09-29-2021, 07:17 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-04-2023, 04:37 AM by Swanty. Edited 2 times in total.)
So you’ve decided to create a Linebacker! But which archetype to choose?
You have three options: Pass Rusher, Versatile LB, Coverage LB. Let’s take a look at those in more detail.
Height and Weight
Taller defenders have a better chance of preventing a catch, while heavier defenders have a better chance of breaking through a block and making a successful tackle.
The Coverage LB is tallest, standing at 6’3, giving them an advantage in breaking up passes. Next is the Versatile LB at 6’1. The shortest are the Pass Rushers, measuring in at a flat 6’0.
Regarding weight. Versatile LBs are the heaviest of the bunch, weighing in at 250 lbs. They'll enjoy a free, built-in advantage to breaking through blocks and making tackles. Pass Rushers are the next heaviest, checking in at 235 lbs. Coverage LBs are the lightest of all at just 230 lbs.
Speed makes you run faster, getting you to the ball-carrier more quickly.
Versatile LBs and Pass Rushers are even in speed. They both start out at 55 Speed and peak at 85. Coverage LBs are a tad faster, with a range of 60 to 90.
Strength is important for tackling and breaking through blocks. Also useful for forcing fumbles.
Versatile LBs enjoy a nice advantage in Strength to go with their added bulk. They start out at 60 and can go as high as 90.
Pass Rushers are the middle archetypes here, with a range of 55 to 85.
Coverage LBs are therefore both the lightest and weakest of the three, starting at 40 and peaking at just 80.
Important for breaking through blocks. Also useful for tackling and defending and intercepting passes. Important for returning kicks/punts.
Pass Rushers excel here with a range of 55 to 95. Coverage LBs are 5 points lower with a range of 50 to 90.
Versatile LBs are the least agile of the three. While having the same starting value of 50 as Coverage LBs, Versatile LBs reach a peak of only 80.
Smart players are less likely to commit penalties. Also useful for forcing fumbles, intercepting and tackling.
Finally, something the Coverage LB excels at! This archetype ranges from 55 to 95, while Versatile LBs come in second at 50 to 85.
Pass Rushers are then quite a lot lower than the other two, starting out at 40 and peaking at just 75 Intelligence.
Tackling is obviously the most important stat for bringing down the ball-carrier, but also helps with forcing fumbles and significantly contributes to breaking through blocks.
The Versatile LB is the best archetype for this attribute, starting out at 65 and reaching a high of 95.
Pass Rushers start at 45 and can get to a maximum of 85.
Coverage LBs bring up the rear, starting out at 35 and capping at 75.
Hands is useful for intercepting passes
Another attribute for helping get interceptions means it's the Coverage LB that is the best choice here. They start out at 35 Hands and can max out at 75.
Versatile LBs and Pass Rushers are quite a bit behind. They both can reach as high as 50 Hands, but Versatile LBs start at 25 while Pass Rushers start at 20.
If the defender has higher competitiveness than the ball-carrier, they are much more likely to force a fumble. Also allows defenders to make more tackles without getting tired.
Pass Rushers are the best of the bunch here, starting off with 40 Competitiveness and maxing out at 90, which is tied with the peak of the Power Rusher DE as the best in the game, but the Pass Rushers have to work a little harder to get there.
Versatile LBs are a touch worse, ranging from 40 to 85.
Coverage LBs excel the least in Competitiveness, with a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 75.
Traits
Each archetype has traits that further distinguish themselves in their respective roles.
SpeedRusher is a trait that can be purchased by Pass Rushers only. This makes your LB much faster when blitzing and more likely to break through a block. Athlete is a trait that further increases your LB’s speed when blitzing.
Versatile LBs and Coverage LBs share the Competitor trait. This makes your LB more likely to defend passes, and also allows your LB to make more tackles without getting tired.
BullRusher is unique to Versatile LBs. This allows them to run faster when blitzing and to have a higher chance of breaking through a block.
Perceptive is unique to Coverage LBs. This trait causes the LB to go after the ball-carrier on running plays and to be more likely to intercept passes.
So what’ll it be? Pass Rusher, Versatile LB or Coverage LB? Once you’ve made your pick, head over to the CREATE A PLAYER TOOL and start building your Linebacker!
You have three options: Pass Rusher, Versatile LB, Coverage LB. Let’s take a look at those in more detail.
Height and Weight
Taller defenders have a better chance of preventing a catch, while heavier defenders have a better chance of breaking through a block and making a successful tackle.
The Coverage LB is tallest, standing at 6’3, giving them an advantage in breaking up passes. Next is the Versatile LB at 6’1. The shortest are the Pass Rushers, measuring in at a flat 6’0.
Regarding weight. Versatile LBs are the heaviest of the bunch, weighing in at 250 lbs. They'll enjoy a free, built-in advantage to breaking through blocks and making tackles. Pass Rushers are the next heaviest, checking in at 235 lbs. Coverage LBs are the lightest of all at just 230 lbs.
Speed makes you run faster, getting you to the ball-carrier more quickly.
Versatile LBs and Pass Rushers are even in speed. They both start out at 55 Speed and peak at 85. Coverage LBs are a tad faster, with a range of 60 to 90.
Strength is important for tackling and breaking through blocks. Also useful for forcing fumbles.
Versatile LBs enjoy a nice advantage in Strength to go with their added bulk. They start out at 60 and can go as high as 90.
Pass Rushers are the middle archetypes here, with a range of 55 to 85.
Coverage LBs are therefore both the lightest and weakest of the three, starting at 40 and peaking at just 80.
Important for breaking through blocks. Also useful for tackling and defending and intercepting passes. Important for returning kicks/punts.
Pass Rushers excel here with a range of 55 to 95. Coverage LBs are 5 points lower with a range of 50 to 90.
Versatile LBs are the least agile of the three. While having the same starting value of 50 as Coverage LBs, Versatile LBs reach a peak of only 80.
Smart players are less likely to commit penalties. Also useful for forcing fumbles, intercepting and tackling.
Finally, something the Coverage LB excels at! This archetype ranges from 55 to 95, while Versatile LBs come in second at 50 to 85.
Pass Rushers are then quite a lot lower than the other two, starting out at 40 and peaking at just 75 Intelligence.
Tackling is obviously the most important stat for bringing down the ball-carrier, but also helps with forcing fumbles and significantly contributes to breaking through blocks.
The Versatile LB is the best archetype for this attribute, starting out at 65 and reaching a high of 95.
Pass Rushers start at 45 and can get to a maximum of 85.
Coverage LBs bring up the rear, starting out at 35 and capping at 75.
Hands is useful for intercepting passes
Another attribute for helping get interceptions means it's the Coverage LB that is the best choice here. They start out at 35 Hands and can max out at 75.
Versatile LBs and Pass Rushers are quite a bit behind. They both can reach as high as 50 Hands, but Versatile LBs start at 25 while Pass Rushers start at 20.
If the defender has higher competitiveness than the ball-carrier, they are much more likely to force a fumble. Also allows defenders to make more tackles without getting tired.
Pass Rushers are the best of the bunch here, starting off with 40 Competitiveness and maxing out at 90, which is tied with the peak of the Power Rusher DE as the best in the game, but the Pass Rushers have to work a little harder to get there.
Versatile LBs are a touch worse, ranging from 40 to 85.
Coverage LBs excel the least in Competitiveness, with a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 75.
Traits
Each archetype has traits that further distinguish themselves in their respective roles.
SpeedRusher is a trait that can be purchased by Pass Rushers only. This makes your LB much faster when blitzing and more likely to break through a block. Athlete is a trait that further increases your LB’s speed when blitzing.
Versatile LBs and Coverage LBs share the Competitor trait. This makes your LB more likely to defend passes, and also allows your LB to make more tackles without getting tired.
BullRusher is unique to Versatile LBs. This allows them to run faster when blitzing and to have a higher chance of breaking through a block.
Perceptive is unique to Coverage LBs. This trait causes the LB to go after the ball-carrier on running plays and to be more likely to intercept passes.
So what’ll it be? Pass Rusher, Versatile LB or Coverage LB? Once you’ve made your pick, head over to the CREATE A PLAYER TOOL and start building your Linebacker!