Fantasy lacrosse drafts are starting on Flow Fantasy this week, so that means it’s time to reveal our full PLL fantasy lacrosse rankings.
After considering Flow Fantasy’ point system, delving through their list of simulated point totals from the 2019 season, and spending many hours with hotly contested debates, we developed a ranking of the 154 PLL players participating in the PLL Championship Series based on their fantasy outlook. Take a look at the rankings for yourself and keep reading to get some of our favorite picks for Flow Fantasy’s 2020 PLL fantasy lacrosse challenge.
First Picks
These are the guys we have at the top of our rankings, and who we recommend taking if you have one of the first picks in your league.
Zach Currier, Midfield
Currier was one of the best players in the world while playing in MLL. His two-way style of player is perfect for the PLL. Currier will score you points in multiple categories including, ground balls, goals, assists and even caused turnovers.
Matt Rambo, Attack
The reigning MVP should continue to rack up points in 2020. You can count on Matt Rambo to put up huge goal numbers, and his passing ability is extremely underrated. The Whipsnakes have plenty of options around Rambo, and he should compete to be the high point man of the league.
Tom Schreiber, Midfield
Tom Schreiber battled injuries in 2020. Now fully healthy, he’ll be looking to re-establish himself as the best midfielder in the world. Having Grant Ament to worry about for defenses could open Schreiber up for even more scoring opportunities this season. He should also continue to be one of the top assist options in the league.
Garrett Epple, Defense
High scoring defenders can be hard to find. This is what makes Garrett Epple so valuable. Epple was far and away the most valuable defender points-wise last season. He’ll continue to anchor the Redwoods defense this season. If you decide to go defense first overall, Epple is the obvious choice.
Sleeper Picks
The following four players may slip into the later rounds of your draft. But if you’re in a position to select these players in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft, they may end up providing significant value during the tournament.
Cade Van Raaphorst, Defense
Van Raaphorst quietly emerged as a rock-solid young defender on an otherwise older Atlas defense. Van Raaphorst was a caused turnover machine at Duke, and now with a year in the league under his belt expect to take a step forward in that area. With caused turnovers being valued so highly, Van Raaphorst could become a highly valuable defender this year.
Jordan MacIntosh, Midfield
Jordan MacIntosh was towards the top of the points leader boards this past season for Chrome. MacIntosh should continue his high level of production this season as well. If you are looking for a high scoring midfielder later in the draft, MacIntosh could be your guy.
Connor Kelly, Attack/Midfield
Connor Kelly’s versatility between attack and midfield will make him a very valuable piece for the Waterdogs offense. Kelly can score from anywhere on the field, and moving from the Whipsnakes, he could end up getting a high volume of touches and opportunities. His versatility will ensure he’ll see the field a lot as well.
Jake Withers, Faceoff
Jake Withers is a newcomer to the PLL, but he has been dominating faceoffs in the NLL with the Halifax Thunderbirds (formerly Rochester Knighthawks) for a number of years. If his numbers from Ohio State and the NLL are any indication, and there’s no reason to think they won’t be, Withers could be one of the leagues most valuable faceoff men.
New Players
These are some of my favorite new entries this season. Taking these guys might be considered a bit of a gamble because the transistion to the PLL can be difficult to some, but these are pretty safe bets to put up good numbers in their first year.
Grant Ament, Attack
Grant Ament landed in a dream situation with Archers. Having Will Manny and Marcus Holman on the same attack line means Ament could score a huge number of assists. He’ll also get his fair share of goals, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Ament is one of the high scoring attackmen of fantasy this year.
Jesse Bernhardt, Defense
Jesse Bernhardt’s style of defense translates perfectly to fantasy lacrosse. He is a caused turnover and ground ball machine. He should consistently score high point totals from the defensive slot. As mentioned above, high scoring defenders are very hard to find, and Bernhardt will be one of those.
Bryan Costabile, Midfield
The second pick in this year’s PLL College Draft will upgrade what was an uninspiring Atlas midfield last season. Costabile should get plenty of first-team reps and his downhill dodging style should mesh nicely with the Atlas attack line. Costabile should be a high point producer during the tournament.
Matt Gaudet, Attack
Gaudet, like Ament, ended up in a perfect situation when we was traded to Chrome after being drafted by Chaos. Playing with Jordan Wolf and Justin Guterding should make Gaudet’s transition to the pro game easier. Gaudet is a polished shooter and finisher, and with defenses paying so much attention the other threats on that offense, he may be able to thrive.
Comeback Players
For these players, their first year in the PLL maybe didn’t go as planned. But I expect these players to round back into form this season.
Myles Jones, Midfield
Myles Jones was an awkward fit in the box-style offense that the Chaos ran last season. Now coming into an offense that needed a dodger like Jones last season, and pairing with lefty midfielder Joe Walters, puts Jones in the perfect situation to thrive this season. Expect high assist numbers, and better goal numbers out of the new Redwoods midfielder.
Paul Rabil, Midfield
It’s hard to bet against Paul Rabil. No one is sure how long Rabil has left, but he’s been training like a man on a mission during quarantine and seems as ready as anyone to make a splash in the Championship series.
John Galloway, Goalie
Galloway struggled to stay on the field last season for Chrome. Luckily for him, no one else was able to establish themselves as Chrome’s permanent option in net. If Galloway can come back into form this year and cement himself as the starter for Chrome, he could be a valuable comeback player candidate.
Let us know which players you end up drafting and share your roster with us on social media using the #FantasyLacrosse.
