One Major Change I'd Like to See in Madden 16

I know this is a Vikings blog, but I love Madden. My second round prediction in the 2015 draft for the Vikings, Shaq Thompson, got me thinking about what I'd like to see added to Madden 16. While there are more than a few things I'd like changed, I'm only going to expand on the one that applies to Thompson if he were to be drafted.

from: espn.go.com

I tend to use the Broncos defensive playbook. Zone coverage seems to work better for me and this playbook blitzes the left outside linebacker quite a bit. Perfect for the type of player we have at that position, Anthony Barr. But in nickel packages the game forces the left backer to leave the field while the middle and right linebackers stay on the field. Why does the player substitution have to be based on the player's position? I'd like to be able to designate who I want my nickel backers to be.

Thompson takes this to the next level. A bit undersized at 225 to 230 pounds, Thompson has been mocked as a safety almost as much as a linebacker. He's crazy athletic and has good coverage skills, so he could be a decent safety. I see him as a linebacker, as he's said he sees himself at the combine, but there's a third option. Why not a hybrid player?

On offense we have players like Percy Harvin and Cordarelle Patterson who primarily play one position but also get some snaps at other positions. Many defensive line players do this as well, such as a defensive end sliding inside on an obvious passing down to make room for another pass rusher (see the New York Giants NASCAR set). So why not a hybrid linebacker/safety?

2012 Giants NASCAR Set; from: bleacherreport.com. 

The Vikings would find a very cool and interesting way to use Thompson. Of that I have no doubt. One way I've seen mentioned is playing Thompson as the strong safety in our traditional 4-3 formation. He would play up closer to the line, while Harrison Smith was back deep playing center field. Then in nickel situations, Thompson could drop down to linebacker, joining Anthony Barr. We'd then bring in Robert Blanton or another safety to play deeper.

I don't have the stat on hand, but we played in nickel a lot of last season. That would mean a lot of reps for Thompson. But this kind of customization isn't possible in Madden. A player is either a safety or a linebacker and they can't be placed on the depth chart at any other position.

I understand not giving us the option to put our quarterback at defensive end, but other than that I think the player should have free reign to put whatever player he wants at a given position. That should also be formation specific too. I want to be able to say Barr and Thompson will be my nickel linebackers, Robison and Griffen are my nickel ends, but then I want Thompson to play safety in a base 4-3 and I want Crichton to play the left end spot in that same formation.

That's not too much to ask, right? I leave it to you EA Sports.