Complex sentence: Merrill was also the first player taken overall in the 2005 National Lacrosse League Draft by the Portland LumberJax, and in 2006 was named both the NLL's Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
Split into simpler sentences: Merrill was also the first player taken overall in the 2005 National Lacrosse League Draft. Merrill plays for the Portland LumberJax, and in 2006 was named both the NLL's Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.