Published: Jul 21, 2021 at 10:10 AM EST

SOTBFFL’s best teams heading into the 2021 season? Analyst reveals gold, silver, bronze picks

In honor of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, we're highlighting the best of the best across SOTBFFL. Heading into the 2021 season, who are the premium teams in three marquee areas: last season’s performance, franchise trend, and keeper potential? One analyst ranked his top three in each category via this simple formula:

Each first-place vote: 3 points

Each second-place vote: 2 points

Each third-place vote: 1 point

THE 2021 PRE-SEASON PODIUM

GOLD

East Joppa Mart

Total Points: 7

Last season’s performance – 1

Franchise trend – 3

Keeper potential – 3

Mart hasn’t won it all, but he’s certainly trending in the right direction. While last season’s 7^th place finish didn’t produce the result the team hoped for, EJM has made the playoffs 3 years in a row – consistency that’s hard to come by in this league.

The X factor in 2021 is truly the keeper position. EJM has the most value with Justin Jefferson, but a successful appeal to his recent fine (loss of a 7^th round pick) could result in a reduced penalty and the League taking away his 8^th rounder instead. Definitely a storyline to pay attention to heading into the Draft.

SILVER

Lansdowne Laphogs

Total Points: 6

Last season’s performance – 3

Franchise trend – 1

Keeper potential – 2

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Soy Boy took home the trophy last year. How did that pervert from Arbutus grab silver?” Laphogs had the best roster from top to bottom last season, and the PF (1,575) don’t lie.

Consistency has been the Achilles heel with this franchise. Top 4 in 2017, bottom feeder 2018-2019, runner up in 2020, this team needs to take note of its Casey’s compadre and string together a few playoff runs. Stefon Diggs for a 5^th rounder could be the secret formula in 2021.

BRONZE

Soy Boy Beta Cucks

Total Points: 5

Last season’s performance – 2

Franchise trend – 2

Keeper potential – 1

Soy Boy raised Lou Holtz last season, and nobody can take that away from him. But he did so by the slimmest of margins. Final two playoff rounds were won by less than 1 point each. Can’t imagine this franchise will carry that good fortune into 2021, especially after the Beta Cuck himself sold his soul for back to back Lighting Cups.

All kidding aside, this team has made the playoffs 3 of the last 4 seasons. A once perennial bottom feeder appears to have righted the ship. Will that continue? Or will the team fall victim to the all too familiar Championship hangover. Nothing spectacular stands out in the keeper potential category. My guess is its sunglasses and Advil for Soy Boy in 2021.