Madden 22 Best Players by Position - Madden NFL 22 Guide - IGN (2024)

Welcome to the official IGN Wiki Guide and Walkthrough for Madden NFL 22. In this section, we've collected the best of the best (90+ OVR) at each position. As you might expect, most of these players will come with a high price tag if you're trying to pick them up in Franchise mode. However, their production is well worth the cost, especially if they're a younger star.

To that end, we'll also list some top-tier players that are younger than some of the best players. This should give you plenty of options for your franchise. Make sure you also check out our list of the best rookies to get even more young options.

Best Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes is the best of the best at the position and his dominance should continue for many more years. Behind him is a collection of aging studs and up-and-coming young stars.

Other young options: Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), Justin Herbert (Las Angeles Chargers), Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars).

Best Running Backs

The RB position has a logjam of great options at the top. Fortunately, they're all right around 26-years-old. That makes them all great options for your franchise.

Other young options: Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders), James Robinson (Jacksonville Jaguars), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Kansas City Chiefs), Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts).

Best Fullbacks

Considering how rarely this position is used by most teams in the modern NFL, it's not surprising that there are only a few great players. That said, a few young options could become great if given time.

Other young options: Alec Ingold (Las Vegas Raiders), Khari Blasingame (Tennessee Titans).

Best Wide Receivers

This group is led by a quartet of stars who are all nearing their 30th birthday. After them is a great collection of depth and several up-and-comers to give a look.

Other young options: Terry McLaurin (Washington Football Team), D.K. Metcalf (Seattle Seahawks), Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), A.J. Brown (Tennessee Titans), D.J. Moore (Carolina Panthers), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Pittsburgh Steelers).

Best Tight Ends

Travis Kelce is, by far, the best player at this position. That doesn't mean you can't find other good options. He's just really separated himself this year.

Other young options: Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens), T.J. Hockenson (Detroit Lions), Mike Gesicki (Miami Dolphins), Noah Fant (Denver Broncos).

Best Left Tackles

This offensive line position has some solid depth at the top and a few young guns itching to make a name for themselves very soon.

Other young options: Mekhi Becton (New York Jets), Orlando Brown Jr. (Kansas City Chiefs), Isaiah Wynn (New England Patriots), Jedrick Wills Jr. (Cleveland Browns).

Best Left Guards

Only a few top-end options at LG. In fact, this is one of the weaker, non-fullback positions in the game. This might be one to try and build through the draft if you need some help.

Other young options: Elgton Jenkins (Green Bay Packers), Michael Onwenu (New England Patriots).

Best Centers

Center is another relatively thin position. You're looking at just a few top-end options who are both past 30-years-old. The youth is solid, but not as strong as other positions.

Other young options: Frank Ragnow (Detroit Lions), Erik McCoy (New Orleans Saints).

Best Right Guards

In what's become a theme, the interior line positions are thin compared to skill positions. Zack Martin is dominant force at RG, but his fellow position players leave a bit to be desired.

Other young options: Wyatt Teller (Cleveland Browns), Chris Lindstrom (Atlanta Falcons).

Best Right Tackles

Only one player in the 90s at this position, but he's backed up by a few young players that are ready to lead your team to the Super Bowl.

Other young options: Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Branden Smith (Indianapolis Colts), Mike McGlinchey (San Francisco 49ers).

Best Left Ends

As has been the case for years, J.J. Watt is the best in the business at his position. He's joined by a few other studs, and the position is in good hands with its youth.

Other young options: Brian Burns (Carolina Panthers), Jeffrey Simmons (Tennessee Titans), Montez Sweat (Washington Football Team), Dexter Lawrence II (New York Giants).

Best Right Ends

Two players lead this position and one of them is only 25-years-old. It's safe to say that if you can grab one of the many young REs in the league early, you can lock that position down for your squad.

Other young options: Chase Young (Washington Football Team), Carl Lawson (New York Jets), Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals).

Best Defensive Tackles

DT lacks the top-end players of other positions, but there is a ton of depth here. And with more and more teams running a 3-4 base defense, you might only need one or two to solidify your defense.

Other young options: Kenny Clark (Green Bay Packers), Vita Vea (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Jonathan Allen (Washington Football Team), Da'Ron Payne (Washington Football Team), Quinnen Williams (New York Jets).

Best Left Outside Linebackers

LOLB has several studs at the position, but the youth isn't as strong. There are a few options, but you'll have to pay to secure them.

Other young options: Darius Leonard (Indianapolis Colts), Rasha Gary (Green Bay Packers), Leighton Vander Esch (Dallas Cowboys).

Best Middle Linebackers

Fred Warner anchors a solid position all-around. Great top-end players, solid depth, and a few young options to grow with.

Other young options: Roquan Smith (Chicago Bears), Myles Jack (Jacksonville Jaguars), Devin White ( Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Rashaan Evans (Tennessee Titans), Tremaine Edmunds (Buffalo Bills).

Best Right Outside Linebackers

The ROLB position doesn't have any players rated above 90 OVR. Fortunately, there are a few young players we can highlight who could grow into that rating.

Young options: Bradley Chubb (Denver Broncos), Haason Reddick (Carolina Panthers), Josh Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Harold Landry III (Tennessee Titans).

Best Cornerbacks

The cornerback position is filled with incredible talent. This might be the strongest position in the league. And Jalen Ramsey stands above them all.

Other young options: Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns), Marshon Lattimore (New Orleans Saints), JC Jackson (New England Patriots), Carlton Davis III (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Byron Murphy Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), Donte Jackson (Carolina Panthers).

Best Free Safeties

This position isn't as strong as cornerback, but it's more than solid. And with several young players flying up the rating's chart, you can easily grab yourself a stud.

Other young options: Minkah Fitzpatrick (Pittsburgh Steelers), Marcus Williams (New Orleans Saints), Antoine Winfield Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Justin Reid (Houston Texans).

Best Strong Safeties

SS is similar to FS. The only difference we've noticed is that there are two top-end players younger than 26. Add one of them to your team and your backfield is set.

Other young options: Derwin James Jr. (Las Angeles Chargers), John Johnson III (Cleveland Browns), C.J. Gardner-Johnson (New Orleans Saints), Jabrill Peppers (New York Giants).

Best Kickers and Punters

Another two position groups without anyone breaking the 90 OVR barrier. Instead, we've collected all of the 80+ players who are younger than 30. That should lock the position down for several years considering how long these players tend to play.