookie of the Year award.

While this formula doesn’t account for more nuanced elements like scheme fit, training camp performance, or a team’s specific positional needs, it does offer a consistent and relatively objective baseline for gauging a rookie’s projected impact.

Chiefs Madden rookie rating insights and camp updates

Josh Simmons: 75 Overall

Josh Simmons, a top-tier offensive tackle prospect from Ohio State, was widely viewed as the best at his position. However, a torn patellar tendon led many teams to remove him from their draft boards entirely, overshadowing his long-term upside as a premium starter.

Simmons' initial Madden rating likely reflects both his fall in the draft (driven more by injury concerns than on-field performance) and the fact that no rookie offensive tackle has ever won Rookie of the Year honors. Even so, a 75 overall is a respectable mark, tying him as the 25th-best prospect overall and the 4th-highest-rated tackle in this year’s game.

With that said, early reports out of Chiefs training camp suggest Simmons is already turning heads. Some within the organization have gone as far as to say he looks like the best tackle Patrick Mahomes has ever played behind (including former All-Pro Mitchell Schwartz). If those evaluations hold true, EA Sports (Madden's publisher) may be forced to reevaluate Simmons’ rating sooner rather than later, as his on-field performance could warrant multiple midseason upgrades.

Omarr Norman-Lott: 71 Overall

Omarr Norman-Lott, a rotational interior pass rusher from the University of Tennessee, drew first-round consideration from some NFL Draft analysts; however, concerns about his effectiveness against the run and questions surrounding his stamina as a potential three-down lineman ultimately caused him to slip to the end of the second round.

While Norman-Lott has had a relatively quiet training camp so far, there have been early flashes that hint at his disruptive potential on the interior.

Despite being regarded as one of the top pass-rushing defensive tackles in the class (and the Chiefs’ second-round selection), Norman-Lott enters Madden 26 as only the fifth-highest-rated rookie on the team.

Given his limitations as a run defender, that ranking isn’t entirely surprising. Still, his ceiling as an interior disruptor arguably warranted a more generous rating, especially considering the opportunity he will be given, as veterans like Tershawn Wharton have left for greener pastures.

Ashton Gillotte: 73 Overall

Ashton Gillotte was a standout at Louisville, where he tallied an impressive 15.5 sacks over his junior and senior seasons. When paired with his elite 9.75 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), it’s easy to see why scouts view him as a high-upside rookie with the tools to eventually contribute on all three downs. However, his raw and often undisciplined approach to pass rushing likely prevented him from being selected within the top 50 picks of the draft.

Gillotte's initial Madden rating of 73 feels fair for a third-round selection who still has technical refinement ahead of him. At this stage, Gillotte projects as a rotational piece, working to develop consistency before earning full-time reps.

That being said, this rating should be seen as a reflection of his current polish, not a cap on his potential. With his combination of burst, strength, and motor, Gillotte has every opportunity to grow into a legitimate pass-rushing threat at the NFL level.

Nohl Williams: 73 Overall

Nohl Williams, a physical and instinctive cornerback out of Cal, was one of the more underrated picks in the Chiefs’ 2025 draft class. His aggressive play style and strong ball skills made him a standout at the college level, and he quickly earned a reputation as a reliable boundary defender. While not an elite athlete by NFL standards, his length, anticipation, and competitiveness allow him to play faster than he tests.

EA Sports gave Williams a respectable 73 overall rating in Madden 26, placing him squarely in the middle of Kansas City’s rookie class. Appropriate, given his draft slot and future opportunities this season. However, news out of Chiefs training camp is that Williams is up next in the long line of late-round defensive backs that have outplayed their draft selection.

Vets like McDuffie have said in recent days that Williams is on the right track to make waves in the league, so he might see the field sooner rather than later.

Jalen Royals: 71 Overall

What Jalen Royals may lack in route-running polish, he makes up for with raw athleticism. His 4.42-second 40-yard dash and 36-inch vertical at the NFL Combine caught the attention of several scouts, with some projecting him as a potential day 2 pick. Ultimately, concerns about his limited route tree and lack of experience in a pro-style offense led to a slide outside the top 100, where the Chiefs selected him in the fourth round.

Royals was never expected to be an immediate 1,000-yard receiver, and his early Madden rating of 71 reflects that developmental profile. Still, it provides a solid foundation (and perhaps some added motivation) as he enters his rookie season. Training camp reports suggest he hasn't yet turned heads, but his athletic traits have flashed at times, hinting at long-term upside. With ample time before the regular season kicks off, Royals remains a work in progress, but one with clear potential if given time to develop.

Jeffrey Bassa: 67 Overall | Brashard Smith: 69 Overall

Both Jeffrey Bassa and Brashard Smith enter the league in similar circumstances. As late-round selections, each projects as a developmental player unlikely to see significant playing time during their rookie season. Their “tweener” status (lacking a clearly defined position or role at the next level) has raised questions about how they’ll ultimately fit into the Chiefs’ long-term plans.

Training camp has offered limited insight so far. Bassa has missed a significant portion of time due to injury, while Smith has quietly flashed his quickness and refined route-running ability out of the backfield.

Given their current standing on the depth chart, Madden ratings in the high-60s feel entirely appropriate. Both players have room to grow, and while their immediate impact may be minimal, the potential for development remains.

Key Takeaways

The Chiefs’ 2025 draft class may not feature any rookie tying the all-time best 84 overall rating, but it’s clear that the group offers a solid mix of potential and long-term upside.

Josh Simmons, despite injury concerns, enters with one of the higher ratings among rookie tackles and has already drawn rave reviews from training camp. Omarr Norman-Lott, while limited against the run, brings disruptive pass-rush potential that could outpace his initial rating as the season unfolds.

Ashton Gillotte and Jalen Royals both land in the low-to-mid 70s, but their athletic ceilings suggest room for growth and in-season updates if they can refine their games. Meanwhile, late-round picks like Bassa and Smith reflect typical rookie depth chart placement, with ratings in the high 60s that match their current roles and expectations.

Overall, Madden NFL 26’s rookie ratings provide a reasonable snapshot of where each Chiefs draftee stands entering the season. While none may start the year as stars, several have the traits and opportunity to climb the depth chart (and elevate their ratings) if development goes as planned.

With a loaded roster led by Patrick Mahomes and a promising group of young talent, the Chiefs will once again be one of the most exciting and dynamic teams to play as in this year’s Madden entry.