The College Draft

Each offseason brings a fresh crop of college prospects into the league through the college draft — your cheapest route to new, young talent.

How the draft works

• Two rounds — one selection per club in each round; the number of picks grows as the league expands.
• Worst record picks first. The draft order runs in reverse of the standings, so the clubs that struggled most get first crack at the best prospects. Finish near the bottom and the draft is your consolation.

When you’re on the clock you can make your pick or pass. Each prospect comes with a college background and a scouted read to guide you.

Judging prospects

Draft prospects are young and unproven. Their scouting read is a projection, not a certainty: some picks will exceed it, and some will not pan out. That’s the gamble of the draft.

Weigh a prospect’s age and upside alongside his rating — a raw teenager may be years from his ceiling but worth the wait.

Signing your picks

Drafting a player isn’t the end of it — you then sign him to bring him onto your books. Signed draft picks join on four-year contracts, so a good pick is a long-term asset locked in at a young player’s wage.

The draft is where value lives

With the salary cap squeezing every roster, cheap young talent is gold. A prospect who develops into a starter is the best value in the game — and you control him for four years. Don’t sleep on your picks.

Eligible U.S. prospects aged 25 or younger can also go straight to your youth team instead of signing a senior contract. They do not take a senior roster spot or salary, but are part of your academy rather than an unresolved draft pick.