In addition to numerous tweaks to the gameplay this year, Madden NFL 16 also brings a brand new game mode to players in the form of Draft Champions.
Think of this like fantasy football in bite-sized form. In Draft Champions mode, you'll start with a base team of average players — I'm usually stuck with Colt McCoy or Mark Sanchez as my default quarterback, so "average" might be charitable. From that low-rated base of talent, you'll go through 15 rounds of a shortened fantasy draft until you build your team up to respectability.
However, before that, you've got to hire a coach.
First thing you'll see in Draft Champions is a choice of three coaches. Some of them are more defensive-minded, others prefer the long ball. It's important to pick a style you're comfortable with, because the following 15 rounds will be centered around not only the best players available, but the players that best fit that coach's system.
All 15 rounds give you a choice of three players, and once you put your squad together, you'll be put through a gauntlet of three games before you emerge as the true Draft Champion.
It's a mode that hardcore football fans can obsess over as they craft their perfect team, but it also recalls card-based strategy games like Hearthstone, which helps it appeal to a whole different type of gamer.
However, putting together an NFL team is a thankless task, and there are plenty of pitfalls you need to avoid if you want to really have a shot at that illustrious digital championship. So, here's what you have to do to avoid total embarrassment in Draft Champions.
Listen To Your Coach
As I said before, it's absolutely vital to put a team together that fits your coach's philosophy. So, for example, let's say you choose Rex Ryan to be your head coach. Well, you better load up on the defense and running backs, because Ryan employs a ground-and-pound style game that puts an emphasis on running the football and a stout defense up front.
In this case, maybe a quarterback with a strong arm isn't a necessity; you might actually need more of a game manager, like Joe Flacco or Alex Smith.
On the flipside, a coach with a preference for passing the ball will work best with a roster of killer receivers and a premier passer, like a Matthew Stafford or Tom Brady.
Do Your Research
To truly master this mode, you're going to need to actually know a thing or two about football. So, do your homework. There will be times when you're presented with the choice between two mid-level wide receivers and the best left tackle in the league.
Well, left tackle isn't exactly a sexy position, but it's probably the most important spot on the offensive line. Trust me, it pays off when your QB isn't being chased all over the field by the defense.
Or what if you want to draft a dominant 3-4 defensive player but your coach runs a 4-3 defense? Yeah, you might get a great player, but if he doesn't work within your system, he won't be worth much in the end. These choices have a huge impact on how your team performs on the field.
Sacrifice Skill For Need
Here's where it gets tricky. There will be plenty of rounds when you see a player rated at 88 or above, compared with other potential picks in the mid-to-lower 80s. It's tempting to always go for the best player, but it's even more important to draft the player you actually need.
So, if you have more of a passing offense, maybe you can go without that 88-rated defensive end if an 85-rated wide receiver is sitting right there. With the way your team is set up, the lower-rated player might actually be more valuable for your squad. Thankfully, the individual draft player cards will let you know if a player fits your system.
Gamble On Your QB … But Not Too Much
Guess what? If you see Russell Wilson sitting there in the first round — leave the golden boy right where he is. There's no set time when certain players will show up; positions are randomly chosen, so chances are you'll run into another QB down the line. The more important thing is to build the team around the QB.
During my first draft, I jumped the gun and chose Cam Newton third, passing up Calvin Johnson during the same round. When it came to gametime, I realized I had no weapons to use with Cam, and I wound up losing my first game, eliminating me from the mode.
My fourth draft, I didn't even pick a QB — I was stuck with Matt Cassel as my default signal-caller. However, because I built up a team that included Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson around Cassel, he was soon playing like Bart Starr with the cheat codes turned on.
QBs are always tempting, but Draft Champions mode is about depth and strategy — the obvious pick isn't always the correct one.
Don't Depend On The Run (Unless You Can Manage A Clock)
Draft Champions mode is designed to be played in a night. That's why there are 15 short rounds and three games — you can literally finish the mode in a couple of hours. Because of this, though, the games all have three-minute quarters.
This is great for brevity, but if you're pounding an offensive running attack, you're going to be using large chunks of clock, turning your possessions into quarter-long affairs.
So, unless you can manage your time and mix it up between the run and the pass, you should probably stick to throwing the ball in order to give you more time in the game.
Don't Depend On The Legends
One of the great features of Draft Champions mode is the fact that the last round is full of NFL legends. Over the course of my time with the game, I drafted icons like John Elway, Shannon Sharpe and Jason Taylor. You'd think I'd waltz right into the endzone every possession. Well, that wasn't the case.
This is a perk for longtime football fans, but because it's in the last round and you have no idea which players or positions will show up, don't depend on these legends to actually improve your team. If you're holding out for a QB, don't just expect Elway to fall into your lap. If you really need a tight end, Shannon Sharpe might not be sitting there for you.
You could, however, get some unexpected help on the offensive line — probably because you didn't draft one of them like I told you to. Or, you can use the legends to add some depth to positions you already have a decent handle on, like DB or WR. Do not, though, expect one of these Hall-of-Famers to lead you to the promised land.
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