Madden NFL 26 rookie class is packed with fresh talent, but only a select few come into the league with development traits that set them apart from the rest. These traits directly influence how quickly a player improves, what abilities they can equip, and how big of an impact they can have in your franchise.

If you’re planning a rebuild, scouting trades, or looking to develop your next franchise cornerstone, knowing these traits can give you a major edge.
How Development Traits Work in Madden NFL 26
In Madden NFL 26, a rookie can have one of four development tiers:
- Normal – The standard dev trait; requires the most XP to earn upgrades and offers no special abilities.
- Star – Grants faster progression and unlocks more potential for skill upgrades.
- Superstar – Allows the player to equip Superstar abilities and progress even faster.
- X-Factor – The rarest tier, unlocking both Superstar and X-Factor abilities along with elite growth.
Most rookies start at Normal or Star, but a handful enter the league as Superstars. This means they’ll require fewer XP points to earn skill upgrades and can impact games sooner. If a rookie isn’t listed here, they start with Normal development.
See also: Madden 26 Franchise Mode Relocate Team Guide – All Cities & Logos
All Madden NFL 26 Rookie Dev Traits – Superstar Players List
Only four rookies in Madden NFL 26 launch with Superstar development traits, making them extremely valuable in Franchise Mode:
- Travis Hunter – CB, Jaguars
- Ashton Jeanty – HB, Raiders
- Tetairoa McMillan – WR, Panthers
- Abdul Carter – EDGE, Giants
These Superstars require less XP to level up, can equip elite abilities from the start, and are ideal as long-term building blocks.
Full Rookie Dev Trait List by Team
Below is every rookie in Madden NFL 26 with Star or Superstar development, sorted by team. If a player isn’t listed, they start with Normal development.
Arizona Cardinals
- DT Walter Nolen – Star
- CB Will Johnson – Star
- EDGE Jordan Burch – Star
Atlanta Falcons
- EDGE Jalon Walker – Star
- EDGE James Pearce Jr. – Star
- SS Xavier Watts – Star
Baltimore Ravens
- FS Malaki Starks – Star
- EDGE Mike Green – Star
- RT Emory Jones Jr. – Star
Buffalo Bills
- CB Maxwell Hairston – Star
- DT T.J. Sanders – Star
- EDGE Landon Jackson – Star
Carolina Panthers
- WR Tetairoa McMillan – Superstar
- EDGE Nic Scourton – Star
- EDGE Princely Umanmielen – Star
- WR Jimmy Horn Jr. – Star
Chicago Bears
- TE Colston Loveland – Star
- WR Luther Burden III – Star
- LT Ozzy Trapilo – Star
- DT Shemar Turner – Star
See also: How to Install Madden 26 from MVP Bundle on PS5 and Xbox [Step-by-Step Guide]
Cincinnati Bengals
- EDGE Shemar Stewart – Star
- LB Demetrius Knight Jr. – Star
- LG Dylan Fairchild – Star
Cleveland Browns
- DT Mason Graham – Star
- MLB Carson Schwesinger – Star
- HB Quinshon Judkins – Star
- HB Dylan Sampson – Star
Dallas Cowboys
- RG Tyler Booker – Star
- EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaka – Star
- CB Shavon Revel Jr. – Star
Denver Broncos
- CB Jahdae Barron – Star
- HB RJ Harvey – Star
- WR Pat Bryant – Star
- DT Sai’vion Jones – Star
Detroit Lions
- DT Tyleik Williams – Star
- C Tate Ratledge – Star
- WR Isaac TeSlaa – Star
Green Bay Packers
- WR Matthew Golden – Star
- LT Anthony Belton – Star
- WR Savion Williams – Star
Houston Texans
- WR Jayden Higgins – Star
- LT Aireontae Ersery – Star
- WR Jaylin Noel – Star
Indianapolis Colts
- TE Tyler Warren – Star
- EDGE JT Tuimoloau – Star
Jacksonville Jaguars
- CB Travis Hunter – Superstar
- FS Caleb Ransaw – Star
- RG Wyatt Milum – Star
- HB Bhayshul Tuten – Star
- LB Jack Kiser – Star
Kansas City Chiefs
- LT Josh Simmons – Star
- EDGE Ashton Gillotte – Star
- CB Nohl Williams – Star
Los Angeles Chargers
- HB Omarion Hampton – Star
- WR Tre Harris – Star
- TE Oronde Gadsden II – Star
Los Angeles Rams
- EDGE Josaiah Stewart – Star
- DT Ty Hamilton – Star
Las Vegas Raiders
- HB Ashton Jeanty – Superstar
- WR Jack Bech – Star
- CB Darien Porter – Star
- RG Caleb Rodgers – Star
- LT Charles Grant – Star
- WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. – Star
Miami Dolphins
- DT Kenneth Grant – Star
Minnesota Vikings
- LG Donovan Jackson – Star
- WR Tai Felton – Star
New England Patriots
- LT Will Campbell – Star
- HB TreVeyon Henderson – Star
- WR Kyle Williams – Star
- C Jared Wilson – Star
- DT Joshua Farmer – Star
New Orleans Saints
- RT Kelvin Banks Jr. – Star
- SS Jonas Sanker – Star
- LB Danny Stutsman – Star
- CB Quincy Riley – Star
New York Giants
- EDGE Abdul Carter – Superstar
- DT Darius Alexander – Star
- HB Cam Skattebo – Star
New York Jets
- RT Armand Membou – Star
- CB Azareye’h Thomas – Star
- WR Arian Smith – Star
Philadelphia Eagles
- LB Jihaad Campbell – Star
- FS Andrew Mukuba – Star
Pittsburgh Steelers
- DT Derrick Harmon – Star
- HB Kaleb Johnson – Star
- EDGE Jack Sawyer – Star
San Francisco 49ers
- EDGE Mykel Williams – Star
- DT Alfred Collins – Star
- LB Nick Martin – Star
- HB Jordan James – Star
- WR Jordan Watkins – Star
Seattle Seahawks
- LG Gray Zabel – Star
- SS Nick Emmanwori – Star
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- WR Emeka Egbuka – Star
- CB Benjamin Morrison – Star
- CB Jacob Parrish – Star
Tennessee Titans
- QB Cam Ward – Star
- EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo – Star
- SS Kevin Winston Jr. – Star
- TE Gunnar Helm – Star
- WR Chimere Dike – Star
Washington Commanders
- RT Josh Conerly Jr. – Star
- CB Trey Amos – Star
Why Madden NFL 26 Rookie Dev Traits Are Important in Franchise Mode
In Franchise Mode, development traits are more than just labels. They directly impact how quickly your rookies earn skill points and whether they can equip powerful abilities.
- Star rookies can grow into elite starters more quickly.
- Superstar rookies are rare building blocks who can shape your offense or defense from day one.
- While X-Factor is the top tier in Madden, no rookies in Madden NFL 26 start with it at launch.
For maximum roster value, target Superstars first, then build depth with Star rookies who match your positional needs and scheme fit.
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Most rookies in Madden NFL 26 will enter the league with Star development, and only four players have the coveted Superstar status. Whether you’re running a rebuild or fine-tuning a championship roster, focusing on these high-dev rookies can be the difference between a long grind and a quick rise to dominance. Play Now!