Scouting and Trading tips in Madden 26

In Madden 26, we're equipping you to dominate your rebuilds—from scouting top talent to executing major trades.

Scouting Essentials

To excel in scouting, start by clearing out your scouting team each season. Rehire scouts based on your team’s needs and the strengths of the draft class. Always assign your Tier 3 scout nationally for maximum coverage and value. Use the Regional Breakdown screen to allocate your Tier 2 and Tier 1 scouts.

Each scout specializes in two positions. Match these specialties to the strongest positions in their regions for improved efficiency. Remember these key weeks:

• Week 1: Hire & assign scouts
• Week 3: Focus on regional scouting
• Week 8: Focus on national scouting
• Week 13: Select 3 players for focused scouting

As you progress, your scouting information becomes more detailed:

• 20%: Archetype identified
• 45%: Skill grade ranges
• 70%: Narrowed skill ranges
• 90%: Revealed draft talent
• 100%: Exact letter grades

Mock drafts occur five times per season. Use them to monitor player trends, but remember: projections don’t equal talent. A projected first-rounder might be a Day 3 bust without deep scouting.

Pro Tip: Look for traits in player notes such as “elite throw power” or “avoids sacks” to identify potential stars.

Private Workouts happen during the free agency recap. Manually select three players for workouts—don’t let the CPU decide. This is your chance to distinguish true talent from hype.

Trading Strategies

Leverage the Trade Finder tool—it’s a hidden gem. Match salaries, review contracts, and check years remaining to prevent cap hits. If a deal needs adjustment, use X/Square to counter and refine the offer.

For an O-line upgrade, trade a player with one year left for someone with more potential. For example, swapping Jalen Ramsey for Peter Skoronski secures your lineup and future control.

Building a Winning Roster

There’s no wrong way to build your team. But by scouting smartly, making strategic trades, and utilizing your tools, you’ll create a super team ready to chase the Lombardi Trophy.