Dynasty Central

CFB 27 · Build your team

Build an Air Raid roster you can trust on third down

Find the QB accuracy, receiver depth and protection your CFB 27 Air Raid needs. Compare play diagrams and yardage results before you rebuild the book.

A big passing number looks great until you're staring at third-and-six with nobody you trust. Build your Air Raid around throws you can repeat: a QB who puts the ball where it belongs, receivers with different jobs, and enough protection to make the read.

Purdue's quarterback reads receivers downfield while Indiana defenders close on the pocket.
The read and the protection go together. Watch how much time your QB has before deciding a slower route belongs in your everyday menu.Dynasty Central gameplay capture · EA SPORTS College Football 27

Try the recruiting checklist

Pick the book. Know who to recruit.

Start with three jobs your roster needs to handle. Switch books to see what changes before you spend your recruiting hours.

Build toward Air Raid

Work the quick game and spread the ball around.

  1. QB1Accurate distributor

    Short and intermediate accuracy support the quick passing menu. Mobility is useful, not a prerequisite.

    Key attributes
    Short throw accuracyMedium throw accuracy
    Optimal Archetype:
    Pocket Passer · Backfield Creator

  2. WR1 / WR2 / WR3 / WR4Four receiving options

    Four-wide sets need depth beyond your top two receivers.

    Key attributes
    CatchingShort route runningMedium route running
    Optimal Archetype:
    Route Artist · Elusive Route Runner · Speedster

  3. LT1 / RT1Pass protection

    Protect the pocket while the route combinations develop.

    Key attributes
    Pass blockStrength
    Optimal Archetype:
    Pass Protector · Agile

Archetypes are scouting starting points. Check the player's actual ratings and your in-game depth chart; a label alone doesn't make a player the best fit.

4 plays to get a feel for the book

Try these commonly called plays from Air Raid. Check the look before the snap, then work through the suggested reads. Route findings show productive targets in our CPU games; follow the coverage, not a fixed throwing order. The bars show yards gained.

PA Read

Shotgun · Spread Y-Slot Wk

Original game play diagram: PA Read, Shotgun · Spread Y-Slot Wk
Original game card · PA Read

Before the snap: Locate the deep safety and any extra rusher. The play fake needs time; have a quick answer ready.

Suggested reads
  1. Comeback. If the left corner turns and runs, look for the comeback as the receiver breaks toward the sideline.
  2. Cross. If that window closes, check the crossing route coming from the right. Wait for it to clear the underneath defender.
  3. Flat. Take the back in the right flat if the deeper throws stay covered. Only take the post shot when it separates from the safety.

6.1 yd avg gain

24,636 recorded attempts · CPU Dynasty simulations

Yards on each attempt

Tap a bar for the count. Taller bars mean more attempts.

39% gained no yards or lost yardage. 35% went for 10+ yards.

Recorded yardage distribution
YardsAttempts
Loss1124
08498
1–42929
5–93468
10–198291
20+326

Inside Zone

Shotgun · Spread Y-Slot

Original game play diagram: Inside Zone, Shotgun · Spread Y-Slot
Original game card · Inside Zone

Before the snap: See whether the four receivers pull defenders out of the box. Check the interior front before committing to the handoff.

After the snap
  1. Stay on track. Press the inside run behind the line. Give the blocking a chance to create a crease.
  2. Cut into daylight. Use the gap that opens off a block, then get upfield. A safety fitting late can close a wide bounce quickly.

4.2 yd avg gain

9,303 recorded attempts · CPU Dynasty simulations

Yards on each attempt

Tap a bar for the count. Taller bars mean more attempts.

17% gained no yards or lost yardage. 13% went for 10+ yards.

Recorded yardage distribution
YardsAttempts
Loss769
0855
1–46128
5–9352
10–19562
20+637

Stick

Shotgun · Trips

Original game play diagram: Stick, Shotgun · Trips
Original game card · Stick

Before the snap: Find the underneath defender between the short hitch and the right flat. Treat the outside streak as an alert if it wins cleanly.

Suggested reads
  1. Flat. If the underneath defender sits inside, take the quick throw outside before he can close.
  2. Hitch. If he widens with the flat, hit the receiver settling inside. Against man, check that the receiver has actually separated.
  3. Move on. If both short windows close, check the backside slant only with a clear lane and time. Don't wait on a covered streak.

4.5 yd avg gain

7,183 recorded attempts · CPU Dynasty simulations

Yards on each attempt

Tap a bar for the count. Taller bars mean more attempts.

40% gained no yards or lost yardage. 8% went for 10+ yards.

Recorded yardage distribution
YardsAttempts
Loss362
02545
1–41174
5–92510
10–19224
20+368

Double Slant

Shotgun · Spread Y-Slot

Original game play diagram: Double Slant, Shotgun · Spread Y-Slot
Original game card · Double Slant

Before the snap: Check whether corners are protecting the inside and where the linebackers sit. Pick a side with room for the slants to break.

Suggested reads
  1. Inside window. Look for the first slant to cross its defender's face. Make sure a linebacker isn't waiting in the throwing lane.
  2. Next slant. If the underneath defender jumps that window, check the other slant behind or beside him.
  3. Right flat. If the middle stays crowded, take the flat when it has space. This is a timing call; a late slant can become a pick.

3.4 yd avg gain

6,973 recorded attempts · CPU Dynasty simulations

Yards on each attempt

Tap a bar for the count. Taller bars mean more attempts.

41% gained no yards or lost yardage. 3% went for 10+ yards.

Recorded yardage distribution
YardsAttempts
Loss385
02494
1–41185
5–92732
10–19100
20+77

Now put your own players on the board.

See which players fit Air Raid, where you need depth, and which attributes to scout next. Import your dynasty roster to turn the checklist into a plan for your team.

See how your roster fits

Start with a free selected-style report. Plus adds ongoing comparisons and deeper play research.

Recruit for the throw you make all game

Don't make throw power your whole QB evaluation. Check the accuracy for the route depths you use, then look at what happens when your first read stays covered. Movement is useful, but a pocket passer can still give this offense a clear identity.

Start with a quick concept and an intermediate one. If you can't explain where the ball goes against pressure, adding more plays won't fix that. Find the receiver and protection traits those two calls ask for first.

WR4 can matter more than your next superstar

When several receivers are on the field, the defense gets to test more than your best player. Look for a group you can keep throwing to: reliable hands, routes that suit their ratings, and a replacement ready when somebody needs a breather.

The line is part of the passing game too. A slow-developing route doesn't become a good call just because its average is high. Check whether you have time for it, and keep a quicker answer beside it in the book.

Build a three-call passing menu

  1. Choose a quick throw, an intermediate concept and one shot you understand.
  2. For each, name your first read and your answer when it isn't there.
  3. Use the distribution below to see whether a high average came with a lot of empty reps.

Still deciding on your style? Check the Spread offense recruiting plan.