I know there's a lot of issues around the exploits of players out of position, ie playing CB as DE, and the game engine needs a fair bit of work to clamp down on this.

We already have a partial solution available. Each player has position cur/fut values for positions they can play in. They can only have a position change to one of the positions they have ratings in. In my opinion, this can be used to clamp down on out of position plays.

1) Tighten up the range of positions a player can be converted to. We know players gravitate to a specific weight per position; if this is extended to a range, a min / max weight range, or even just a minimum range this would restrict positions a player can play. As players only gain/lose weight of a max around 50 pounds, a 191lb CB could never be converted into a DE.

2) Restrict players on the depth chart to only playing in a position they had a rating, that they can be converted into. This would instantly stop CBs as DE. Obviously, ST is a secondary kettle of fish, but things like the punt block exploit could be addressed this way.

3) Disallow player being entered into new position on depth chart till min weight met. Allow an owner to convert a LB to DE; he may be 237 lbs now, DEs are 276. He may very well be a natural DE generated in the wrong position, but whilst he's under the min weight for the position (say 260-265, whatever), he cannot be entered on the depth chart as a DE. This might be controversial, but I'm trying to find a way for more fairness.

An example I can provide is the game is woeful in this area, especially defensively.
A CB I drafted is here https://nfl.myfootballnow.com/player/16605
He's 192lbs yet has ratings for CB, FS, SS, WLB, MLB, SLB, RDE, DT, LDE, RB, WR, LT, RT, LG and RG. Sadly, not C, and I need one...

The issue for me is it lacks any semblance of realism. Secondary, LB conversion sure. Not saying he'd be effective if he converted to LB, but from a gaining enough weight perspective, fine. D Line though? O Line? RB and WR would be a possibility but useless if his skill stats were poor.

I realise the exuberance of positions could well be a factor of player weightings, due to the emphasis on speed I have.

Or just fix speed issue and player generation. Then you don’t need a bunch of rules as bandaids.

I agree speed and other game engine issues need to be resolved; those are separate issues.

I don't see my ideas as being band-aids per se, think they remain valid even when speed is resolved. A CB being able to convert to LG is absolutely bonkers.

How many elite pass rushers are actually DE? JJ Watt yes...TJ Watt No

Lawrence Taylor was a LB and many teams use LBs on the edge as pass rushers. The DE position is actually a mix of DE and LB in the NFL now.

Miles Garrett is a true 3 down DE but he is an elite exception. Van Noy for the Ravens plays DE exclusively now and weights 240-250 lbs.

The exploits in MFN take things too far but we also can't convert to cookie cutter cut & paste rules.

We have to find a balance somewhere in the middle because their simply aren't enough quality players generated and my belief is there should be minimum speeds for every position group because 50 speed WRs & DBs wouldn't even stiff the draft in the NFL so why generate them

I don’t disagree with your point, but I’ve actually lived that conversion, albeit not at a professional level, lol

The easiest solution would be to cap weight lose/gain to a reasonable 10-20 pounds. 50 pounds is ridiculous and I would make speed only change at 1 point per 10 pounds so it limits position changes and makes less of an impact.

Name the last NFL player who gained or lost 50 pounds in 8-10 weeks?

Keep in mind this is a game with broken player generation. So both need to be fixed at the same time or it'll make the game even less talented and give rise to more issues.

Agreed. That's why speed should be a minimum of:

80 for WR & DBs
75 for RB & LB
70 for TE
65 for DE & OL
60 for DT

Since speed rules the sim, give all the players a base speed then primary positional skills become more relevant.

If he generates new players with minimum speeds and changes the weight lose to 20 pounds max with a +/- 1 per ten pounds then players could only gain/lose 2 speed.

Finally make each position have a minimum weight requirement

TE & LB 230 lbs
DE 250 lbs
DT 270 lbs

It gives a solid structure for who can play where while keeping some flexibility and if everyone has a basic minimum speed it makes all other positional skills more relevant & important.

As it stands now, you have owners who know how to work the sim with a ton of speed playing against owners with no speed which creates lopsided results.

If all this is implemented, it closes the gap naturally, but, still rewards those who put in the work.

Then he needs to fix the long passing and maybe this game takes the next step.

It's all my 2 cents and maybe I'm completely off base but it's my opinion but it feels like we are still a long way from the UI upgrade being finished.

The only question is...
Will enough owners stick around long enough for JDB to finish the UI and make significant changes

I'm trying to stick around but the new UI is a disaster at least on phones. It's clunky and doesn't fit well. It takes extra clicks to do a lot of basic things. I'm 50/50 on if I'll leave when the UI is force switched.

100% there with you. It's horrible on my phone if it doesn't improve drastically and he forces a switch....I'm done!