An action-packed 2024 NWSL draft is in the books! Not only are we looking forward to a new rookie class in Fantasy NWSL this season, draft night also saw a few very high-profile transactions involving NWSL veterans. We will get into the draftees in more detail as the season approaches, but for now let’s focus on a few of the major trades and transfers that occurred before and during the draft.
What is the new fantasy outlook in Chicago?
Draft Night saw a continuation of the off-season exodus from the Windy City, with 2023 starters Arin Wright and Yuki Nagasato departing to Louisville and Houston, respectively. Mallory Swanson is returning (having signed the largest contract in NWSL history), but we are still a little foggy on what the Red Stars will look like in 2024.
However, Chicago did trade their first round pick to Washington for Sam Staab – a move that brings two of the most consistently effective (and fantasy-valuable) center backs in the league together. The combination of Staab and Tatumn Milazzo, playing right in front of Alyssa Naeher, could turn into fantasy gold. This trade couples one of the best goal-scoring DFs in the NWSL with the arguably best chance creator in the league, and both will be playing behind Swanson.
If you’re looking for two defenders to play almost every minute and have tremendous offensive upside, this is the place to look.
Speaking of…
What is the new fantasy outlook in Washington?
It was also a busy draft night in DC. Along with sending Staab to Chicago, the Spirit also traded Ashley Sanchez to North Carolina in return for a 1st round pick and allocation money. This means that the Spirit could look very different this season.
Ashley Hatch and Trinity Rodman dominated the expected goal-scoring for the Spirit, and there’s no reason to expect that to change in 2024 – both players should still be valuable fantasy assets this season.
However, the potential effects of the departures of Staab and Sanchez cannot be overlooked. Last season, Staab led the Spirit in crosses, free kicks, and corner kicks, and led the league in dead ball passes that led to a shot. Sanchez, meanwhile, led the Spirit in live ball passes that led to a shot.
We mentioned in Part I that Hatch is great candidate for positive regression in 2024, and Rodman is clearly an ascendant talent in the NWSL. However, similar to the effects of turnover of key players in Portland, I’d wait and see the new-look Spirit before committing too much of your fantasy budget to Washington players.
What is the new fantasy outlook in North Carolina?
With Ryan Williams, Kaleigh Kurtz, Emily Fox, and Malia Berkeley all finishing in the top 25 fantasy DFs, the Courage had arguably the best fantasy back four in 2023. However, Fox is off to Arsenal and the WSL, there are quite a few minutes to fill in North Carolina. Kiki Pickett, who claimed the starting left back position during the World Cup, could be the primary beneficiary of Fox’s absence.
Also, don’t forget that Ashley Sanchez is now in Carolina as well. It’s not a stretch to say that Kerolin will be in contention for Golden Boot next year, which should offer Sanchez (and fellow midfielder Narumi Miura) plenty of opportunities for assists and attacking points in 2024.
What are your thoughts on the draft night trades? Comment or tweet @MansersAnswers!