Lockdown receivers and create more turnovers with an insane Defensive Backs unit.
Below, you will read:
- Madden 24’s best Defensive Backs by overall rating as of October 11, 2023
- Why each Defensive Backs poses a threat to opposing defenses
- 2022 stats for each of Madden 24’s Defensive Backs
Defensive Backs are primarily tasked with keeping the skies clear but also assist in run support. The DB group consists of four players; two cornerbacks, a strong safety, and a free safety. Cornerbacks will lock into wide receiver the overwhelming majority of the time whereas one or both safeties can specialize in run support. Interceptions come from this position group and turnovers are insanely valuable in Madden 24.
Here are the Top 10 Defensive Backs in Madden 24, courtesy of the OutsiderGaming (OG) editorial team.
1. Jalen Ramsey 97 OVR (Miami Dolphins)
Position: Cornerback
Age: 28
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 99 Press, 97 Man Coverage, 95 Zone Coverage
Jalen Ramsey is arguably the best cover corner in the game and consistently shuts down his side of the field. Ramsey rates 99 for Press Coverage, 97 for Man Coverage, and 95 for Zone Coverage attributes. He’s also an athletic monster with 94 Acceleration, 94 Jumping, and 92 Speed. Ramsey is not likely to be burned by receivers or allow many yards after the catch.
In the 2022 season, Ramsey recorded 88 tackles, four picks, three forced fumbles, and two sacks. He made the Pro Bowl for the 6th time in a row and was ranked the 36th best player for 2023 by NFL.com.
2. Patrick Surtain II 95 OVR (Denver Broncos)
Position: Cornerback
Age: 23
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 97 Man Coverage, 95 Press, 95 Zone Coverage
Patrick Surtain covers receivers like a shadow with extreme technical detail. He has top-notch athletic ability with his 93 Speed, 92 Acceleration, and 92 Jumping attribute ratings. Surtain’s 97 Man Coverage, 95 Zone Coverage, and 95 Press Coverage attribute ratings somehow surpass his natural talent as an athlete.
Surtain started all 17 games in 2022 for the Denver Broncos. He recorded 60 tackles and one interception on the way to being selected to the Pro Bowl and receiving First-team All-Pro honors. NFL.com ranked Surtain the 49th-best player in 2023.
3. Jaire Alexander 94 OVR (Green Bay Packers)
Position: Cornerback
Age: 26
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 96 Man Coverage, 95 Zone Coverage, 95 Change of Direction
Jaire Alexander adds a ton of finesse to the cornerback position. He has 95 Change of Direction, 94 Play Recognition, 93 Acceleration, and 92 Speed attribute ratings. Alexander’s skill set allows him to predict, attack, and adjust quickly to any situation on the field and guard any receiver. His coverage attributes are each 94+.
Last season, Alexander recorded 56 tackles, five interceptions, and 14 pass defenses. He made Second-team All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl marking the second time in his career for both honors. Alexander was ranked the 26th-best player in 2023 by NFL.com
4. Derwin James Jr 94 OVR (Los Angeles Chargers)
Position: Strong Safety
Age: 27
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 93 Play Recognition, 93 Jumping, 92 Hit Power
Derwin James is the prototype safety with a tremendously versatile skill set. He punishes ball carriers with 92 Hit Power, 91 Toughness, and 80 Tackle attributes ratings. James is just as much of a beast in coverage with a 90 Zone Coverage rating and 90+ ratings in both Speed and Acceleration.
In 2022, James recorded 115 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He was selected Second-team All-Pro and made his 3rd Pro Bowl. James was ranked the 30th-best player in 2023 by NFL.com.
5. Jessie Bates III 94 OVR (Atlanta Falcons)
Position: Free Safety
Age: 26
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 96 Play Recognition, 95 Zone Coverage, 90 Acceleration
Jessie Bates III terrorizes the opponent’s passing game with his coverage abilities at free safety. His 96 Play Recognition, 95 Zone Coverage, and 90 Acceleration help him provide relief to fellow defenders. Although he is better known for his skills in coverage, Bates still rates above-average Hit Power with an 84.
Bates recorded 71 tackles, four interceptions, and one forced fumble in the 2022 season. In the offseason, he signed a four-year, $64 million deal with the Falcons
6. Minkah Fitzpatrick 93 OVR (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Position: Free Safety
Age: 26
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 95 Zone Coverage, 92 Acceleration, 91 Speed
Minkah Fitzpatrick is a devastating hitter and ball hawk at Free Safety. His 95 Zone Coverage, 92 Acceleration, and 90 Jumping attribute ratings are the tools he has to shut down deep passes and intercept balls thrown his way at a high rate. Fitzpatrick is no slouch in the running game, his 92 Awareness, 91 Play Recognition, and 84 Hit Power attributes add to his versatility at the position.
During the 2022 season, Fitzpatrick tied for the most interceptions in the league with six. He also recorded 96 tackles, 11 pass defenses, and one touchdown. He was selected First-team All-Pro and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl. NFL.com ranked Fitzpatrick the 18th-best player in 2023.
7. Marlon Humphrey 93 OVR (Baltimore Ravens)
Position: Cornerback
Age: 27
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 94 Man Coverage, 94 Acceleration, 94 Press
Marlon Humphrey is a tremendously physical cornerback. He has 94 Acceleration, 94 Press, and 92 Speed attribute ratings which makes it tough for receivers to create separation and release from the line. Humphrey is a great cover corner in general boasting 94 Man and 91 Zone Coverage attribute ratings.
Last year, Humphrey recorded 71 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, and a forced fumble.
He earned Pro Bowl honors for the 3rd time in his career and was ranked as the 92nd-best player in 2023 by NFL.com.
8. Sauce Gardner 93 OVR (New York Jets)
Position: Cornerback
Age: 23
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 97 Man Coverage, 94 Acceleration, 93 Play Recognition
Sauce Gardner has elite athleticism pumping through his veins. 94 Acceleration, 94 Stamina, 92 Speed, 91 Jumping, and 90 Change of Direction make him the best athlete on the field more times than not. Gardner is also exceptional in coverage and positioning; 97 Man Coverage, 92 Zone Coverage, and 91 Press.
As a rookie, Gardner recorded 75 tackles, two interceptions, and 20 pass defenses in the 2022 season. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, made First-team All-Pro, and received Pro Bowl honors.
9. Darius Slay Jr 92 OVR (Philadelphia Eagles)
Position: Cornerback
Age: 32
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 96 Zone Coverage, 95 Play Recognition, 92 Acceleration
Darius Slay Jr’s nickname is “Big Play Slay” and he lives up to it. With 96 Zone Coverage, 95 Play Recognition, and 92 Speed attribute ratings he can quickly identify plays and adjust his positioning to attack the ball. Slay has 92 Speed and rates 91 for Catching and Spectacular Catch, adding great hands and a higher likelihood of picking off the ball.
Slay recorded 55 tackles, 14 pass defenses, and three interceptions during the 2022 season. In the postseason, he made his first Super Bowl appearance recording four tackles in a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Slay made his 5th Pro Bowl and was named the 65th-best player in 2023 by NFL.com.
10. Kevin Byard 92 OVR (Tennessee Titans)
Position: Free Safety
Age: 30
Best Ratings in Madden 24: 92 Play Recognition, 91 Zone Coverage, 90 Speed
Kevin Byard is a playmaking style safety with the hands of a wide receiver. His 91 Zone Coverage, 90 Speed, and 90 Jumping attributes ratings form a skillset that can take advantage of deep passes downfield. Byard’s 92 Play Recognition, 95 Change of Direction, and 82 Catching add the ability to create opportunities for picks.
During the 2022 season, Byard recorded 108 tackles and four interceptions, leading his team in both categories.
Conclusion
So there you have the Top 10 Defensive Backs in Madden 24. You have to limit your opponents’ big plays downfield to give yourself a chance at winning any games. Defensive backs are a defensive group and having all four positions complement each other is the best way to approach choosing outside of the choosing best player available.
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