MLBs

How important are they in this years game?

Not at all. If you really want one use hendricks and put lurker on him.

They are nerfed just like last year.  They have been giving most of the new ones Lurker for 1ap though.  So that atleast helps.  With the way the game is coded, safeties still get the better animations, are usually faster and the dont get run over that much by HBs.

They play on special teams and goal line so you cant ignore the position but you dont need top of the line.  BND ones from programs suffice or that Free Devin white are fine.

On occasion i will get a sack or pick from one but personally i use my LE/LOLB to sack the qb most of the time so most the rest of my players dont mean much

As someone who plays mostly offline, I find them somewhat useable.  As others have mentioned, they are massively nerfed but I'll still get an occasional sack or interception with them.  I've been usering Derrick Johnson and I've gotten some decent lurks with him.