Oda often uses the same hierarchy for powerful crews/organizations in the New World: Captain and the Big Three.
We have seen this with the Big Mom Pirates: Big Mom and the three Sweet Commanders.
Same with the Beasts Pirates: Kaido and his three right-hand men known as the Disasters.
Even the Marines have this system: Fleet Admiral Akainu and three Admirals.
So what are your thoughts for the Straw Hat Pirates? They are definitely a powerful crew so they are going to follow this trend.
Here are my thoughts: Luffy is definitely the captain. The Big Three are going to be Zoro, Sanji and Usopp. No doubts for Zoro and Sanji but everyone seems to be saying Jinbe but I don’t think so. Oda has said he likes making weak characters powerful and Usopp has been with the crew since the beginning. I think he’ll be the third Big Three. Especially after him gaining haki, I can see him being more powerful.
Red Haired Pirates probably have Benn Beckman, Lucky Roo and Yasopp. Another reason why I think Usopp is going to be in the Big Three in Straw Hats: his dad is one in Red Hair Pirates.
One more thing regarding the Straw Hats, I think they might have two really powerful members or “captains” at the end because of Luffy becoming the Pirate King. It just seems like Roger and Rayleigh were close in terms of power from what we’ve seen of them in flashbacks / how they interact.
Personally, I think Zoro and Luffy have always been closer to power then their bounties indicate.
*Theory by Lopsided_Sugar