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When it comes to building a good team in Madden NFL 23, gamers might start by picking an elite quarterback or playmaker. But if those playmakers are hit the instant they receive the ball, what’s the point? These offensive linemen are the ones that shut down anyone and everyone that comes their way.
Updated on November 20th, 2022 by Hodey Johns: With the regular season about halfway over, it’s now time to have a new look at these players. As usual, there are some ratings that proved to be frighteningly accurate and others that have left gamers scratching their heads. There is no single rule of thumb regarding the way players dramatically exceed or fail to live up to expectations. The Madden franchise has generally not made changes due to injury, so that’s off of the table. Still, the year has a way of showing other sides of the previous estimations, giving ratings adjusters new estimations. This is where the players stand now at this point in the season.
10 Joel Bitonio - LG - 91 OVR
The only new player to make the top-ten list of offensive linemen at the mid-season, Joel Bitonio has been a part of the success of Nick Chubb, the Browns’ running back. As he’s having a possible MVP season, analysts have noted that Bitonio is opening up massive holes for Chubb to run through.
It’s surprising that Bitonio didn’t crack this list at the start of the season. He’s in the middle of four straight Pro Bowls and working on a fifth, especially after this year’s performance. If he finishes as strong as he’s started, it will be a sure thing.
9 Jason Kelce - C - 91 OVR
It’s hard to think of a guy who has shattered more expectations than Jason Kelce. Early in his career, despite his strength and speed (tops in his class for his position), he was labeled as undersized and generally not respected by scouts.
Then came all the Pro Bowls. Since he was drafted in 2014, Kelce has made five Pro Bowls, including the last three. He’s somehow getting better and Philadelphia has recognized his unbelievable talent regardless of how the team around him is performing.
8 Tristan Wirfs - RT - 92 OVR
While Tom Brady undoubtedly deserves some credit for the turnaround in Tampa Bay, championships don’t happen without a complete team effort. Tristan Wirfs, for that entire 2020 rookie season, only allowed one sack. He was ready in no time.
Last year was somehow even better for Wirfs who got his first Pro Bowl nod. It’s likely not his last as the stats show he should probably be ranked even higher on this list. The Buccaneers have had an off year, but statistically, experts are saying Wirfs is the best offensive lineman at pass blocking in the NFL.
7 Terron Armstead - LT - 92 OVR
The Miami Dolphins went on a spending spree this last offseason and fans couldn’t stop raving about the acquisition of Tyreek Hill. That’s been incredibly exciting and paid off big time, but Terron Armstead has been just as big an addition.
Armstead made three straight Pro Bowls from 2018 through 2020 and probably should have made it to more (Pro Football Focus had him tagged as one of the top linemen in 2016). The Saints might have thought they were selling him at his peak, yet Armstead has been a beast at defending Tagovailoa and the running game.
6 Lane Johnson - RT - 93 OVR
There are so many great memories Eagles fans will have about their Super Bowl win in the 2017-2018 season. While that team has largely changed, Lane Johnson joins Kelce on this list as not only still being part of the Eagles but still playing at an elite level.
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For three straight years (2017-2019), Johnson was a Pro Bowler. He’s no longer a regular attendee, but those who thought his best days were behind him were shocked as Johnson made the second-team All-Pro last season. He’s increased in ranking this year so far and has been a big part of the Eagles taking a colossal step in the right direction.
5 David Bakhtiari - LT - 93 OVR
David Bakhtiari has experienced the highs and lows in ways that few other players can relate to. The former fourth-round pick in 2013 didn’t really get the attention he deserved until 2016 when he made his first Pro Bowl. He got another two, then saw injuries pile up. Bakhtiari tore his ACL at the end of the 2020 season (another Pro Bowl year) and barely played at all in 2021.
When healthy, though, he’s one of the best. When players compare last year’s game to this year’s, they will see Bakhtiari has fallen a bit. The Packers have taken a backslide. Even so, of all the new problems they have, Bakhtiari is still one of the greats.
4 Tyron Smith - LT - 94 OVR
Year after year, the Cowboys have always had an elite offensive line. They make it a huge priority and, at this point, it’s a staple of their organization. The General Managers and scouts deserve some credit, of course, but a huge part of this has been Tyron Smith.
Drafted in 2011, Smith has racked up eight Pro Bowl nods and solidified himself as an elite talent. Left Tackles aren’t as flashy as the game’s cover art, but they do the work that allows players like Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott to thrive.
3 Quenton Nelson - LG - 95 OVR
What’s there to say about Quenton Nelson that his accolades don’t already tell the fans? He’s played for four years. He has four Pro Bowl appearances. That’s about as simple as it gets for the young and dominant guard.
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Looking to improve franchise mode? Bring in this guy to the left guard spot. The Colts have had a rough year doing anything right. Nelson briefly had his rating go down as things seemed off. But it’s clear that this is more about coaching than about Nelson’s play; he’s still one of the best.
2 Zack Martin - RG - 98 OVR
It’s usually challenging to try and predict how players will be rated in the game, but Zack Martin makes it easy. He’s always going to be in the high nineties unless his production stops being what it is. Given his consistency, he is still rolling over his opposition.
During his seven-year career, he’s made the Pro Bowl all but once, and in that season, he was forced to move around due to injuries on the Cowboys’ line. The running backs for the Cowboys are on a rotation lately, and they all know they’ll always get a clean lane from Martin.
1 Trent Williams - LT - 99 OVR
Gamers would like to see big changes to franchise mode to make the experience better. But if the developers fail to come through, players can still get a huge bump in their experience by getting Trent Williams to defend the blindside with his perfect 99 OVR, the only offensive lineman to be granted the designation.
In the past ten seasons, Williams has made the Pro Bowl in nine of them, only missing one due to removing a cancerous growth in his head and dealing with the negligent Washington medical examiners. Williams has been all business again this year for San Francisco, protecting any quarterback that the 49ers have to use.
Madden NFL 23 releases on August 15th, 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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