In this document, I have done my absolute best to write about each individual rostered player as of October 29th. This includes free agent pickups done after the initial draft. Each franchise page has information about the franchise, a small paragraph about each player, a longer paragraph about their draft and overall team outlook, expectations for the franchise across Season 13, and finally predictions based on an educated guess from my experience with these players. After this section, I made small pieces about each free agent pickup as well. Please note that these are my predictions, in that I will be ultimately very wrong no matter what. None of these predictions are personal, just a few teams have to be on top and a few teams have to be on the bottom, no matter who they are. Nonetheless, enjoy reading and let me know what you think of it!
Bulls
Historical Ranking: #1
- 2x MLE Champions (Season 11, 2’s)
- 4x Conference Champions (Season 8, 11, 12 (2s), 12 (3’s))
- 4x Division Champions (Season 8, 11, 12 (2s), 12 (3’s))
Franchise Manager: CHASER
General Manager: N/A
Legacy Player: Deluxe
Players
BasiliskRL (20.0)
(Round 1, Pick 9)(S12)(BUL)
After his stellar championship performance on the Bulls in Season 12, the popular streamer returns as a well-deserved first round pickup rather than a waiver wire steal. His forte is in 3s as seen in both Premier League and 6mans, so the Bulls should have no problem building a solid roster upon his foundation.
Lazarus (20.5)
(Round 2, Pick 2) (S11) (ECL, OUT)
This player shot his way up the leaderboards after performing well on the Outlaws. In his third season, he is looking to break his way into the top ten conversation, boasting a phenomenal 20.5 salary. His experience in other leagues with the Santa Fe Kings is sure to only help tone his skills and put the Bulls into contention.
Mythic (18.0)
(Round 3, Pick 9) (S12) (EXP)
Serving as the third on the championship winning Philadelphia Plague in United Rogue, the Bulls aim to utilize him for the same purpose and replicate their success. Though the Express did not have the season they wanted to last season, a change of scenery and additional potential chemistry could make picking him at 29 at steal. If his activity is as good as it was last season, he will be a valuable asset.
KILT (19.5)
(Round 4, Pick 2) (S7) (HAW, HIVE, BEA, AVI, FOX)
Rounding out this rather wholesome Bulls roster is KILT, one of the longest standing Premier League players. Having more Minor League Esports (MLE) experience than the rest of the roster combined is sure to make his team formidable and provide valuable support not only on the field but off the field for mentality. At the 32nd pick, KILT is an extremely worthwhile pick for CHASER and the rest of the franchise.
Analysis
The Bulls are placed in a tough position being in the Orange Conference. The overall winning aura of the Premier Bulls, particularly under CHASER, and the pressure of recreating the success of past seasons is definitely apparent. Without an overwhelmingly strong 2’s lineup, the Bulls’ focus will be on 3’s and creating a force out of typically solid support players. Each player on the Bulls this season theoretically played a secondary role last season (Basilisk with Deluxe, Lazarus with Lotty Lettuce, Mythic with Centurion/Jish, KILT with Zack) which is beneficial in that they are more likely to play as a team and be unselfish rather than play as three individuals. Overall, I am excited to see what the Bulls can pull off with these players and a lack of a “dominant” central player. In general, this team will be a pleasure to watch and the incredible amount of positive things I have both experienced and heard about the character of these players is unmatched across the league. Personally, I have not one bad interaction with any of these players and am certain that even while down they will still have an exceptional time. Only the best should be wished for this roster and is an excellent underdog figure for anyone not familiar to the Premier League to attach themselves to.
Expectations
Doubles may be a tough prediction for this roster as they currently do not have any high tier players who are geared specifically to the gamemode. However, I have been wrong before and if either BasiliskRL/Lazarus work a bit to adapt their playstyles, they could make a break for a playoff appearance. While the Doubles outlook may be slightly bleak, the Standard playoff goal is highly feasible if chemistry develops between the starting three. Basilisk has been grinding on and off stream, with the potential to pop off with a surging Lazarus and fresh United Rogue champion Mythic. KILT provides a great replacement piece if fatigue arises and yet again an excellent mental presence to keep the team going.
Predictions
Doubles
16-34, 2-8 (5th in Orange Conference)
Standard
17-33, 2-8 (5th in Orange Conference)
Composite
33-67, 4-16 (9th in Premier League)
Express
Historical Ranking: #5
- 1x Division Champions (Season 9)
Franchise Manager: C0P3x
General Manager: Rushy
Legacy Player: Gumbachi
Players
Lotty Lettuce (21.0)
(Round 1, Pick 3) (S9) (OUT, WOL)
At this point it is highly unlikely that anybody who has been around in the last few seasons would not understand why Lotty Lettuce went this high. In addition to being one of the best players in the last few seasons on the Outlaws, his recent success on Escape Velocity has only solidified him as a presence in the RL scene, not to mention his golden reputation as being extremely likeable.
Zeenics (19.0)
(Round 2, Pick 10)(Rookie)
More commonly known as lxxnk in United Rogue, RLPC, and District, Zeenics could turn out to be this season’s Wovah and go on a tear with little stopping him. Impressive showings elsewhere with little MLE recognition is a recipe for an underrated team and paired with Lotty could make for a ridiculous duo. Ranked MMR means less in MLE, but 2060 in 3’s will make a few teams turn their heads.
Jolly Folly (19.5)
(Round 3, Pick 3) (S9) (ECL, EXP, SPA)
The Canadian is famous for his lengthy goodnight messages but what some may not realize is that he can be the greatest third in the entirety of PL if he meshes well with this roster. Reps with the Montreal Stags and Los Angeles Griffins in UR as well as stints in Nemesis and Frontier have prepared him for an opportunity like this, and he is fully capable of taking advantage.
Antee (18.5)
(Round 4, Pick 8 )(S11) (SPA, ELI)
The last pickup of the draft for the Express is looking to prove himself this season. An off and on player the last few seasons, the European player is intent on establishing himself as a starting caliber player and grind through the ranks. This season he was a fourth round pick, but he could easily be taken early in the second this time next season.
Analysis
This team has something special on their hands. Lotty Lettuce serves as the apparent central player on the team, the obvious choice as an all-around workhorse and a practical guarantee to bring his team a deep playoff run as proven in his time on the Outlaws, Wolves, San Antonio Revenge, RLPC Storm, Jacksonville Pirates etc. Jolly Folly is arguably the greatest third man in the entire league and will provide great support as a playmaker for Lotty, having a keen ability in delivering the ball from nearly anywhere on the pitch no matter the situation speaking from first hand experience. Lotty and Folly are guaranteed in this situation: we know what to expect and what they are capable of giving the Express. What turns the Express from a contender to a championship favorite is Zeenics. Many MLE franchise managers and even Premier League players are unaware of his work on both the Los Angeles Orcas and Seattle Swarm, playing a do-it-all role that can take over a game whenever he feels like it. Getting a PC has led to this breakout season from Zeenics, and I believe he can fill in as a dual threat for the Express, diverting the attention from Lotty and opening a flurry of attacking opportunities to pop off and score both quickly and unexpectedly. Antee, with his up and coming determination, will be a great puzzle piece to fit in if something is not working quite as well as they would like, and provides the Express a high level perspective of what can be improved on and how the team can unlock their true potential.
Expectations
The expectations will always be high with a team of this caliber. I believe that if Lotty Lettuce finds a Taki-esque partner in Doubles that they can put up a challenge in the Blue conference. However, their Standard capabilities to me exceed the contender level and make me view them as my favorite to represent the Blue Conference. Lotty Lettuce will not be satisfied until he has a championship and this may be the best season for it.
Predictions
Doubles
29-21, 6-4 (2nd in Blue Conference)
Standard
30-20, 7-3 (1st in Blue Conference)
Composite
59-41, 13-7 (Tied 1st in Premier League)
Hawks
Historical Ranking: #4
- 1x Conference Champions (Season 9)
- 1x Division Champions (Season 9)
Franchise Manager: Staas
General Manager: Staas
Legacy Player: TestGravity
Players
Evil (22.0)
(Round 1, Pick 7) (S12) (BUL)
Evil emerged as one of the most prominent rookies of Season 12, appearing in two finals and ultimately winning in Standard over a favored Knights squad. Evil is entering the peak of his Rocket League career, motivated to make the jump to CRL and use MLE to begin to gear up against those types of players. A player with few flaws and newfound motivation, Staas made an excellent choice.
BraidedAxe (19.5)
(Round 2, Pick 4) (S9) (BUL, SHD, BLI)
This is another great pickup for the Hawks in multiple ways. His Rocket League skill is quite obvious, finding regular season success on both the Shadow and Blizzard. In addition, his kind and fun demeanor is beneficial to the team culture, being someone who will interact with other players outside of the game. Pick 14 was about where he was expected to go with a high floor and makes for a safe selection for the Hawks.
Gumbachi (18.0)
(Round 3, Pick 7) (S9) (EXP, BUL, ELI)
Gumbachi joins the team that denied him a golden Season 9 on the Express. However, he now has a more polished cast surrounding him and Standard may be the gamemode where he can make a breakthrough to at least a championship appearance. While he has had a tougher time with the playoffs since his MVP performance, he is still in prime position to take the league by siege once again.
Sizzz (18.0)
(Round 4, Pick 4) (Rookie)
Sizzz is a little newer to the higher tier of RL leagues but has made a great effort to get accustomed to it, captaining for the Detroit Wolfpack last season and finishing it off with valuable Ramen Bowl reps on the Pittsburgh Phantoms. He would be my favorite to become a captain on this team, using his leadership skills to provide some direction and organization for this team.
Analysis
This will definitely be my favorite team to watch this season, and it is not particularly close. Staas and Evil planned their draft beautifully, scooping up multiple former first round Premier League picks in Gumbachi and BraidedAxe. They have many years of Standard experience together, playing together under Frost Esports together for a good amount of time and gaining valuable tournament experience that will make MLE look like a cakewalk. Three Supersonic Legends together with some previous chemistry will come out hot as soon as the season starts. Evil’s insight from being a coach for GamersRdy could also help give some perspective on the team and unlock their true potential. Sizzz also has a great opportunity to learn under these phenomenal players and while he may not be at starting level just yet, he will learn quickly and will be a great fill-in player when desired. My only qualm with this team may be motivation, but I trust that Staas will keep these guys on track and use the profound success of past Hawks teams to put them on pace for a great season. (If I were a free agent, this would be my team to pick.)
Expectations
High level Rocket League players are often focused on Standard, so a common thread with all of these teams will be with their Doubles. I think that all three can play well in Doubles if their heart desires, so they definitely are in contention. Their Standard ceiling is quite literally sky high. They can be the top team in Standard if they consistently play together, maintain upbeat communications, and are willing to give way a little bit for the benefit of the team. A championship appearance is within their realistic expectations. Yet again, I am excited to see what this team can do and think that Staas put together an interesting and phenomenal roster.
Predictions
Doubles
24-26, 4-6 (4th in Blue Conference)
Standard
28-22, 7-3 (2nd in Blue Conference)
Composite
52-48, 11-9 (6th in Premier League)
Hive
Historical Ranking: #9
- No Accolades
Franchise Manager: uh steve
General Manager: Paully.
Legacy Player: Squidd
Players
Nico (19.0)
(Round 1, Pick 8) (Rookie)
Perhaps the most dominant Hoops player of all time, this was also the most easily forecasted pick of all time, being selected by uh steve. Nonetheless, it will be very interesting how Nico performs in leagues for the first time. His mechanics developed through high level extra modes may provide an advantage in Doubles but meshing well with other league members in Standard could be a new, exciting challenge.
Nate. (18.0)
(Round 2, Pick 3) (S11) (SHA, HIVE, BUL, RHI)
Nate has one of the highest growth potentials out of almost any PL player this season. Hidden in the depths of the Bulls roster last season, Nate was taken in hopes that his 1’s ability will immediately shine in Doubles and that he can translate well after adjusting to high tier Standard in the MLE. Though technically unproven in this league, he can quickly and quite easily make a name for himself on the Hive.
toxic (19.5)
(Round 3, Pick 8) (Rookie)
Another newcomer to the MLE, toxic is often seen teaming up with the likes of madmaxrk in RLPC. This league’s environment will be a big, new adjustment for him, teaming up with two solid players in Nico and Nate. If he remains motivated to work with his new teammates and willing to embrace the Hive identity, I believe he can be a star on this team and make them a triple swarm threat in Standard.
Martzy (18.5)
(Round 4, Pick 3) (Rookie)
The New Haven player makes his MLE debut as a fourth round pick, always a plus getting picked under such short notice. One of the best parts of being a rookie is having no expectations, so Martzy is sure to experience a season where he has the opportunity to prove himself and shoot up the draft boards for future seasons. That being said, Martzy is a very solid fourth option for this roster and I believe with some extra practice can make a great rotational player in Standard for this Hive roster.
Analysis
This season’s version of the Premier League Hive easily presents the most questions out of any of the ten teams. While they are all certainly highly qualified and all have the ability to compete with other rosters, three rookies and one player with little tangible MLE PL experience makes them hard, if not impossible to predict accurately long term. Each player possesses hard skills to give the ingredients for success but it is up to the motivated individuals and franchise manager, uh steve, to put it all together to make it into a great team product that the franchise will be proud to stand behind. They are one of the more mechanical teams in the league, so using the unpredictability that comes with it can create a deadly offensive attack that could be hard to defend against if not planned for. While the team’s ability to compete against more solidified teams is a fair question to ask, the players on the team each have the ability to have breakout seasons and establish themselves as dangerous presences in the MLE, and that makes their series a must-watch event each week.
Expectations
In all honesty, the expectations are lower for this team this season in my eyes. This is exactly the position the Hive wants to be in. With little league footage to go off of or first hand experiences against these players, game planning against the Hive will be rather difficult and could catch some teams off guard. A playoff appearance in either gamemode would be a fantastic result for them, although a true, well-informed prediction of the Hive is not in my reparateur at the moment. Doubles could be their route to the playoffs using the mechanical angle as justification. Only time will tell what we can easily expect out of the Hive. Nonetheless, they will be a fun team to watch and experience in Season 13.
Predictions
Doubles
15-35, 2-8 (5th in Blue Conference)
Standard
15-35, 2-8 (5th in Blue Conference)
Composite
30-70, 4-16 (10th in Premier League)
Hurricanes
Historical Ranking: #7
- 2x Division Champions (Season 11, 12 (2’s))
Franchise Manager: goldentornado17
General Manager: Squanchy
Legacy Player: TestGravity
Players
daffy (18.5)
(Round 1, Pick 6) (18.5) (Rookie)
It can be argued that daffy is the highest profile rookie to enter the MLE scene in Season 13. His multiple CRL appearances for UNCC and outstanding gameplay for the Baltimore Kraken and Kansas City Carnage make him an obvious choice at pick 6. If he can stay committed to MLE and make himself the next generational player of the Hurricanes, he can make deep playoff runs for seasons to come.
Kruncho (20.0)
(Round 2, Pick 5) (S12) (PIR)
After dominating in UR and RSC for so long, Kruncho made himself a staple of high tier PL gameplay after playing for the Pirates last season. His recent qualification for CRL under Brock University is just proof of his grind and willingness to improve himself season after season. Kruncho is only getting better, and I don’t see him stopping his reign anytime soon.
Anziety Killa (19.0)
(Round 3, Pick 5) (S12) (HUR)
Banx, now rebranded as Anziety Killa, returns to the Hurricanes after filling in early on a depleted roster last season. No matter the circumstances, he still found great success in both gamemodes, putting up a very respectable MVPR in both Doubles and Standard. If he can get along well with daffy and Kruncho, he will likely have high expectations for this team and hope to make it a more fulfilling season.
Devin (18.0)
(Round 4, Pick 5) (Rookie)
After bouncing around UR and RLPC teams for a bit of time, Devin makes his first appearance in the MLE. He will make a solid alternative to Anziety Killa, being malleable to whichever role he needs to fill at any time and many seasons of high level experience ensures that his arrival into MLE will be smooth. As the 35th pick, Devin is a solid choice to round out the Hurricanes.
Analysis
To me at least, this feels like a typical Hurricanes Premier League team: extremely high ceiling with a small chance of falling through the cracks. Daffy and Kruncho make two excellent core Standard players on the Hurricanes, with plenty of relevant experience to back them up (being able to compete in front of large audiences such as that in CollegeCarball and Rocket League’s main stream is massive for overall confidence). Anziety Killa is the obvious third, and if he can complete and complement the front two’s playstyles like he did last season with ChimpanJay, they have a solid chance of competing in the Blue Conference. Devin would also no doubt be a great fit in a supporter role having played with similar players in a similar position in other leagues. Mentioned with previous teams, long term motivation may come into question with this team. Maintaining focus for three months in a semi-pro league such as MLE can be a tough task for high tier players as they usually have more demanding needs to be met in their RL careers. However, if goldentornado17 can keep his team active and persistent, they can be hopeful for a playoff appearance at a minimum.
Expectations
The Hurricanes, along with many other teams in this analysis, are difficult to predict in Doubles. There are a lot of variables with individual skill relating to Doubles that makes it hard to see where they stand until a few series are under their belts. Daffy and Kruncho could be a devastating pair, but perhaps lack a perfectly adapted playstyle to truly excel in it. Standard is where the potential lies for this squad. I am certain none of these players would be happy with anything less than a playoff finals appearance, though tough competition may prevent that if they don’t have a perfect storm of chemistry among the starting three. Scrims are this team’s best friend in order to make their goals a reality.
Predictions
Doubles
24-26, 5-5 (3rd in Blue Conference)
Standard
26-24, 5-5 (4th in Blue Conference)
Composite
50-50, 10-10 (6th in Premier League)
Knights
Historical Ranking: #2
- 1x MLE Champions (Season 12 (2’s))
- 2x Conference Champions (Season 12 (2’s), 12 (3’s))
- 2x Division Champions (Season 10, 12 (2’s))
Franchise Manager: Galaxy
General Manager: KyleCornDog
Legacy Player: Comp
Players
Perma (21.5)
(Round 1, Pick 4) (S10) (PUF, KNI)
Until recently, I did not believe that Perma played the game with much consistency. Galaxy then showed me his ninety-one hours in the last two weeks. Perma was no doubt a world class key player for the championship-winning Knights last season but with newfound interest, he could turn it up a notch and be the best player in the league. An excellent, and forecasted, pick at number four.
Windle (19.5)
(Round 2, Pick 1) (S11) (JETS)
The first combination between a Jet and Knight last season is found here, and is quite the pairing to say the least. Windle was dominant in both Doubles and Standard last season, leaving his BigTwig69 shell to reveal himself as a dual threat force to be reckoned with. He is for certain ready to get redemption after falling short in the conference finals, and refuses to be denied this time around. Galaxy did not have to think very long or hard to select Windle here.
Galaxy (17.5)
(Round 4, Pick 7) (S8) (SHA, BUL, KNI)
While Galaxy did not see much action on the star-studded lineup consisting of Comp, Perma, and ryker last season, he is finally ready to step into the spotlight and provide his services as a honorable rotational player in support of his two juggernaut teammates. Being one the lowest salaries in the league, I applaud him for putting himself out there and gaining the necessary experience needed to make the jump from a backup to a fully fledged starter. In terms of franchise management, Galaxy went all out on the first two players, trading his second and third round pick to move up and select Windle. He was the only FM to make a move like this, and it may just be a genius move if himself or another third of his choosing is able to fill in the gaps.
Analysis
Once again, Galaxy has put together a fantastic roster that he can be proud of. Perma’s ability to take over a series and lift up the players around him is exactly why he was brought back, and in combination with Windle, could have his best season yet (though is it even possible to beat his gameplay from last season?) Though Perma is separated from longtime Rocket League partner ryker for the first time in forever, he should have no problem meshing well with Windle, who is active in scrims and shows zero signs of slowing down his phenomenal track starting from S11 Master League to S12 Premier League SSL and conference finalist. Galaxy, as mentioned before, can make a great glue for this team and be a dedicated third while both Perma and Windle take care of the attacking. If he can be a menace on defense, it could be a great Standard team. What the main concern for this team could be is a final hangover, in which all of their members had great success last season and may be off their guard for the beginning of the new season. However, for now, all three players on this roster and recent free agent pickup mario seem motivated to grind throughout the season and stay active on this franchise, putting the team in prime position to have another great season.
Expectations
The expectations for this season are obviously extremely high coming off two finals appearances and a Standard MLE trophy. I think that this team has an excellent chance of winning the Doubles championship, the fourth and eleventh pick making them the highest combined two picks of the draft. Anything less than a championship for them in this gamemode would be disappointing. In Standard, it relies on how well Galaxy and mario are able to fit into their roster. Mario played with other high tier players in other leagues recently, so he may be exactly what they need to pull off at least a conference final appearance in Standard.
Predictions
Doubles
31-19, 7-3 (1st in Blue Conference)
Standard
27-23, 6-4 (3rd in Blue Conference)
Composite
58-42, 13-7 (Tied 3rd in Premier League)
Pirates
Historical Ranking: #3
- 3x Division Champions (Season 10, 12 (2’s), 12 (3’s))
Franchise Manager: Tater
General Manager: Virt
Legacy Player: Tater
Players
Tater (21.5)
(Round 1, Pick 5) (S7) (PIR)
After over two and a half years of knowing Tater, I could probably write an entire essay on his journey throughout the league. The top 100 player is obviously one of the best players in the league, and is probably the most determined to break through and make it to the finals. He has the skills, he has the plan, and he’s been improving his mentality each season. Now it’s time for him to finish the job.
madmaxrk (18.5)
(Round 2, Pick 6)(Rookie)
The former #1 pick in RSC and RLPC champion makes his first appearance in MLE, and I am not sure if the rest of the league is ready for him. His strong performance on the Jersey Jackals last season and overall incredible mechanical ability proves that he has what it takes to succeed in the MLE and be a frontrunner for Rookie of the Season.
rickie. (18.0)
(Round 3, Pick 5)(S12) (RHI)
rickie is an incredibly solid pickup. After grinding from the beginning of last season into the Season 13 preseason, he is definitely ready to make a statement as an underrated starter on the Pirates. His mechanical ability is definitely his strongest suite, being extremely unpredictable in almost every attacking scenario.
Prosperity2K (18.0)
(Round 4, Pick 6) (S6) (KNI, HIVE, SAB, LIT)
The legend himself is here, and after a good season on a dimmer Lightning roster, he is here to light it up on the Pirates as a very solid substitute and even potential starter in Standard. Outside of his gameplay, Prosperity2K is an incredible asset to the Pirates close-knit franchise and will make an impact on every person he meets there. No matter the season he personally has, he will make the Pirates season a lot more fun.
Analysis
This Pirates roster will be extremely exciting to watch unfold, no matter the direction it may go. Potentially the highest ceiling in the league, with also a low floor if the playstyles and personalities do not mesh in the way Tater hopes they would. Each one of these players have a loud, mechanical playstyle that can provide with them an impossibly difficult to predict offense if the trio handles responsibility properly. With really no limit to their potential, there are only two potential downfalls for this roster: attitude and defense. Mentality is a great portion of success, and this team needs to ensure they remain upbeat and execute communications well in order to right the ship in tense situations instead of forcing one another to walk the plank. In terms of defense, they definitely can pull off their three playstyles together if they are able to establish a rigid rotation. Prosperity provides a plug and chug solution if they get in the way of each other, but Tater no doubt has a game plan for everything.. I am perhaps being a bit more critical of this roster than most, but that is because I believe they can be the best if they properly acclimate to each other in due time.
Expectations
This team has the initial look of a championship winning Doubles roster. Tater, madmaxrk, and rickie. all have skillsets geared toward the gamemode. Anything less than representing the Orange Conference in Doubles this season would create a “what if” situation to reflect on for the Pirates. In Standard, there are a lot of definite pros that are turned into questionable variables. Mechanics are important, but rotation and comms are triumphant in the big picture. I think a playoff appearance is definitely in the cards, but to guarantee anything more replay reviews are the key for the Pirates.
Predictions
Doubles
32-18, 8-2 (1st in Orange Conference)
Standard
27-23, 6-4 (3rd in Orange Conference)
Composite
59-41, 13-7 (Tied 1st in Premier League)
Rhinos
Historical Ranking: #10
- No Accolades
Franchise Manager: R E D
General Manager: Mayhem
Legacy Player: HersheyRL
Players
Deluxe (22.0)
(Round 1, Pick 1) (S9) (FOX, BUL)
Truthfully, I have run out of things to say about Deluxe. UR Champion on the San Diego Armada, RLPC Champion on the Panthers, 2x MLE Champion on the Bulls, Odin Champion on the Maine Moose, probably some more I forgot about. He is simply a phenomenal player on the field and an obvious choice for the first overall pick. He has nothing left to prove in leagues, though he continues his reign of terror.
insanityRL (19.0)
(Round 2, Pick 9) (S12) (RHI)
Insanity has launched his way up the draft boards in the last few seasons, proving to be an excellent and probably one of, if not, best support players in the league. His success in other leagues such as with the Phoenix Thunder this season as the best performing $185 definitely caught some player’s eyes, so it’s about time he gets the respect he deserves this season and is solidified as a top 15 player in the league.
snoop (19.0)
(Round 3, Pick 1) (S11) (ELI, HUR, TYR)
At pick 21, snoop is a solid pickup for the Rhinos, rounding out the top three for this roster. A key part of the Maui Ancients, he hopes to use those skills to provide a supportive but offensively underrated role on this roster. Snoop may have not clicked as well as he wanted to with the Hurricanes and Tyrants of Season 12, but there is no doubt that he will be terrifying to play if he feels comfortable with his teammates.
R E D (18.0)
(Round 4, Pick 10) (S7) (KNI, PIR, HIVE, JETS)
R E D has had quite the interesting MLE career, bouncing around teams and finding an honestly impressive amount of success wherever he goes. However, this may be his greatest opportunity yet to find a championship as a player. He is a very solid player in Standard but perhaps needs a little bit more experience and will greatly benefit from learning from this squad of players he has assembled.
Analysis
The league screwed up. Badly. Like very badly. Letting Deluxe pick the team that he wanted to, in the fashion he wanted was a perfect plan devised by R E D, and probably the first idea that popped into head when the draft lottery gifted him with the first overall pick in the Premier League. This team has the obvious setup for a great Standard team, as previous runs with both Deluxe and insanity proved to be very fruitful. If snoop was handpicked, there is also little chance that snoop does not at least provide a great third for this squad. In terms of Doubles, it is a little conflicting. I messaged insanity the other day and asked “Do you hate 2’s?”. He responded to “Yes”. With that, let’s hope that snoop, R E D, or a free agent pickup is up to the task and can accompany the Doubles demon in Deluxe. Truthfully, I believe this will be one of the smoothest teams in the league and am struggling to come up with reasons as to why they wouldn’t be a top performing roster. Some questions in Doubles, but only confidence in their Standard capabilities in Season 13.
Expectations
This team in Doubles always has a great chance with Deluxe, but with questions surrounding his partner puts Deluxe’s third Doubles championship appearance in a row in jeopardy. I think a championship appearance for the Rhinos in this mode would be a great goal for them, and I am sure R E D would agree. As for Standard, not just an appearance, but a championship is what this team has in sight for themselves. They put together this squad for a reason, and they will be determined to not only meet but exceed the high expectations given to them by the rest of the community.
Predictions
Doubles
28-22, 6-4 (2nd in Orange Conference)
Standard
30-20, 7-3 (1st in Orange Conference)
Composite
58-42, 13-7 (Tied 3rd in Premier League)
Tyrants
Historical Ranking: #6
- 1x Division Champions (Season 10)
Franchise Manager: Taelo
General Manager: Tuba
Legacy Player: Zack
Players
vitali. (21.5)
(Round 1, Pick 2) (S7) (SPA, SPE, AVI, ECL, JETS)
Season 12’s first overall pick does not fall far here, getting scooped up at #2. Vitali is a very safe option, having a long history at the league’s top level while continuing to be one of the very best. His ability to mesh with almost every teammate he is paired up with is huge and is sure to have high expectations for this roster, hoping to break through to the finals for the first time this season.
Ls (19.0)
(Round 2, Pick 8) (S9) (SPE, LIT, TYR)
This player has experience in almost every single top community league, proving himself to be a great player wherever he goes. However, he is looking to have his first real success in the MLE this season, hoping to go farther in the playoffs this time around. One of my favorite players to play with in the league, he should have a great time on the Tyrants the third time around.
Atokad (18.0)
(Round 3, Pick 2) (S6) (HUR, BEA, FOX, SPA PIR, SHA, ECL, OUT)
Atokad is one of two players in PL who have played since Season 6, being the most seasoned veteran any team could ask for. His continual success each season is fantastic, making the playoffs consistently year after year. He also provides a massive community boost in PL, being one of the foundational pillars of this league dating back to his championship win with the Foxes in Season 8.
ryker (18.0)
(Round 4, Pick 9) (S10) (PUF, KNI)
If his internet gets working again, relative to draft position he is for sure the steal of this season’s draft. An MLE champion with the three-headed monster of a Knights roster, ryker is set up for success again with this squad. Although his season with Utah did not go as planned, the Forge Coaching founder is ready to go and prove why the other franchise managers made a mistake letting him slip to the last pick in the draft.
Analysis
Full disclosure, this is my own team. I will be viewing them favorably to let them know that I don’t hate them (ask Ls about my United Rogue power rankings last season). This team should be a terrifying team to go up against in both Doubles and Standard. Examining the prior chemistry, vitali and Atokad have been waiting season after season to link up once again and show the league what they can do. Ryker is also very familiar with vitali and Atokad , so there should be no off-the-field issues between these three personality wise. The real question here comes with Ls, seeing how he can fit into this roster as he technically has little to no experience with any of these players. However, Ls has been on so many teams with so many players across the years that with some practice, there should not be any problems. His reformed attitude also is a huge plus, so the process should be quite clean and smooth if all goes according to plan. This squad really has four potential starters, the other team having zero idea what is being thrown at them and solving a large issue that arises with Premier League teams: availability. If these four can figure it all out, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Expectations
The Doubles outlook for this team actually looks quite good, with vitali and Ls being great players for the gamemode. The potential is 100% there, but the execution through developed chemistry remains in question. If they get along in communications, they will be expecting a conference finals appearance or will be left heartbroken. In terms of Standard, if they can avoid the mistakes of last season and form a coherent roster that gets along, they can do anything and will for sure be expecting at least a conference finals appearance. Overall, a very fun and scary roster that should make meteoric waves across the league.
Predictions
Doubles
27-23, 6-4 (3rd in Orange Conference)
Standard
29-21, 6-4 (2nd in Orange Conference)
Composite
56-44, 12-8 (5th in Premier League)
Wizards
Historical Ranking: #8
- 1x Division Champions (Season 9)
Franchise Manager: Jamesy
General Manager: Jamesey
Legacy Player: Smrf.
Players
Wovah (21.5)
(Round 1, Pick 10) (S11) (JETS)
Arguably the most skilled player in the league, the Wizards made a great selection at pick #10, picking up a huge part of the Jets’ success last season with vitali and Windle. There may be reasons for why he fell this far, but I think with a newly reformed attitude and dedication Wovah will experience an excellent arc this season and become a surefire top three pick for the next season. He has the plan in place, and I have full faith that he can succeed anywhere with the right mentality.
JustTuck (19.0)
(Round 2, Pick 7) (S8) (PAN, DOD, WIZ)
The wild-card Canadian was taken quite high after a long trip to the Yukon over the past year, but he is determined to pick up where he left off on the Wizards. Tuck was a very high level player in previous seasons and if he can regain his skills from previous seasons after an extended break, the former UR champion can be a great accompanying player for Wovah and his other teammates.
Distant (18.0)
(Round 3, Pick 4) (S10) (SPA, ELI)
Distant at this pick is a steal. He had a bit of a difficult time in Season 12 with the Elite but can rebound with a new environment and a fresh slate of teammates that could provide him with newfound motivation and a place to reinvent himself. The reason I believe he falls to the third round is a lack of name recognition, so great job by Jamesy for recognizing the talent.
Kent (18.0)
(Round 3, Pick 10)(Rookie)
The Washington Rebellion captain jumps over to MLE for the first time, and is taken at pick #30 to be on the Wizards. While he is usually on the lower end of salaries, he can learn from some of the best here and get some valuable playing time. His leadership experience puts him in a great position to right the team at any time.
Delta (19.0)
(Round 4, Pick 1) (S10) (DOD)
Sorry Delta, you are too large to fit on one page with the rest of the team. Better luck next time. All jokes aside, Delta has one of the best attitudes and personalities in the league, making him a pleasure to whatever franchise manager drafts him. He is also a grinder, setting an example for worth ethic on his new franchise and will motivate his teammates to get into shape and hopefully have a great season.
Analysis
In my opinion, this team made a lot of interesting picks in the draft, having the most selections in the draft at five in varying positions (10, 17, 24, 30, 31). While I do think this team has capability, the core of the team’s success may have to come from one player: Wovah. If he can boost his teammates’ gameplay and provide himself as a beacon to lift up his team’s mentality, they can succeed at this level. JustTuck, Distant Kent, and Delta are also solid teammates capable of rising to a high level, they just need some motivation and drive to get there and mesh correctly. I think the one possible pitfall of this team would be mentality. There are few players on this team who need some boost in confidence and motivation when it comes down to tough moments. I would rely on Delta and Kent specifically to bring this team up and change their attitude to positive and upbeat in these certain times. The number one thing that matters in the Premier League is chemistry. It does not matter the skill or the players you have at the beginning of the season, it’s the developments they make throughout the season to be a team (see Season 9 Elite).
Expectations
The story is really the same for both gamemodes for the Wizards. They need to bond and connect well in order to get anywhere. Without it, it may be a tough and brutal season with this level of competition. Wovah has the ability to take over any game he wants, but truthfully he is only one player. It is up to the other players to step up and shine to really make this team deadly. I think their initial goal would be to make the playoffs in either mode, and then go from there.
Predictions
Doubles
24-26, 4-6 (4th in Blue Conference)
Standard
21-29, 3-7 (4th in Blue Conference)
Composite
45-55, 7-13 (8th in Premier League)
Free Agent Pickups
Hawks
Lightning (17.5)
(S8) (BUL, SHD, SHA)
This player was on my draft board, having a long history in the league and a high level of mechanical skill that makes him a great backup pickup. He will love being on the Hawks, providing a great support in either Doubles or Standard when the time comes. I think that Lightning has the opportunity to make the jump to starter on a roster this season if the time arises.
Jrdn. (18.0)
(S11) (LIT)
The new Master League rankup had a great time on the Lightning last season, enjoying a deep playoff run with AKAIceborg. His time in ML was thankfully short lived however, as he has the potential to compete at the Premier League level. If he remains active in scrims and maybe expands his experience to other leagues, he can expect to keep seeing meaningful growth each season. Again, I am very jealous of any free agent who gets to join this squad.
Hive
Krax (18.0)
(Rookie)
As soon as I saw his Hoops experience, I stereotypically predicted that he would be drafted by the Hive. While he was not drafted, I was still spot-on with his landing spot, going to uh steve’s team with fellow Hoops player Nico. Not much is known about Krax at least in community leagues, so it will be interesting to see how he does at this level and how his skills translate to tense series such as those in MLE.
Knights
peach (18.5)
Peach was actually quite high up in my list of players to draft, but as the draft does, my plans changed. His 1800+ peak and Penn State background (a notable school for CRL) piqued many teams interest and of course he was scooped up quickly by the Knights, Galaxy having a great talent for picking up unrecognized players. His interest in being a captain may also be valuable, and I think he will have a great first season.
Pirates
Mj (18.0)
(S12) (LIT)
After getting some experience on the Lightning roster last season, Mj is now opting to offer his services to the Pirates. While he may not get a ton of playing time on this roster, I still think joining this squad is an excellent idea if he is serious about developing as a player and getting real team experience. His mechanics should also become amazing if he’s watching their scrims and games.
Rhinos
SADik_CAT (18.0)
(S11) (BEA, FLA)
Activity is a huge get for any Premier League team, and SAD_ik will be a good booster for team morale as he is always willing to get involved. This is a very stacked roster so yet again participating in actual matches may be a tough get, but I have no doubt that SADik_CAT will enjoy being on this franchise under new franchise manager R E D.
Siphrry (18.0)
(Rookie)
The FDL top league finalist makes his appearance in the MLE, taking a snug spot on the Rhino’s roster. Although not a ton of players may know who he is, he may be a great fit to accompany Deluxe as a substitute and may sneak out a few series wins if given the chance. Siphrry is another great underrated pickup and the Rhinos will be glad that they picked him up.
Tyrants
Almost Magic Mike (18.5)
(Rookie)
The Major RLPC regular is a part of a long list of players transferring their way over to the MLE, hoping to find something just like it when they are having their down time. While I did sign him last season and he almost played, he is a rookie as he has not had the chance to show what he made of to the league. He will be a great fill-in for a stacked Tyrants’ Standard roster.
