Madden 19 Ratings: Best rookie wide receivers (WR)

Young receivers have started to dominate the NFL. With the likes of Brandin Cooks being traded twice for first round picks, Odell Beckham Jr and Mike Evans being unstoppable forces for their teams, and even Juju Smith-Schuster and Cooper Kupp quickly becoming vital parts of their team's offense.

How to choose the best rookie wide receivers in Madden 19's Franchise Mode

33 receivers were drafted in 2018, with eight coming off the board in the first two rounds. So how do you find the best? Well, speed and acceleration is important, as is catching. You need to find good route runners as well, since that will help them create separation from defensive backs. Here are all the rookie wide receivers in Madden 19.

DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers (OVR 78)

Age: 21

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 4 years/$11.2m

2018 Cap Hit: $2.69m

Best Stats: Speed (92), Acceleration (92), Catching (86), Short Route Running (83), Deep Route Running (83), Jumping (93)

The best rookie wide receiver in Madden 19 is DJ Moore. Moore was a first-round pick, 24th overall, for the Carolina Panthers after three strong years at Maryland. During his college career Moore amassed 2,027 receiving yards on 146 catches and scored 17 touchdowns. He also added 125 yards and a touchdown on the ground. At his combine Moore ran a 4.42 second 40-yard dash and reached 39.5 inches on the vertical jump.

In Madden Moore is a very nice deep threat thanks to his speed (92), jumping (93), and spectacular catch (87) despite his relatively small 5'11" height. With his star development trait you can improve his route running quickly and turn Moore into an all-round threat.

Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons (OVR 77)

Age: 23

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 4 years/$10.9m

2018 Cap Hit: $2.62m

Best Stats: Speed (93), Acceleration (93), Catching (81), Short Route Running (80), Deep Route Running (83)

Taken just two picks after Moore, #26 overall, by the Atlanta Falcons, many considered Calvin Ridley to be the best wide receiver in the draft class. In his three years at Alabama, Ridley consistently made defensive backs look silly. He racked up 224 catches, 2,781 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns. At the combine Ridley posted a 4.42 second 40-yard dash, but disappointed in the vertical jump, measuring just 31 inches.

In Madden 19 Ridley has superb speed (93) and acceleration (93), as well as solid catching (81) and route running in the 80-83 range. His jumping (76) is disappointing however and limits his potential as a deep threat. With his star development trait you can soon mold him into the kind of receiver that suits your play style though.

Dante Pettis, San Francisco 49ers (OVR 76)

Age: 22

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 4 years/$6.39m

2018 Cap Hit: $1.52m

Best Stats: Speed (90), Acceleration (92), Catching (85), Medium Route Running (81), Deep Route Running (82), Jumping (92)

A second-round pick, #44 overall, by the San Francisco 49ers, Dante Pettis spent his college career at Washington, where he tortured PAC-12 defenses. He caught 163 passes for 2,256 yards in his four-year career, catching 24 touchdowns in total, including 15 in his junior year. He was also a deadly punt returner, averaging 14.2 yards per return and set an NCAA record with nine return touchdowns. An ankle injury kept Pettis from running at either the combine or his pro day.

In Madden 19 Pettis is a good deep threat receiver. With 90 speed, 92 acceleration and 92 jumping he can overwhelm corners in the deep part of the field. He has nice hands, with 85 catching and 85 spectacular catch too. His 94 agility makes him a strong punt returner in Madden.

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (OVR 75)

Age: 22

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$6.83m

2018 Cap Hit: $1.63m

Best Stats: Speed (89), Acceleration (92), Catching (83), Spectacular Catch (89), Short Route Running (78)

Courtland Sutton was a second-round pick, 40th overall, for the Denver Broncos. He played four years at SMU, racking up 195 catches and registering a massive 3,220 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns. At the combine Sutton ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds, the short shuttle in an impressive 4.11 seconds, and registered a massive 10'4" on the broad jump.

Sutton's route running is a weakness in Madden 19, with just a 71 deep route running he isn't the long ball threat you would hope a 6'4" receiver would be. His speed (89) and acceleration (92) are good, and his spectacular catch (89) could make up for some of his poor route running. If you can perfect the high pass, then Sutton could be deadly.

James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers (OVR 74)

Age: 22

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$4.47m

2018 Cap Hit: $1.05m

Best Stats: Speed (90), Acceleration (89), Catching (83), Medium Route Running (80), Deep Route Running (84), Spectacular Catch (89)

A second-round pick, 60th overall, by the Pittsburgh Steelers, James Washington played four years at Oklahoma State. In his time there Washington posted three 1,000+ yard seasons and amassed 226 catches, 4,472 receiving yards, and 39 touchdowns. At his combine he posted a 4.54 second 40-yard dash, a 34.5 inch vertical, and a 10'0" broad jump.

In Madden 19 Washington is a deep threat. With great spectacular catch (89) and deep route running (84) he can get behind the defense. His acceleration (89) and release (78) isn't quite ideal, but you can soon improve that with some training.

Anthony Miller, Chicago Bears (OVR 74)

Age: 23

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$5.34m

2018 Cap Hit: $1.26m

Best Stats: Speed (89), Acceleration (90), Catching (80), Short Route Running (82), Jumping (92)

Another second-round pick, the Chicago Bears took Anthony Miller with the 1st pick. Miller spent his college career in Memphis, making 238 catches in his three years there, registering 3,590 yards and scoring 37 touchdowns. At the combine Miller put up 22 reps on the bench press, and at his pro day posted a 39 inch vertical as well as a 4.50 40-yard dash time.

Miller's catching (80) isn't as good as you'd like in Madden 19, but his route running (82, 80, 76) are solid, and his jumping (92) makes him a red zone threat. There isn't a lot to love about Miller, but there is nothing to worry you either. With some time he can turn into a good receiver in Madden.

Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals (OVR 73)

Age: 21

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$5.89m

2018 Cap Hit: $1.4m

Best Stats: Speed (91), Acceleration (92), Catching (82), Short Route Running (82), Jumping (85)

The Arizona Cardinals selected Christian Kirk in the second-round, 47th overall, after three good years at Texas A&M. Kirk made 234 catching with the Aggies, racking up 2,586 yards and 26 touchdowns. At the combine Kirk clocked a 4.45 second 40-yard dash and reached 35.5 inches in the vertical jump.

In Madden 19 Kirk is a solid receiver. With good speed (91) and reasonable short route running (82) he can cause problems for defenses on day one. There are some things not to like though. His release (64) is really troublesome, limiting him to an off-the-line role so that he can't get jammed. His catching in traffic (77) also needs improving if he's going to be your slot receiver.

Other rookie wide receivers