Haven't played MUT in a decade, need help

The last madden I played was Madden 25 (15).  I bought this game this past Thursday since it was discounted and grinded over the weekend to get this team https://www.mut.gg/24/lineup-builder/af7f7c5a-46ac-4b53-9f87-b9ef81dcacf3/.  I scoured this website and another to learn about abilities, but I am very much a noob in terms of those. I am open to any changes/strategies overall. I have a budget of roughly 1.2million.

I do not have an offensive scheme at all. I have not dove into a playbook to really learn one yet. Any suggestions are appreciated. I like to set the tone by running the ball, but my whole offense needs an upgrade since the majority of them are BND players.

I absolutely love defense though. I run a nickel over/335 primarily using cover 3/4. I have Derrick Thomas as my edge rusher and Peppers as my SUBLB1 user. I do not know if I really like Pacheco as my CB2. I also do not know if I should be running FZKO or MZKO on Jaire since he is the purple/flat zone in my scheme.

From my noob perspective, I think I should upgrade my edge rusher to not have to use 3AP. I am thinking 94 Jared Allen for his 1AP DoN. If I do move off of Pacheco, I am leaning towards 94 Darius Slay Jr since he also has DOZKO for 2AP.  If these are good moves, I would have roughly 900k left over to spend on my offense/potential other upgrades on defense.

Thanks to anyone who reads all of this/leaves suggestions. Hope you all have a nice day :)

You're headed in the right direction, so offensively, 49ers/miami but packers/jets/vikings/rams (anything really with a coach from the shanahan coaching tree) have identical playbooks that are great for running the ball. My favorite mini schemes for running are Iform Close, gun split close, and singleback x-nasty. Ability wise, the best abilities this year are qb stuff, and evasive/juke box. Edge protector isn't as important as it has been in years past. If you really want to stick with that joe montana I'd suggest using Pocket deadeye for 1 ap, gunslinger, and hot route master if you really use it a lot, but the most effective thing to do this year is find good plays that only need 1 adjustment, and quick hike the ball while opponent is still setting up.

Yes upgrade derrick thomas for someone else who has 1 ap DoN, as DoN is the only pass rush ability worth a damn. I really liked clay matthews when I had him, he gets 1 ap DoN and free lurk artist so you can drop him into coverage too. Midzone KO on the slot corner, Flat+Deep zone ko on outside corner is what is best. Peppers is a fine user, there's still a lot of people using him or carmichael. If you want to upgrade at some point, any of the linebackers with 0 ap lurk artist and 95 speed are good. 

If you aren't running a theme of any sort i'd definitely go slay over pacheco, but keep in mind we are getting a free 93 patrick peterson that at level 4 of the field pass that starts tomorrow, and then he upgrades to 95 at level 24. He gets 0 ap deep zone ko, but I'm not sure if he gets it at 95 OVR or if you have to wait until you get him to 97 at level 50.

Make sure you grind out ur 2 free full legends and playoff player if possible

TheNickSix said:

You're headed in the right direction, so offensively, 49ers/miami but packers/jets/vikings/rams (anything really with a coach from the shanahan coaching tree) have identical playbooks that are great for running the ball. My favorite mini schemes for running are Iform Close, gun split close, and singleback x-nasty. Ability wise, the best abilities this year are qb stuff, and evasive/juke box. Edge protector isn't as important as it has been in years past. If you really want to stick with that joe montana I'd suggest using Pocket deadeye for 1 ap, gunslinger, and hot route master if you really use it a lot, but the most effective thing to do this year is find good plays that only need 1 adjustment, and quick hike the ball while opponent is still setting up.

Yes upgrade derrick thomas for someone else who has 1 ap DoN, as DoN is the only pass rush ability worth a damn. I really liked clay matthews when I had him, he gets 1 ap DoN and free lurk artist so you can drop him into coverage too. Midzone KO on the slot corner, Flat+Deep zone ko on outside corner is what is best. Peppers is a fine user, there's still a lot of people using him or carmichael. If you want to upgrade at some point, any of the linebackers with 0 ap lurk artist and 95 speed are good. 

If you aren't running a theme of any sort i'd definitely go slay over pacheco, but keep in mind we are getting a free 93 patrick peterson that at level 4 of the field pass that starts tomorrow, and then he upgrades to 95 at level 24. He gets 0 ap deep zone ko, but I'm not sure if he gets it at 95 OVR or if you have to wait until you get him to 97 at level 50.

Appreciate the info/knowledge on playbooks. I figured QB was the most important position to spend my abilities on, but glad to know I shouldn't be investing in my oline to free up some additional AP on qb/position players. 

Thanks for informing me about the abilities for my corners as well as looking out for the season 5 information. I didn't know exactly how a new season would go, but I am very glad I didn't buy Slay if I can get those abilities on Pat Pete early on like you said. 

Thanks for the info/reply overall. Hope you have a great day/night