Speed is one of the most important attributes in the Madden franchise. This is an in-depth list of the top ten fastest players in Madden 21. The list consists of seven wide receivers, a cornerback, and a quarterback. Tenth place is a tie between eleven players. A lot of these players are not going to be a surprise, but I highly doubt anyone could name them all. Here is the list of the fastest players in Madden 21.
Tyreek Hill – 99 – Kansas City Chiefs
| Overall: 96 | Speed: 99 | Acceleration: 99 |
Tyreek Hill was the fastest player in last year’s game and Madden developers are well aware he has not lost a step. Not only is Hill the fastest player in the game, but he is also one of the best players in the game at 96 overall. Tyreek Hill is one of the most explosive weapons in the game and should be towards the top of your acquisitions list, regardless of the game mode.
It should come as no surprise to see Hill top the list of speedsters. However, the fact that there is a player with 99 speed and acceleration is wild. On top of that, Madden added a new rating called “change of direction”, and Hill was rewarded with a 99 in that category as well. That means he will be arguably the most electric player in space in Madden 21. Look out for that change of direction rating as it has the potential to change how people run in the open field.
Henry Ruggs III – 98 – Las Vegas Raiders
| Overall: 76 | Speed: 98 | Acceleration 97 |
Henry Ruggs III was known for being a burner in college football. However, he was somewhat overshadowed by his Alabama teammate Jerry Jeudy, who was projected to go higher than Ruggs in the NFL Draft. Then Henry Ruggs ran a 4.27 40-yard-dash at the Combine, and caught the attention of Jon Gruden. After somewhat unexpectedly being the first receiver off the board, Henry Ruggs comes in at a 76 overall with just about maxed out speed. He is the second fastest player in Madden 21, and will be a real threat on offense.
Ruggs is only 21-years-old and will have a high development rating. If I were to start a franchise right now, Henry Ruggs would certainly be on my list of trade targets. In fact, he might be a leading reason for choosing the Raiders as your franchise team. The fastest way to develop a speedy rookie wide receiver in my opinion is to put him in the slot. Speed has been slightly nerfed in recent games causing top line speed to be less effective on the outside as in years past. He also was given a release rating of just 69, meaning press coverage will be extremely effective. You will still get a few deep shots a game, but that is not the optimal way to utilize a weapon of his caliber.
In the slot, you can get Ruggs paired up with linebackers in zone coverage and throw over the middle all day. Those same routes will be man coverage beaters as well. He is a candidate to take a slant to the house, though you may want to possession catch if you’re throwing in a tight window. With a low release rating, the slot position will allow him to find some space and utilize that top line speed. The other benefit is that you can use Ruggs on the outside in two wide receiver sets and move him inside for three or more receiver sets, if you set the depth chart up correctly. Henry Ruggs III is a tantalizing rookie that is one of the fastest players in Madden 21
Marquise Brown – 97 – Baltimore Ravens
| Overall: 80 | Speed: 97 | Acceleration 94 |
Brown enters his second year in the league with 97 speed and 94 acceleration. With an overall of 80 at 23-years-old, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is poised to be a league wrecker in franchise mode. Tyreek Hill is almost impossible to trade for at this point in his career. You will have a better shot molding players like Ruggs and Brown into the Tyreek Hill mold. Scheming Marquise Brown open is not going to be very challenging as one of the fastest players in Madden 21. He already has a strong base rating, and could develop into one of the best receiving threats in the game after a couple of seasons.
It is scary to think about facing the Ravens in Madden 21. They have the fastest quarterback in the game paired with a receiver that is tied for the third fastest at his position. To make matters worse, the Ravens have a sure-handed tight end in 86 overall Mark Andrews and a stable of quality backs, led by Mark Ingram, also an 86 overall. Opposing defenses will have their hands full trying to suppress an offense built with immense speed and power.
Mecole Hardman – 97 – Kansas City Chiefs
| Overall: 76 | Speed: 97 | Acceleration 95 |
When you put it on paper, it starts to make sense why so many secondaries struggle to contain the Chiefs. Both Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman have careers in track should they choose to do so. Hardman is a blazing receiver that should be the biggest concern for a defense as he can hurt you in a hurry. However, the receiver across the field is somehow even faster than Hardman. With 97 speed and 95 acceleration, Hardman can take any route to the house. He is also an elite return specialist that should not even be kicked to.
Hardman will need to develop if you want to see him take the next step. With mid-seventies route running and a release rating of 69, some time in the slot could do him some good. I love Mecole Hardman as a buy low trade target that can become a matchup nightmare. Hardman is only 22-years-old and has a great foundation of attributes. He can become a cheat code with proper user skill and development. With 97 speed, Mecole Hardman is one of the fastest players in Madden 21.
Marquise Goodwin – 97 – Philadelphia Eagles
| Overall: 78 | Speed: 97 | Acceleration 96 |
Goodwin is an elder statesman on this list at 29-years-old. The fans may have forgotten, but Goodwin ran a 4.27 40-yard-dash at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine. It’s fair to say that he may have lost a step in his seven year NFL career, which is why he is one point below Henry Ruggs III, with the same 40 time. Goodwin is a former Olympian for team USA in 2012 as a long jumper. He definitely is a superior athlete and deserves his spot as one of the fastest players in Madden 21.
Goodwin can add a dynamic threat to just about any receiving core. He is not going to be a superstar as a 78 overall 29-year-old, but is a solid veteran piece. If you choose to play as the Eagles, Goodwin and Jackson will be important veterans to turn to as Jalen Reagor develops from a 73 overall into a real threat.
Lamar Jackson – 96 – Baltimore Ravens
| Overall: 94 | Speed: 96 | Acceleration: 96 |
Lamar Jackson will cause more headaches than any other player in Madden 21. The cover athlete was given 96 speed and acceleration, making the him the fastest quarterback by a wide margin (Kyler Murray has 91 speed). Not only is Jackson the cover athlete, but he is also the third best quarterback in the game. The scariest part about Jackson’s rating is his age. At 23-years-old, he will not only improve his overall game, but his speed as well. Since the development system was changed a few years ago, players will now gain speed and acceleration if they continue to excel in their prime.
In franchise mode it would be very possible to max out Jackson’s speed, not that he needs it. One last rating to pay attention to is change of direction. He received a 95 in that department. Jackson will be able to slice up and down the field without having to make a big cut or spin move. He also will be lethal when avoiding sacks behind the pocket since he will be able to flip directions almost instantly. Despite being a quarterback, Lamar Jackson is one of the fastest players in Madden 21, and the cover athlete.
Opposing players are going to need more than just an average linebacker spying the quarterback. You will need to acquire a player specifically made to stop Jackson if you are playing a user. There are only two types of players that can suppress a talent like Jackson when he is on the move. Option one is to find a blazing fast linebacker like Devin White, Devin Bush, or rookie Isaiah Simmons. These players have the size and pursuit to make the tackle and limit the damage, as well as the speed to track Jackson down.
The second option is to develop a hybrid safety that has the athleticism to handle spy coverage. Someone like Deone Bucannon is big enough to be a linebacker but has the athleticism and coverage skills to excel in the middle of the field. Hybrid players will be able to spy Jackson, shine in coverage, and be serviceable against the run.
Donte Jackson – 96 – Carolina Panthers
| Overall: 82 | Speed: 96 | Acceleration: 93 |
Donte Jackson is the fastest cornerback in Madden 21. His rating is not surprising when you factor in his 4.32 40-yard-dash at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. Jackson starts the season as the number one corner for the Panthers at 82 overall. He has 80 man coverage and 78 zone coverage with the ability to run stride for stride with anyone in the league not named Tyreek Hill or Henry Ruggs. Jackson is only 24-years-old and has already shown that he is capable of handling his own at the NFL level. I would try to get my hands on Jackson as one of the only corners that can neutralize elite speed. He truly is one of the fastest players in Madden 21.
John Ross – 96 – Cincinnati Bengals
| Overall: 76 | Speed: 96 | Acceleration 95 |
John Ross was given the ultimate disrespect in Madden 21 with 96 speed and 95 acceleration. While Ross has been a disappointment over his career with the Bengals, his speed is one thing you cannot take away from him. 96 speed is incredibly fast, but a disservice to the man who broke the NFL Scouting Combine Record with a 4.22 40-yard-dash in 2017. Ross is only 24-years-old and could still become a solid football player at the highest level. While Ross missed half the season with a shoulder injury, he was actually on pace for a 1,012 yard season. With Burrow coming into town, Ross will have a chance to revive his career after a slow, injury-riddled start.
At 76 overall, John Ross is not going to be your number one receiver (hopefully). However, he is young enough that he could still develop into an offensive weapon in franchise mode. If you can find ways to get the ball to Ross early on, he will become an integral piece of your team with that elite speed. John Ross was slightly snubbed, but he is still one of the fastest players in Madden 21.
Rico Gafford – 96 – Las Vegas Raiders
| Overall: 55 | Speed: 96 | Acceleration: 94 |
Most people will not recognize this Raiders wide receiver. The 24-year-old was a 2018 undrafted free agent who has yet to make his presence known at the NFL level. Rico has two receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown in just five games played across the last two seasons. He makes this list due to an impressive performance at a Pro Day. He nearly took Josh Allen’s shine at the Wyoming Pro Day when he ran a blazing fast 40-yard-dash. The times were unofficial, but he was clocked at 4.19, 4.23, and 4.26. We do not know exactly how fast he is, but he rightfully made this list of the fastest players in Madden 21. Maybe he should race teammate Henry Ruggs III to prove himself further.
Eleven Players Tied – 95 – Eleven Teams
Andy Isabella, Curtis Samuel, D.K. Metcalf, Denzel Ward, DeSean Jackson, Jakeem Grant, Keion Crossen, Matt Breida, Parry Nickerson, Raheem Mostert, and Will Fuller V are all tied with 95 speed.
If you liked this video, check out the rest of my Madden 21 content. If you want to see Madden’s full player ratings, click here.