Does Speed Matter in Madden 23? Absolutely.

As a passionate Madden gamer and content creator, I get asked this question a lot – "does speed matter in the latest version of Madden?"

The short answer is yes, speed is more critical than ever in Madden NFL 23. But why exactly is speed so crucial and how big is the impact across positions? As a hardcore football sim, Madden ratings directly translate into on-field performance. Let‘s dive into the speed factor and how you can leverage it effectively when building your Ultimate Team.

How Speed Ratings Impact Gameplay

Speed is the top athletic trait that dictates how fast players accelerate, hit top gear, and run away from opponents in space. In Madden 23, every player gets assigned a speed rating between 0-99. The higher the rating, the faster the player.

According to detailed testing by Madden School, a +10 boost in speed rating directly equals a +0.75 mph improvement in overall movement speed. This may seem minor, but over a 40+ yard footrace, that small boost pays massive dividends. A 99 speed receiver like Tyreek Hill running a 4.20 second 40-yard dash can torch even the fastest corners.

Beyond straight line rushing, acceleration ratings factor heavily into how quickly ball carriers reach peak velocity off the line or out of cuts. The faster your skill players can accelerate out of breaks, the more dangerous they become versus single coverage.

Top 5 Positions Where Speed Matters Most

While no position is hurt by having more speed, these five spots see the biggest gameplay impact from high speed ratings:

1. Wide Receiver

Having an elite speed wideout like Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle is an absolute game-changer for attacking deep areas of the field. With a speed advantage, you dictate the pace and stretch out spacing for the rest of the offense. You‘ll also notice a major difference in yards after catch on short and intermediate routes.

2. Cornerback

On defense, cornerbacks benefit more from speed than any other position. Their main job is to mirror receivers in coverage and make up ground quickly. Corners with 95+ speed and acceleration ratings can clamp down on even the shiftiest route runners. Some players I love having in press and man coverage schemes:

• Jalen Ramsey, Rams (99)
• Marshon Lattimore, Saints (97)
• Jaire Alexander, Packers (96)

3. Running Back

Fast running backs transform any running scheme, especially ones focused on exploiting the edges with tosses, sweeps and powers. The right mix of acceleration for hitting the hole hard and breakaway long speed is deadly. Consider these gamebreaking backs:

• Nick Chubb, Browns (92)
• Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (91)
• Alvin Kamara, Saints (91)

4. Quarterback

Having a speedy QB completely alters the dimensions of an offense, both through designed runs and scrambling ability. Escape artists like Lamar Jackson with 96 speed force defenses to account for their ground threat constantly. Even pocket passers benefit from having 60+ speed to evade the initial rush.

5. Sub LB/3rd CB

On defense, my nickel and dime packages feature DB-style players almost exclusively for their speed and coverage skills. At linebacker, I lean on hybrid safety types with 85+ speed like Isaiah Simmons (88) and Jeremy Chinn (87) rather than thumpers. The extra range and closing burst is crucial for matching up with RB/TE/slot receivers in open zones.

Does Height Impact Speed?

An interesting hidden element of speed ratings ties to a player‘s height. Taller players at the same speed threshold appear faster in game. The running animations portray their longer strides covering more ground.

So a 6‘5" receiver with 88 speed can look faster than a 5‘10" receiver also rated at 88. It‘s a quirk in the game engine, but one you can exploit if you value size as well.

Strategies for Improving Team Speed

Now that it‘s clear just how crucial speed is in Madden 23, especially at the key skill spots, let‘s discuss some team building strategies around this vital trait:

Scout 40-Yard Dash Times in the Draft

The 40-yard dash remains the classic benchmark for evaluating real world NFL speed. In franchise mode, pay close attention to prospect 40 times during the scouting and drafting process. Any skill player running 4.40 or below warrants much closer inspection!

Invest in Speed Abilities

Equipping receivers, backs, linebackers and corners with speed boosting abilities is hugely rewarding. Some of my go-to picks:

• Slot-O-Matic (WR)
• Blitz (HB)
• Avalanche (HB)
• Deep Route KO (DB)

These add significant acceleration off the line/into routes or pursuit angles, complementing any existing speed ratings.

Use Training to Upgrade Young Players

Don‘t neglect using training points in MUT to upgrade young fast players. Adding +1 or +2 speed to an already quick player like Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb or J.K. Dobbins pays dividends across the field.

Every bit of speed matters, so even marginal gains help. Review your roster for any player under 25 years old who already has 80+ speed and acceleration ratings. Favor them heavily for upgrades and watch their big play ability take off.

So in summary, speed reigns supreme as the most pivotal athletic trait across all positions in Madden 23. Build your ultimate team with speed in mind above all else!

Content posted here contains the author‘s views, presumptive data and own analysis on the relevant topic and meant for entertainment purposes only