Strategy With DEs

[kdeezy]

I do a fantasy draft and never pick a DE. I pick Manny Lawson and another fast LB after my starting LBs. Then move them to DE. They are in the 90s OVR. With work they can become good at stopping the run as well.

[Chris0]

After strength work their OK, but lesser rated DEs seem to be more effective at the line than 99ovr DEs after being rated mid 80s OLBs.

[Demonical]

I never do my Chise with a Fantasy Draft, but when doing the College Draft, if I need a DE I will check the OLB's for those tweener guys that are 6'4" 260 (or so) and have 4.5 range Spd with Reps in the 25+ range.
Those guys are excellent to draft and move to DE.

There is not always this type of player available, but I have found some real steals. I got one guy that was 6'7" 279 and was a LOLB. He had 4.55 Spd and 28 Reps on the bench. I drafted him specifically to use at DE and he was a beast... but I erased that Chise...

Also depending on what your roster looks like set your Base Defense with Balanced or Run Stopping DE's and put those tweener size DE's into your Nickel, Dime, Quarter packages.

Like with the Chargers I keep Olshansky at RE and Castillo at LE and if I can find the tweener OLB/DE then I use the Coach Options/Substitutions and put these "rush" Ends into the Pass Defense's.


EDIT:
Oh yea, the other thing about using your Coach Sub option is that by using Balanced DE's in the base sets and the Rush/tweener type DE's in the Passing Defenses, you gain valuable experience with all your DE's and not just loading it all up on your starter.

You should do this with your DT's as well. Meaning if you have RUN STUFFERS and PASS RUSHERS. Use em in the Defensive sets that match their attributes/skills.