Blue Jackets Mock Draft 2.0: Finding Value in the Two Mid-Round Picks – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

With their top picks at 14 and 20 already analyzed in a previous breakdown, where two defensemen were highlighted as strong fits for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the focus now shifts to the mid-rounds. While first-round selections often grab headlines, teams that draft well in the middle and late rounds can build long-term depth and find players who can eventually become difference makers. The Blue Jackets, without selections in the second and fifth rounds this year, will need to be strategic with their remaining picks at 77th, 109th, 173rd, 205th, and 222nd overall.

Related: Blue Jackets Mock Draft 1.0: Columbus Picks 14th & 20th

Now, let’s look at Columbus’ third and fourth-round pick options. These selections may not get the same attention as the first rounders, but they’re important in adding talent to the pipeline and building for the future.

77th Overall (Third Round) – Mace’o Phillips – LD – USHL

If Mace’o Phillips is still available at 77th overall, he’d be an excellent option for Don Waddell’s team. His rankings put him anywhere from the late third to late fourth round, so his availability at this spot is uncertain, but if he’s still on the board, his shutdown ability and physical play make him a strong fit for the organization.

Phillips worked his way up through Minnesota’s high school system before joining the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP), where his heavy defensive play continued to stand out. He played 51 games for the U17 squad in 2023-24, logging 63 penalty minutes, then moved up to the U18 team in 2024-25, where he racked up 103 penalty minutes in 53 games. In United States Hockey League (USHL) play with the USNTDP Juniors, he added 52 penalty minutes in 33 games in 2023-24, followed by 67 penalty minutes in 25 games in 2024-25. He also played five games for Team USA at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, finishing with zero penalty minutes.

Phillips has built his game around toughness, making him one of the hardest-hitting defensemen in the 2025 NHL Draft. At 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, he would bring much-needed size and physicality to the Blue Jackets’ back end, an area where they need a young, big defenseman to complement their roster. The only current true “big” defensemen on the roster right now is 6-foot-5 Erik Gudbranson, who is 33 years old, so adding a young physical defenseman in…