Top 5 Scouting Tips

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.