2025 PLL Redraft: A Second Take On a Historic Draft Class

The 2025 PLL regular season came to an end on Saturday in Boston, which means that two teams, the Utah Archers and the Boston Cannons, are ready to begin preparations for the 2026College Entry Draft. If this year proved anything, it’s that everyone should be paying very close attention to the incoming prospect pool. The 2025 draft class yielded a ridiculous amount of talent that far exceeded expectations, with every single team adding major assets through the draft process. Rookies benefitted greatly from going right into the professional season fresh off of their college seasons. Seven rookies were named to the all-star game, and even more caught fire in the second half of the season. 

In this 2025 redraft, picks are made with the gift of hindsight. The selections made here address areas of need as assessed throughout the 2025 season due to positional weakness, injury, scheme fits, and other factors that general managers had no way of predicting back in May. 

Round 1

1.   Philadelphia- Logan McNaney, G

Two things can be true at the same time:

1. CJ Kirst is the best player in this draft.

2. The Waterdogs can’t afford to take him here. 

While the Tewaaraton winner’s value was evident over the last two games, Philly still didn’t win a game with Kirst in the lineup once he joined the team in Week 8. Inconsistency in goal held the Waterdogs back all season as they backdoored their way into the playoffs by going goal for goal with the Atlas in their final game of the regular season. If Kirst was ready to go for week one in Albany, things might be different, but for the Waterdogs to win games right now, they need to address their problem in net. McNaney took over the starting job for Denver three games in and propelled his team to a ridiculous six game win streak as the Outlaws secured the first overall seed in the West. McNaney’s value went beyond his impressive 58% save percentage, with his ability to turn clean saves into quick outlet passes kickstarting fast break opportunities for a loaded Denver offense. The former Maryland standout wins ballgames, and for a 4-6 Philly team, that’s exactly what they need. 

2. California- CJ Kirst, A

 Philly can’t afford Kirst, but the Redwoods, who hold both the #2 and #3 picks in this draft, can draft for both the present and the future. After missing time with a hand injury and taking a few games to get the rust off, Kirst has proven to be as advertised. Posting six points in each of his last two games, the lefty attacker created scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates at will. Kirst has the ability to score from low angles, long range, through traffic, on the run, or in just about any other conceivable way. He’s only going to improve as he gets more comfortable at the professional level, and if the idea of his play elevating for the postseason doesn’t scare you, the idea of him coming into next season healthy, experienced and well-rested definitely should. 

3. California- Andrew McAdorey, M

It’s hard for me to not take Chris Kavanagh here, given the impressive season he had for the Redwoods. However, the addition of Kirst creates a logjam at attack, and we’ve already seen that running Kirst out of the midfield is a disservice to his natural talents (although I do agree with Waterdogs’ Head Coach Bill Tierney’s decision to run him out of the box as he acclimated to the league). McAdorey’s speed and grit made him the top rookie midfielder in 2025, and the Redwoods utilized him well throughout the season. His white-hot start in the first two games of the season (four points in each contest) helped to redefine a team that many assumed to be an afterthought going into Albany. Spallina and Co. would happily take the Duke product again if given the chance.

4. Boston- Owen Hiltz, A

Boston’s offense benefitted greatly from the addition of a lefty shooter in Coulter Mackesy, especially as he improved over the course of the season. However, the call to take him over Owen Hiltz the first time around (Head Coach Brian Holman called it a coin flip back in May) won’t be made again. The Cannons can keep Will Manny in the starting lineup until the Canadian makes it back down to the states, and once he enters the lineup he’ll make an immediate impact. Hiltz made an immediate impact upon joining the Chaos this season, and Boston’s offense will create plenty of space for a sniper who doesn’t need much to be deadly. The more defenses shift to deal with weapons like Holman, Nolting and Campbell, the more time and room Hiltz will have to try and eclipse his already scorching 3.9ppg in 2025. 

5. Utah- Chris Kavanagh, A

For my money, Chris Kavanagh is the 2025 ROTY. He falls down to the 5th pick as teams address needs and draft for fit rather than talent, but the Archers will be ecstatic to see him still available. Utah had the worst offense in the league this year as they dealt with injuries and turnover issues, and the original pick of Brendan Lavelle on defense was a luxury they couldn’t afford. Kavanagh has the silky mitts to bring in errant passes and the IQ to make accurate passes to teammates in scoring position, providing an immediate solution to some of the turnover issues that kept a talented offense from finding their stride. His well-documented tenacity on the ride will also reduce the damage of turnovers on the offensive end, buying time for the transition defense to settle if not outright taking the ball back. While his connection with former coach Ryder Garnsey no doubt helped his transition from Notre Dame to the league, Kavanagh will still feel at home next to fellow highlight factory Connor Fields as he helps the Utah offense regain the electricity that elevated them to consecutive titles in 2023 and 2024. 

6. New York- Matt Traynor, M

The Atlas nailed this pick the first time around, and given the talent they have at every position on the field, they’re content to run it back. Traynor’s stats (12 G, 8 A) didn’t jump off the page on a loaded offense, but his versatility helped him to carve out a role next to proven scorers such as reigning MVP Jeff Teat, Connor Shellenberger, and Bryan Costabile. The Penn State product can put the afterburners on from the top of the box on one possession, and then just as easily trap his defender at X on an invert on the next. Traynor just fits, and the Atlas will keep him and their first overall seed in the East every time when given the chance. 

7. Maryland- Jackson Eicher, A

Eicher originally went undrafted due to questions about his long-term availability due to his obligations as a West Point grad. His performance in his rookie season is worth the risk . Eicher’s success hasn’t been a surprise to anyone who saw him notch 85 points in his final collegiate season with Army. His dodging ability and precision shooting made him lethal in Carolina this summer, forming a menacing duo with Adam Charalambides and his aggressive style of play. The internal motor and clutch factor make Eicher the ideal pairing with TJ Malone as the faces of the new generation in Maryland as the old guard begins to show signs of age. 

8. Carolina- Sam King, A

Two of Carolina’s starting attackmen this year were rookies. Unfortunately for them, they’ve both already gone off the board. Sam King ran both attack and midfield this year, making more of an impact than expected for an injury-ridden Utah squad on his way to an All-Star nod. Roy Colsey loves versatility, and King will fit in whatever role the Chaos need. He’s comfortable as a feeder, a scorer, on the attack or out of the box. He loves to get in the mix for ground balls, a must for any player looking to see the field for Colsey’s teams. Utah’s turnover troubles stopped King from touching the ball as much as some of his peers, and he might thrive with a larger workload on a different team. 

Round 2

9. Philadelphia- Coulter Mackesy, A

Opting against drafting CJ Kirst leaves Philly in the market for a lefty attackman, and getting Coulter Mackesy in the second round is nothing short of a miracle. Mackesy ate off of Asher Nolting assists in Boston, and his plate will be just as full with Michael Sowers dishing him the ball in Philadelphia. The Princeton product doesn’t need much time or room, he just needs the rock. His numbers with Boston were slightly watered down as he missed two games, but he should be a mainstay alongside Sowers and Kieran McArdle for the Waterdogs.

10. Boston- Ben Ramsey, SSDM

Overshadowed by the star-studded offensive draft class, 2025 was quietly a strong crop of defensive midfielders. Ben Ramsey is the star of the class, vacuuming up 26 ground balls, looking confident in transition, and playing great on-ball defense all summer. California lost standout D-middie Chris Merle early in the season, and Brian Tevlin would welcome reinforcements in the form of his former teammate and bagpiper.

11. Denver- Brenden Lavelle, D

A casualty of the offensive depth of the draft, Lavelle falls out of the first round through no fault of his own. Denver uses their first pick of the draft to add some youth to a defensive unit that features a 37 year old Mike Manley and a 34 year old Jesse Bernhardt. ‘Spider’, as Lavelle came to be known by his Archers teammates, made his presence in the league known early, disappearing the legendary Matt Rambo in his first game as a pro. A lockdown defender who plays fast and physical, Lavelle is worthy of being the first defenseman off the board, even if it’s a little later than it was the last time around.  

12. Boston- Levi Verch, D

The Cannons had the worst defense in the league in 2025. Levi Verch, a bulky lefty who played well for the Chaos this season as an LSM, brings some much-needed backup. His versatility allows Owen Grant to slide down to close and match up with attackmen, where he’s sorely needed. Verch brings size and IQ to the faceoff wing that Zac Tucci will be grateful for.

13. Carolina- Aidan Carroll, A

Hiltz and Eicher are replaced by King and Carroll. Aidan Carroll falling this low is a major steal for the Chaos, given how good he was as a rookie. Jim Stagnitta’s decision to put him at attack after four games at midfield turned a solid start into an All-Star level explosion. Vacancies at attack in Carolina will put him in his natural position off the rip, and we could see those All-Star votes carry into the ROTY race for the former Georgetown captain. 

14. New York- Michael Grace, D/LSM

The rich get richer. The Bulls didn’t need Michael Grace to be as good as he was, but he earned playing time by racking up ten points, second to only Jake Piseno among poles. Grace’s offensive prowess combined with his ability to defend any part of the field made him dangerous enough for the Atlas to pick him again, even higher this time.

15. Philadelphia- Hugh Kelleher, M

Philly was in dire need of two-point scoring this year, especially when they found themselves down late in games. Kelleher got lost in the shuffle for the Atlas this season, but his flamethrower of a right hand shot will have a home in the Waterdogs midfield. 

16. Carolina- Dylan Hess, SSDM

The Chaos hang their hat on being gritty and playing with a chip on their shoulders. And it doesn’t get grittier than the MCLA. After being a coveted prospect in last year’s draft as a D-middie from Georgetown, Dylan Hess spent a year in SEC country honing his offensive game at Florida. The result is a bruiser of a midfielder who loves to shut down opponents before tearing down the field to rip a juice goal for some extra salt in the wound. Carolina’s going to love him just as much as Philly did this year.

Round 3

17. Maryland- Jake Taylor, A

A wizard of inside finishing, it felt like Taylor was always regarded as a temporary solution as Philly held their breath for the arrival of Kirst. His skill set will make him a favorite target for feeders like Malone and Pannell, and he could work his way into a starting role in the near future, with Pannell turning 36 at the beginning of next season and Eicher needing to step away to fulfill his military obligations at some point.

18. Utah- Sam English, M

Another midfielder in Utah who missed time due to injury this season might raise some eyebrows, but English’s youth, potential and versatility make it a worthwhile risk. Proven talent moves the Redwoods’ third overall pick down the board to make him a huge value pick here, and the Archers will find a way to get a swiss army knife like him on the field as much as possible once he’s back to full strength.

19. Denver- Emmett Carroll, G

The Outlaws don’t get to steal McNaney again, but Carroll makes for an ideal consolation prize. Carroll had a quietly solid season for the Whipsnakes this season as he gradually took over the starting role, improving to a 56% save percentage after a shaky debut against Philadelphia.

20. Maryland- Josh Balcarcel, M

The undrafted sparkplug out of Marist was a massive find for California this season, but he doesn’t make it to the player pool twice. The Whipsnakes add a smaller, twitchier middie to a unit that currently doesn’t feature anyone under 5’11. 

21. Utah-  Ben Wayer, LSM

Another defensive rookie who slides in an offense-heavy draft, Wayer is a ground ball magnet. His efficiency as a turnover machine lets Mason Woodward stay down at close defense while giving the Archers an athletic cover guy in the middle of the field with a nose for the back of the net when given the opportunity. 

22. New York- Mic Kelly, M

Kelly didn’t make his way onto the 19-man roster for every game for the Cannons, but he looked comfortable in limited action. Kelly is the ideal depth guy who can do a lot with a little, and New York has a knack for finding ways to get talent on the field somehow. 

23. Philadelphia- Max Krevsky, M

Krevsky joined a talented D-middie room with Danny Logan and Chet Comizio in New York and carved out a role as the third option out of the box. He had a quiet regular season, which isn’t a bad thing for a D-mid, but his athleticism makes you think he could develop into something more in year two. 

24. Maryland-Jimmy Freehill, D

Not only does Freehill give the Whipsnakes another quality option on defense, he also brings value as a real transition threat, tied for second among all close defensemen in shots, which could unlock some opportunities on the break for Maryland. 

Round 4

25. Philadelphia- Carter Rice, SSDM

26. Denver- Ray Dearth, SSDM

27. Denver- Scott Smith, D

28. Boston- Christian Mazur, SSDM

29. California- AJ Pilate, D

30. New York - Greg Langermeier, SSDM

31. California- Jack Macdonald, LSM

32. Utah- Connor Cmiel, SSDM

    
    

Players undrafted in original draft that were picked in redraft: Jackson Eicher, Josh Balcarcel, Ray Dearth AJ Pilate, Greg Langermeier, Connor Cmiel

Players drafted in original draft that went undrafted in redraft: Pace Billings, Mitchell Dunham, Bryce Ford, Jack Gray, Kevin Parnham, Griffin Schutz