Amidst rumors that the NFL could look to expand, which players would be on the team, and what would the roster look like? We’ll use the real NFL cap, and each NFL team can protect three of their starters. One player from each team, one unemployed head coach or one on the hot seat, and one glorious NFL expansion team.
What an NFL Expansion Team Might Look Like
NFL Expansion City
Tons of cities would be great for an NFL expansion team. In this piece by David Hunt, he outlines which cities would be the best for an expansion franchise. He specifically highlights some overseas teams, Oklahoma City, and some Canadian frontrunners. Toronto is the fourth-largest city in North America and snow games are objectively more fun, they get the nod and will be the city used. Welcome to the NFL the Toronto Pterodactyls (to go with the Toronto Raptors their NBA team). Plus who doesn’t love sneaky alliteration?
The Players – AFC North
Cleveland Browns
Protected: Myles Garrett, Dawand Jones, Wyatt Teller
It’s not the most exciting pick, but this team is going to need some beef to start things right. No one is touching the quarterback or their other dominating linemen on big contracts. Njoku and Denzel Ward are exciting names, but Ethan Pocic is a stud center to get the team started right.
Ethan Pocic, Center, $3.98 million cap hit
Cincinnati Bengals
Protected: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Trey Hendrickson
Can you protect free agents? Tee Higgins is set to hit the open market in 2024, which brings with it a payday that an expansion team can’t afford. Instead, we’ll pivot to the defensive side of the ball and steal Jordan Battle the former Alabama Safety. He was highly touted predraft, and without access to the cornerstones in Cincinnati, he’s worth a shot.
Jordan Battle, Safety, $968,000 cap hit
Baltimore Ravens
Protected: Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, Patrick Queen
Justin Madubuike is one of the first names that comes to mind with his strong interior presence, but he’s also a UFA in 2024 so will command a payday. Instead, both safeties will be covered by taking Kyle Hamilton, a Swiss army knife of a safety with box linebacker flexibility.
Kyle Hamilton, Safety, $4.4 million cap hit
Pittsburgh Steelers
Protected: Broderick Jones, T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick
This roster is rough to look through. Aging defenders on huge contracts, hot-head receivers, and underperforming quarterbacks don’t exactly excite team builders. Instead let’s keep working on the secondary with an overperforming, physical rookie corner in Joey Porter Jr.
Joey Porter Jr, Corner, $2.2 million cap hit
Total cap hit – $11.548 million
Total cap space remaining – $230.952
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Protected: Josh Allen, Tyrel Dodson, Stefon Diggs
Tre’Davious White would be the obvious answer if it weren’t for his Achilles tear. Instead, they just snagged Rasul Douglas from the Green Bay Packers, but now he’s a Toronto Pterodactyl. He’s a one-year rental, but he’s the perfect mentor to the other corners on the roster.
Rasul Douglas, Corner, $9 million cap hit
Miami Dolphins
Protected: Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle
Christian Wilkins is a free agent in 2024, but Bradley Chubb isn’t! Is he expensive? Definitely. But this team needs a cornerstone on defense and Chubb is it.
Bradley Chubb, EDGE, $26.6 million cap hit
New England Patriots
Protected: Keion White, Trenton Brown, Rhamondre Stevenson
Honestly, none of the players on the roster are moving needles. Instead, the NFL expansion team will steal Bill Belichick with the stipulation he must sign a Shanahan tree offensive coordinator, and he gets to run the defense.
Bill Belichick, Coach
New York Jets
Protected: Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, Garrett Wilson
The Jets have an exceptional defense, and despite dangling Aaron Rodgers out in the open the Pterodactyls won’t take the bait. Instead, they’ll take the young EDGE Jermaine Johnson to pair with Chubb.
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, $3.57 million cap hit
Total cap hit – $50.718 million
Total cap space remaining – $191.782 million
AFC South
Houston Texans
Players protected: C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr, Derek Stingley Jr.
The wide receivers are exciting in Houston, but is that because they’re exciting, or has C.J. Stroud just elevated the offense that much? Instead, Blake Cashman has casually put together a top-five season according to PFF grades. He’s a UFA in 2024, but ILBs don’t command big paydays in free agency.
Blake Cashman, Middle Linebacker, $5 million cap hit
Indianapolis Colts
Players protected: Anthony Richardson, Deforest Buckner, Bernhard Raimann
They have their QB of the future and Left Tackle on rookie deals. Hard to justify protecting anyone else there. Now the NFL expansion team gets a chance at Quenton Nelson, but his $25.2 million dollar cap hit is hard to stomach for a guard. Instead, we’ll grab the other guard in Indianapolis, Will Fries.
Will Fries, Guard, $961,000 cap hit
Jacksonville Jaguars
Players Protected: Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen, Travon Walker
Travis Etienne is still on his rookie contract, but a first-round contract for a running back is still an expensive one. Almost all of the pass catchers in Jacksonville are either free agents or on ridiculous contracts. Instead we’ll steal Devin Lloyd a stud first-round linebacker.
Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, $2.9 million cap hit
Tennessee Titans
Players Protected: Will Levis, Peter Skoronski, Jeffery Simmons
Related – Will Levis Film Study
This roster wasn’t exactly exciting to look at. It’s full of older players on big contracts, or young players who haven’t flashed yet. The NFL expansion team will grab Roger McCreary on his rookie deal as one of the best third corners in the league.
Roger McCreary, Corner, $2.5 million cap hit
Total cap hit – $62.079 million
Total cap space remaining – $180.421
AFC West
Denver Broncos
Players protected: Quinn Meinerz, Pat Surtain II, Justin Simmons
Not having access to three players who are top ten at their position is brutal. Russell Wilson’s contract is too much to bear even for his current team, so instead we’ll pivot to Javonte Williams with another year to recover from his ACL injury.
Javonte Williams, Running Back, $2.82 million cap hit
Kansas City Chiefs
Players protected: Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, George Karlaftis
Travis Kelce might be the GOAT tight end, but 34-year-old tight ends aren’t a great investment for team building. Creed Humphrey is a stud, but the center is already filled. Instead, the team will snag the only receiver worth their salt in Kansas City, Rashee Rice.
Rashee Rice, Wide Receiver, $1.48 million cap hit
Los Angeles Chargers
Players protected: Justin Herbert, Rashawn Slater, Tuli Tuipulotu
Khalil Mack, Austin Ekeler, and Keenan Allen all present elite, aging options with gross contracts. Joey Bosa has the name, but none of the production recently. The NFL expansion team will grab Zion Johnson and hope the change of scenery helps his performance.
Zion Johnson, Guard, $3.35 million
Las Vegas Raiders
Players protected: Maxx Crosby, Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers
None of the quarterbacks on this roster get a team fired up. Instead one of the all-name team finds a new home in Divine Deablo. Worst case scenario the jerseys will be sick.
Divine Deablo, Linebacker, $1.58 million cap hit
Total cap hit – $71.309 million
Total cap space remaining – $171.191 million
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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