Syracuse Lacrosse: Four Orange Taken in 2016 MLL Draft

While I'm getting pummeled with snow in Virginia, the Syracuse Orange had four players selected in the 2016 Major League Lacrosse Draft, the most players selected since the 2011 Draft. It was also the first time since 2011 that the Orange had at least two players selected in the first round.

First Round

#2 - Dylan Donahue - Charlotte Hounds

One of the big surprises of the night was Dylan Donahue going second overall. Matt Kavanaugh was thought to be going second but fell to the fifth pick to the Denver Outlaws. According to Mike Cerino, Charlotte's GM, their top three attackmen were Donahue, Kavanaugh and Brown. The Hounds picked up Donahue and Ryan Brown with the second and fourth picks respectively; that is some big firepower for one of the worst ranked offenses in the MLL from last season. Lax Magazine has an article about how the Donahue pick swung the entire first round.

#9 - Brandon Mullins - Boston Cannons

The Cannons selected Mullins at the number nine spot. I was a bit surprised that Mullins went below Donahue. He was the fourth defenseman selected behind Matt Landis of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Matt Dunn of the Maryland Terrapins, and Michael Quinn of the Yale Bulldogs. Like I said the other day, MLL coaches were split on Mullins' ability and potential but nevertheless he is a physical defender with shut-down ability.

Round 5

#36 - Warren Hill - Atlanta Blaze

This will be Atlanta's first year in the MLL, and with the first selection the Blaze chose Myles Jones from the Duke Blue Devils. The Blaze have a good goalie crew, so I'm not sure Warren has a chance to start but we will have to see how he performs in his first year as a starter with the Orange.

Round 6

#48 - Tim Barber - Denver Outlaws

Barber was the first non-LSM midfielder selected by the Outlaws in the 2016 draft. I think Barber has a good shot to make the roster this summer, and could end up being a bargain for the Outlaws.