2016 MLS Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Full Selection Order
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MLS News
Friday, 08 January 2016 07:00

With the MLS Draft Combine underway and the top players in the country being put under the microscope, the league's franchises are hoping to identify the players who will lead them to success for years to come.

That means it's time to break down this year's draft order and a first-round mock draft while taking a closer look at some of the top prospects available to teams this year.

 

Draft Order

 

Mock Draft

 

Top Players

Joshua Yaro, RB/CB, Georgetown

Joshua Yaro is an interesting case. He's an incredibly talented, bright and ambitious young man and was the rock of Georgetown's defense this year. He also handled the announcement that he would be going pro with his usual class:

But he's also considered a 'tweener by many scouts, who aren't sure where his natural position might be at the next level.

Steven Goff of the Washington Post broke down the player most believe will be the top overall pick:

Yaro is a center back with vision and speed uncommon at the college level. With him marshaling the backline, the Hoyas posted six consecutive shutouts during a 14-game winning streak and rose to No. 2 in the coaches’ poll before losing to Boston College on penalty kicks in the NCAA tournament’s round of 16.

Because of Yaro’s smallish size (5 feet 11 and 163 pounds), a pro team might end up converting him to outside back.

Such is Yaro's ability that a team might even consider transitioning him into a central defensive midfielder. It probably doesn't matter where Yaro is played—he has all the makings of a difference-maker at the next level.

Thus, it would be pretty surprising if the Chicago Fire passed on him with the top overall pick.

 

Jack Harrison, MF, Wake Forest

Jack Harrison is the unquestioned top midfielder in this draft and is arguably the top talent, period; though, Yaro supporters would have a few things to say about that. He had a sterling freshman season for the Demon Deacons and is a pure playmaker, able to both set up his teammates with incisive passes and let rip from distance with his powerful left foot.

In a draft not stacked atop the board with talented attackers or creative midfielders, Harrison stands out in this class.

 

Jonathan Campbell, CB, North Carolina

Yaro has gotten most of the attention among the defenders, but Jonathan Campbell is no slouch. He has excellent athleticism for his position and is very versatile as well, as he played in both a back three and back four during his time at North Carolina.

He's also very experienced, as he played four years with the Tar Heels and won't be a wide-eyed kid as he embarks on his MLS career. What separates Campbell from many of the other players in the draft is that he doesn't have a discernible weakness. He may not quite flash like some of the other top prospects, but he also doesn't present many areas of concern.

That combination of athleticism, versatility, experience and steadiness makes him an excellent prospect and a likely top-five pick.

 

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