Superdraft Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the annual Superdraft where the Rapids look like they're going to pick up at least one player we can expect to make the 2021 roster.  I say that because they traded $125K in GAM to Chicago last month to move up to the 6th overall pick.  Scuttlebutt is that they have their eyes on a player they recommended for a Generation Adidas contract and 5 such players were signed this year, including 2 this week.  Reportedly one player turned down the offer, hopefully that wasn't the Rapids target.  Colorado also holds the #21 pick in the first round after the trade last week for Barrios as well as their natural 15th picks in the 2nd and 3rd round (the draft was shortened to 3 rounds this year).

Looking at the 5 GA players there's a center back, a right back/center mid (most experts see him as a RB in MLS), two center mids, and a winger.  The biggest need for the Rapids is center back, so Ethan Bartlow would be the best pick, but most mock drafts don't see him getting past 5, some have him a top 2.  As much as I would like to see the Rapids take the Washington player (Go Dawgs!) it seems unlikely.

Taking Bret Halsey as a right back doesn't fill a need given Rosenberry, Kelly, and Seb Anderson so unless we really think he can make it as a center mid that would be surprising.  Center mid Philip Mayaka is expected to be the #1 pick for Austin.  That leaves center mid Daniel Pereira and winger Calvin Harris.  Pereira's downside is that he requires an international slot, which we don't have at the moment.  That can be solved but I'm not sure Colorado spends a pick on him in an area of the field that's a bit bloated at the moment.

My money is on Harris being our target, but we'd take Bartlow if he somehow falls to us.  Our formation is well suited for wingers and Smith has talked a lot about competition and having the next set of players ready to go as the current set of players moves on to (hopefully) bigger things.  As a GA he wouldn't count against the cap and would be automatically protected in the expansion draft so its a low-risk/high payout  move.

If, somehow, all 5 GA's are taken with the first 5 picks which isn't likely I'm not sure what the Rapids will do.  My bet is that they have their eyes on LB Josh Drack out of DU but he's considered the 3rd best LB in the draft and Colorado is probably hoping he'll fall to them with the 21st pick.

As I'm able to tomorrow I'll update the blog with any news (draft day is always a busy trade day for the league) and our picks, with a wrap-up of the day tomorrow night.