With Madden being an annual release, players and fans alike look to see who is revealed as the highest overall players in the game every year. In Madden 20, Electronic Arts made a big event to celebrate the reveal of the superstar players who landed in the Madden 99 Club as the only NFL players with a 99 overall rating.
This season, several players made their case for why they should be considered for the club in Madden 21. Let’s look at 10 NFL players most likely to land in the Madden 99 Club in Madden 21, which is set to release in the latter half of 2020.
10 Travis Kelce
It doesn’t seem plausible that the folks at Electronic Arts would put two teammates in the Madden 99 Club at the same time, even if it was justified. Considering that Patrick Mahomes almost has a lock at returning with a 99 overall, that means Travis Kelce’s likely working for a miracle at this point.
How he performs against George Kittle in a head-to-head match in the Super Bowl will do a lot when it comes to crowning the best player at that position moving forward into the 2020 NFL season and beyond.
9 Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas is suffering from the benefit of playing with Drew Brees in a pass-oriented offense as his success is seen as a product of those previously mentioned things and discounts his skill at the position. On top of that, the New Orleans Saints are going on 2+ years of playoff heartbreak and letdown.
Thomas is currently in the Madden 99 Club, but it’s unclear if he’ll stay there with the release of the new game. Considering that he set the record for most catches in a season and led the league in receiving yards, he has a pretty strong case to remain right where he is.
8 Derrick Henry
Has anyone had a run quite like Derrick Henry had in the playoffs in recent memory? The man went from being a workhouse back known by NFL hardcore fans to carving out a national fan base of people who love to watch the bruiser take over games in the second half.
He’s a longshot to land in the Madden 99 Club, as Christian McCaffrey offers a lot more as a dual-threat back, but there’s quite a bit to say about the momentum he’s built with both his on-field success and the exponential growth of his superstar status.
7 Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey’s greatest strength is also his biggest weakness when it comes to staying in the Madden 99 Club. He happens to play the most devalued position in football in running back, but, at the same time, he’s the biggest current superstar at the position.
His versatility as an offensive weapon not only gives his team a big boost, but having high attribute ratings across the board can lift your overall rating quite rapidly. Hopefully, the designers at Electronic Arts understand the value that McCaffrey brings to the game of football at the running back position.
6 Brandon Brooks
Offensive lineman isn’t the prettiest or sexiest pick for something like the Madden 99 Club, but they’re arguably some of the most important athletes on the field. On a line with three other perennial Pro Bowlers, Brandon Brooks has showcased time and time again that he’s the Philadelphia Eagles’ best lineman and goes toe-to-toe with Quenton Nelson as arguably the best in the league. Despite dealing with an injury in 2019, Brooks still managed to put together a tremendous season where he dominated almost everyone who lined up across from him.
5 Aaron Donald
Many of you will be asking yourself why Aaron Donald is so low on this list. The truth of the matter is that people get bored and disinterested by consistent greatness. It’s the same reason LeBron James doesn’t win the MVP most years despite obviously being the most valuable player on all of the eight teams he led to the NBA Finals.
People are getting tired of Donald’s constant dominance, and he may be reserved to sitting right outside the club at a 98 overall. Does he deserve that? No, not at all. Will that likely happen? Unfortunately, it probably will.
4 Quenton Nelson
More often than not, the viral clips of NFL games that take over the internet often involve skill position guys in some regard or a big defensive hit. Quenton Nelson is the rare case of a lineman being so dominant, his pancake blocks embarrass defenders on social media in a viral fashion.
The Indianapolis Colts had a down year as a team, so, naturally, people overlooked Nelson’s play. He didn’t go anywhere, and he’s still playing at the top of his game. Hopefully, the Colts can get him a solid quarterback to block for so he can have a better shot at the exclusive Madden 99 Club.
3 George Kittle
Many NFL fans wouldn’t just consider George Kittle as the best tight end in the game, but a majority of people consider him to be the pound-for-pound best football player in the league regardless of position. He’s a true teammate and wants to win more than anything.
If the 49ers take home the Lombardi Trophy, look for Kittle to obtain a 99 overall because he will play a huge part in their success either way. If the 49ers run the ball for days, then Kittle likely paved the way with his astounding blocking ability, and, if they did it in the air, he likely made a splash or created space for others.
2 Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore is an interesting case because almost everyone outside of Boston thinks that Gilmore is a good corner, and he is only considered great because he gets away with holding on almost every play.
That being said, Madden currently has him at a 98 overall in the game. If he happens to take home the Defensive Player of the Year award, then look for him to be boosted into the Madden 99 Club in this year’s new game. The only thing standing in his way is Richard Sherman wrecking the Super Bowl and zooming past him from his 95 overall spot.
1 Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes is currently the only quarterback in the NFL that happens to be in the Madden 99 Club, and that likely won’t be changing any time soon. Lamar Jackson for the Baltimore Ravens may have just recorded an MVP year, but doubters and naysayers will point to the lack of playoff success as a deterrent from giving the man a 99 overall.
Mahomes, on the other hand, will have had a Super Bowl under his belt, and, as most people are assuming, could likely have a title and ring before the start of next season. Look for Mahomes to stay at a 99 overall for the foreseeable future.
NEXT: Madden: Ranking Every 2019 NFL Playoff Team From Weakest To Strongest
