Madden NFL 10: Mapping out your Drafts - Strategy Guide

Strategy Guide

Madden NFL 10: Mapping out your Drafts

Submitted on: 01/06/2010 by AskMadden

This year Madden features 30 pre-made draft classes for franchise mode. The draft class that is assigned to your franchise is randomly generated when advancing from the preseason to the regular season. This means that you can map out your franchise and decide what draft classes you want simply by saving and re-loading before the regular season until you get the desired draft class. Most "sim" players may not prefer this method, but for those of us who pit our franchises against our friends’ franchises, it helps to map out and maximize your roster.

To provide an example, I will go over my preferred top two draft classes, which should really help set up the future of your own franchise. To make things easy, most people sort draft classes by the top-rated QB from each class. These two classes are known as the Cooper Reno draft and the Kris Steven-Baker draft. Complete lists of the best players in all 30 drafts have been made by a few dedicated people and can be found by via the all-powerful Google.

The Game Plan

Madden only allows a maximum of 10 draft picks per year in franchise mode. It is a good idea to make a few trades so you can bring up to 10 picks into the draft with you. Formulate a game plan for your 10 players you hope to acquire and plan to draft them a little bit before their projected round. Here is my game plan:

But first, here is the format for how the players below will be described:

Format
Position
Player
(Projected round)
Info about player
(OVR rating)

Note: (All players have “A” potential).

Cooper Reno Draft

All 10 players I hope to acquire in this draft are usually selected within the first four rounds. This means I have to stockpile high draft picks. The best way to usually do this is by trading away older players with high overall ratings (but be careful of cap penalties).

QB- Darius Pryor (2nd) 88 trucking and 85 speed as a QB. (77 OVR)

FB- J.R. Meyers (3rd) The next Mike Alstott, a monster. (81 OVR)

WR- Jamelle Lucas (2nd/3rd) Anquan Boldin trucking ability as a WR. (79 OVR)

TE- Karron Cousins (1st) WR speed from the TE position. (82 OVR)

LG- Trae Harris (3rd) Monster in the run game. (84 OVR)

C- Travis Adams (3rd/4th) All around center, think Kevin Mawae. (82 OVR)

MLB- Dexter Foley (2nd) In a Jon Beason mold. (83 OVR)

ROLB- Wendell Tarver (2nd) 90 speed, good coverage ratings. (78 OVR)

ROLB- Domisa Bomani (1st) May convert to DE, 86 speed. (79 OVR)

SS- J.J. Collins (1st) One of the next great safeties. (83 OVR)

Kris Steven-Baker Draft

This draft is very special and not a single player needs to be drafted in the first round. This means I do not have to trade away a lot of great talent to acquire high draft picks. Most importantly, these players will not be asking for a lot of money because they are mid- to late-round draft picks.

TE- Darius Davis (7th) All around TE, Tony Gonzalez like. (79 OVR)

LG- Mike Franklin (5th) Above average LG, will progress nicely. (77 OVR)

C- Charles McGriffin (6th) Great at everything, does it all. (84 OVR)

RG- Anderson Copper (4th) Another solid lineman. (81 OVR)

RT- Kameel Adams (4th) Run on great linemen continues. (81 OVR)

LE- Vonteego Cross (2nd) 82 speed, 87 strength. (84 OVR)

LOLB- Keron Drovin (4th) May be moved inside, 81 speed. (83 OVR)

MLB- Jahmar Sweeley (3rd) 90 speed, Patrick Willis 2.0. (79 OVR)

CB- Quan Henry (2nd) Key to this draft, lockdown corner. (85 OVR)

SS- Moe Biggers (Undrafted/7th) Big hitter, 24 years old. (82 OVR)

Recap

On the offensive side of the ball, I have a complete O-line, QB of the future, a monster FB, a great talent at WR and two solid TE prospects. On the defensive side of the ball, I have a complete linebacking core, three starters in the secondary (including one of the best lockdown corners the game has to offer) and at least one, maybe two, dominant defensive linemen. All of this is done in only two drafts. The future of this team looks bright!

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Member Comments

# 1 RZZ @ 01/06/10 03:59 PM

I saw this and had to register and comment cuz i used to do this is august/sept.
I used to try to get the Joe Kain draft class first and draft Kain and next year i would try to get a good realistic left tackle and so on.But i always started with Kain.I was hoping i could play some franchise mode in desember but it's hella boring with this stat issue.I would though recommend the developers to work together on ratings in draft classes and find the best balance because there were too many good players in each draft, it was too easy to see who was good and who wasn't and if you played franchise for couple of years the league would be crowded with good players.Next time have players in 1st round that are rated 80+ with C or even D potential and of course have the potential hidden.

# 2 Coach Bryant @ 01/07/10 09:25 AM

Thanks! Good read.

# 3 TreFacTor @ 01/07/10 09:32 AM

The only draft planning you need is for Quarterbacks! The rest all you need is to draft the fastest player. I am in the 6th franchise year, have 101 million in cap room by not resigning any of my high profile high contract players. My team is almost entirely comprised of computer generated drafted players.

Eagles franchise year 6

QB drafted to take McNabbs place rated 71 overall (under 60 DPA above 80 short acc, and me acc) 41 TD 23 int rookie season

2 running backs rated below 60 but blazing speed, (each had over 10 TD each season)

Offensive line 4 drafted players all rated under 60 (bench press above 30 when drafted) I take 4 or 5 sacks a game, but that's just the game of Madden.

4 wide receivers all rated under 60 (speed above 94, one made the pro bowl as a returner.)

4 corners all above 6ft rated under 60 (drafted because of height and 4.25 speed)

6 linebackers average rating 63 (all drafted for speed)

LDE rated under 60 with 86 speed (Made the pro bowl with 18 sacks in rookie year)

Kicker and punter rated 99 KP (never had a kick returned or punt returned)

Undefeated every year to the super bowl. I would win every super bowl, but I hate playing the Pats every year. The last super bowl I played was at the end of season 5 and that is because the Texans represented the AFC.

My point is that you don't have to go after the highest rate player in the draft in Madden 10, The only position that needs real consideration is QB, the rest you can draft either by 40 time, or bench press reps for O line, and speed and strength for D line.

# 4 Macc24JR @ 01/07/10 07:02 PM

I know 100% that if I were to run a franchise in Madden I'd be uploading my draft classes from NCAA. Wouldn't you guys just rather play with the real players than fake generated guys?

# 5 TreFacTor @ 01/07/10 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloodMeridian


	Not everyone plays on Rookie

I have played with all of the difficulties, even the My IQ, and got my IQ up to 800 (above All Madden). The facts are still the same on any level in Madden , other than the QB position, speed is the only attribute that matters. I have since been playing on all pro simply because of the absurd number of fumbles that occur on All Madden or higher, and the high number of season ending injuries.

I wasn't trying to insult anyone with my response, just offering another objective view, so your snide remarks are for the most part unwarranted. Keep them to yourself next time.

# 6 jyoung @ 01/08/10 04:21 AM

If you're taking 4 to 5 sacks per game, then speed clearly is not all that matters.

Get a real offensive line and you will rarely get pressured, much less sacked.

The same is true for all other positions in Madden aside from maybe RB and WR, but even with those positions, you have to have attributes to go with that speed to be successful.

# 7 TCUFan96 @ 01/08/10 07:08 PM

This is great!!! I was playing and the browns drafted Cooper Reno

# 8 Foxtrot2873 @ 01/08/10 08:22 PM

I used to follow these things. But I'm starting to seriously regret learning these players. Because by season 3 or 4, I've got so many A potential players, its ridiculous. I've the best if not close to the best players at every position, and thus its boring.

I play with the broncos pretty much everytime, and i tend to enjoy the first season where I am forced to work with a few good players. A strong WR, but a QB that can't throw farther then 10 yrds. A great LT, but aging interior. A young running back. Every position could be upgraded, aside from maybe Clady, Dawkins, and Bailey.

# 9 Truistwon @ 01/08/10 09:44 PM

This is an alright post. It's nice to know exactly who you want to draft. That said, I wouldn't use this because as some people have said it makes things too easy. I do a good enough job scouting and drafting without knowing the overalls before I get the players. I love finding a guy in the late rounds who turns out to be a stud. Back on Madden '08 I found a WR named Eubanks in the 7th who came in with 98 speed. He started out as a return man and became a superstar.

# 10 slimdagreat @ 01/11/10 04:16 PM

this might be a noob question since I usually use NCAA rosters, but are the players names always the same in these drafts, or are they randomly generated everytime?

# 11 Macc24JR @ 01/14/10 03:47 PM

Does anyone know if you can upload a NCAA draft class to an online league in Madden?

# 12 Scott @ 01/14/10 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macc24JR


	Does anyone know if you can upload a NCAA draft class to an online league in Madden?

negative.

# 13 Macc24JR @ 01/14/10 04:07 PM

Not at all? Even if it's done offline and then uploaded to an online franchise?

# 14 Bballplaya72 @ 01/14/10 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMChrisS


	This year Madden features 30 pre-made draft classes for franchise mode. The draft class that is assigned to your franchise is randomly generated when advancing from the preseason to the regular season. This means that you can map out your franchise and decide what draft classes you want simply by saving and re-loading before the regular season until you get the desired draft class. Most "sim" players may not prefer this method, but for those of us who pit our franchises against our friends� franchises, it helps to map out and maximize your roster. To provide an example, I will go over my preferred top two draft classes, which should really help set up the future of your own franchise. To make things easy, most people sort draft classes by the top-rated QB from each class. These two classes are known as the Cooper Reno draft and the Kris Steven-Baker draft. Complete lists of the best players in all 30 drafts have been made by a few dedicated people and can be found by via the all-powerful Google. Read More - Madden NFL 10: Mapping out your Drafts

What is that crap?

First you write an article about moving Derrick Brooks to SS, now you have an article advocating reloading draft classes?

Wow. I thought this was a sim-oriented forum.

# 15 Macc24JR @ 01/15/10 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloodMeridian


	I could care less really. I like realism but I don't like playing a game with numbered players if you know what I mean. EDIT: Also I remember in previous years if you imported the class and then exited and imported the class again the ratings and draft order would be different everytime.....as it it were randomized.....

What do you mean? We've got full names every guy named on our rosters....

# 16 GlennN @ 01/15/10 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimdagreat


	this might be a noob question since I usually use NCAA rosters, but are the players names always the same in these drafts, or are they randomly generated everytime?

Names, attributes, everything always the same. The whole draft class (all of the draft classes) are entirely premade. Nothing is random. This is either great or terrible, depending on your bent (I go the "terrible" way).

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