Agreed, if you somehow even put together a day-by-day or stat-by-stat build guide, which would be ridiculously intensive, people won't follow it. Giving end numbers and SAs is a nice way to give people goals and an idea what your "themes" are. Here's one I used for a defense like 20 seasons ago. Note that I run a different defense than many WL teams, and this is by no means optimal, but it's a really good starting point:
DTs x 3 (run archetype)
Must-Have SAs: First Step 8
Must-have Equipment!! - two bb% and two mt%
VAs: bull rusher, sure tackler, textbook tackler
Strength: 155+
Agility: 95+
Tackle: 85+
Speed: 75+
Stamina: 60+
Vision: 60+
Confidence: ~50
pass-rush NT x 1
Pass Rusher Archetype, MAX HEIGHT
Starting SA: first Step
Must-Have SAs: First Step 8, Shed Blocks 9, Swat Ball 9
Must-have Equipment!! - two bb%, one deflect pass %
VAs: technique man, pass rusher, towering man, jump the snap, bull rusher
Strength: 125+
Agility: 115+
Speed: 95+
Vision: 70+
Tackle: 65+
Jumping: 60+
Stamina: 60+
Confidence: 40+
DEs x 3 (any archetype)
While the DEs can be from any archetype, they should all be built the same. The only difference is weight, height, and favored/penalized SAs. I personally think they pretty much wash, but would lean slightly towards the combo build. Pass Rusher is nice because they get favored first step, while run-stuffer is nice because of the extra weight and wall/strong base. Combo is just a good blend. But no matter how the attributes end naturally, they should all look the same after equipment.
Bonus SA - I guess wrap-up tackle, but if something else jumps out at you, go for it. We will probably not put many points into it.
Also note that I wouldn't be opposed to someone going 4 AEQ, and having slightly lower core stats in exchange for a force fumble % piece. The core stats should still meet the minimums below, you just wouldn't have the extra 10+ points to play with.
Must-Have EQ: 2 x break block%, 2 x make tackle %
Must-Have SAs: First step 8
VAs: bull rusher, sure tackler, textbook tackler
Strength: 130+
Agility: 100+ (will not be using Technique man)
Speed: 100+
NOTE: since this build is not going towering Man, Strength+Speed+agility should be at least 340 after equipment. The extra 10+ can be wherever you like after hitting these minimums.
Tackle: 85+
Vision: 65+
Stamina: 60+
Confidence: ~50
hard-hitting LBs x 2 (hard hitting archetype)
Must-Have EQ: TWO make tackle%, one break block%
VAs: sure tackler, textbook tackler, bull rusher
Strength: 90+
Speed: 140+
Agility: 85+
Tackle: 90+
Vision: 75+
Stamina: 60+
Confidence: ~50
heavy LBs x 2 (hard hitting archetype)
Must-Have EQ: TWO make tackle%, one break block%
VAs: bull rusher, sure tackler, textbook tackler
Strength:130+
Speed: 100+
Agility: 85+
Tackle: 90+
Vision: 75+
Stamina: 60+
Confidence: ~50
coverage LBs x 2 (coverage archetype)
highly recommend 3 AEQ b/c of stats
Must-Have EQ: one make tackle%, one avoid fake %, one deflect pass, one intercept %
Recommended bonus SA: shutdown coverage or super vision
VAs: sure tackler, football genius, long reach, 3rd down stopper
Strength: 65+
Speed: 155+
Agility: 85+
Tackle: 75+
Vision: 80+
Stamina: 60+
Confidence: ~50
Jumping 60+
Catch 65+
blitzing LBs x 2 (blitzing archetype)
-as much speed as possible
-agility 90+ but otherwise doesn't matter
-disguise blitz becomes an option again, but I still wouldn't prioritize it over First Step or Shed Blocks
lots of blitzing SAs
-I'd like to see a make tackle % if possible
cornerback x 6 (man coverage archetype)
Must-Have EQ: one make tackle%, one avoid fake %, one pass deflect %, one intercept
VAs: sure tackler, football genius, long reach, 3rd down stopper
Speed: 155+
Agility: 85+
Tackle: 65+
Vision: 85+
Stamina: 60+
Confidence: ~50
Jumping: 70+
catch 70+
Strong Safety x 2 (combo archetype)
Must-Have EQ: TWO make tackle%, one avoid fake %, one pass deflect %
Recommended bonus SAs: jackhammer!
VAs: sure tackler, textbook tackler, football genius, ball hawk, long reach
Strength: 70+
Speed: 155+
Agility: 85+
Tackle: 85+
Vision: 85+
Stamina: 60+
Confidence: ~50
Jumping 60+
Free Safety x 2 (combo archetype)
Must-Have EQ: TWO make tackle%, one avoid fake %, one pass deflect %
Recommended bonus SAs: jackhammer!
VAs: sure tackler, textbook tackler, football genius, ball hawk, long reach
Strength: 70+
Speed: 155+
Agility: 85+
Tackle: 85+
Vision: 85+
Stamina: 60+
Confidence: ~50
Jumping 60+