Madden 26: Tight Ends and Safeties Shake Up Ultimate Team Meta
Whether you're here to optimize your MUT squad or just stay informed, let's break down the top reveals and what they mean for competitive gameplay.
EA Drops Tight End Ratings: George Kittle Tops the Chart
Leading the tight end pack in MUT 26 is none other than George Kittle, who comes in with an 85 overall rating. Known for his toughness and balanced play, Kittle boasts an impressive 86 short route running, 85 medium route running, and 83 run blocking. However, what surprised many is his 78 speed, especially given how explosive he's been in real-life NFL play.
This points to one of the major gameplay themes in Madden 26-speed ratings are being scaled back significantly. A top-tier tight end like Kittle only pushing 78 speed signals that slower-paced gameplay is in, and matchups will rely more on positioning and mechanics than pure athleticism.
Brock Bowers Brings the Heat with 80 Speed
Second on the list is Brock Bowers, a much-hyped rookie tight end who lives up to expectations with 80 speed-tied for the fastest among elite tight ends. While not as dominant in blocking (only a 66 rating), his route running and catch-in-traffic stats make him an early favorite among users who prioritize pass-catching over blocking.
He edges out Antonio Gates, who is also rated at 80 speed. Gates, available as part of the MVP or Deluxe pre-order bonuses, becomes a much more appealing option in light of these speed stats. With 81 short route running and a solid 79 medium, Gates could be a sleeper pick for early rosters.
The Tight End Rundown
Here's how the top 10 tight ends stack up:
George Kittle: 85 OVR, 78 SPD, Elite Blocking & Route Running
Brock Bowers: 84 OVR, 80 SPD, Excellent Receiver, Weaker Blocker
Trey McBride: 83 OVR, 78 SPD, Balanced Option, Limited Run Block
Travis Kelce: 83 OVR, 73 SPD-shocking drop for a former top-tier TE
Mark Andrews: 82 OVR, 78 SPD, Great Mix of Receiving & Run Support
David Njoku: 81 OVR, 77 SPD, Solid Spec Catch and RAC Threat
T.J. Hockenson: 81 OVR, 74 SPD, Good Routes, Below-Average Speed
Dallas Goedert: 80 OVR, 77 SPD, Balanced Option
Pat Freiermuth: 80 OVR, 74 SPD, Lower Route Ratings
Sam LaPorta: 80 OVR, 77 SPD, Lower Run Block at 68
It's clear the tight end pool is more strategic than ever. Players will need to choose between better blocking and speed, rather than having both.
Free Safeties: Zone Coverage is King
Moving to the defensive side of the ball, Jesse Bates headlines the free safeties at an 84 overall. He brings 81 speed, 86 zone coverage, and 77 man, showing that the position remains rooted in coverage strength rather than athleticism.
Other standouts include:
Minkah Fitzpatrick: 82 SPD, 84 ZCV-Solid all-around
Antoine Winfield Jr.: 81 SPD, 81 ZCV
Javon Holland: 82 SPD, 79 ZCV-Strong budget option
Interestingly, many free safeties sit under the 82 speed mark, keeping pace with the tight ends and linebackers. EA is clearly trying to curb the all-speed meta that has dominated previous editions.
Free Safety Top 10:
Jesse Bates: 84 OVR, 81 SPD, 86 ZCV
Minkah Fitzpatrick: 81 OVR, 82 SPD, 84 ZCV
Antoine Winfield Jr.: 81 OVR, 81 SPD, 81 ZCV
Kirby Joseph: 80 OVR, 79 SPD, 84 ZCV
Harrison Smith: 80 OVR, 78 SPD, 81 ZCV
Jabrill Peppers: 81 OVR, 79 SPD, 80 ZCV
Julian Love: 80 OVR, 81 SPD, 79 ZCV
Brandon Jones: 80 OVR, 80 SPD, 80 ZCV
Jaylen Pitre: 80 OVR, 81 SPD, 79 ZCV
Javon Holland: 80 OVR, 82 SPD, 79 ZCV
If you're looking to build a budget squad, Holland and Peppers offer strong early-game value with balanced stats.
Strong Safeties: Speed Remains Modest
The top strong safety is Budda Baker, clocking in at 85 overall with 81 speed, 82 zone, and 80 hit power. That's a strong foundation for users who play a lot of nickel or dime packages.
Meanwhile, Derwin James also lands in the elite tier with 81 speed and 83 hit power, making him a hybrid threat for both coverage and run support. But once again, most strong safeties are capped under 83 speed.
Notable picks include:
Justin Reid (82 SPD, 79 ZCV)-surprisingly on the Saints
Jeremy Chinn (82 SPD, 77 ZCV)-budget monster potential
Kyle Hamilton (79 SPD)-big body, great man coverage
Expect to see heavy usage of hybrid-style strong safeties like Derwin James and Budda Baker, especially early in the game cycle.Full Strong Safety Rankings:
Budda Baker: 85 OVR, 81 SPD, 82 ZCV
Kyle Hamilton: 84 OVR, 79 SPD, 80 ZCV
Derwin James: 83 OVR, 81 SPD, 80 ZCV
Xavier McKinney: 83 OVR, 79 SPD, 80 ZCV
Brian Branch: 82 OVR, 79 SPD, 81 ZCV
CJ Gardner-Johnson: 82 OVR, 81 SPD, 80 ZCV
Justin Reid: 81 OVR, 82 SPD, 79 ZCV
Jeremy Chinn: 81 OVR, 82 SPD, 77 ZCV
Jaquan Brisker: 80 OVR, 80 SPD, 75 ZCV
Bonus Pick: Antonio Gates Becomes a Must-Watch Option
If you pre-ordered the MVP bundle or Deluxe edition, Antonio Gates may be your best bang-for-buck. With 80 speed and elite short route running, he's better than half of the top 10 list-making him a near must-start in Week 1 lineups. You can cultivate him with a large amount of Madden 26 Coins.
While his blocking is weak (just 52), his offensive upside makes up for it. Unless we get some surprise wide receiver reveals with blazing speed, Gates and Shannon Sharpe might just be your go-to early picks from the Hall of Fame pre-order bonuses.
Final Thoughts
Madden 26 is taking a bold new direction. With speed being more balanced than ever, players must think differently about roster construction and playstyle. No longer can you rely on just speedsters to dominate matchups-now, it's about skill, positioning, and IQ.
MMOexp Madden 26 Team