Pre-Draft Power Rankings: 1st-6th

The annual jinx has arrived: the CRFL power rankings...pre-draft edition. The players included are keepers only at this point in the off-season. I will split these rankings into two posts, starting with teams 1st-6th place teams. There is no doubt someone on this list will fail to reach expectations in 2016, but nonetheless here is where I think things stand as of now.

1. Gem State Bruins (2015: 9-4, CRFL Champions)

Keepers: QB Andrew Luck, RB Todd Gurley, RB Le'Veon Bell, RB David Johnson, WR Odell Beckham, WR Julio Jones, WR DeVante Parker, WR Josh Gordon, TE Rob Gronkowski

Analysis: The Bruins, who were the Boise Bears in 2015, won 8 of their last 9 to win the franchise's second CRFL championship. After several trades this off-season, an already stout team has become even more so. Bruins as defending champs are #1 in this poll by default, but certainly warrant the respect. If Josh Gordon manages to come back from his 2-year debacle of a suspension, a tough team will become a brutal outing this fall.

2. Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors (11-2, Basin Conference Champions) 

Keepers: QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Adrian Peterson, RB Devonta Freeman, RB Matt Forte, WR Antonio Brown, WR DeAndre Hopkins, WR Mike Evans, TE Gary Barnidge

Analysis: Three-peat denied. The Warriors, despite injuries to key talent and unexpected struggles from Aaron Rodgers, still went 11-2 and cruised to the championship. Arguably still the league's top team, the Warriors made several trades this off-season. They shipped off Le'Veon Bell, but gained Devonta Freeman and the 2016 1.01 pick, which the Warriors will use on RB Ezekiel Elliott. The Basin Conference has grown in difficulty, but Kaneohe is still the favorite to win the conference.

3. Northern Cardinals (9-4, 2nd place in Basin Conference)

Keepers: QB Tom Brady, RB Eddie Lacy, RB Jamaal Charles, WR Allen Robinson, WR Dez Bryant, WR Sammy Watkins, TE Eric Ebron

Analysis: The Digital Plumbers have exited the league after being, to be blunt, far and away the luckiest team in 2015. Their luck meter on Fleaflicker was through the roof. Then why are they #3 in this poll? Because the new owner, who has changed the team identity to the Cardinals, has transformed the team. With a WR corps as good as any in the league, and a top-flight QB in Brady, the Cardinals are a serious threat to unseat the Warriors if Eddie Lacy and Jamaal Charles come through. 1.06 pick could provide a potential top rookie for depth, likely at RB.

4. Wind River Bison (8-5, 3rd place in Basin Conference)

Keepers: QB Derek Carr, RB Doug Martin, RB Lamar Miller, RB DeMarco Murray, WR A.J. Green, WR Randall Cobb, WR Doug Baldwin, TE Greg Olsen

Analysis: After years of fantasy football purgatory, the franchise formerly known as the Paniolos left Hawaii for Wyoming and found immediate success with their best season ever. Things are still looking up for 2016. With a stacked group of RBs and WRs, alongside X-factor Greg Olsen, the Bison are another team looking to challenge the Warriors in the Basin Conference. Expect this conference to be the most competitive in 2016.

5. Brucey's crew (5-8, 6th place in Cascade Conference)

Keepers: QB Drew Brees, RB Jeremy Hill, RB Ameer Abdullah, WR Demaryius Thomas, WR Alshon Jeffery, WR T.Y. Hilton, TE Jordan Reed, TE Jimmy Graham

Analysis: Yes, I know. This ranking on the surface looks suspect, but let me explain. Brucey's crew has historically been one of the better teams in the CRFL. They suffered a brutal, and maybe even unlucky 6-game losing streak to end the season at 5-8. After some off-season moves, the Crew figures to be better at QB but lacks RB depth. Here is the reason I rank them 5th: on top of the decent talent this team already possesses, they have EIGHT picks in the Top 20, including FIVE 1st round picks. If the Crew does their due diligence with pre-draft research, they'll reload and improve fast.

6. Raptors (5-8, 5th place in Basin Conference)

Keepers: QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB LeSean McCoy, RB Thomas Rawls, RB Jonathan Stewart, WR Jordy Nelson, WR Donte Moncrief, WR Michael Floyd, TE Travis Kelce

Analysis: Yes, another Basin Conference team. Yes, their 2015 overall record shows 5-8, but the Lynch Mob finished only 30 points forced behind Huskerfan. With new ownership and a few excellent additions in LeSean McCoy and Thomas Rawls, if Jordy Nelson stays healthy this team could make noise in a conference that seems to be getting crowded with contenders this off-season. Drafting for depth will be important, but this is a team all-in on winning in 2016 after selling its 2017 1st round draft for the rights to Thomas Rawls. They'll need to draft well to compete for the conference crown.

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I'll have rankings for the teams below the red line sometime this week...