2020 pre-training camp power rankings July 3, 2020 The turn of the calendar page has left half of 2020 in its wake. It’s hard to believe, but players will be reporting to training camp in a few short weeks. That is, unless people start sneezing on one another. The MFFL draft and auction are about 8 weeks away, meaning there is still a lot of time before we get a clearer picture about the state of the league. But in the meantime, here’s a look at pre-training camp power rankings to see where things rest. The following power rankings use a combined formula with three criteria: Past: Where did teams finish the previous season? Hope may spring eternal, but until a new season actually begins and wipes the slate clean, recent memory remains fresh. Present: There has been a lot of jostling and repositioning going on during the offseason and rosters look slightly different from the end of the previous year. If the season started today, who would be best positioned to compete? Future: Although teams are somewhat fleshed out, the paintings are far from complete. Which teams have the best resources — draft capital and cash available — to make the final leap? 1. Ukraine Grainers As the team that finished with the best record and the most points scored in 2019, it should be disconcerting to the rest of the MFFL that the Grainers largely remain intact from a season ago. With one of the highest projected point totals for the upcoming season, combined with the second-highest cash average plus Pick 5 in the draft, the Grainers are sitting pretty for 2020. 2. Nagasaki Kamikazes The Kamikazes missed the Super Bowl for the first time in three years in 2019, but are well-positioned to make a run at it in 2020. They have very little draft capital and are about in the middle of the pack in cash and cash average. But with one of the strongest starting lineups in the MFFL, they are projected to finish among the highest-scoring teams in the league. 3. Christmas Island Crabs The reigning MFFL champions had a superb run to the Super Bowl a season ago, getting stronger as the season and the postseason went on. This offseason, they pared down their roster to just the core contributors and will enter the player selection day with Pick 3 overall and the second most amount of cash to beef up their roster for their title defense. 4. San Juan Scorpions The Scorpions are looking to get back to the Super Bowl after failing to defend their crown in 2019. With the fewest roster spots to fill, their lineup is essentially complete. They have Pick 8 overall in the upcoming draft and the third-highest cash average to add an extra playmaker via the auction should they choose to do so. They are poised for another big year. 5. Russia Renegades The Renegades placed fourth overall in the league and won the nominal 3rd-place game, but are looking for bigger and better things in 2020. They presently have a well-rounded depth chart at the core positions. They also have five first-round draft picks and the fourth-highest cash total to beef up their roster for a postseason run in 2020. 6. Wake Island Wookiees After a first-round playoff exit in 2019, Wake Island is hoping to build upon that success for the 2020 season. The Wookiees join the Scorpions with the fewest roster spots remaining and also boast one of the strongest projected starting lineups in the MFFL. The Wookiees have just one draft pick and the smallest amount of cash, so they’ll have to find bargains to complete their roster. 7. Jamaica Jerks Jamaica won the West Division crown a season ago and hope to defend that in 2020. They also seek to advance further in the playoffs this year as well. The Jerks have a strong core of starting running backs and wide receivers to build upon. They have six draft picks this year and the fourth-highest cash average to round out their roster for the impending push. 8. Turkey Jerky Turkey had quite the bipolar season a year ago and are hoping for some more consistency in 2020. The Jerky possess a strong core capable of posting big numbers, but with it come some high-priced salaries. The Jerky have just one draft pick — a third-rounder — and the smallest cash average in the league, meaning their scouting department better be ready to find some hidden gems. 9. Egypt Pharaohs Egypt had a roller coaster season a year ago, posting big numbers in some weeks and low scores in others. They fought back to win the South Division crown and are hoping to defend it in 2020. Their quarterback and running backs are solid, but they could use some upgrades at receiver and tight end. They have two draft picks and the third-highest cash average to help flesh out the roster. 10. Switzerland Squirrels The Squirrels were snakebit in 2019 and are hoping to leave that bitter taste behind them. The team has upgraded its roster this offseason and possesses a strong depth chart. They own Pick 16 in the draft and hope to add a playmaker there. They have a pair of RFAs they’d like to retain in Cooper Kupp and James Conner. Should they do so, they’ll be in great shape to compete in the North Division. 11. Bangkok Blitz Admittedly, Bangkok’s 2019 season busted the formula for these power rankings, but that’s what tanking will do. The Blitz have a much better “present” with young prospects on cheap deals looking to make continued strides. But where they rank the highest is in the “future” criterion where they own four first-round draft picks — including three of the top four picks — and have the most cash and highest cash average in the league. 12. Ecuador Ewoks The Ewoks were in a world of hurt a season ago, finishing 10th overall and suffering from a cap-straining contract. Unfortunately, they had to take on a big cap hit that hampers their present outlook. The Ewoks also traded star running back Ezekiel Elliott but managed to acquire some young prospects on cheap deals which will improve their cap situation moving forward. If the Ewoks add a few key contributors this offseason, they can steer the ship in the right direction.