The 2024 College Draft -- dubbed "The Greatest Draft" for its loaded collection of star-caliber players -- produced a slew of immediate contributors last season. Expect these five 2024 draftees to take another step forward in Year 2:

Liam Entenmann, New York Atlas

When talking about a goalkeeper like Entenmann, it’s hard to point out any flaws in his ability to stop and clear the ball. After dominating the NCAA during his college tenure at Notre Dame, Entenmann slotted himself into New York's lineup four games into the 2024 season and never looked back. 

In six appearances, Entenmann saved 71 shots and finished with the league’s second-highest save percentage (58.7%). He ended the year being named a finalist for both Rookie of the Year and the Oren Lyons Goalie of the Year Award.

With a year of professional lacrosse under his belt, along with the entirety of New York’s starting defense returning for the 2025 season, Entenmann is poised to make his first All-Star team — and potentially even an All-Pro team — in Year 2. — Paul Lamonaca

Jake Piseno, Denver Outlaws

Piseno played well in his rookie campaign. He made the All-Star team and crafted a role for himself as Denver’s top long-stick midfielder. However, he never quite reached the superstar heights he flashed at the World Lacrosse Championships or UAlbany.

That superstar breakout could be just around the corner, though.

It starts with the team around him. With the signing of All-Pro short-stick Zach Geddes, Denver now has one of the best transition units in the league. 

Piseno, Geddes and Ryan Terefenko are all tier-one athletes on the break, and that will encourage more fast-break opportunities for the second-year pole. Piseno had just two points as a rookie, but he finished with 19 in his senior season at Albany.

The Haudenosaunee Nationals standout already does the little things extremely well. He’s savvy off the ground (30 ground balls in 2024) and strong against the dodge. Now it’s time for him to take the next step and become a playmaker from the LSM position. – Topher Adams

Chris Conlin, California Redwoods

As an undrafted rookie, Conlin was thrust into a key role for a rebuilding Redwoods defense. His first test came against the Atlas. Against a talented offense that can attack from anywhere and with anyone, Conlin didn’t have a great first showing.

“Chris was trying to help a little bit too much, and that’s only natural,” Redwoods defensive coordinator Chris Collins said. “That’s the kind of game you want those guys to play in because you want them to experience everything and have their heads spin a little bit because everything kind of slows down pretty quickly after that.”

What Collins said proved to be true, because Conlin stepped up in a major way the following weekend. Against the Outlaws and top pick Brennan O’Neill, Conlin caused his first turnover and picked up two ground balls. O’Neill only scored one goal, which didn’t come until the fourth quarter, and added only one assist.

“At the end of the game, we looked around, and we’re like, ‘Conlin can play,’” Collins said.

Conlin finished the season tied for first on California with nine caused turnovers, and his 17 ground balls were third-most on the team among long poles. Collins said he’s “thrilled” to have Conlin return to the defense and is excited to see what he can do in Year 2 with a little more experience under his belt. – Phil Shore

Adam Poitras, Maryland Whipsnakes

Coming into the league as a fourth-round pick out of Loyola, Poitras had something to prove — and he wasted no time making his mark. Known for his fearless shooting, Poitras carried the same attacking mindset that netted him 41 goals as a senior directly into the pros.

In his rookie campaign with the Whipsnakes, Poitras quietly became a reliable midfield weapon. He totaled 13 points (10G, 3A) in the regular season, showcasing a nose for the net and a willingness to fire at will.

His breakout moment came during Maryland’s homecoming weekend, when Poitras scored a hat trick to help secure a key win over the Boston Cannons.  

Poitras is poised to build on that strong foundation. With a full year of professional experience and a deeper understanding of the Whipsnakes system, he's expected to take on a more significant offensive role. The future is bright if his rookie numbers and shot selection are any indication.

With the return of Brad Smith, the Whips will have a few different faces in their midfield line this season, but their veteran experience can only benefit Poitras'. He might have entered the league under the radar, but he's quickly become a name to know. — Miles Jordan

Eric Dobson, Carolina Chaos

Dobson was a second-round pick for Carolina in 2024, but he never reached his maximum potential in Year 1. The 6-foot-5 midfielder's first season was one to forget, with five goals in six games.

However, an All-Star-caliber season could be on the horizon for the big lefty out of Notre Dame. 

Dobson will have to earn his minutes out of the box on a Chaos team that fielded the league’s lowest-scoring offense in 2024. 

In Year 2, Dobson needs to utilize his frame to his advantage against opposing defenses, and then he needs to capitalize with his heavy shot. A player to look at when thinking about Dobson is O’Neill. 

Both second-year players possess similar physical and skill set traits; the difference in Year 1 was O’Neill’s ability to create offense independently for the Outlaws. 

Standing at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, O’Neill was a nightmare matchup because he’s so talented at using his body to get to his spots, and his ability to score at will makes him virtually unguardable. Dobson is a couple of inches taller and five pounds lighter. 

In college, Dobson made a name for himself and earned first-team All-American recognition by utilizing his size and strength to create goals against top opponents at Notre Dame. When he relentlessly dodges down the alley or sweeps across the top of the box with full intentions of scoring, Dobson is tough to handle, but he never reached that point in 2024. 

Is Dobson going to register 30 points this season? No. But anything north of 20 on a Chaos team that couldn’t find anything offensively would be a huge boost. 

With teammate Shane Knobloch coming off a solid rookie season on the righty side out of the box for Carolina, Dobson’s ability to provide similar balance on the lefty side could be the difference between the league’s worst offense and a league-average offense. — Hayden Lewis