2024 NWSL Draft: Round 1 Predictions and Top Prospects

January 10, 2024
By Rohtas Wadera

The 2024 NWSL Draft represents the next generation of young talent to enter the NWSL. This class of players is incredibly talented and should help take the league to even greater heights. As per our top ten draft prospects list, eight have declared for the draft. Onyi Echegini has signed with Juventus, foregoing her draft status. Here’s our NWSL first-round mock draft based on needs and the best player available.

1. Utah Royals- Croix Bethune (Georgia), Midfielder

The Utah Royals are in a great position with the first pick. There are two of three potential superstars; it’s hard to get this pick wrong. They’ve already built a solid team through the expansion draft and free agency, but this selection could take the team to another level. Reilyn Turner is an option, but the Royals went and got Paige Monaghan, Ife Onumonu, and Hannah Betfort. Will they go after another striker? Croix Bethune might have an injury history, but she’s too good of a player to pass up on. If Utah isn’t afraid of the injury history, he should go No. 1.

2. Bay FC – Reilyn Turner (UCLA), Forward

In my opinion, Reilyn Turner and Croix Bethune are interchangeable. Don’t be surprised if the Royals are choosing between these two players at No. 1. Whoever is left is right for Bay FC to swoop in and get a great player. As a brand new organization, Bay FC has an opportunity to take a star to build their franchise around. Turner is that player and knows what it’s like to be the star player on a great team from her time at UCLA.

If Bay FC wants to sell tickets and truly ensure people come to the games as well as having the best team possible, they have to take Turner at No. 2

3. Chicago Red Stars – Eva Gaetino (Notre Dame), Defender

Chicago is in desperate need of a defender. Kennedy Wesley’s name came up as a more finished product entering the draft, and if the Red Stars want the safe choice, they take Wesley. However, the higher upside pick is Eva Gaetino, the back-to-back ACC Defender of the Year. The best defender in the best conference in America sounds like a future cornerstone at the back. Gaetino could be as good as Tierna Davidson when she entered the league, an immediate starter who will be elite right away.

4. Utah Royals – Brittany Raphino (Brown), Forward

Should the Royals take Croix Bethune first, they should opt for the striker with their next pick. Again, the Royals have the luxury of getting another impact player in the top 5. Brittany Raphino can come in and score goals in the NWSL right away. Raphino’s resume and reputation precede herself as a 2023 All-American. The striker recorded 42 goals and 20 assists over four years and helped lead Brown to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Royals could put together a phenomenal one-two punch with Raphino and Bethune.

5. NC Courage – Kennedy Wesley (Stanford), Defender

The rumors of Emily Fox to Arsenal have reached a fever pitch after an image surfaced that Fox was training with the team in a kit. That’s a whole separate issue if true, but for North Carolina, they have to take a defender to patch up that backline. This team is very thin, and Kennedy Wesley is the perfect fit to help out immediately. Wesley won a National Title at Stanford and played all four years with the Cardinal. It’s a perfect fit for both sides.

6. Racing Louisville – Avery Patterson (North Carolina), Forward

Avery Patterson was North Carolina’s best striker over the last two seasons, with 22 goals combined over that period. Patterson is a true striker up front who needs service, but she’ll have Savannah DeMelo and Jaelin Howell to help her out. Patterson can do it all with her head and feet and has a knack for scoring when it matters most. Two goals in the National Title game two years ago almost helped the Tar Heels win it all. She’s a winner who makes whatever team she goes to much better.

7. Washington Spirit – Maya Doms (Stanford), Midfielder

They need a stabilizing presence based on how inconsistent the Washington Spirit has been over the last two seasons. Someone who can run the show in the midfield, get the ball to Trinity Rodman and isn’t afraid to put in a hard challenge. Maya Doms is just what the Spirit has been missing. A lot has been placed on Ashley Sanchez and Andi Sullivan to create for this offense, but it hasn’t materialized the way Mark Krikorian would have hoped. Sanchez does her best work when she’s on the ball, and Sullivan plays more as a defensive midfielder. Doms can do it all and is the kind of player that could help turn around the Spirit because she does whatever it takes to win. If Doms falls to Washington, this could be the steal of the first round.

8. Bay FC – Ally Sentnor (North Carolina), Midfielder

Seeing Ally Sentnor’s name was a bit of a surprise, considering she’s a redshirt sophomore, but the UNC star seems to have outgrown the college game. Sentnor has been one of the best players in her age group for quite some time and produced at the highest level in the ACC for North Carolina. The midfielder might be leaving early, but based on the production and skill level that Sentnor has exhibited, she’s more than ready for the NWSL. If Bay FC can land Turner and Sentnor, they will be an exciting team to watch next year.

9. Orlando Pride – Felicia Knox (Alabama), Midfielder

Felicia Knox was one of the centerpieces of an Alabama team that made history two years ago. Knox won SEC Midfielder of the Year, recorded an absurd 20 assists in one season, and the Crimson Tide made it to the College Cup. This year might not have gone as planned, but her ability to distribute the ball is among the best in this class. Orlando could use a midfield player who can get Messiah Bright, Adriana, and Ally Watt the ball up front. Knox would give the Pride another wrinkle to their offense to help Orlando score more goals.

10. NC Courage – Sam Meza (North Carolina), Midfielder

The Courage needs to replace a lot between their defenders and midfielders, and there’s enough talent at both positions for North Carolina to go in either direction. Sam Mesa makes the most sense as a possible replacement for Denise O’Sullivan. Mesa stays in-state with North Carolina and helps bolster a Courage midfield that needs the help.

11. Portland Thorns – Maycee Bell (North Carolina), Defender

Portland needs to continue to look ahead to the future and take a defender with the departures and aging stars at the back. Crystal Dunn is gone, and we have no idea how much time Becky Sauerbrunn and Megan Klingenberg have left to play at the highest level. Natalia Kuikka is also a restricted free agent, which means she could leave if Portland isn’t willing to pay what another team might to steal her from the Thorns. Either way, Maycee Bell is a perfect fit because she’s versatile. A former track star and an ultra competitor, Bell has the chance to start immediately and shore up the back line.

12. San Diego Wave – Brecken Mozingo (BYU), Midfielder

The Wave have lived up to their name, creating a ripple effect in the league with how they’ve identified young talent. While that talent has been incredible alongside Alex Morgan, and they won the NWSL Shield, they didn’t finish the job and win the NWSL Championship. This team needs an attacking midfielder who can create and score. That’s all Brecken Mozingo did for BYU on their way to the College Cup this season. Mozingo is the kind of player that the Wave doesn’t have in their locker room right now; this is a great fit for San Diego.

13. Washington Spirit – Julia Leas (Georgetown), Defender

Julia Leas is up there with Eva Gaetino in terms of accolades and success. Anything that Georgetown achieved over the last four years has to do with how reliable Julia Leas was. If the Spirit wants to add another stalwart besides Sam Staab, they should take Leas, making a formidable center-back pairing right away to support their offense.

14. Gotham FC – Makenna Morris (Clemson), Defender

Now Gotham just added Emily Sonnett and Tierna Davidson, which might raise the question, do they need another defender? Yes, with all of social media pointing out that Gotham is becoming USWNT FC, that means Gotham will need depth during international duty. That’s where a versatile player like Makenna Morris comes into the picture. Rarely does a defender lead her team in goals, but that’s what Morris did this past season with 10. Gotham made great use of Jenna Nighswonger last year, and they’ll likely be able to do the same with Morris.

Possible Mid-to-Late-Round Gems

Anna Podojil (Arkansas)- Forward

For teams that might defer taking a striker in the first round, Anna Podojil will surely be taken in the second or third one. One of the more polished scorers at the college level, Podojil has been the face of Arkansas’ program for the last four years. Podojil leaves Arkansas as the school’s leader in goals (50), points (135), and game-winning goals (15). Whichever team selects her is getting one of more skilled players in the draft who can be molded into an NWSL goal scorer immediately.

Emma Jaskaniec (Wisconsin)- Midfielder

The Big 10 Midfielder of the Year is severely underrated and will surely be a late-round steal. Jaskaniec was a force for the last three seasons, racking up 37 goals and 15 assists. The midfielder was also incredibly accurate with Shot on Goal percentage of 50% or more in her last three seasons. For a midfielder to be doing that, hitting the target half the time is incredible and efficient. Keep an eye on her. This is an absolute baller that any team will be lucky to have.

Hannah Anderson (Texas Tech)- Defender

Hannah Anderson was one of the best defenders in the country that no one knew about. Anderson anchored a backline that saw Texas Tech break into the top 10 in the country at No. 9 and make a Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. The grad student also found a way to impact the game offensively in spite of being a defender. Anderson scored 14 goals as a defender, including five this past season. Her height makes her a great threat to have on set pieces as well. Anderson is experienced and athletic enough to jump into a team and make a difference.