How to Build a Super Bowl Champion in Madden

[Splice]

Rebuilding the OL through the draft is the only way to go. You can find quick/superstar development lineman in all rounds of the draft, and get their run blocking up to 90+ within 2-3 seasons, then focus on awareness and other blocking attributes. I don't really care about pass block ratings because I user the QB anyways and my custom playbook is full of quick passes.

Having a star HB is also key. You don't need a 90+ overall halfback, but traits matter a ton with breaking tackles and establishing a productive run game. I personally draft somebody with 90+ speed, upgrade all the traits, then focus on carrying and ball carrier move attributes then awareness/ball carrier vision last just to boost overall rating.

I personally don't bother too much with WR/TE positions, because I hardly notice a difference in ratings, besides having a "star" receiver with all of the catching traits and 90+ attributes that you can just throw the ball up to when you're desperate, but that type of player isn't needed. Same thing for TE. I don't really know if it's coverage mechanics or run routing animations, but pass defense is just terrible this year. You can have a 74 speed 65 route running blocking TE get 5 yards separation on an out route against elite safeties and corners.

On the DL, I actually prefer linemen with low block shedding attributes, because I want my linebackers to get more tackles for statistics purposes. I run 4-3 and typically fill the line with fast agile pass rushers.

For the LB, I like fast backers with 80+ zone coverage and block shedding/pursuit.

For DB, it doesn't really matter, because as I said either pass coverage or run route animations just ruins everything, regardless of how good or bad your secondary is. The best thing I do for these positions is upgrade traits to get more interceptions, but I've really seen no difference since year 1 of my Saints CFM to my season now with 85+ overall safeties, a 89 CB1, 83 CB2, and 81 CB3, all with 80+ zone coverage and play recognition.

[Ruben2424]

I usually build my team through the draft with a couple of free agent additions to key positions. This year though, I picked up 3 hidden gems during the preseason of my 1st year in my Dolphins franchise. I picked up a very fast and dependable running back in Keith Marshall (released by the Redskins), TE Darren Waller (released by the Ravens, this dude is special!!! He's tall and runs like an elite receiver. His speed and acceleration is too much for any linebacker in the league. He lead my team in receiving yards, receiving TD's AND catches! His only downside is his low pass and run blocking attributes. I use him as a TE/WR hybrid so he fits my offensive scheme perfectly!), and WR Dezmin Lewis (releases by the Bills) this guy is a nightmare for any defense in the red zone. He's also a very tall/fast receiver with a high spectacular catch rating...so it's basically lob it up there and he'll go get it. Period. These 3 additions helped me get Ryan Tannehill into the Pro Bowl as well as a reaching the AFC championship game. Although I lost to the Chiefs 41-45, these 3 players shined as they did all season long. The only reason I lost the game was because of the amount of injuries on defense. We couldn't stop anything! In the off-season, I was able to sign all 3 guys to long term contracts due to their "low overall" ratings basically for free! I then focused on reloading a defense which already had a monster D-line (Williams, Phillips, Suh, Wake). I drafted a speedy linebacker who could cover with my first pick, drafted a stud CB with my second pick, and added some depth to the o-line with the later picks. I won the Super Bowl the following season. The future looks bright for this team!

[Xpider]

It's very straightforward:

1. Offensive line first and foremost, unless you're in the position to draft a potential surefire superstar QB

2. Defensive line next. If you play a 4-3, scout the 4-3 run stoppers or balanced DE. Those with decent strength can be converted into DTs.

3. Start with one good CB, then 2 good LBs for 4-3. You don't need a 3rd (he doesn't play in nickel and dime packages)

4. Get a good coverage FS. They are abundant in the draft, and CB with B+ zone coverage in the later rounds can also converted to FS. Make sure they have decent tackling and pursuit skills.

5. Avoid drafting 24-year-olds unless they are REALLY good to begin with. That is because once they hit age 26, the cost of upgrade increases substantially.


If you're starting your franchise with crap teams like Cleveland or 49ers, just do the above and your team will be dominant in 2-3 years. The CFM, unfortunately, is VERY easy once you get a hang of it. NEVER waste your early picks on HB and WR unless you run into a freak. You can sign short term FAs for those positions. I can even forgive someone for picking a TE with a late first or 2nd round pick, since a good one with decent speed and acceleration can absolutely destroy LBs and safeties covering him.

If you want a more challenging experience, do the following:

1. Disable trading altogether. CPU draft logic is atrocious. No hoarding draft picks.

2. Reduce your own salary cap. I usually keep at least 30 mil of cap space left every year. This forces me to draft well, and more importantly let some of my FAs go in later years to prevent having a stacked team.

3. Force sim at least half your games during the season.

4. No gold medal in training. Silver at most.

5. No signing FAs with rating 85 or higher. Do it the Patriots way.

Last but not least, do go lobby ball vs the AI... play sim. There's no point of playing CFM if you're gonna exploit the game.

[timhere1970]

Quote: Originally Posted by Xpider

It's very straightforward: 1. Offensive line first and foremost, unless you're in the position to draft a potential surefire superstar QB 2. Defensive line next. If you play a 4-3, scout the 4-3 run stoppers or balanced DE. Those with decent strength can be converted into DTs. 3. Start with one good CB, then 2 good LBs for 4-3. You don't need a 3rd (he doesn't play in nickel and dime packages) 4. Get a good coverage FS. They are abundant in the draft, and CB with B+ zone coverage in the later rounds can also converted to FS. Make sure they have decent tackling and pursuit skills. 5. Avoid drafting 24-year-olds unless they are REALLY good to begin with. That is because once they hit age 26, the cost of upgrade increases substantially. If you're starting your franchise with crap teams like Cleveland or 49ers, just do the above and your team will be dominant in 2-3 years. The CFM, unfortunately, is VERY easy once you get a hang of it. NEVER waste your early picks on HB and WR unless you run into a freak. You can sign short term FAs for those positions. I can even forgive someone for picking a TE with a late first or 2nd round pick, since a good one with decent speed and acceleration can absolutely destroy LBs and safeties covering him. If you want a more challenging experience, do the following: 1. Disable trading altogether. CPU draft logic is atrocious. No hoarding draft picks. 2. Reduce your own salary cap. I usually keep at least 30 mil of cap space left every year. This forces me to draft well, and more importantly let some of my FAs go in later years to prevent having a stacked team. 3. Force sim at least half your games during the season. 4. No gold medal in training. Silver at most. 5. No signing FAs with rating 85 or higher. Do it the Patriots way. Last but not least, do go lobby ball vs the AI... play sim. There's no point of playing CFM if you're gonna exploit the game.

One thing I have figured out in this year's game through a few different franchises is that ten years down the road safeties are a dime a dozen and everybidy has good ones. In Week ONE Of My curRent Season IN A FRANCHISE That Has Players IN THE 70'S STartING ThroughOut The League, Of About 25 Free Agents With overalls above 75 all but one are safeties. I have also noticed when upgrading with xp their overall goes up quickly.

[burth179]

1. A QB with a strong arm
2. Speed

That's it.

[lefty 1216]

I hope the frostbite engine will allow cheerleaders and mascots to return to the game also bring back regular franchise season cpu vs cpu game play like in Madden 12. It sure would be nice to control all 32 teams and set each ones substitution packages and watch every team play. I would like to see teams keep their substitution even if they are exported to another game mode like tournament mode.

[vrtkolman]

It's hard not to build a Superbowl champion in Madden (if you are playing offline).

[OhMrHanky]

I'm so surprised everyone is saying O-line, here. While I don't disagree with that, necessarily, we all know this has not always been the madden way. In real life, Oline is vastly important and really can make a difference. In M17, this is actually the case as well. While I didn't focus heavily on Oline, I noticed early on in my first season that one Olineman was constantly getting beat. This was causing my run game to suffer, and I was taking some sacks due to the instant pressure on any given play. Now, while this is important, u absolutely do NOT have to go hog wild on these guys and spend a fortune. I think at any point in time, all of my starters were ovr 80-85. And, that was always good enough. I'd rather spend money on wicked wr, rb, QB, AND CB. And, here again, for me, the first CFM I played with the original Falcons roster, Robert Alford was AWFUL!!! I blame him, specifically, for my failures on D. Lol. So, for me, CB is extremely important. I want 2 lockdown corners if I can afford it (which, normally I can't). So I like to have 1 ovr 90+ CB. I think those 2 areas, Oline and CB, are pretty important in madden and made a difference for my team. But, I already had Matty ice, Julio Jones, and Freeman. Lol. So, it's hard for me to talk about 'building' a team from scratch. Lol. And, I started a new CFM with the end of year roster for atl. Whoo boy!!! That D is playing like a monster now, too!!! With LOTS of young players. Dirty Bird 4 Life!!


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