Madden 23 has hit store shelves, which means that a brand new NFL season is also on the horizon. This is an exciting time of year as NFL fans are given a renewed sense of excitement considering the fate of their favorite team has yet to be decided. Despite the Madden NFL titles often receiving mixed critical reception, for better or worse they're the only NFL simulation gaming experience fans have.
The Ultimate Team mode is a microtransaction-fueled experience that pitches the opportunity for players to create their dream roster of NFL players from a collection of historic and modern players. Knowing which offensive cards in Madden 23 are the best of the best is a good way to establish how to build an offense that can overcome any opponent.
9 Cooper Kupp, WR (88)
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year and winner of the receiving triple crown sports wears a Los Angeles Rams uniform. Cooper Kupp did the unthinkable in 2021 and his connection with new quarterback Matthew Stafford led to Kupp having one of the best seasons for a wide receiver in the history of the NFL.
Madden 22 did a lot in Ultimate Team to pay homage to his efforts, and in Madden 23 he also received an 88 overall card in the Core Elite program. This likely won't be his last high overall card as it's likely he ends up getting one of the in-season promotions for going off in a game against an opponent on any given week.
8 Trent Williams, LT (88)
Offensive linemen rarely get the love or recognition that skill position players do, so it's nice to see Trent Williams being rewarded in Ultimate Team. Madden 23 recognizes how dominant he was, not only as a left tackle but as an offensive weapon.
People like to point to Deebo Samuel as a breakout star, but his job was made a lot easier running behind the man featured on an 88 overall Core Elite program card in Madden 23's Ultimate Team. Williams is considered the best offensive lineman in the entire NFL, and it's more than deserved for the effort he puts in every single game.
7 Aaron Jones, RB (89)
With wide receiver Davante Adams no longer sporting a Green Bay Packers uniform, it'll be up to running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to take on the offensive load to reduce the pressure on back-to-back MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers' shoulders. Jones is one of the best dual-threat runners in the league and can be a weapon when lined up in the slot or running routes out of the backfield.
Players who complete the Green Bay Packers Team Affinity program will get an 89 overall card of Jones as a reward. He may not always get the respect he deserves in real life, but fans can experience his greatness in Madden 23's Ultimate Team mode.
6 Tyler Higbee, TE (89)
The Los Angeles Rams, under head coach Sean McVay, are known for a well-run and smoothly-operated offense that flourishes with star talent but can plug and play guys with solid success as well. Tyler Higbee was the starting tight end for the Super Bowl-winning team, but due to Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr.'s success, he went unnoticed.
Higbee often served as a safety blanket for quarterback Matthew Stafford, which resulted in plenty of first downs. The Team Affinity program in Madden 23 seems to have emphasized highlighting many players who get lost in the shuffle, so Higbee landing an 89 overall card as part of this program is a nice gesture.
5 Joe Burrow, QB (89)
Going into the 2021 season the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow were expected to be competitive and show growth, but no one expected them to make the Super Bowl and compete for the Lombardi trophy. Winning the Comeback Player of the Year award was a gimme for Joe Burrow considering what he managed to accomplish after overcoming a serious lower-body injury the prior season.
An 89 overall card, as impressive as it is, might not be the highest overall he sees in a Madden title, considering he's already established himself as one of the best young talents in the NFL, at quarterback or any other position.
4 Trey Smith, RG (89)
The Kansas City Chiefs happen to be good at landing starter-level talent in the latter rounds of the NFL Draft. Trey Smith is one such case of a prospect who slipped due to concerns and the Chiefs took advantage and landed one of the league's best guards for practically free. He'll likely only continue to get better, so it's no surprise he was the subject of the team's Team Affinity program.
Sure it could have had a Travis Kelce or Patrick Mahomes card, but giving people an 89 overall version of Trey Smith is a nice way to give a spotlight to talented offensive linemen who serve as the backbone of successful offenses.
3 Jalen Hurts, QB (89)
Jalen Hurts is a quarterback who has managed to show improvement every season he's lined up at quarterback, going back to his freshman campaign at the University of Alabama. The same pattern has emerged in the NFL with him under center for the Philadelphia Eagles, and with the addition of superstar wide receiver AJ Brown, the team is a sleeper pick for the NFC Playoffs in 2022.
He may not ever fully develop into an elite Top 10 guy, but in the meantime, Madden 23 features an 89 overall version of Hurts in the Headliners program. It sells for a staggering amount of coins, coming in at close to half a million for anyone interested.
2 Joe Mixon, RB (89)
Joe Mixon has always been a solid running back in the NFL, but his biggest issue was always his health. He couldn't ever put together a complete season without some sort of nagging ailment hampering his success.
He picked a heck of a year to finally stay healthy as he was a central key in the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals shocking the NFL landscape and making it to the Super Bowl. Those looking to add his 89 overall card to their roster should know it won't come cheap, as the Headliners program card of Joe Mixon sells for around 200,000 coins.
1 Dave Casper, TE (91)
Dave Casper is a name that most casual fans may not recognize, but hardcore Madden Ultimate Team players will probably be familiar with the historic tight end. Casper was a Hall of Fame tight end for the new Las Vegas Raiders and earned the nickname "Ghost."
In addition to being a 5x Pro Bowler and 4x All-Pro, he won two Super Bowls amassing 5,000 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns in an era where the tight end position wasn't utilized the way it is in the modern NFL offense. Giving someone like him a 91 overall card in Madden 23's Ultimate Team forces a younger generation of NFL fans to become familiar with the league's history and learn about legends from older eras.
Madden NFL 23 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.