Interesting but viable ways to build a franchise team

[somecoach]

I was wondering what’s the most dramatic way you’ve built out a roster to play in an online franchise. Currently, I’m building out a 12 personnel team that bases out of quads and I formation. I sub in a FB for a WR in quads (really a RB for a WR and a FB for my RB) so I can take advantage of different personnel groupings defensively. My plan is to run hurry up no huddle to keep a defensive personnel grouping on the field (the game only tells the defense the offensive personnel and formation in the menu) and force the defense to call plays that they have access to via audibles.

Here are the three core personnel groups:

[Speed] 11 personnel quads (stock) when the defense doesn’t have an edge threat pass-rusher essentially. You’re throwing against air.

[Power] 21 personnel I formation with a FB who is a Patrick Richard type OL convert. I have many audibles set up in what are essentially the same formation (all that changes are the WRs splits and which WRs are on the ball) so I have a menu of ~20 plays to pick from at the line (plus hot route master hot routes which is my #1 priority in terms of buying/training an ability.)

[Mix] 21 personnel. I sub to get a more dynamic FB in quads and depending how a team lines up I can decide to stay in it or check into an I formation play.

I think you would need to allocate 26 players to the offensive side of the ball to run an offense like this:
2 QB
4 RB
2 FB-blocking
2 FB-dynamic
5 WR
3 TE
8 OL

My WRs are home run hitters, but I think everyone wants those anyway. Balanced but athletic RBs and TEs are needed if you want to use the same players in quads as in I formation.

[Cory Levy]

I think it'd be absolutely fascinating to run a franchise with the idea of never doing the one thing every single NFL team does: pay the QB. Instead of paying a franchise QB, either draft one every four or five years, try to salvage an aging QB or try to trade for one for a short contract. By not paying the QB you could, in theory, field a more loaded team around him.



It would never happen in real life because that position is so essential to success in football but it would be a fun way to play a franchise in Madden. Especially since you're never guaranteed to be drafting high enough to grab one of the best QBs in the draft if you build your team up and they're loaded outside of signal caller.

[Falcon17000]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cory Levy

I think it'd be absolutely fascinating to run a franchise with the idea of never doing the one thing every single NFL team does: pay the QB. Instead of paying a franchise QB, either draft one every four or five years, try to salvage an aging QB or try to trade for one for a short contract. By not paying the QB you could, in theory, field a more loaded team around him. It would never happen in real life because that position is so essential to success in football but it would be a fun way to play a franchise in Madden. Especially since you're never guaranteed to be drafting high enough to grab one of the best QBs in the draft if you build your team up and they're loaded outside of signal caller.

I've been doing something like that the last couple years. My QB when drafted is a 68 overall normal dev with decent short route passing and only 88 throw power. It makes the game a lot more challenging for the most part.

[Mattanite]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cory Levy

I think it'd be absolutely fascinating to run a franchise with the idea of never doing the one thing every single NFL team does: pay the QB. Instead of paying a franchise QB, either draft one every four or five years, try to salvage an aging QB or try to trade for one for a short contract. By not paying the QB you could, in theory, field a more loaded team around him. It would never happen in real life because that position is so essential to success in football but it would be a fun way to play a franchise in Madden. Especially since you're never guaranteed to be drafting high enough to grab one of the best QBs in the draft if you build your team up and they're loaded outside of signal caller.

The step before that is a real NFL strategy - draft a QB and if you have a superstar then load up a team to capture the window of their rookie deal before you have to pay them. It's a cap management game once you pay the stud QB.

I know guys who use this strategy in user leagues (I'm the Jets for m22 so it's a strategy of mine in season 3+ once Wilson develops too).

Sadly the base XP slider is too high for QBs and gen QBs generally come with too many higher devs in the draft. If you want a more realistic QB ovr spread and not be able to just plug and play new rookie QBs all the time I'd recommend a QB XP slider between 60-70%.

[ForUntoOblivionSoar∞]

One thing I like to try is to copy the 2007 Patriots: big, athletic, but veteran defense (huge OLBs like Adalius Thomas, big DTs like Vince Wilfork), and on offense getting me a tall, generational WR, and complimenting him with some great route runners, including one other elite guy who is a slot specialist. And a Franchise QB, of course. Duplicated this with the Texans in Madden 20. Was lots of fun winning with 3-4 linebackers as big as DEs and elite but specialist WRs. Had to get rid of some awful contracts, but then I was able to build a similar team.