EA has mastered the drip-feed method to building hype for its annual releases of Madden NFL. With weekly updates on various game modes, gameplay tweaks, and more rolling out each summer as the launch approaches, the company continually spreads out the news, so no matter how big or small, there’s constant chatter about it. None of the weekly updates compare, though, to the one and only Ratings Week and, of course, the annual 99 Club announcements of the five players with a 99 OVR rating in Madden NFL 22 at launch.
EA has made Ratings Week and the 99 Club into one of the most mainstream spectacles in gaming, with every sports news media outlet discussing the daily drop of Top 10 position rankings and the ensuing fan debate. These ratings play a major factor when building fantasy teams for franchise or key players to target in modes like Ultimate Team or Superstar KO, and none are more impactful than the select few 99 OVR. ESPN even covers the morning announcing of the newest Madden 99 Club member each of the five weekdays where the players are presented with a special set of swag to commemorate their achievement. This year’s five members for Madden NFL 22 feature a few new faces as well as a couple of familiar ones.
A few notable departures from last year’s list are due to injuries that shortened players’ 2020 seasons, and it made stiff competition for new additions to Madden NFL 22. Ratings, of course, update throughout the real-world season to better reflect the player’s performances and tendencies, but these players will have a major impact in every mode for at least the first few weeks after launch.
Madden NFL 22 – Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes may have been the last player announced for the 99 Club for Madden 22, but he was the most guaranteed player. Coming off a previous Super Bowl MVP season and 99 Club appearance in Madden 21, all Mahomes did was more of the same incredible performances and led his team back to the Super Bowl. Though they lost, Mahomes still did everything he could, including rushing for 497 yards to avoid defensive pressure, so it’s not surprising to see him in the 99 Club again.
Madden NFL 22 – Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, LA Rams
The only person who was almost as certain to be a 99 OVR in Madden 22 as Mahomes is Aaron Donald. The Ram’s DT spent the entire season demolishing offensive lines to the result of his third Defensive Player of the Year award. Madden teams are usually built around QBs, but any player who draws double and triple-teams every snap and still gets more QB pressure than most of the league is a franchise player.
Madden NFL 22 – Jalen Ramsey, Cornerback, LA Rams
Ramsey joins his teammate Donald in the 99 Club for Madden NFL 22 in a rare occurrence, making them one of a small selection of teammates ever featured in the same year. The commemoration is arguably overdue for Ramsey, one of the most dominant cornerbacks in the league the past few seasons. In Madden and real-life, Ramsey routinely locks down the toughest assignments.
Madden NFL 22 – Travis Kelce, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce finds himself in the 99 Club yet again, making it the first time two sets of teammates have debuted in the Club at the launch of Madden. Kelce is yet another solid inclusion after putting up the second-most receiving yards last year.
With the size of a lineman and skills of a receiver, he’s a force. Arrowhead Stadium will be a tough out in Madden 22 with both him and Mahomes.
Madden NFL 22 – Davante Adams, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
The smoothest, most efficient route-runner in the league last year, Adams was unstoppable all season. Putting up almost 100 yards/game while racking up 18 TDs makes him one of the toughest receivers to cover in the league. Even going against fellow Madden 99 Club member Ramsey he still managed to catch 9/10 targets and find the end zone. Madden NFL 22 still has more ratings to announce, but for now, fans know who the 99 OVR players they’ll be targeting at launch are.
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