Predicting the Bengals’ highest rated players in Madden 21

Here, we predict which members of the Cincinnati Bengals will be given the highest ratings in Madden 21.

As fans around the world await the return of football, many turn to EA’s Madden to get a fill of their favorite team. With the next edition of the popular game set to be released in August, let’s take a crack at predicting which five Cincinnati Bengals will earn the highest ratings.

1. DT Geno Atkins

Geno Atkins has long been recognized as the best Bengals defender and he may be the most elite player on that side of the ball in franchise history. Last year, he saw a slight dip in play, partially because he was asked to play a career-high 76% of defensive snaps.

He was still able to wreck opposing gameplans and earn his eighth Pro Bowl appearance. With D.J. Reader now in the fold, expect Atkins to get back to his normal elite level of play and earn the highest rating for a Bengal.

2. WR Tyler Boyd

Although he still doesn’t get the level of recognition he deserves, Tyler Boyd is beginning to become more of a well-known name outside of Cincinnati. Last year he proved he can be a number one receiver all on his own, racking up over 1,000 receiving yards and hauling in five touchdown passes with Green sidelined. That should be enough to see his 83 rating go up from a year ago, solidifying him as one of the top-five Bengals.

3. RB Joe Mixon

Much like Boyd, Joe Mixon has proved he can be an extremely productive player, despite less than ideal circumstances. The former Oklahoma star already earned an 88 rating last year, but this edition of Madden could see him crack the 90’s after the performance he put on display last season.

He figures to be a centerpiece of the offense to help ease some of the pressure off of Burrow. The increased workload could have him ending the season with an even higher rating than he starts off with.

4. DE Carlos Dunlap

Carlos Dunlap just keeps getting better as his career goes on. At age 30, the former second-round pick had nine sacks, eight batted passes, two forced fumbles, and 63 tackles, good enough to earn an outstanding grade of 89.7 from Pro Football Focus. A career year should cause him to earn a very good rating, landing him a spot in the top-five.

5. DT D.J. Reader

The Bengals’ prized free-agent acquisition, D.J. Reader, could begin his career in stripes as one of their best players right off the bat. The former Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee is a force to be reckoned with and his large contract should draw attention to his name, perhaps causing his grade to go up.

Honorable Mentions:

• WR A.J. Green

A.J. Green is arguably the Bengals’ best player and has been for years. The only reason he doesn’t crack the list here is because it’s difficult to tell how his rating will be impacted from missing all of the 2019 campaign. By the end of the season, he should reclaim his spot, if he doesn’t maintain it from the beginning.

• CB William Jackson III

William Jackson III is coming off a down year, although his 2019 season was still very good. News recently broke that he played the entire season injured, which could explain the dip in play. Now fully healthy, he looks to get back to the elite level of play fans saw before.