Madden 23: Top 3 defensive players per position

In less than 24 hours, Madden 23 will finally be available for all to purchase in stores or online.

With ‘All-Madden Edition’ pre-order owners enjoying the luxury of being able to partake in the ‘3-Day Early Access’ period that started on Tuesday, August 16th, everyone who did not pre-order the ‘All-Madden Edition’ will now have the opportunity to get their hands on the latest installment of this franchise come Friday, August 19th.

After reviewing each of the Top 3 offensive players per position, we’ve decided to do the same for the defensive players in Madden 23. Getting acquainted with the new game is always a process. But one of the best ways to get comfortable and familiarized, is by playing with some of the most talented players in the game, whether it’s with their respective teams or through a drafted franchise you created.

From defensive lineman, to linebackers, to defensive backs, here’s a look at the Top 3 defensive players along with their Top 5 skills from each and every position.

READ NOW: All information pertaining to Madden 23 pre-order bonuses, prizes, and editions can be found here.

MORE INFO: Should you be interested, feel free to review all of the Madden 23 player ratings here.

Right Defensive Ends (Defensive Line)

1. Aaron Donald (99 Overall) – Rams

• Strength (99)
• Awareness (99)
• Power Moves (99)
• Play Recognition (99)
• Pursuit (98)

2. Myles Garrett (99 Overall) – Browns

• Awareness (98)
• Power Moves (98)
• Pursuit (97)
• Strength (96)
• Play Recognition (94)

3. Nick Bosa (94 Overall) – 49ers

• Awareness (97)
• Finesse Moves (96)
• Play Recognition (94)
• Acceleration (92)
• Pursuit (92)

Left Defensive Ends (Defensive Line)

1. Cameron Jordan (91 Overall) – Saints

• Awareness (98)
• Play Recognition (98)
• Strength (92)
• Toughness (92)
• Impact Blocking (92)

2. DeMarcus Lawrence (90 Overall) – Cowboys

• Play Recognition (96)
• Toughness (95)
• Awareness (93)
• Pursuit (93)
• Finesse Moves (91)

3. J.J. Watt (87 Overall) – Texans

• Toughness (98)
• Strength (95)
• Impact Blocking (94)
• Awareness (93)
• Play Recognition (92)

Defensive Tackles (Defensive Line)

1. Vita Vea (93 Overall) – Buccaneers

• Strength (98)
• Toughness (97)
• Play Recognition (95)
• Impact Blocking (94)
• Awareness (93)

2. Jonathan Allen (92 Overall) – Commanders

• Awareness (97)
• Play Recognition (97)
• Tackling (95)
• Strength (93)
• Power Moves (91)

3. Chris Jones (91 Overall) – Chiefs

• Power Moves (96)
• Awareness (95)
• Toughness (93)
• Play Recognition (93)
• Strength (92)

Right Outside Linebackers

1. Khalil Mack (92 Overall) – Chargers

• Awareness (95)
• Play Recognition (94)
• Pursuit (94)
• Jumping (94)
• Toughness (92)

2. Chandler Jones (90 Overall) – Raiders

• Pursuit (97)
• Power Moves (94)
• Stamina (93)
• Awareness (92)
• Finesse Moves (91)

3. Roquan Smith (89 Overall) – Bears

• Tackling (96)
• Toughness (95)
• Stamina (92)
• Acceleration (91)
• Pursuit (91)

Left Outside Linebackers

1. T.J. Watt (96 Overall) – Steelers

• Awareness (98)
• Pursuit (96)
• Finesse Moves (96)
• Play Recognition (95)
• Tackling (91)

2. Joey Bosa (91 Overall) – Chargers

• Awareness (98)
• Play Recognition (98)
• Pursuit (96)
• Finesse Moves (96)
• Stamina (90)

3. Darius Leonard (90 Overall) – Colts

• Pursuit (98)
• Play Recognition (95)
• Tackling (94)
• Awareness (92)
• Stamina (92)

Middle Linebackers

1. Fred Warner (94 Overall) – 49ers

• Play Recognition (99)
• Awareness (99)
• Jumping (94)
• Stamina (93)
• Acceleration (93)

2. Demario Davis (93 Overall) – Saints

• Awareness (96)
• Stamina (95)
• Tackling (94)
• Toughness (93)
• Play Recognition (92)

3. Lavonte David (92 Overall) – Buccaneers

• Awareness (95)
• Tackling (93)
• Play Recognition (93)
• Pursuit (93)
• Stamina (93)

Cornerbacks

1. Jalen Ramsey (98 Overall) – Rams

• Press (99)
• Zone Coverage (99)
• Man Coverage (98)
• Awareness (98)
• Play Recognition (96)

2. Jaire Alexander (94 Overall) – Packers

• Awareness (97)
• Change Of Direction (96)
• Man Coverage (96)
• Zone Coverage (94)
• Play Recognition (94)

3. Tre’Davious White (93 Overall) – Bills

• Zone Coverage (97)
• Awareness (96)
• Play Recognition (95)
• Acceleration (94)
• Man Coverage (93)

Free Safeties

1. Kevin Byard (92 Overall) – Titans

• Stamina (94)
• Zone Coverage (93)
• Awareness (92)
• Play Recognition (91)
• Toughness (90)

2. Justin Simmons (91 Overall) – Broncos

• Stamina (96)
• Jumping (96)
• Agility (95)
• Play Recognition (93)
• Awareness (92)

3. Micah Hyde (91 Overall) – Bills

• Play Recognition (97)
• Awareness (96)
• Stamina (94)
• Zone Coverage (91)
• Acceleration (90)

Strong Safeties

1. Tyrann Mathieu (94 Overall) – Saints

• Awareness (97)
• Play Recognition (96)
• Stamina (95)
• Toughness (94)
• Zone Coverage (93)

2. Derwin James Jr. (93 Overall) – Chargers

• Stamina (94)
• Acceleration (93)
• Jumping (93)
• Hit Power (91)
• Speed (91)

3. Budda Baker (92 Overall) – Cardinals

• Stamina (96)
• Play Recognition (95)
• Awareness (94)
• Toughness (93)
• Agility (92)