Scouting in Franchise mode is something you should never ignore, especially if you plan on taking your team all the way. Even if you choose a “win now” team, there’s no guarantee you won’t suffer some roster-crippling injuries along the way. Scouting is available at the start of week 3 in the regular season. This is a good time to get started, but don’t use all of your points on one player right away as things can happen that will change your mind on what you’re looking for in your roster. Do a little bit of scouting each week and use your coaching abilities to gain an even better eye for scouting.
Young players are incredibly more trainable this season, so scouting the right talent for your roster is crucial.
Scouting Guide by Position
| Offense | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Unlock | Pocket QB | Mobile QB | Speed Back | Power HB | Balanced WR | Speed/Route Runner WR | Red Zone WR | TE | OL | K/P |
| A- | Throw Power | Throw Accuracy Short | Elusiveness | Trucking | Route Running | Route Running | Catch in Traffic | Catch in Traffic | Pass Block | Kick Power |
| B+ | Throw Accuracy Deep | Throw On Run | Catching | Vall Carrier Vision | Catch in Traffic | Catch in Traffic | Spectacular Catch | Spectacular Catch | Run Block | Kick Accuracy |
| B- | Throw Accuracy Short | Throw Power | Ball Carrier Vision | Carrying | Spectacular Catch | Release | Release | Run Block | ||
| Unlock More | Consistency | Consistency | Juke Move | Spin Move | Release | Spectacular Catch | Route Running | Catching | Toughness | Awareness |
| Throw On Run | Throw Deep | Spin Move | Stiff Arm | Catching | Catching | Catching | Route Running | Impact Block | ||
| Stiff Arm | Juke Move | Kick Return | Kick Return | Kick Return | ||||||
| Defense | ||||||||||
| Good Unlock | 3-4 Run Stopper | Speed Rusher | DT | 3-4 OLB | 4-3 OLB | MLB | Man CB | Zone CB | Coverage Safety | Hard-Hitting Safety |
| A- | Block Shedding | Power Moves | Block Shedding | Power Moves | Hit Power | Tackle | Man Coverage | Zone Coverage | Zone Coverage | Hit Power |
| B+ | Power Moves | Finesse Moves | Power Moves | Hit Power | Zone Coverage | Hit Power | Press | Man Coverage | Hit Power | Zone Coverage |
| B- | Hit Power | Zone Coverage | Man Coverage | Zone Coverage | Zone Coverage | Press | Play Recognition | Play Recognition | ||
| Unlock More | Hit Power | Pursuit | Tackle | Pursuit | Pursuit | Pursuit | Catching | Catching | Pursuit | Pursuit |
| Tackle Pursuit | Tackle | Pursuit | Tackle | Tackle | Catching | Kick Return | Kick Return | Catching | Catching | |
team 5
One Skill at a Time
Showing all three skills for the players you might be interested in is nice, but it’s important to use your scouting points for only one skill at the start before re-evaluating. Unlocking the first skill might show you a skill that your roster is not lacking… yet. There’s always the possibility that you may need it later, but you just cannot know that until the time comes. Taking your time each week and evaluating the pool in a wide spread is always wise.
team 4
Consistency is Key
Use your points each week if you don’t want to lose them. Coaches have some excellent perks for scouting, but they mean nothing unless you use their points each week. The best strategy for the next season is to start thinking about it this season. Yes, you want to make your current season your primary focus, but neglecting the future can create some serious problems.
team 3
Take Advantage of the Combine
The Combine is one of the features of the draft that can show you what a player can really do. Picking the right players for the job and those who fit the holes in your roster is more important than anything, but sometimes a player with raw talent can fill any gap or at least make what you already have even better. The Combine doesn’t happen until a few weeks after the Super Bowl, so you have plenty of time to do your scouting and figure out exactly what you’re looking for. Often this event shows you what sort of bonus skills you might get out of these players and could sway your decision on a close call between a few options.
team 2
Fit Your Scheme
You never know exactly how a player will perform throughout his first season in the league, which can make choosing your draft picks rather difficult. What you do know is which scheme you want to set up for next season or the one you have already established and want to build upon. Often you are forced to make a decision on two or more different players with a comparable Overall rating, but with slightly different skill sets. Choose the guy who best fits your scheme because this is, after all, a team sport; your team working well as a whole has far more value than focusing on a rookie and trying to turn him into a superstar.
team 1
Organize Your Draft
The draft can be overwhelming and stress out even the calmest players. There’s a lot to keep track of and missing out on a player you really needed but wasn’t at the forefront of your mind can be extremely discouraging. Tag the players you want and make sure you can find them quickly and snag them as fast as you can. You’re on a timer, so being prepared before your turn comes around again is where the tag feature really comes into play. If you can get to your tagged players, making the decision to take them should be easy. Having a plan and staying organized is at the top of this list because no matter how much planning and preparing you do, if you’re not organized and run out of time on your turn, your planning has all just been for nothing. You must do your homeworkw if you’re planning to take your team all the way next season.