{"id":156802,"date":"2024-01-01T12:28:17","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T17:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=156802"},"modified":"2024-01-01T19:40:57","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T00:40:57","slug":"nfl-expansion-team-idea-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/01\/01\/nfl-expansion-team-idea-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"What an NFL Expansion Team Might Look Like Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u00a0<\/strong>of their starters. One player from each team, one unemployed head coach or one on the hot seat, and one glorious NFL expansion team.<\/p>\n

What an NFL Expansion Team Might Look Like<\/h2>\n

NFL Expansion City<\/h3>\n

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<\/a> 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<\/a> their NBA team). Plus who doesn’t love sneaky alliteration?<\/p>\n

The Players – AFC North<\/h3>\n

Cleveland Browns<\/h4>\n

Protected: Myles Garrett, Dawand Jones, Wyatt Teller<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Ethan Pocic, Center, $3.98 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cincinnati Bengals<\/h4>\n

Protected: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Trey Hendrickson<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, and without access to the cornerstones in Cincinnati, he’s worth a shot.<\/p>\n

Jordan Battle, Safety, $968,000 cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Baltimore Ravens<\/h4>\n

Protected: Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, Patrick Queen<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Kyle Hamilton, Safety, $4.4 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Steelers<\/h4>\n

Protected: Broderick Jones, T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Joey Porter Jr, Corner, $2.2 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Total cap hit – $11.548 million<\/strong><\/p>\n

Total cap space remaining – $230.952<\/strong><\/p>\n

AFC East<\/h3>\n

Buffalo Bills<\/h4>\n

Protected: Josh Allen, Tyrel Dodson, Stefon Diggs<\/p>\n

Tre’Davious White would be the obvious answer if it weren’t for his Achilles tear<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Rasul Douglas, Corner, $9 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Miami Dolphins<\/h4>\n

Protected: Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Bradley Chubb, EDGE, $26.6 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

New England Patriots<\/h4>\n

Protected: Keion White, Trenton Brown, Rhamondre Stevenson<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Bill Belichick, Coach<\/strong><\/p>\n

New York Jets<\/h4>\n

Protected: Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, Garrett Wilson<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, $3.57 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Total cap hit – $50.718 million<\/strong><\/p>\n

Total cap space remaining – $191.782 million<\/strong><\/p>\n

AFC South<\/h3>\n

Houston Texans<\/h4>\n

Players protected: C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr, Derek Stingley Jr.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> according to PFF grades. He’s a UFA in 2024, but ILBs don’t command big paydays in free agency.<\/p>\n

Blake Cashman, Middle Linebacker, $5 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indianapolis Colts<\/h4>\n

Players protected: Anthony Richardson, Deforest Buckner, Bernhard Raimann<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Will Fries, Guard, $961,000 cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jacksonville Jaguars<\/h4>\n

Players Protected: Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen, Travon Walker<\/p>\n

Travis Etienne is still on his rookie contract, but a first-round contract for a running back is still an expensive one<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, $2.9 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tennessee Titans<\/h4>\n

Players Protected: Will Levis, Peter Skoronski, Jeffery Simmons<\/p>\n

Related – Will Levis Film Study<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Roger McCreary, Corner, $2.5 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Total cap hit – $62.079 million<\/strong><\/p>\n

Total cap space remaining – $180.421<\/strong><\/p>\n

AFC West<\/h3>\n

Denver Broncos<\/h4>\n

Players protected: Quinn Meinerz, Pat Surtain II, Justin Simmons<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Javonte Williams, Running Back, $2.82 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kansas City Chiefs<\/h4>\n

Players protected: Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, George Karlaftis<\/p>\n

Travis Kelce might be the GOAT tight end<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

Rashee Rice, Wide Receiver, $1.48 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Los Angeles Chargers<\/h4>\n

Players protected: Justin Herbert, Rashawn Slater, Tuli Tuipulotu<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Zion Johnson, Guard, $3.35 million<\/strong><\/p>\n

Las Vegas Raiders<\/h4>\n

Players protected: Maxx Crosby, Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Divine Deablo, Linebacker, $1.58 million cap hit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Total cap hit – $71.309 million<\/strong><\/p>\n

Total cap space remaining – $171.191 million<\/strong><\/p>\n

Read More: Part Two<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If the NFL made an expansion team, what would the roster look like? Each team can protect three players in the expansion draft. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4345,"featured_media":145784,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,33,27,10,3,30,23,7,8,19,15,24,59,25,14,12,13,16,17,18,34,4,26,5,28,20,6,36,21,9,31,32,29,11,8896],"tags":[7642,7811,40,246,7661,7638,7659,28974],"class_list":["post-156802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","category-cardinals","category-falcons","category-ravens","category-bills","category-panthers","category-bears","category-bengals","category-browns","category-cowboys","category-broncos","category-lions","category-fantasy","category-packers","category-texans","category-colts","category-jaguars","category-chiefs","category-raiders","category-chargers","category-rams","category-dolphins","category-vikings","category-patriots","category-saints","category-giants","category-jets","category-nfl-news","category-eagles","category-steelers","category-49ers","category-seahawks","category-buccaneers","category-titans","category-washington-commanders","tag-chargers-featured","tag-chiefs-featured","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-news","tag-panthers-featured","tag-ravens-featured","tag-saints-featured","tag-toronto"],"modified_by":"Mike Kashuba","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4345"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156802"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156802\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/145784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=156802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=156802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}