Retro TBL 2025: Official Pre-Draft Power Rankings
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Retro TBL 2025: Official Pre-Draft Power Rankings
The Retro TBL isn’t just another fantasy league — it’s a proving ground.
Every August, fourteen of the most cunning and competitive fantasy minds gather with one goal in mind: to etch their name into league history and claim the Ray Jankowski Trophy. Over the years, we’ve seen dynasties rise and fall, Cinderella stories unfold, and bold trades change the course of a season overnight.
The 2024 campaign gave us all of that and more — high-powered offenses, breakout rookies, heartbreaking injuries, and a Retro Bowl showdown for the ages as the Bombers defeated the Mudhawx to capture the first championship in the newly reborn league's history. Now, with fresh contracts signed, rookies ready to be drafted, and rosters fine-tuned under the constraints of our unique 100-year contract cap, it’s time to reset the board.
As we enter 2025, some teams are chasing unfinished business, others are building for a brighter tomorrow, and a few are poised to shock the league. We’ve run the numbers, weighed the talent, and factored in last year’s results to bring you the Official Preseason Power Rankings.
1. Rebels (Owner: Rob Lee)
Strength: Quarterback — Josh Allen’s dual-threat dominance gives the Rebels a weekly floor most teams can’t match.
Weakness: WR Depth — After Terry McLaurin and D.K. Metcalf, depth leans on potential more than proven production.
X-Factor: RB Josh Jacobs — If his move to Green Bay sparks an All-Pro resurgence, pairing him with Devon Achane creates a terrifying backfield.
Non-Starter to Watch: WR Quentin Johnston — Could go from post-hype sleeper to reliable flex.
Projected Starters: Josh Allen | Devon Achane | Terry McLaurin | Sam LaPorta | Josh Jacobs | D.K. Metcalf | Jameson Williams | Jake Bates | Detroit Lions D/ST
2. Lions (Owner: Logan Blake)
Strength: RB Duo — Bijan Robinson and Joe Mixon are workhorse weapons.
Weakness: QB Consistency — Baker Mayfield is steady but volatile.
X-Factor: QB Caleb Williams — If Mayfield falters, Williams could take this offense nuclear.
Non-Starter to Watch: WR Rome Odunze — A top-10 NFL pick with a clear path to relevance.
Projected Starters: Baker Mayfield | Bijan Robinson | Chris Olave | Trey McBride | Joe Mixon | T.J. Hockenson | Christian Watson | Ka'imi Fairbairn | Houston Texans D/ST
3. Bombers (Owner: Brian Lake)
Strength: Star Power — Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson, Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, Travis Kelce… enough said.
Weakness: WR Depth — Behind Jefferson, age and injuries loom.
X-Factor: RB Saquon Barkley — Behind Philly’s O-line, could finish as RB1 overall.
Non-Starter to Watch: WR Calvin Ridley — A trade chip or midseason boost.
Projected Starters: Patrick Mahomes | Saquon Barkley | Justin Jefferson | Travis Kelce | Jahmyr Gibbs | Cooper Kupp | Deebo Samuel | Chase McLaughlin | Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST
4. Atoms (Owner: Adam Taylor)
Strength: Balance — No glaring holes in the starting lineup.
Weakness: Depth — Bench is more “potential” than “proven.”
X-Factor: TE Kyle Pitts — Could finally deliver on elite promise.
Non-Starter to Watch: WR Keon Coleman — Bills rookie with instant role potential.
Projected Starters: Justin Herbert | Kyren Williams | Tyreek Hill | Kyle Pitts | Jordan Addison | Jerry Jeudy | Dallas Goedert | Cameron Dicker | Arizona Cardinals D/ST
5. Terrors (Owner: Tony Martella)
Strength: RB Core — Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift = ground-game dominance.
Weakness: QB Upside — Matthew Stafford is steady, not explosive.
X-Factor: WR Garrett Wilson — Rodgers’ return could make him a top-5 WR.
Non-Starter to Watch: TE Pat Freiermuth — Bounce-back candidate and high-end backup.
Projected Starters: Matthew Stafford | Derrick Henry | Davante Adams | George Kittle | Jonathan Taylor | Garrett Wilson | D’Andre Swift | Jason Myers | Green Bay Packers D/ST
6. MadDawgz (Owner: Moose Miller)
Strength: WR Arsenal — Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Malik Nabers offer elite youth and upside.
Weakness: RB Depth — Aaron Jones is the lone proven option.
X-Factor: QB Joe Burrow — Health dictates this team’s ceiling.
Non-Starter to Watch: WR Brandon Aiyuk — Elite depth or trade bait.
Projected Starters: Joe Burrow | Aaron Jones | Ja’Marr Chase | Evan Engram | Malik Nabers | DeVonta Smith | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Chris Boswell | Cleveland Browns D/ST
7. Destroyers (Owner: Daniel)
Strength: TE Advantage — Mark Andrews + Juwan Johnson is a safe, high-ceiling duo.
Weakness: WR Depth — Beyond A.J. Brown, question marks loom.
X-Factor: QB Anthony Richardson — If healthy, could be a top-5 fantasy QB.
Non-Starter to Watch: QB Michael Penix Jr. — High-upside stash.
Projected Starters: Anthony Richardson | James Cook | A.J. Brown | Mark Andrews | Kenneth Walker III | Michael Pittman Jr. | Chris Godwin | Daniel Carlson | Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
8. Yinzers (Owner: Michael Young)
Strength: WR Reliability — Amon-Ra St. Brown, Amari Cooper, Jakobi Meyers offer safe floors.
Weakness: RB Depth — Rachaad White is the lone bellcow.
X-Factor: QB Jordan Love — Needs to prove 2024 wasn’t a fluke.
Non-Starter to Watch: QB Will Levis — Intriguing IR stash.
Projected Starters: Jordan Love | Rachaad White | Amon-Ra St. Brown | David Njoku | George Pickens | Jakobi Meyers | Cade Otton | TBD | Buffalo Bills D/ST
9. Condors (Owner: Chris Neely)
Strength: Youth Movement — C.J. Stroud, J.J. McCarthy, and rookie WR trio could define the future.
Weakness: RB Room — No proven workhorse.
X-Factor: QB C.J. Stroud — Can he avoid a sophomore slump?
Non-Starter to Watch: WR Ricky Pearsall — Route-running rookie with instant role potential.
Projected Starters: C.J. Stroud | Jaylen Warren | Zay Flowers | Cole Kmet | Xavier Worthy | Alec Pierce | Javonte Williams | Harrison Butker | Kansas City Chiefs D/ST
10. Bulls (Owner: Brian Guatteri)
Strength: WR Trio — CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins, D.J. Moore can hang with anyone.
Weakness: RB Depth — Chuba Hubbard is the lone proven starter.
X-Factor: QB Brock Purdy — Needs to prove he’s more than a system QB.
Non-Starter to Watch: RB Jonathon Brooks — Stashed IR rookie with RB1 upside.
Projected Starters: Brock Purdy | Chuba Hubbard | CeeDee Lamb | Tyler Conklin | Tee Higgins | D.J. Moore | Isiah Pacheco | Jason Sanders | Las Vegas Raiders D/ST
11. Believers (Owner: Josh Blake)
Strength: QB Floor/Ceiling — Lamar Jackson remains a weekly game-changer.
Weakness: WR Depth — Drake London is promising, but help is thin.
X-Factor: RB Breece Hall — Could be the overall RB1 if the Jets offense clicks.
Non-Starter to Watch: TE Isaiah Likely — Elite insurance piece.
Projected Starters: Lamar Jackson | Breece Hall | Drake London | Dalton Kincaid | David Montgomery | Tank Dell | Adam Thielen | Jake Elliott | Los Angeles Chargers D/ST
12. BadM’fers (Owner: Brad Robison)
Strength: Veteran Core — Aaron Rodgers, James Conner, Alvin Kamara, Keenan Allen, Mike Evans = proven production.
Weakness: Age/Contracts — Win-now roster with short window.
X-Factor: RB Christian McCaffrey — Health determines fate.
Non-Starter to Watch: WR Josh Downs — Reliable PPR depth.
Projected Starters: Aaron Rodgers | James Conner | Mike Evans | TBD | Alvin Kamara | Keenan Allen | Christian McCaffrey | TBD | TBD
13. Jackrabbits (Owner: John Pasterik)
Strength: QB — Jalen Hurts’ dual-threat game is a weekly advantage.
Weakness: Depth — Thin roster behind starters.
X-Factor: WR Puka Nacua — Could prove rookie year wasn’t a fluke.
Non-Starter to Watch: RB J.K. Dobbins — Fresh start with Chargers.
Projected Starters: Jalen Hurts | Devin Singletary | Nico Collins | Zach Ertz | Puka Nacua | Courtland Sutton | Zach Charbonnet | Tyler Bass | Indianapolis Colts D/ST
14. Mudhawx (Owner: Mike McClain)
Strength: Youth — Kyler Murray, Jayden Daniels, Trey Benson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaylen Waddle form a strong future core.
Weakness: Present Production — Heavy reliance on rookies will mean growing pains.
X-Factor: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. — Generational rookie talent.
Non-Starter to Watch: RB Chase Brown — Explosive playmaker with upside.
Projected Starters: Kyler Murray | Rhamondre Stevenson | Marvin Harrison Jr. | Brock Bowers | Jaylen Waddle | Brian Thomas Jr. | Tyjae Spears | Brandon Aubrey | Baltimore Ravens D/ST
Final Thoughts
The table is set, the rosters are locked in, and the journey toward the 2025 Retro Bowl is about to begin. On paper, the top-tier squads look nearly untouchable — but we know better. Injuries, breakout stars, and savvy waiver-wire moves have a way of flipping these rankings upside down by midseason.
For the contenders, the mission is simple: survive the grind, secure a playoff berth, and peak when it matters most. For the rebuilders, it’s about stockpiling assets, developing young stars, and laying the foundation for future dominance. And for everyone in between? A few bold moves could be the difference between watching the Retro Bowl and playing in it.
The path to the Ray Jankowski Trophy is never straight, never easy, and never without surprises. Buckle up, Retro TBL — the next chapter in our league’s storied history is about to be written.
