The 3-4 is based on having defensive linemen to take up blocks and double teams to let your LBs make plays. So we want guys with the highest blockshed possible along the defensive front and speed in the LB corps to run the field and make plays.

Place players in the position I have them. The lineup has been optimized to run the 3-4 scheme. If you have exotic blitzes that drop linemen into coverage, adjust the depth chart accordingly. You don’t want Damon Harrison in coverage.

LE Dan Williams 84 overall DT (Tank Carradine 78 overall as backup to sub in nickel 2-4-5 to pass rush. 96 power move is money)

RE Brandon Williams 84 overall DT (Chandler Jones 82 overall as backup to sub in nickel 2-4-5 and passing situations. 95 power move is great)

DT Damon Harrison 83 overall

LOLB Anthony Barr 84 overall – Great Pass rusher and user defender. If you end up dropping your LOLB into coverage quite often, you might want to look for someone with better zone coverage.

MLB – (USER) Nate Askew (25 coins from EA marketplace) or Telvin Smith 83 overall

MLB – Kwon Alexander – Speed to get to the edge on tosses and blockshed to stuff runs. Play rec is a little low.

ROLB – Jadeveon Clowney 84 overall – Speed and power moves, just like Barr on the other side.

I would not suggest basing you scheme on man coverage with gold players. But it is good to mix it in to confuse the opponent. I am basing these recommendations on you playing zone cover 2,3, or 4 80% of the time.

CB – Ladarius Gunter 84 overall. Tall, decent speed, zone coverage and the second best blockshed for gold corners which is very important with the amount of outside runs this year.

CB – Darius Slay 81 overall – Tall, fast, okay zone. I heard that he plays above his overall.

CB – Quinten Rollins 84 overall – Good blockshed and tackle for an inside corner. Also his zone coverage is pretty good.

CB – Bradley Roby 81 overall – Usually a man specialist because I like to call cover 2 man in long passing downs.

FS – Dwight Lowery 84 overall – Good speed, zone and play rec. Ideal for a deep defender.  (Jimmy Ward if you run a lot of man)

SS – Nate Allen or Ron Parker both 84 overall. You can’t go wrong with either of these playmakers. I’ve heard great things about both.