Chaos were one of two teams, along with Chrome, to not bring in any outsiders during free agency. Culture fit and locker room fit are paramount. They lose Mac O’Keefe and Challen Rogers in free agency, while Tanner Cook remains unsigned. At media day, Head Coach/GM was coy about what positions he might be picking. Ultimately, he said the guys he wants are hyper competitive, and have a loose personality. This is the play hard, work harder locker room. When it comes to fit, Towers looks for defenders who can play anywhere, and are great in coverage first. On the offensive end, it’s about guys who can accept a role in scheme, and has the ability to execute perfectly, regardless of what that roll is. It’s about malleable players, all over the field, which makes them difficult to match up with. The picks:
Selections: Will Bowen, Brian Minicus, Tye Kurtz, Nick Rowlett, Levi Anderson
Best Pick: Tye Kurtz
Biggest Risk: Levi Anderson
Bowen was the story of the first round. Word leaked out mid afternoon that his stock was sliding a bit, but really without strong reasoning. The Chaos benefit, as they get a Schmeisser winner and multi time All American with the 7th pick. Bowen is exactly as described by Towers as a player they like, in the mold of a Johnny Surdick type player. Dominant down low, matchup winner against anyone, but with the athleticism to jump up and play wings. It’s not a crowded group for them, with no real obvious choice to move out and make room for Bowen. The position battle in camp will be a great one.
Brian Minicus and Tye Kurtz were the mid round picks. Minicus is known to this team in a few ways. Towers and DC Jamie Hanford know Minicus personally and have for years, so they know that he fits the locker room from a personality stand point. From a player standpoint, they get all the scout they needed from Jack Rowlett. Minicus is at Georgetown for a grad year, where Rowlett coaches, and the two go head to head in practices. Minicus wins some of those matchups. In terms of quickness and explosiveness as a dodger, he is only behind Dordevic in the class.
Kurtz is already an NLL draftee as well. In past years, Kurtz was thought of primarily as a shooter, and that’s his game. He’d play off of distributors and just catch and rip. He’s an outstanding shooter with a release that will conjure Mac O’Keefe. But in the last year and change, his dodging game has really developed, and he’s become a much better balanced player. With O’Keefe and other weapons gone in free agency, Kurtz is a solid pick up.
Nick Rowlett going ahead of other specialists like Zach Cole and James Reilly was a bit surprising during the draft. Rowlett has had a great year for the Wolverines, as he has combined with Justin Wietfeldt to form a 1-2 punch facing off that has tilted the field towards the Wolverines all year. Rowlett was pretty consistently rated behind the big four faceoff specialists, but the Chaos again look at fit more than anything, and safe to say guys name Rowlett are a fit.
Levi Anderson was the second to last pick in the draft. Anderson is a phenomenal talent. His dodging ability, physicality, and vision will remind you of Dhane Smith. One of the best offensive players in the country in DI. So why was he available this late? Well, he’s reportedly returning to school. If he does, he enters the draft pool for next year’s class. If he doesn’t, the Chaos get an unbelievable steal; a first round talent and he goes to Chaos in the 4th. Towers hasn’t been shy about taking a player who may not play late in the draft and risking this, if the upside is worth it. The upside here is likely worth it.
For camp, the Chaos have room for a few players. One more faceoff specialist wouldn’t hurt, but beyond that, this team feels pretty set. Some off ball weapons with box backgrounds are on brand and worth a look. Dylan Watson, Alex Simmons, and Ashton Wood could be worth inviting.
Grade: B+
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