Although these Breakout cards are scheduled for a nerf on Thursday, even without their buckets and chemistry boosts, many of them remain elite options that every player should consider. If you're trying to build your dream lineup in Madden 26, here’s the full breakdown of the best card at every position right now.
Best Offensive Line in Madden 26
The offensive line isn’t always the flashiest part of MUT, but two linemen stand out so much that every player—budget teams and God squads alike—should be running them:
RG/LG – Jackson McCormick (Steelers, 88 OVR)
· The most valuable lineman in the game right now
· 0 AP Pass Protector, the best O-line ability in MUT
· Outperforms even higher-rated options like Tate Rattlage
Crossover Lineman – Tate Rattlage
· Great physical ratings and strong chemistry boosts
· Slight downside: his built-in ability costs 1 AP instead of 0
Other Top OL Choices
· LT – Andrew Thomas
· C – Tyler Linderbaum
· RT – Spencer Brown (just avoid Forest Greg unless you want a skinny tackle getting shed instantly)
While the rest of the line is replaceable, Rattlage and McCormick are true must-haves.
Best Tight End in Madden 26
TE – Brent Strange
Tight end is in a weird state right now, but Brent Strange remains the clear No. 1 option:
· 90 base speed with boost
· Gets the theme team and strat boosts
· 0 AP Tank
· Massive frame (though not shifty after the catch)
If the Eagles theme becomes meta after the nerf hits, Dallas Goedert may rise to No. 1—but for now, Strange holds the crown.
Best Wide Receivers in Madden 26
Wide receiver is the toughest position to judge because so many cards depend on theme teams, strat boosts, or Breakout chem. But there are a few undeniable top options:
1. Travis Hunter
· Should be on every single lineup
· Elite versatility
· Easily reaches 92 speed
· Route tree and separation ability are outrageous
2. Tyquan Thornton (Welcome Pack)
· One of the biggest value receivers in the game
· Top-tier speed WITHOUT needing any special boosts
3. Darien Porter
· Another welcome-pack hero
· Insane speed and height combination
4. Irving Fryar
· The only 92 base-speed WR in MUT right now
· Great legend-themed options
· Perfect even without team boosts
Best Running Back in Madden 26
RB – Cameron Skattebo
A top-tier back who becomes insane with stat swaps:
· Reaches 92 speed
· 91 change of direction
· 0 AP Tank, 1 AP Evasive
· Can run Human Joystick 2
· One of the cleanest break-tackle animations in the game
There’s no debate: Skattebo is RB1.
Best Quarterback in Madden 26
QB – JJ McCarthy
Yes, Cam Newton (especially the mythic) is still incredible—but JJ McCarthy edges him out for most players:
· 90 Juke Move enables the QB speed-boost glitch
· Fastest usable QB in the game
· Great release and accuracy
· Free Identifier
· Massive theme team and strat value
He plays exactly how modern MUT QBs should: fast, reliable, and explosive.
Best Defensive Players in Madden 26
Best Free Safeties
1. Caleb Bullock
The best safety—and one of the best defenders—in the entire game.
· 0 AP Pick Artist built in
· 1 AP Mid Zone
· Incredible speed and height
· Breakout chem makes him even scarier
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick
Still elite, especially in Steeler or Zone-themed squads.
3. Jesse Bates
A favorite budget-friendly option with strong all-around attributes.
Best Linebackers in Madden 26
Linebackers are lagging behind safeties in MUT 26, especially with how the meta favors DBs in the box. Still, there are a few standout names:
MLB1 – Carson Sweetinger
· One of the top defenders in the entire game
· Hits 91 speed with boosts
· 6'3 frame with elite zone coverage
· 0 AP Mid Zone, 1 AP Lurk Artist
· Plays even better than his ratings
MLB2 – Ray Lewis
A filler option—good, but vastly overshadowed by safeties.
WLB / RLB
These positions are dry right now. Robert Brazile remains the best true Will backer available, but MUT 26 really hasn’t given this spot much love.
Best Strong Safety in Madden 26
SS – Xavier Watts
Another outrageous Breakouts promo card:
· Built-in Mid Zone
· Choice of Pick Artist or Menace (use Pick Artist—Menace is terrible)
· One of the most impactful defensive cards in MUT
No second-place option is even close.
Best Cornerbacks in Madden 26
Easily one of the strongest groups in MUT right now—thanks again to Breakouts.
CB1 – Tyrion Arnold
CB2 – Cooper DeJean
CB3 – Darien Porter
CB4 – Travis Hunter
This cornerback group is so strong that:
· They’re better than many LTDs
· Every one of these hits elite speed thresholds
· Hunter makes the list again because he’s just that versatile
Best Edge Rushers in Madden 26
RE – Nik Bonitto
The best pure pass rusher in the game:
· Built-in No Outsiders
· 1 AP Double or Nothing
· Unreal block shed and finesse move
LE – Abdul Carter (Close Second)
Better for edge-setting than rushing, especially with Edge Starter.
Best Defensive Tackle in Madden 26
DT – Kobe Turner
· 0 AP Inside Stuff
· 1 AP Double or Nothing
· Perfect combo of awareness and block-shedding
· Inside Stuff isn’t as broken as past years, but players rarely double-team it—so it still dominates
Best Kicker in Madden 26
K – Brandon Aubrey
No debate. No competition. He is the most universally agreed-upon best card in the entire game.
Final Thoughts
Madden 26 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting early MUT years ever, largely thanks to the Breakouts promo delivering some of the strongest cards we've had in years. Even after the upcoming nerf, many of these players will remain the benchmarks for top-tier squads.