It’s been requested by a few people, so we’re doing it. Is it early? Sure. Is it accurate? Doubtful. But with enough college season under the belt, the talk around the next Premier Lacrosse League draft is starting to heat up. So let’s mock it.
When I do mock drafts, I avoid trying to “right” and more try to just draft in a way that I think makes sense based on need and fit, and maybe a little bit of gamesmanship. Trying to be right and say I got this many picks correct after the draft is over is less about being informative and more about patting yourself on the back. I do not value this. As a result, some of my picks may seem like head scratchers. I make no apologies. Moreover, coaches are showing that drafting for need is trumping just drafting best available. Last year, Coach Stagnitta went against conventional wisdom and passed on Pat Kavanagh to select Ajax Zappitello, because that’s where his biggest need existed. It worked out pretty well. Need matters, fit matters, culture matters, it’s not just fantasy lacrosse. Here’s how I’d like to see the draft go.
Round 1
Philadelphia Waterdogs select CJ Kirst, A, Cornell
Don’t think too hard. The Waterdogs acquired Zed Williams in the offseason, which may have started a foundation to do something else with this pick. Trade out, or pick a different position. But Williams looks to almost certainly be out for the 2025 summer following an achilles injury indoors. The Dogs have Sowers and McArdle locked into attack spots. Kirst is the best overall weapon in the draft. Pick him, run two lefties at attack. McArdle also turns 33 this summer, this move is doubly smart as a succession plan.
California Redwoods select Chris Kavanagh, A, Notre Dame
Rob Pannell left in free agency, Chris Gray retired. As of March 11, the Redwoods have a new GM in Joe Spallina but a vacant head coach and offensive coordinator role. Fans can lament the moves, but for a roster builder, it's an opportunity. The Redwoods can take the attack in a new direction. Kavanagh is an outstanding shooter and finisher. He’s taken on a primary ball carrier role with Notre Dame this year, but that doesn’t have to be his role in the pros. At least not right away. Kavanagh is smart, tough, and what basketball fans would call “a bucket”. Anywhere he goes, he’ll fill up the net. The attack and offensive rebuild starts with players who can score first.
Boston Cannons select Coulter Mackesy, A, Princeton
This is Denver’s pick that came over in the Pat Kavanagh deal. Lefty attack is a position of need for the Cannons. Matt Kavanagh was in and out of the line up last year and will be 33 this summer. Will Manny was signed but never saw the field. Mackesy is an elite shooter, and slippery enough dodger that he’ll need a PLL pole right away. The connection and fit is perfect. Jim Mitchell, the Cannons OC, is also the OC at Princeton where he’s coached Mackesy for years. Mitchell can take his top lefty weapon, a Tewaaraton caliber player, and fit him right into his pro offense.
Boston Cannons select Ben Wayer, LSM, Virginia
The Cannons have Ethan Rall at LSM, but the depth at the position isn’t there anymore following the retirement of Jake Pulver. They’ve signed John Geppert in free agency, but if you have any questions at LSM and Ben Wayer is sitting there, you take Ben Wayer. The Cannons showed last summer they want to push from D to O, they want to hunt twos, they want to win between the arcs. Ben Wayer is one of the best players for that not just in this draft, but in any draft over the last several years.
Carolina Chaos select Andrew McAdorey, A/M, Duke
Chaos have two primary needs. They need SSDM help, and they need offensive playmakers. SSDM is loaded in this draft, and while Ben Ramsey makes sense here from a need perspective, the Chaos can get quality SSDMs in later rounds. The offensive talent pool will dry up considerably sooner. McAdorey projects as a midfielder at the pro level, but one who can attack out of inverts and from wings against short sticks. The Chaos added multiple speedsters a year ago in Shane Knobloch and Ross Scott. McAdorey can further that build if that’s what Spencer Ford wants to do.
New York Atlas select Levi Verch, D/LSM, Saint Joseph’s
The Atlas can use some LSM depth. As great as they are down low with Adler, Makar, and Rexrode, the pole spot needs some help. Tyler Carpenter was a revelation as a rookie. Koby Smith runs transition very well, but the Atlas could use another LSM that covers better, and can win off wings consistently. Levi Verch is a ground ball machine, has covered top tier midfielders and attackmen in college, and has the highest motor in the draft class. He can elevate the Atlas defensive midfield.
Maryland Whipsnakes select Emmett Carroll, G, Penn
Kyle Bernlohr retired and started the three year clock for his entrance to the Hall of Fame. He’d shifted into a backup role behind Brendan Krebs, but the Whips still have an open spot for a goalie. Will Mark played for them at the Championship Series, but Mark signed with the Atlas in free agency. The stars are just aligning here. The Whips need a goalie, the best one in the class is available. This is an easy box to check.
Utah Archers select Brendan Lavelle, D, Penn
What do you get the person who has everything? The back to back champs are stacked in the defensive midfield, the offense is versatile and productive, they’re great facing off, and they have arguably the best goalie in the world. The pole group is outstanding, but is the place where maybe more depth would help. Graeme Hossack turns 33 this summer. Colby Barsz was drafted last year but played sparingly. Lavelle tape shows him locking up Brennan O’Neill and some of the best attackmen in the sport; players who are now high level pros. Bolster the back end, make your strengths stronger, and push for a three peat.
Round 2
Philadelphia Waterdogs select Jake Taylor, A, Notre Dame
The Waterdogs have a lot of ball dominant weapons. Particularly if they add CJ Kirst at the top of the draft. He needs the ball, Sowers needs it, Jack Hannah needs dodges, Connor Kelly needs dodges, it’s a lot of mouths to feed. Taylor gives them a player who can produce without the ball in his stick. Taylor already has Sixes experience at a Team USA level with several pros. His hands, intelligence, and finishing ability are valuable in the PLL.
California Redwoods select Sam King, A, Harvard
More attack help. King’s stock rises with every college game he plays, and with his current trajectory, he may not last until round two. King is a good fit for the Woods because he can be a dodge to pass attackman. Romar Dennis, Wes Berg, previously drafted Chris Kavanagh, the newly signed Ryan Aughavin, the Woods have plenty of guys who want to spot up for a shot they can step into. King is the guy who can find them. From behind the net, he’s a top tier feeder in a class that’s stacked with players who are quicker to get their own shot or are more effective without the ball.
Denver Outlaws select Ben Ramsey, SSDM, Notre Dame
The Outlaws have to wait a bit to make their first pick because they dealt their first rounder to Boston for Pat Kavanagh. They’ve already upgraded the defensive midfield this offseason by signing Zach Geddes to join Ryan Terefenko. By adding Ben Ramsey, the best SSDM in the class and a player to watch for LA in 2028, they build an SSDM trio that rivals what the Archers have in Utah.
Boston Cannons select Casey Wilson, SSDM, Denver
Word is out. Having a really good SSDM pair isn’t enough. You need to run deeper, and you need to run deeper with guys who are dangerous in transition. The Archers have perfected it, other teams are trying to catch up. Wilson came to Denver as an offensive player and converted to SSDM. He’s a great scorer indoors. He can cover, be part of rides and clears, and impact the game in more ways than just as a defender.
Carolina Chaos select Dylan Hess (again), SSDM, Georgetown/Florida
Chaos make sure to get in on the SSDM action by taking someone they already drafted. He was a late round selection for them a year ago with the plan to stash him on holdout until this summer. Hess went to Florida for a grad year to play football, but ultimately ended up joining the Florida MCLA lacrosse team, which means he goes back into the draft pool. Chaos take the SSDM weapon again, getting a transition threat and a great midfielder in coverage.
New York Atlas select Sam English, M, Princeton/Syracuse
Atlas already made some moves on the offense in free agency by signing Kyle Jackson and Cole Williams. They both reinforce the left side. English beefs up the right side of things. English can do everything for you. In the Syracuse game against Hopkins, he was on wings, a first line midfielder, the man down shorty, ran punt return clears, and ran the clock out to close the game. As a dodger and shooter on the right side, he’s slippery and elusive. Shorties have a hard time staying close enough to disrupt his hands.
Philadelphia Waterdogs select Scott Smith, Johns Hopkins
Waterdogs started adding younger pole talent a year ago, this is an extension of that. Smith has already been a PLL draft pick but returned to school. He has always stood out off the ground and in transition, but his play as a cover defender has reached new heights this year.
Utah Archers select Matt Traynor, A/M, Penn State
No doubt Grant Ament and Mac O’Keefe will lobby for, and love, this selection. Traynor has been All American good at both attack and midfield. There are no clear and obvious openings on the Archers offense at the moment. But if one emerges, taking Traynor means you have a guy who can fill it, wherever it is.
Round 3
Maryland Whipsnakes select Jack Gray, SSDM, Duke
SSDM depth, it’s a must in the PLL these days. Maryland gets a top tier player who goes way earlier in any other draft class.
Utah Archers select AJ Pilate, D, Army
Another outstanding close defender. Utah doesn’t have a ton of need, and they don’t mind the risk of taking a service academy grad with a crazy high ceiling, even though he likely has a short pro lacrosse career.
Denver Outlaws select Griffin Schutz, M, UVA
The attack is stacked. At least one natural attackman will be moved to midfield. We’ve run into this before in pro lacrosse, but if you try and build an offense with just attackmen, it doesn’t work. Schutz gives them a natural midfielder who won’t have to do too much as a primary initiator, but can use his size to pick on smaller matchups.
Maryland Whipsnakes select Patrick Hackler, SSDM, Yale/Johns Hopkins
Another do it all midfielder for the Terps. Hackler played both ends, man down, and took faceoff wings for Yale. His play on the offensive end for Hopkins has been pared down, but he’s still a tremendous athlete who will win possessions and make the smart play. The Whips value those types of players.
Carolina Chaos select Owen Hiltz, A, Syracuse
Depending on who you ask, this is way too late for Hiltz. The lefty is an elite shooter. At the pro level, in this offense, pairing him with Josh Byrne should create plenty of opportunities for him and can get matchup switches.
New York Atlas select Max Krevsky, M, Yale
Midfield depth with a two way player. Krevsky does his best dodging hard out of the box down alleys. He’s a decent fit because he can do exactly that, pass forward, and pick down for guys like Shellenberger and Teat. A nice scheme match, and some more size in the midfield to boot.
Philadelphia Waterdogs select Colin Mulshine, D, Princeton
More defensive reinforcements. Mulshine is battle tested. As a top defender in the Ivy, it means he has to see the likes of Sam King, Matt Brandau, CJ Kirst, and so on every week.
Maryland Whipsnakes select Kevin Parnham, D, Penn State
Another defender taken. Deep class for pole and LSM, everyone can get some depth. Parnham has impressed in difficult matchups this year. He wins physical matchups at GLE, and that’s a premium skill set in the PLL.
Round 4
Philadelphia Waterdogs select Mic Kelly, M, Denver
Coach Tierney grabs another midfielder who can sling it. Kelly is an excellent scorer who won’t take touches away from the established Dogs dodgers.
California Redwoods select Ryan Bell, A/M, Providence
Redwoods take more offensive help with a pass first player. Bell is the current national leader in assists, and can flex between midfield and attack.
Denver Outlaws select Michael Gianforcaro, G, Princeton/UNC
Owen McElroy took over the starting job a year ago, but had some struggles against the top of the league. Competition at the goalie spot in Denver makes sense. Jack Fracyon and Dylan Renner are options here too. For the DIII crowd, Joe Perry from RPI is the goalie to watch.
Boston Cannons select Aidan Carroll, A/M, Georgetown
Some more reinforcements for Boston. Carroll is a high floor draft prospect. He’s smart and skilled. His story from scout team to star at Georgetown is relevant to making the jump from college to the PLL.
Carolina Chaos select select Michael Long, A, Cornell
Another offensive playmaker late for the Chaos. Long has shared the field with plenty of elite weapons at Cornell. He can fit into an offense that will continue adding weapons.
New York Atlas select Andrew O’Berry, SSDM, Harvard/UNC
Some more SSDM help as yet another goes off the board. O’Berry offers depth behind Danny Logan that the Atlas could use.
California Redwoods select Devon McLane, A/M, Notre Dame
Redwoods can go offense or defense in this spot. With a new OC, it might depend on how they want the offense to look. McLane is a versatile player who can fit into a number of schemes. Michael Grace, Jimmy Freehill, and Greg Campisi also make sense here if the Woods go defense.
Utah Archers select Will Coletti, FO, Army
Archers can again add a depth piece. As with Pilate, the Archers know that if Coletti isn’t able to play long term, they won’t have lost too much since Sisselberger is still with the team. While the current faceoff rules have led to teams rostering just one faceoff specialist, at this point, Coletti is the best player available in the draft.