Hey, Madden fans! The AKA program had its final release last week. It featured some of the NFL's most iconic players and the MUT dev team delivered some of the most creative and unique card art we've ever seen in Madden.
Now that all the AKA players have been released, you can choose any AKA player to add to your team by completing all of the AKA challenges. Since so many members of the MUT.GG community have been asking who they should pick, we decided to focus our top 10 list this week on the AKA program.
Top 10 AKA Players in MUT 23
1. 94 OVR Big Play Slay (Darius Slay, CB)
If you're trying to decide which free AKA player to take from the solo challenges reward, Big Play Slay is probably the right choice. He has 93 speed, 94 man coverage, 94 zone coverage, 94 press, and a surprising 88 hit power for a CB. As you add better CBs to your squad, you can just slide him down the depth chart, so he should last a while on most teams. He can equip Acrobat for 2 AP, Pick Artist for 1 AP, and his AKA X-Factor is interesting as well. For 2 AP, Slay gets his own version of Universal Coverage that activates every 11 plays and lasts for 4 downs. It might be one of the few AKA X-Factors that are worth running.
2. 93 OVR CJ2K (Chris Johnson, HB)
Even though this item has been out for almost a month, CJ2K is still one of MUT's most elusive backs. He has 93 speed, 96 acceleration, 94 agility, 94 change of direction, and 92 break tackle. He has respectable receiver ratings for an HB, and because he can equip Short In Elite for just 1 AP, CJ2K can be a force in any offense that targets the HB through the air. If your scheme is more run-heavy, you could go with either Evasive or Human Joystick for 1 AP instead. Keep in mind that Human Joystick is a lot more impactful on last-gen than next-gen consoles for some reason.
3. 93 OVR Weapon X (Brian Dawkins, FS)
Weapon X is a MUT fan favorite every year and for good reason. He has 92 speed, 94 zone coverage, 94 hit power, and 94 pursuit. As of yesterday, Dawkins became even more valuable, because he is now eligible to play Sub Linebacker as a Free Safety. It's probably the best move to take advantage of Enforcer for 0 AP, but it might make sense to equip either Crusher or Pick Artist for 1 AP, depending on your defensive scheme.
4. 94 OVR Goat (Tom Brady, QB)
If you're newer to MUT and you need a QB that will last you a while, it might not be a bad idea to pick the Goat as your AKA solo challenges reward. While we believe Elway and Rodgers are both better MUT quarterbacks, Brady will still get the job done. You should take advantage of Set Feet Lead for 2 AP on Brady. From there, it's your choice between Fearless for 2 AP, Gunslinger for 1 AP (if you're not a fan of his normal release animation), or Hot Route Master for 2 AP. It's probably not worth spending the AP to run any of his AKA X-Factors (Omaha for 8 AP, Pro Reads for 3 AP, or Selfless for 7 AP). Selfless might make sense in the right circ*mstances, but we just don't feel offensive X-Factors are dominant enough to spend 7 AP to activate two of them at a regular interval.
5. 93 OVR Ochocinco (Chad Johnson, WR)
If you need a reliable WR, Ochocinco is a great option. His price has come down quite a bit since launch so he's pretty affordable as far as elite WRs go. He has 93 SPD, great route running (90 SRR, 91 MRR, and 93 DRR), 91 catching, 93 catch in traffic, and 96 spectacular catch. Ocho will probably be most impactful as your slot WR since he can equip Slot-O-Matic for just 2 AP.
6. 92 OVR The Refrigerator (Willam Perry, DT)
Even at 92 OVR, The Refrigerator is still one of the best DTs in the game. At 335 pounds, he's great at taking up space and eating blocks in the middle of the defensive line. He has 93 strength, 94 power moves, 93 hit power, 92 block shedding, and 94 impact block. He has great ability discounts too. If you're more worried about stopping the run, go for Inside Stuff for 1 AP. If you prefer generating interior pressure against opposing QBs, Double or Nothing is your best option for 1 AP as well.
7. 93 OVR Caveman (Howie Long, LE)
The Caveman is just a very well-rounded defensive end. He can get to the QB with 93 power moves and he's extremely effective against the run with 95 block shedding and 94 impact block. The most interesting aspect of Long is his Selfless X-Factor which costs 7 AP. While that's quite expensive, every 11 plays it activates your other two X-Factors on defense. You could go with two Unstoppable Force players to put immense pressure on opposing QBs or something like Avalanche or Universal Coverage to increase your chances of forcing a turnover.
8. 93 OVR Playmaker (Michael Irvin, WR)
The Playmaker was released over a month ago, but he's still a quality option for your WR corps. He has 92 speed and just about every receiver rating you look for in an elite WR at this point in the season. His best ability discount is likely WR Apprentice for 2 AP which means he will get four extra hot routes whether you line him up on the outside or in the slot.
9. 93 OVR Samurai (Mike Singletary, MLB)
We all know MLBs are essentially treated as second-class citizens by the MUT community. Since they don't get the same animations that allow you to intercept passes that safeties do (unless you spend AP for Lurker), most of us strongly prefer to just user a safety as a sub linebacker. Samurai Mike might be worth considering though. He can equip Lurker for 1 AP, and his Avalanche X-Factor for 3 AP significantly helps you force fumbles. If you end up trying this approach, leave a comment and let us know how it went for you.
10. 92 OVR Air McNair (Steve McNair, QB)
Air McNair is somewhat outdated at this point (released in late October), but he was great when he was new, and he's still a respectable budget QB. He has the Generic 3 release that a lot of MUT players like. He is mobile (88 SPD) with 93 throw power and respectable accuracy ratings (88 SAC, 90 MAC, 90 DAC). He can equip Set Feet Lead and Fearless for just 4 AP total, which is one of the most popular ability combinations in MUT right now.
Give Us Your Feedback
Who did you pick as your BND AKA player from the challenges? What would you have done differently in your top 10 AKA list and why?
Thanks as always to Hodgey and Hurc in the MUT.GG Discord Server for their analysis that led to this list. Have a great weekend!
