How to Build a Successful Madden Franchise

Be Successful with a Madden Franchise

Starting out - Fantasy Draft or not?

You have two options in starting a franchise : A fantasy draft (all players go into a pool for drafting) or all the traditional NFL rosters. Most Gamers like to suit up with their favorite team so I will concentrate more on the fantasy draft side. One important note about the draft process (besides that it is a serpentine form - if you pick 1^st in the 1^st round you pick last in the 2^nd, etc.) is that you must draft according to the minimum requirements by position before getting all the extra players to bolster your roster. In general I have found after the first few rounds of Best Player Available drafting (whether you value a stud QB or bookend Tackles for protection or a great secondary) it is far better to look for youth in the draft. A young talent like Jonathan Vilma or Chris Gamble is a better long term selection than Jeremiah Trotter or Sam Madison even though the latter choices are higher in ratings. Another factor is the salary cap. The young players have very nice contracts that allow you flexibility for future free agents and draft choices. If you draft someone you know is going to be a stalwart in your lineup for years, unless they have a contract for 4 or 5 years already, sign them to a 7-year deal before they are highly rated and cost you a bundle for a long-term commitment.