Madden season has arrived, and Detroit Lions fans now have a first look at how the game’s developers see the team’s rookie class.
With Madden NFL 27 set to release on August 13 and early access opening on August 6, the ratings rollout is underway. On Tuesday, Madden unveiled the rookie overalls, and the Lions landed a mix of higher-end grades, midrange numbers, and one undrafted quarterback who made the cut.
Here’s the full Detroit rookie list:
EDGE Derrick Moore - 77
RT Blake Miller - 75
WILL Jimmy Rolder - 70
WR Kendrick Law - 70
EDGE - Tyre West - 70
CB Keith Abney II - 68
QB Luke Altmyer - 65
DT Skyler Gil-Howard - 65
Moore came in as the top-rated rookie in the group at 77, which stands out because he’s currently viewed as a backup for Week 1. Miller, projected to start at right tackle, checked in at 75. The rankings also gave seventh-round pick Tyre West a 70 overall, while Altmyer’s inclusion is notable since not every undrafted free agent earns a spot in the game.
The rookie numbers also offer a quick comparison to recent Lions draft classes and where those players landed when they first entered Madden versus how they finished the 2025 season. The list includes the following:
2025 1st round pick DT Tyliek Williams - 77 (76)
2025 2nd round pick RG Tate Ratledge - 71 (76)
2025 3rd round pick WR Isaac TeSlaa - 68 (73)
2023 1st round pick RB Jahmyr Gibbs - 77 (98)
2023 1st round pick LB Jack Campbell - 75 (87)
2023 2nd round pick S Brian Branch - 75 (91)
2023 2nd round pick TE Sam Laporta - 70 (87)
2022 1st round pick EDGE Aidan Hutchinson - 77 (93)
2022 1st round pick WR Jameson Williams - 78 (85)
2021 1st round pick OT Penei Sewell - 75 (98)
2021 2nd round pick DT Alim McNeill - 71 (83)
2021 4th round pick WR Amon-Ra St. Brown - 67 (96)
Moore’s 77 puts him among the stronger rookie ratings the franchise has had in recent years, though he still falls short of Jameson Williams’ 78. The numbers also show how much room there can be between a rookie’s initial Madden rating and where that player ends up by season’s end.
The return of rookie ratings also serves as a preview for the rest of Madden’s preseason rollout. The article notes that the Madden prediction series will be back in August, with a full-season Lions simulation that tracks the team, the league, the playoffs, and the Super Bowl. Once the season begins, Jeremy Reisman will also stream weekly game simulations, answer questions, provide play-by-play, and kick off Saturday mornings with the usual mix of football and Madden chaos.
In Other News...
NFL Coaches Are Already Sending A Message About Lions OC Drew Petzing
The early read on Drew Petzing is already taking shape in league circles, and it comes with a little more respect than name recognition. The Athletics latest offensive play caller rankings for 2026, built from feedback from defensive play callers and assistant coaches, did not put the new Lions coordinator in the top 10, but it did slot him among the honorable mentions alongside established names such as Sean Payton and Kevin OConnell.
For Detroit, that matters because Petzings track record in Arizona is what got him this kind of attention in the first place. His Cardinals offenses were uneven over three seasons, but the arrow pointed up in 2024, when the unit finished 12th in scoring and showed enough efficiency to put Petzing back on the radar in a serious way. It also puts him in familiar company within the division, with former Lions OC Ben Johnson landing near the top of the list and Packers coach Matt LaFleur right behind him. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Rookie May Already Be Changing The Right Tackle Battle
On the first day of Lions training camp, Blake Miller wasted little time inserting himself into one of the more interesting position battles on the roster. The rookie handled the starting right tackle work and took most of the first-team reps, a notable development for a Detroit offensive line that was a major offseason priority after the unit slipped last year. Veteran Larry Borom, meanwhile, was the one seeing a different kind of usage as the staff sorted through its early options.
Miller said he is already getting more comfortable with the playbook, and that the game is starting to slow down for him as he keeps learning. For a team that invested heavily up front and wants a cleaner year protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes, the early signs at right tackle are worth watching closely, even if camp is only just getting started. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Risk Letting Top Edge Help Slip Away Again
Jadeveon Clowney is once again the kind of pass-rush name that can make sense for a team trying to build around Aidan Hutchinson without overcommitting to one solution. The former No. 1 overall pick is fresh off one of the better seasons of his career with the Cowboys, and his appeal is pretty straightforward: he brings run support, pressure and enough versatility to help an edge group that still needs dependable help.
Detroit has been weighing its options carefully, and that is where the tension comes in. The Lions may be comfortable rolling with DJ Wonnum and rookie Derrick Moore on the outside if the right veteran never materializes, but the longer a player like Clowney remains available, the more it invites another familiar question about whether the team will add the kind of edge help that can change a defense or let another opportunity pass by. [Read more 🡒]