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.
There's not a huge difference in height between the archetypes. In fact, the Coverage LB is just one inch taller than the other two which gives them a slight advantage in breaking up passes.
Weight sees a much wider difference though. Versatile LBs are the heaviest of the bunch, weighing in at 255 lbs. They'll enjoy a free, built-in advantage to breaking through blocks and making tackles. Pass Rushers are the next heaviest, clocking in at 240 lbs. Coverage LBs are the lightest of all at just 230 lbs.
![[Image: ZhKLKUF.png]](https://i.imgur.com/ZhKLKUF.png)
Speed makes you run faster, getting you to the ballcarrier quicker.
We already established that the Versatile LB is the heaviest of them all, and that added weight means they can't quite run as fast as the others. They start out at 45 Speed and peak at 80.
Coverage LBs are next up, with a range of 50 to 85. And Pass Rushers are the fastest at the position, starting at 55 with a high of 90.
![[Image: 70z3rRx.png]](https://i.imgur.com/70z3rRx.png)
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 55 and can go as high as 90.
Pass Rushers are the middle archetypes here, with a range of 50 to 85.
Coverage LBs are therefore both the lightest and weakest of the three, starting at 45 and peaking at just 80.
![[Image: BIKggX4.png]](https://i.imgur.com/BIKggX4.png)
Important for breaking through blocks. Also useful for tackling and defending and intercepting passes. Important for returning kicks/punts.
Two of the archetypes are identical by this measure. Pass Rushers and Coverage LBs both start out at 55 and can reach up to 90.
Versatile LBs are the least agile of the three with a starting value of 50 and a peak of 85.
![[Image: ZrEUcTJ.png]](https://i.imgur.com/ZrEUcTJ.png)
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 50 to 90, while Versatile LBs are 5 points behind at 45 to 85.
Pass Rushers are then quite a lot lower than the other two, starting out at 40 and peaking at just 75 Intelligence.
![[Image: hAh0doR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/hAh0doR.png)
Tackling is obviously the most important stat for bringing down the ballcarrier, 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 55 and reaching a high of 90.
Pass Rushers and Coverage LBs can get to a maximum of 85, but Coverage LBs need to work a little harder to get there, starting out at 40 while Pass Rushers start at 45.
![[Image: LCIUNaX.png]](https://i.imgur.com/LCIUNaX.png)
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 20 Hands and can max out at 75.
Versatile LBs are quite a bit behind. They also start at 20 but can only reach as high as 65 Hands.
Pass Rushers are really not specialised for intercepting, so while they also start at 20, they can only get as high as 50.
![[Image: b5rKYDM.png]](https://i.imgur.com/b5rKYDM.png)
If the defender has higher competitiveness than the ballcarrier, 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 50 Competitiveness and maxing out at 90, which is tied with the Power Rusher DE as the best in the game.
Versatile LBs are a touch worse, ranging from 45 to 85.
Coverage LBs excel the least in Competitiveness, with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 80.
Traits
In addition to some shared traits, there are two traits that can't be acquired by all three archetypes.
SpeedRusher is a trait that can be purchased for 50 TPE by Pass Rushers only. This makes your LB much faster when blitzing and more likely to break through a block.
Perceptive is a trait that can also be purchased for 50 TPE but by Versatile LBs and Coverage LBs only. This makes your LB more likely to go after the ballcarrier on running plays and also 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.
There's not a huge difference in height between the archetypes. In fact, the Coverage LB is just one inch taller than the other two which gives them a slight advantage in breaking up passes.
Weight sees a much wider difference though. Versatile LBs are the heaviest of the bunch, weighing in at 255 lbs. They'll enjoy a free, built-in advantage to breaking through blocks and making tackles. Pass Rushers are the next heaviest, clocking in at 240 lbs. Coverage LBs are the lightest of all at just 230 lbs.
Speed makes you run faster, getting you to the ballcarrier quicker.
We already established that the Versatile LB is the heaviest of them all, and that added weight means they can't quite run as fast as the others. They start out at 45 Speed and peak at 80.
Coverage LBs are next up, with a range of 50 to 85. And Pass Rushers are the fastest at the position, starting at 55 with a high of 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 55 and can go as high as 90.
Pass Rushers are the middle archetypes here, with a range of 50 to 85.
Coverage LBs are therefore both the lightest and weakest of the three, starting at 45 and peaking at just 80.
Important for breaking through blocks. Also useful for tackling and defending and intercepting passes. Important for returning kicks/punts.
Two of the archetypes are identical by this measure. Pass Rushers and Coverage LBs both start out at 55 and can reach up to 90.
Versatile LBs are the least agile of the three with a starting value of 50 and a peak of 85.
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 50 to 90, while Versatile LBs are 5 points behind at 45 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 ballcarrier, 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 55 and reaching a high of 90.
Pass Rushers and Coverage LBs can get to a maximum of 85, but Coverage LBs need to work a little harder to get there, starting out at 40 while Pass Rushers start at 45.
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 20 Hands and can max out at 75.
Versatile LBs are quite a bit behind. They also start at 20 but can only reach as high as 65 Hands.
Pass Rushers are really not specialised for intercepting, so while they also start at 20, they can only get as high as 50.
If the defender has higher competitiveness than the ballcarrier, 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 50 Competitiveness and maxing out at 90, which is tied with the Power Rusher DE as the best in the game.
Versatile LBs are a touch worse, ranging from 45 to 85.
Coverage LBs excel the least in Competitiveness, with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 80.
Traits
In addition to some shared traits, there are two traits that can't be acquired by all three archetypes.
SpeedRusher is a trait that can be purchased for 50 TPE by Pass Rushers only. This makes your LB much faster when blitzing and more likely to break through a block.
Perceptive is a trait that can also be purchased for 50 TPE but by Versatile LBs and Coverage LBs only. This makes your LB more likely to go after the ballcarrier on running plays and also 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!
