Titans' Jackson Slater has a higher Madden rating than No. 1 pick Cam Ward
Earlier on Tuesday, the beta rankings for the Tennessee Titans for Madden 26 were leaked. The team found its way out of the NFL's basement, coming in at No. 26. This ranking somewhat mirrors the real-life expectations around the franchise, who see themselves as having made significant upgrades during the offseason and should be much improved from the disastrous 2024 team that was put on the field.
Now, a few hours later, the individual player rankings have begun to trickle out, and the first batch to hit social media was the Titans' 2025 rookie class.
If you thought Cam Ward, the league's first-overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft, would be at the top of the list, you'd be highly mistaken. Nope, Ward did not top the list; that honor would go to fifth-round selection Jackson Slater, the small-school guard who will likely be competing for a depth role as a rookie.
The rankings even came as a surprise to Slater, who appeared to have a good laugh about it on social media.
Slater should be surprised, as the rating of Ward with only a 71 overall score is low, especially considering his pedigree as the No. 1 pick. But, much like the rest of the disrespect he has received during and after the draft season, it is likely that it will be used as fuel to motivate him even more.
These player rankings mean little in the grand scheme of the NFL, but they do touch on the potential Slater brings to the interior of the offensive line. Coming from Sacramento State, Slater more than held his own at the Senior Bowl and eventually found his way to Nashville via the draft. He should come in and help solidify the depth along the interior of the offensive line as a rookie.
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