Choosing a Path

No matter what role you want to play in Connected Franchise Mode this season, the first thing you need to do is to select a team. Check the lists in this chapter to find teams that fit into different categories and match your play style. You can always choose your favorite team, which is a great way to play, no matter what their ratings.

• Player: Selecting a player allows you to focus on controlling just one player. You choose the team you want to play on and focus on earning XP to upgrade your ratings. You can choose an active player or create your own. When creating your own you start as a rookie and choose your position, player type, and backstory.

• Coach: Playing as a coach gives you control over your entire team and allows you to sign, trade, and draft players. You will be responsible for offense and defense as you look to earn XP and progress and develop your players. Players can choose an active coach and take over their default traits, or they can create their own coach, which starts you as a rookie coach and allows you to choose your team.

• Owner: For players who want to control every aspect of their franchise, playing as an owner is the only way to go. Owners get to set all the prices off the field and still manage and coach the team on it. You can continue the legacy of a current owner or create a new one and start as a rookie. Creating a new owner allows you to choose a backstory that will affect your finances, team happiness, and fan happiness.

Create-a-Player Position Types

Offense

• Balanced QB• Pocket Passer QB• Strong Arm QB• Mobile QB• West Coast QB• Balanced HB• Speed HB• Power Back HB• One-Cut HB• Receiving HB• Balanced WR• Speed WR• Route Runner WR• Red Zone Threat WR• Possession WR• Balanced TE• Receiving TE• Vertical Threat TE

Defense

• Balanced LE• Balanced RE• Speed Rush LE• Speed Rush RE• Balanced DT• Pass-Rushing DT• Prototype DT• Balanced MLB• 3-4 Tackler MLB• Prototype MLB• Cover 2 MLB • Balanced LOLB• Balanced ROLB• 3-4 Pass Rusher LOLB• 3-4 Pass Rusher ROLB• Prototype LOLB• Prototype ROLB• Cover 2 LOLB• Cover 2 ROLB• Balanced CB• Man-to-Man CB• Prototype CB• Press Run Support CB• Zone CB• Balanced FS• Balanced SS• Playmaker FS• Playmaker SS• Prototype FS• Prototype SS• Run Support FS• Run Support SS

TOP 5 Position Types

Choosing a player can be an exciting way to experience Connected Franchise Mode. While it may be hard to compete against other humans who are controlling all aspects of their team, it can certainly be fun. It doesn’t take as much planning week to week, and you can build up your player quickly since you are focusing mainly on him. Keeping in mind some of the gameplay features this season, here are our top recommendations for crafting player types.

Route Runner WR

Good Route Running

Good Agility

Decent Speed

Decent Acceleration

Poor Jumping

Poor Size

Player Example: Odell Beckham Jr., Giants

Man-to-man defense is much tighter this year and will require a wide receiver with good route running to shake loose. Make sure to master the new run after catch (RAC) option, which will turn those short slants and drags into potential huge gains downfield. Until you boost your player’s Catch in Traffic rating, work on the conservative catch on plays in traffic over the middle or near the sideline. Use the conservative catch to protect those crucial third-down catches and become your QB’s go-to option on clutch downs.

Strong Arm QB

Great Arm Strength

Good Deep Accuracy

Poor Short Accuracy

Poor Medium Accuracy

Decent Awareness

Player Example: Matthew Stafford, Lions

Going downfield in Madden NFL 16 is completely different with a receiver who has the ability to get up for an aggressive catch. Passing accuracy is also very important, so a QB with a strong arm can really deliver some explosive plays. Make sure to use the new shot plays and rollouts to give your QB extra time for routes to develop downfield. Focus on building up short and medium accuracy for the long term. Consider a West Coast QB if you enjoy rollout plays, but be wary of going downfield until you upgrade his throwing power.

Receiving HB

Good Catching

Good Agility

OK Route Running

Decent Awareness

Poor Trucking

Poor Vision

Player Example: Shane Vereen, Giants

Catching the ball is more fun this year, and having a reliable option out of the backfield makes everything better. Work on your elusiveness to break more tackles in the open field. If you want a more balanced player who can be a threat in the running game, go with a speedy HB and upgrade his catching. Master the patience of a screen pass and waiting for your blockers to get out in front before accelerating.

Playmaker FS

Good Speed

Good Acceleration

Good Play Recognition

Decent Man Coverage

Decent Tackling

Decent Zone Coverage

Player Example: Eric Weddle, Chargers

Defenders in Madden NFL 16 now have tools to go up and attack the ball at the highest point too. Learn how to judge the timing of whether to play ball or to play man and you will really benefit your overall defense. Develop your zone coverage to help knock out passes when playing defenses like Cover 2 man and Cover 2 zone. Pass rushing is as fun as ever, so if you aren’t comfortable controlling a safety, go for a pass rusher, depending on what scheme your team runs.

Red Zone Threat WR

Good Catch in Traffic

Good Jumping

Good Spectacular Catch

Decent Speed

Decent Catching

Decent Agility

Player Example: Mike Evans, Buccaneers

With all the new catch mechanics in Madden NFL 16, no player benefits more than a big tall WR who can go up and make aggressive catches. If you focus on the Catch in Traffic rating, your player will be a favorite target of QBs even when seemingly covered. The timing should be easy to learn, and by holding the new aggressive catch buttons, you should see some spectacular catches and great WR/DB interaction. Consider a possession WR if you want to be slightly more balanced and like to work the sideline and middle of the field on routes.