Blog / Madden 26 Franchise Mode: Scouting & Drafting Guide Made Simple
August 21, 2025
Madden 26 Franchise Mode: Scouting & Drafting Guide Made Simple Master the art of hiring scouts, assigning regions, and drafting players to build a resilient dynasty in Madden NFL 26
Franchise mode in Madden 26 is more than chasing one Super Bowl—it’s about scouting wisely and drafting smart to build an enduring NFL dynasty staffed with elite talent.
🎯 Set Up the Right Scouts & Regions
Before each season:
- Fire your scouting team and hire new scouts tailored to your roster needs.
- Assign your Tier 3 scout to national coverage for wide player visibility.
- Place Tier 2 and Tier 1 scouts in strong position regions—match a WR scout to WR-rich areas, for example.
- Use insights revealed at scout thresholds (20%, 45%, 70%, 90%, 100%) to gauge player fit and potential.
📊 Leverage Mock Drafts & Workouts
- Participate in five mock drafts each season to track player trajectories—but don’t let projected picks override your scouting data.
- During free agency recap, set up Private Workouts to test top targets—your shot at revealing hidden gems in the class.
🧩 Combine, Traits & Regional Strengths
- Combine results (speed, jump, agility) to highlight physical talent levels beyond scouting grades.
- Scout for traits—like elite arm strength or ball security—to find future stars who fit your scheme.
- Use regional assignment tactically; each area has shifting position strengths year-to-year.
🤝 Trade Shrewdly—Stockpile Picks
- Adjust trade difficulty in settings to ease pick acquisition.
- Use tools like Trade Finder to refine proposals.
- Don’t hoard little-used picks—trade them for higher-value assets or future flexibility.
⏱ Master Draft Night & Save Smart
- Save before the draft in case your picks don’t pan out.
- Turn off the draft timer if you're not playing online; no pressure for blind picks.
- Use skip and trade-up options wisely to position yourself for key prospects.
- Target teams with poor records for optimal draft leverage.
💡 Final Thoughts
Strong scouting and smart draft-day decisions are the backbone of a franchise-winning team. Dial in your staff, leverage regional strengths, analyze Combine results, and don’t be afraid to trade for better future flexibility. These methods set the foundation for sustained success.