Caleb Downs earns highest Madden rating for a Cowboys rookie
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 12, 2026, 11:24 PM
Last updated Jul 12, 2026
Caleb Downs, a first-round rookie for the Dallas Cowboys, has achieved an overall rating of 82 in EA Sports' Madden NFL 27, the highest for any Cowboys rookie at launch. This rating surpasses Ezekiel Elliott's previous record of 80 when he entered Madden 17. Downs shares the top rookie honor with Jeremiah Love of the Arizona Cardinals, showcasing a notable start to his career. Fellow Cowboys rookie Malachi Lawrence received a rating of 79, ranking fifth among the 2026 draft class. The ratings are subject to change before the game's official release on August 13.
- •Caleb Downs rated 82 overall, highest for a Cowboys rookie.
- •Record surpasses Ezekiel Elliott's launch-day rating of 80.
- •Downs shares top rookie rating with Jeremiah Love.
- •Malachi Lawrence rated 79, fifth among 2026 draft class.
- •Madden NFL 27 officially releases on August 13.
- 11:24 PMYahoo Sports — Cowboys' Caleb Downs Earns Highest Launch-Day Madden Rating Ever for a Dallas Rookie
"Surpassing Ezekiel Elliott’s long-standing record, the first-round sensation hits the virtual gridiron with an unprecedented 82 overall rating, signaling a potential defensive shift for the Star.
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