Best DE's are drafted as LB's / What else??

[JoeCorrado]

I don't even bother looking at the Defensive Ends anymore at draft time. Instead I look for a LB with speed of 70+ (about a 4.65 or better) and strength of 75+ (for a LB that is about 24 reps) - After that I look for good awareness (interview). The ACC and AGI will be fine in most cases.

Draft the LB... many times as a third rounder or later (OVR usually mid 70's) and be sure that he is an EXTRA at the position (already have full compliment of LB's on roster) - After signing him for a long term deal, go to edit player and change his position to DE.

I drafted a MLB, 77 OVR and he translated to a 92 OVR at DE. As a rookie, before playing a single down or training camp. - I figure that one draft choice saved me about $30 million over 7 years.

HB ==>> FB works out well too. Usually have to catch the right guy off FA or trade for a 3rd string guy who has some blocking ability. 87+ speed, 70+ catch and high for PB/RB... the blocking ability goes up fairly quick... over course of 1st season.


=== What other positions have you had luck with? -

[Cannon]

OLB to MLB was fine, I guess that is a no brainer. Haven't tried it yet but slower corner with decent tackle probably makes a decent FS. (wouldn't be saving too much coin however).

How about FB to TE . . . can probably save some money there.

[Coach Stag]

Actually the DE's are much better this year.

Mathias Kiwanuka was an 86 OVR!!! I use NCAA drafts, but even the MGD's have some studs. Even if you end up with a 76 OVR in the 1st round you can go to the CHase and Tackle or the O-line/D-line drill and amp up.

[DraftMaster]

The trouble with converting linebackers to DE is thier weight. most are in the 240 and need to be at least 265 to not get pushed around all day.

i mkae sure my backers have 85+ speed and either upper 80s tackle or aware and mid 70s str they porgress well like that i get good quality into the 6th round

really strong DE's are excellenct their weight is mostly 290+ and hanve good tackle and aware and are quicker than drafted DT, they convert well to DT

centers to other ol does well too

[kinghts#58]

How do you change the position of these players?

[Cannon]

Go into roster --> manage player --> edit --> then toggle the players position to the new desired position.

[MaddenPlayer]

I found TE to FB works great. I used Steve Heiden of the Browns as an example. Not sure of his exact overall but it is in the low-mid 70's and I think it goes up to 84.

[Cannon]

I just moved a WR to FS and he kept most (if not all) of his AWR. He has a great catch (78) but crappy tackle (31). I'm hoping this will improve.

[Chomppig]

My D in my franchise is a 3-4 and I have had alot of luck with turnning fast DEs into OLB. For DEs I use either DTs or the bigger DEs. For my NG I just look for the biggest, strongest dude I can find.

[TheMeat]

As far as the LB-->DL conversion, you're right about most things but the AWR. A LB projected in the lower rounds has lets say a 75 OVR. For linebackers AWR means a lot, so if the linebacker has a 75 OVR and decent AWR, it means he doesn't have much in other stats or he'd be 80+, I look for the LB's in the late rounds with at least amazing tackle on rookie report, tackle is the most important for a good DL, STr at 80+(25reps+) is the second most important, and then SPD 80+, but I really look for guys that have a low interview score, because a low AWR does not hurt DL very much, so if a LB has a low AWR and is 75 OVR, it means the rest of his stats are likely pretty good, so when you convert him to DL and AWR doesn't matter much he goes through the roof. I've had a rookie LB go to a 97 OVR LE in madden05, so far in 06 I've had a 93, none higher. So to recap, check TAK, check STR, then look for low AWR.

The greatest part of all is that these guys will play like beasts, get a bunch of progression in AWR, and then when they're 7 yr contract runs out and they're asking for 9mil a season, switch em back to LB, where they'll now be pretty decent (usually 90+ if they have decent speed), sign en up for a couple years at a decent rate for a LB, and you can avoid having to play rookie LB's at all.

Once a receiver starts dipping in SPD, you can switch them to CB, since tackle doesn't matter much, and the WR will have awesome JMP, CTH and AWR, my friend played Stallworth at CB from 31yrs old till 33 yrs old, and he was a monster out there.

DB's can make good linebackers, but not always as their TAK is usually ****e. HB's can make good FB's but only if STR=80+ and PBK/RBK= 50+. TE's make kick *** FB's almost every time. Most LT/RT go up if you move them to RG/LG, so it's better to take a tackle then a guard if they're projected equally.

[Precarious42]

I've taken old CB's and switched them to safety spots. Take a 32+ year old CB and switch him to safety. Great awr, 85+ spd is fine. Plus most have great cth. I've also tried switching some strong DE's to DT. You end up with a DT who is a bit smaller but is quicker and has 65 spd. Can be great at times, depends on what type of D you run.

[Busdriver]

When I go into change a player's position, it is always greyed out & won't let me change it.

Can you only do this during preseason?