Real Salt Lake’s 2017 MLS Draft saw the club pick two defenders and a goalkeeper before passing their remaining third and fourth round picks.
Why’d they pass? Well, it certainly would seem that clubs are starting to feel like third and fourth-round picks simply don’t pan out most of the time. By avoiding making those picks — they’d probably just go to Real Monarchs anyway — they’re giving themselves additional flexibility as they look toward developing their second team.
Of course, that’s all balanced by the fact RSL’s draft picks are likely to see significant minutes for Real Monarchs.