Connected Franchise Mode Strategy

CFM Team Rating: 84

Offensive Scheme: Power Run

Defensive Scheme: Base 3-4

Strengths: QB, HB, WR, LB, RE, LT

Weaknesses: LE, DT, FS

Offensive Scouting Report

• Invest in a quality backup QB. If Kaepernick goes down you will struggle with Colt McCoy. Use your first-round draft pick on a stud rookie QB.
• Kicker Phil Dawson is accurate with 90 KAC, but he won’t be kicking any 60-yarders with 87 KPW. Scan the free agent market for a kicker with a big leg or wait for the draft.
• Ricardo Lockette is the 49ers’ only true speed receiver. Look for speed late in your first draft.

Defensive Scouting Report

• Starting SS Donte Whitner turns 29 at the end of your first season and will hit the free agent market expecting to get paid top dollar for being one of the league’s best. Consider using him as trade bait early in your first season or look to acquire a rookie in the draft.
• RE Justin Smith becomes a free agent at the end of the first season. He is the anchor of the defense, so pay attention to beast defensive linemen in free agency and the draft.
• Rookie DE Corey Lemonier makes LOLB Ahmad Brooks or LOLB Parys Haralson expendable. If you can get good value for either player pull the trigger and start the rookie. He has a ton of upside.

Owner & Coach Profiles

Key Players

QB #7 Colin Kaepernick

• Use a playbook that has option runs to take advantage of Kaepernick’s speed.
• Air the ball out downfield to speedy WR Ricardo Lockette (96 SPD).
• Kaepernick has great athleticism but will need upgrades to his throw accuracy ratings.

MLB #52 Patrick Willis

• User-control Willis and take advantage of his 98 POW.
• Willis is the single-most dominant defender in Madden NFL 25.
• Willis has no real weakness.
• Look to upgrade his 88 AGI.

PRE-GAME Setup:

Key Running Substitution

Who: HB LaMichael James

Where: Backup HB

Why: James is one of the league’s best backup HBs. He has great speed and lateral movement. Spell Gore with James.

Key Stats: 93 SPD, 96 AGI, 97 ACC, 93 ELU

Key Passing Substitution

Who: WR Ricardo Lockette

Where: Slot WR

Why: Lockette is the 49ers’ only true speed threat. Get him in the game to stretch defenses vertically.

Key Stats: 6’2”, 96 SPD, 93 ACC, 94 JMP

Key Run Defense Substitution

Who: ROLB Corey Lemonier

Where: Starting DE

Why: Lemonier has 90 POW and 85 SPD. He is a must-start for this defense. You will be the beneficiary of hit stick fumbles courtesy of one Corey Lemonier.

Key Stats: 6’3”, 85 SPD, 90 ACC, 90 POW

Key Pass Defense Substitution

Who: CB Chris Culliver

Where: Nickel CB

Why: Culliver is a great nickel CB who can cover the faster slot WRs in the game.

Key Stats: 95 SPD, 92 JMP, 70 CTH