Most Important Positions?

[mattlanta]

Which positions do you guys think is the most important towards building a dynasty team? Quarterback is an obvious one, but what else?

I had players rated near the 'Good' skillset that retired last year. They were leaders and mentors. When they retired, I tried my best replacing them, but it doesn't seem to have worked because my team is doing pretty bad this year compared to last year's 15-3 record. So what positions do you guys try to get studs in when trying to build dynasties?

[JetsIn06]

QB, WR, WR

[RedKingGold]

Agreed with JetsIn06.

Also, according to posts made by the developer at FOFC, you might want to look for a stud DE and/or stud CB to build your defense around.

I personally believe that a SLB and MLB with great all-around ratings in all coverages is a pretty good get as well.

But, above all else, QB-WR-WR.

[mattlanta]

Oh... my best WR is rated 53, and I have three of those WRs. You guys dont think OL is that important?

[JetsIn06]

Oh... my best WR is rated 53, and I have three of those WRs. You guys dont think OL is that important?

Well, I think it may be important in a running oriented offense. But I'm pretty sure that how often your QB is sacked is mostly impacted by your QB's sense rush rating.

[primelord]

Well, I think it may be important in a running oriented offense. But I'm pretty sure that how often your QB is sacked is mostly impacted by your QB's sense rush rating.

Ben did a study on this, and while it is true that sacks are attributed to the sense rush rating, your QB will still have more hurries, bad throws and overall poorer performance if your Oline can't pass block.

[JMO]

QB, WR, WR


Can you go into more detail on why?

I'd say CB, then DE. I'd put CB first because in my experience its harder to get a great cb than any other position barring QB.

[MrDNA]

I would say QB, then CB, then it's pretty much a crap shoot. Of course, keep in mind I've never won a MP cup and only made it to the big game twice, so caveat emptor.

[JetsIn06]

Can you go into more detail on why?

I'd say CB, then DE. I'd put CB first because in my experience its harder to get a great cb than any other position barring QB.

Well, I think that the general consensus among those that know this game really well is that having two great WR's and a great QB is the best way to succeed in this game.

You can definitely win other ways, though.

[RendeR]

for myself I hav never had a good defense without a stud DT, MLB and SS. Once I have all three of those in the stud category my defense kicks ass.

On offense a superstar RB can make all the rest of the positions look that much better.

[Yoda]

Well, I think that the general consensus among those that know this game really well is that having two great WR's and a great QB is the EASIEST way to succeed in this game.

You can definitely win other ways, though.

Corrected. :D

[Subby]

The best defense is a great offense. If you have a great QB, WR1, WR2 then you are likely to build big leads. Your defense will then adjust to the inevitable passing that will commence from your opponent. If you have any reasonable talent in your secondary then you can exploit the come-from-behind offense.

[WebEwbank]

There are different priorities depending on the shape of the team you inherit or mold.

It is VERY hard to win without a good or great QB in any situation.

A dominant D with a tackling machine MLB, good CBs and good pass rushers (DE and/or WLB) can be effective when paired with a decent O.

Yes, on O it is easier to get big leads with passing-oriented teams.

O-line is key to any offense; in my mind fully as key as WRs.

[tarcone]

for myself I hav never had a good defense without a stud DT, MLB and SS. Once I have all three of those in the stud category my defense kicks ass.

On offense a superstar RB can make all the rest of the positions look that much better.

I agree on the defensive side. I definitely think SS is the most important position on defense

[DrAFTjunkie]

Interesting to see the theory differences from some of the more seasoned FOF vets. Though not tops on my list when building a team, a great kicker, to me, is invaluable.

Some other things I've come to believe that seldomly get a mention (and as a relative n00b, I'm hoping for feedback here):

QB- sense rush is the 1st thing I look for in a QB. I won't have a qb without good to great sense rush. I sort by sense rush for vets, and agil. for rooks. Also, 4Q comebacks is more than just a tiebreaker between choosing between vet QBs for me. I know it's an engine, but to me 4Q comebacks seems to say a lot about a qb and I rarely see it mentioned, nor has it been a strong selling point in trade blocks for me. To me however, it suggests intangibes that transcend just that category alone.

TE- To me, a very underrated position. I've had much more success in the passing game running a more conventional offense rather than using an excess of 4 and 5 receiver sets. In fact, I'd rather have an all-pro candidate TE than the best 3rd receiver in the league.

Special Teams- to me, is underrated in all facets. K, P, KR, PR, even gunners have been the difference-maker for me more times than I can count. It's obvious that field position is essential, but again, it's not mentioned as much as I think it should be. A couple of yards here and there throughout a game, and cumulatively over the duration of the season, to me, is huge in a game of inches.

Any thoughts?

[Hammer]

If you have a QB who can sense the rush and avoid interceptions, and have 2 good receivers you will probably end up .500+ even if the rest of the team is poor.

The pass blocking of the Offensive Line combined is about as important as the QBs sense rush bar in my opinion. The OL seems more influential in the running game I think.

I think all positions are fairly equal on D. I do tend to go with safeties first, with at least one great pass rusher and a bunch of run stuffing Linebackers. I think CBs are less important in this game, than in real life.

Having a great KR guy really helps I think. Don't care so much about PR, just as long as he doesn't fumble much. Kickers and Punters are of little importance to me. Seems to be a lot of luck involved with Kickers, often low rated guys end up at the top of the league percentages.

[Tormaz]

If you can get a WLB with very strong bars in Pass Rush Technique and Pass Rush Strength you can have a dominant pass rusher even if their overall rating is really low. This would be in the 3-4 defense.

A good example of this would be from the Historical Football League. A 47 rated WLB just had a 29 sack season. He has 2 good bars and thats it.

His other stats:
67 tackles
33 Hurries
58 QBKd

For me the most important positions are...

1- QB
2- WR
3- WR
4- WLB
5- SS

[Sgran]

1 - QB
2 - WR
3 - CB
4 - LT
5 - DE
6 - CB2

Under no circumstances would I take a running back in the first round, and once I have those top 5 slots filled I would trade down if I had a high pick in the first round.

[DrAFTjunkie]

Seems to be a lot of luck involved with Kickers, often low rated guys end up at the top of the league percentages.

A great point for newcomers, and seemingly true for many, if not all positions. Ratings are ratings, stats are stats. Ratings are a great gauge, but not the be all end all. Example: I have a 52/52 WLB who won DPOTY for me in my MP, without great pass rush bars--78 tech, 82 str., 57 diag., yet he got 18.5 sacks and 23 hurries on a .500ish team with more points for than against, i.e. not having the clock run down with the rush every game. On paper, I can name 10 better pass-rushers in my league, but it's my lower rated uy who gets it done. Players consistantly play above and below their ratings. Being aware of this has helped me exponentially, and saved me quite a bit of money on top of it.

All of that digression aside, if I can find a kicker with consistently good % (good ratings or no good ratings) I'm going to overpay. To me, nothing is worse than losing a game by 3 with 2 mssed FGs. I'd rather get my arse whooped.

Not trying to preach to the chior, just trying to get my point across. I like a good kicker.

[MIJB#19]

Example: I have a 52/52 WLB who won DPOTY for me in my MP, without great pass rush bars--78 tech, 82 str., 57 diag., yet he got 18.5 sacks and 23 hurries on a .500ish team with more points for than against, i.e. not having the clock run down with the rush every game. On paper, I can name 10 better pass-rushers in my league, but it's my lower rated uy who gets it done. Players consistantly play above and below their ratings. Being aware of this has helped me exponentially, and saved me quite a bit of money on top of it.A player with that pass rush technique and strength combo is a primary suspect to get 10+ sacks, especially the WLB on a 3-4 defense. Moreso, if you combine that type of guy with a front7 that lacks any other pass rush stars, you have an instant pass rush machine. Afterall, even crappy defenses are capable of rushing the passer with bad lines, catch the bad sense rushers or make the plays at times.

[Tormaz]

Yep. If you want to have one guy pile up sacks run a 3-4 and get a bunch of run stoppers to go with your pass rushing WLB.