It's easy enough to identify Caitlin Clark as a franchise cornerstone for a WNBA team. But can you find the next Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu?

As a second-round pick in the WNBA, simply making the team can present a challenge. Fankam Mendjiadeu not only did that but also appeared in 33 games as a rookie for the Seattle Storm, averaging 4.1 points and 4.5 rebounds.

While even the most savvy general manager can't easily pluck a perennial All-Star out of the second round, the value potential is there. Sophie Cunningham and Marina Mabrey are two of the more recent success stories.

Much attention will be paid to Clark, Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso and the others widely considered to be early first-rounders. Trying to project the hidden gems sitting a little lower on draft boards should provide just as much fun.

2024 Mock Draft

1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark, G, Iowa

2. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink, F, Stanford

3. Chicago Sky (via Phoenix): Rickea Jackson, F, Tennessee

4. Los Angeles Sparks (via Seattle): Kamilla Cardoso, C, South Carolina

5. Dallas Wings (via Chicago): Jacy Sheldon, G, Ohio State

6. Washington Mystics: Aaliyah Edwards, F, UConn

7. Minnesota Lynx: Nyadiew Puoch, F, Australia

8. Chicago Sky (via Atlanta, Los Angeles): Leïla Lacan, G, France

9. Dallas Wings: Isobel Borlase, G, Australia

10. Connecticut Sun: Angel Reese, F, LSU

11. New York Liberty: Alissa Pili, F, Utah

12. Atlanta Dream (via Las Vegas, Los Angeles): Charisma Osborne, G, UCLA

Elite Prospects

Caitlin Clark, G, Iowa

By now, even casual observers of the WNBA and people who had never watched women's basketball have become familiar with Clark's game.

The Iowa star led Division I in points (31.6) and assists (8.9) while carrying the Hawkeyes to their second straight title game. Her singular scoring ability turned her games into must-watch television.

Clark may have a big adjustment period in the WNBA. Beyond the fact the competition will get a lot tougher, her usage rate was never lower than 36.4 percent across any of her four college seasons, per Her Hoop Stats.

Considering she'll be joining a backcourt that already includes Kelsey Mitchell, the 6'0" guard will have to grow accustomed to life away from the ball a little more.

Cameron Brink, F, Stanford

Stanford's Cameron Brink represents almost the ideal two-way big for today's WNBA.

The 6'4" forward grew into an elite rim protector, winning A three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, she was also named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year this season. According to Her Hoop Stats, she ranked in the top 10 in block percentage in each of her four seasons, and she climbed up to first in total rebounding rate (24.3 percent) as a senior.

Brink's offensive game evolved as well, particularly after Haley Jones moved on to the WNBA. Her 21 made threes and 94 assists in 2023-24 were both career highs. While not elite in either category, she's a good enough shooter and playmaker to be a multifaceted presence on that end of the floor.

Rickea Jackson, F, Tennessee

The third overall pick was probably Rickea Jackson's ceiling in the 2023 WNBA draft, so returning to Tennessee didn't change much in that respect. Staying with the Lady Vols for one more year did at least reinforce why she can be a productive WNBA player for a long time.

The 6'2" forward averaged 20.2 points on 48.5 percent shooting, including 33.8 percent from beyond the arc. She also set a career high in rebounding, hauling in 8.2 boards per game.

Consistency was a strength for Jackson throughout her Tennessee tenure. She had 20-plus points in nearly half (29) of her games with the Lady Vols and scored in single digits on just three occasions.

Kamilla Cardoso, C, South Carolina

Kamilla Cardoso couldn't have put together a better NCAA tournament. The Gamecocks center averaged 16.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in her five games, and Iowa simply had no answer for her inside in the title game.

The WNBA is catching up to the NBA in terms of how traditional centers are viewed and utilized. Conventional bigs nonetheless still have their uses, especially when they're as good at protecting the paint as Cardoso is.

Aliyah Boston's departure allowed the Brazilian to drive home something she already displayed as a freshman at Syracuse. Assuming a larger offensive role, she was the Gamecocks' leading scorer (14.4 points).

Hidden Gems

Celeste Taylor, G, Ohio State

Ohio State guard Celeste Taylor has the distinction of being a Defensive Player of the Year in two different conferences. She earned the honor in the ACC before Big Ten coaches put her atop their ballots this season.

As a fifth-year senior, Taylor averaged 2.5 steals and even blocked 0.9 shots per game. She helped the Buckeyes force 21.1 turnovers per game, which was 10th-best in Division I.

With the increased emphasis on spacing the floor, it's tough to carve out a career as a defensive specialist in the WNBA. Taylor's personal-best 47.8 percent clip on two-pointers in 2023-24 raises so hope about her ability to at least be a good enough shooter to augment the value she should provide as a defender.

Carla Leite, G, France

The second and third rounds are a great time to take a flier on an international prospect who's a draft-and-stash option or at least young enough to have a lot of room to grow.

Carla Leite has averaged 15.6 points and 5.5 assists in 19 games for Tarbes Gespe Bigorre in the French league. Her shooting (19.7 percent on threes) leaves a lot to be desired, as to her 4.2 turnovers per game.

In addition, the WNBA's prioritization rules complicate matters for France-based players because the LFB's season runs so close to the start of the WNBA calendar.

But Leite has flashed enough upside to warrant consideration and her age — she turns 20 on Tuesday — means a team can be patient with her long-term development or afford to have her stay overseas for a year or two.