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The big rumor relating to the New York Red Bulls is the suggestion that head coach Jesse Marsch is on his way to becoming the head coach of RB Salzburg. Whether that happens or not, RBNY will be participating in the MLS SuperDraft on January 13. With regard to that event, all the club has said is (via assistant coach Denis Hamlett) it intends to go after the best player available when its moment comes to select.
But there is a rumor RBNY might be hoping to force the issue of when it gets to make its first pick, which would make the question of the best player available perhaps a little easier to determine:
What I've heard from multiple folks is that #RBNY are trying to trade up into the top 3 for Danladi. Could be smoke.https://t.co/nJR7saobO0
— Matthew Doyle (@MLSAnalyst) January 11, 2017
Interesting.
Abu Danladi is one of the top-rated talents in the 2017 SuperDraft. Mlssoccer.com's Matt Doyle had him going third overall (to Chicago Fire) in his mock draft. SBI has him going to Atlanta United as the second overall pick. He fell to fifth overall (to Columbus Crew) in SB Nation's mock draft.
As the Combine reaches its conclusion, he's still expected to go quickly on Draft Day.
I still think 1-2-3 are Ebobisse, Danladi & Robinson in some order. MAAAAAYBE Jonathan Lewis sneaks in there.https://t.co/6oCGeQhHRl
— Matthew Doyle (@MLSAnalyst) January 11, 2017
A Draft Day trade for a high-profile pick would certainly enliven RBNY's SuperDraft, and perhaps help to ease attention away from the large question mark suddenly looming over Jesse Marsch and his future at the club. How positively any such pick is regarded by fans and observers will, of course, depend on what the Red Bulls give up to get it.
When even the primary channel for a rumor says "it could be smoke", it's not worth getting all that caught up in evaluating a rumor. It's something that is being said, that is all. For now.