While the top pick in the draft will be Mark Matthews, an elite scorer, the strength of this season’s 2012 NLL Draft will no doubt be defense.
The projected second overall pick, Brock Sorensen, was an elite defender with Ohio State University and with the Peterborugh Lakers of Major Series Lacrosse. The Minnesota Swarm have had their eyes on him for a long time, and he would be a great addition to their already strong defense corps.
Hayden Smith is an underrated defender out of the Orangevlle Northmen program. He can score for a defender, but his role will no doubt be as a shut down defender. He could be a late first rounder, but is more likely a second round pick.
Mike Lum-Walker is likely a second round pick and is a powerful, strong defender. He is not afraid to lay down a big hit, or get hit back, for that matter. He clogs up lanes and makes it very hard for offenses to penetrate.
Cody Hawkins is someone who might have dropped on a few draft boards, now projected as a second or third rounder. Nonetheless, he was the top defender in British Columbia in 2012 and he is a shut down type of guy.
