NLL Draft: Forwards, defense prospects headline 2026 player watch list
NXTbets Pro | Published On: July 24, 2026
Draft board
The 2026 NLL Draft is less than two months away, and the board has started to settle around two key groups, the forwards at the top and the defenders behind them. The forward class gives teams a wide mix of NCAA lacrosse and junior lacrosse backgrounds, while the defense and goalie crop offers the kind of depth that can change a roster fast. That combination gives the class a clear shape. Clubs looking for scoring will study the forward pool first. Clubs hunting long-term help on the back end will focus on the defenders and the goalies as the clock gets closer to draft day. The order may shift as evaluations continue, but the big picture is already clear. This draft runs through talent that can help soon and players with room to grow into larger roles.
Forward prospects
The forward group is deep and varied. David Anderson, Andrew Bowman, Matt Collison, Lucas Dudemaine, Thunder Hill, Joey Spallina, Bowie Horsman, Brian Jackman, Justin Lee, Koleton Marquis, Silas Richmond, Will Sheehan, Finn Thomson and Jeremy Wudrick make up a list that stretches across college and junior backgrounds. That range matters because teams will not be chasing one type of scorer. Some of these players arrive with the polished habits that come from NCAA lacrosse. Others bring the pace and creativity that stand out in junior ball. The result is a board with different paths to the same goal, finding attackers who can handle the next level. There is no single way through this group. A team can target a ready-made finisher, a playmaker who can move up quickly or a prospect whose ceiling makes him worth the wait. The depth of the group gives the draft more pressure up front and more choice for teams that need help on offense.
Defense and goalies
Defense and goaltending carry their own weight in this class, and the top names on the back end bring clear traits that translate. Dante Bowen, a right-handed defender who plays for Syracuse and Brampton, draws attention for his athletic frame, pro-ready game, heavy cross-check, quick feet, strong transition ability and high ceiling. Brenden Boyle, a left-handed defender for Marquette and Peterborough, brings three years of senior ball experience, a solid defensive floor and enough transition production to help right away in the NLL. Ben Coghill, who plays for Albany and Coquitlam, gives teams a versatile defender who came back from an ACL injury and helped win two Minto Cups. Nick Crowley, the Rutgers and Peterborough defender, adds a hard-nosed style and high-IQ game that lets him push the pace. With defenders like that and goalies in the mix, this draft gives front offices a chance to find help that can anchor a roster. It is the kind of class that rewards teams willing to study how each player fits a system.
