Jaguars’ Rival’s Top Pick Receives Embarrassing Madden Rating

When a team spends its first-round pick on a highly-touted prospect, the expectation is clear: that player is meant to be a difference-maker, a cornerstone of the franchise’s future. But when the latest edition of the Madden NFL video game hits shelves and that same top pick finds himself saddled with a shockingly low rating, it raises more than a few eyebrows. That’s exactly what happened this week, and the ripple effect has made its way through locker rooms, media circles, and certainly among Jacksonville Jaguars fans keeping close tabs on their division rivals.

The player in question? The top pick of the Tennessee Titans: left tackle J.C. Latham. Drafted out of Alabama to anchor an offensive line that struggled throughout the 2024 season, Latham came into the league with high expectations. He was widely viewed as one of the most powerful and technically sound linemen in the draft class. His collegiate tape showed dominant pass protection, punishing run blocking, and the kind of presence that NFL offensive line coaches crave. Yet, when EA Sports unveiled its Madden 25 rookie ratings, Latham was handed a surprisingly low overall rating—well below what many expected for a first-round offensive lineman from a blue-blood program.

To call it embarrassing may sound harsh, but in today’s NFL, where video game ratings are treated almost like scouting reports by players and fans alike, perception matters. Latham’s rating quickly became a talking point—not just among Titans fans who felt disrespected, but among Jaguars supporters who found a little schadenfreude in the ordeal. For Jacksonville, a franchise hoping to solidify its hold atop the AFC South, the idea that their rival’s prize rookie was viewed so poorly by one of football’s biggest media properties was cause for a few laughs, or at the very least, some raised eyebrows.

The Madden ratings team, which employs former players, analysts, and data researchers, stands by its methods. They grade rookies not solely on draft position or college pedigree, but on a mix of college performance, athletic testing, and projected impact. Still, the low rating left many fans scratching their heads. Latham wasn’t just drafted high—he was drafted to fill a dire need. The Titans have been in a transition period, especially on offense, and Latham was supposed to be one of the foundational fixes. A tackle taken in the top 10 is expected to start right away, protect the quarterback’s blindside, and neutralize some of the best pass rushers in the league. That doesn’t sound like a player who deserves to be ranked among the bottom half of rookies at his position.

Latham, for his part, has remained quiet on the subject. That’s not uncommon—most players publicly downplay their Madden ratings, at least until they go up. But internally, there’s no doubt it stings. NFL rookies are a proud bunch, and they enter the league with a chip on their shoulder already. A rating that paints them as average—or worse—just adds fuel to the fire. The Titans coaching staff may not care what a video game thinks, but make no mistake: players do. It’s bragging rights, locker room fodder, and yes, even a source of motivation.

For the Jaguars, the situation offers more than just entertainment. It speaks to a broader question about how their division rivals are managing expectations. The Titans are trying to retool, rebuild, and rebound from a season that exposed major holes on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line, in particular, was a major weak point, allowing pressure far too often and struggling to open consistent running lanes. Drafting Latham was a clear message that they intended to address that issue head-on. But now, with a Madden rating suggesting he may not be the plug-and-play solution he was drafted to be, some around the league are rethinking just how effective Tennessee’s rebuild might be.

From Jacksonville’s perspective, the contrast is worth noting. The Jaguars have invested in their offensive line and defense through a more gradual, methodical approach over the past few years. General Manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson have made it clear they value player development and depth over splash picks. That strategy helped them take control of the division in recent years, and while nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, continuity and careful planning have given them a leg up.

Of course, it’s important not to read too much into a video game rating. Madden is a product of entertainment, not a front office. But the reason this particular rating stung so deeply for Titans fans is that it reinforced an uncomfortable possibility: that their franchise may have reached on a player who was supposed to be an instant-impact starter. In today’s NFL, especially in a division where Trevor Lawrence is entering his prime and the Jaguars are a playoff-caliber team, every personnel decision is magnified. If Latham doesn’t perform up to expectations, the Titans will feel it not just in the box score, but in their long-term outlook.

Jacksonville fans, meanwhile, can’t help but enjoy the irony. In a league dominated by high-stakes matchups and year-to-year volatility, any perceived misstep by a rival is worth celebrating. The Madden drama won’t decide a playoff berth, but it adds another layer of intrigue to an already fascinating AFC South race. Jaguars fans have been on the other side of that line before—hoping their top picks would prove the doubters wrong. Now, they’re watching from a stronger position, with their quarterback in place, their core intact, and their rivals scrambling for answers.

If there’s a silver lining for Latham and the Titans, it’s this: ratings change. The Madden team updates player scores throughout the season based on real-world performance. If Latham dominates in his first few games, his rating will rise quickly. And maybe that’s exactly the arc he’ll follow. Some players use slights like this as motivation. Some use them to silence critics. But others, unfortunately, validate the low expectations.

For now, the spotlight remains squarely on Tennessee’s top rookie—and not for the reasons they hoped. It’s a reminder that in the modern NFL, scrutiny starts the moment a player’s name is called on draft night. Whether it comes from coaches, fans, analysts, or video game developers, everyone is watching. And when a top-10 pick gets tagged with a bottom-tier rating, it invites questions, commentary, and no shortage of ribbing from rival fanbases.

The Jaguars, no strangers to years of rebuilding and scrutiny themselves, are finally in a position to laugh a little. Their house is in order, their direction is clear, and their rivals, it seems, are still catching up. Whether or not the Madden rating proves prophetic is something only time—and the regular season—can answer. But for now, in a summer filled with training camp battles and bold predictions, a digital rating has managed to spark a very real conversation. And that’s something Jaguars fans are more than happy to be on the right side of for once.