What if the ‘dream team’ of NFL players competing for Team USA flag football in the Olympics came true? What would the ideal roster plucked from the current best pro football talent look like?
Just the possibility of that happening is something that the league wants to provide even more global representation of the sport, even in a much different, non-tackling form.
Although some players might be reluctant to participate for fear of injuries, still thinking about what happened to Robert Edwards’ knee 26 years ago, others will be revved up to play for their country.
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Fast forward to Los Angeles in 2028: Who would be on the team if those Summer Games were this year? Here’s breaking it down:
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Building the NFL’s best Olympic flag football team
The Olympic version of the game will be 5-on-5. There will be 12 players on every nation’s final roster, five starters and seven bench players, but for more NFL fun for now, we’re expanding to 15.
Offensively, there are no blockers. Four of the basic starting positions are quarterback, two wide receivers and a center, who is also eligible to catch passes. Rounding out the quintet is either a designated running back, who can get the ball only on handoffs or forward passes, or another receiver..
Defensively, there are two defensive backs, different from typical corners and more like linebackers, as they are responsible for reading and reacting to running plays and handling short-area coverage on pass plays. Two safeties line up behind them to help protect against deep passing and also help diagnose all plays. The fifth player is called a rusher, who must line up seven yards behind the line of scrimmage before trying to put pressure on the quarterback.
While quarterback and receiver translate well from who’s considered the best in the NFL, there’s room for some more creativity in filling out the other positions, in this case, sticking to pure pass-happy 11 personnel and the required style of defenders.
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Quarterbacks (2)
Lamar Jackson, Ravens
This was an easy, important choice as the NFL’s reigning top downfield passer is also its premier dynamic open-field athlete. Jackson might get confused with the track team with his blinding speed and make flag football a must-attend event.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
Mayfield has also been sharp throwing deep and has shown how well he surveys the field when his team spreads the field. He has looked great at the Pro Bowl games and would be a nice pocket passing complement to Jackson. He would be a willing participant, too, grinding for the gold.
Receivers (6)
Justin Jefferson, Vikings
Jefferson has crushed it at the Pro Bowl games, and the whole routes-hands-speed-quickness thing makes him a must-have weapon. JJ is plenty elusive is getting past and around would-be tacklers. He can do the same to avoid flag pulls in the open field.
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
Where there’s a Jefferson as arguably the NFL’s best wide receiver, there’s his former LSU teammate, coming off his Triple Crown season. Chase would also be a tough pursuit for defenders with his speed, quickness and route-running.
Malik Nabers, Giants
Nabers belongs there too and now the Red, White and Blue is morphing into the Purple and Gold of LSU. Nabers has many of the same Fighting Tiger qualities as Jefferson and Chase, with his ability to get open everywhere and also stretch the field for chunk plays.
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
Jefferson, Chase and Nabers could use a special slot and the ideal buddy with whom to do the Griddy. With his size (6-2, 200 pounds), quickness and lankiness, Lamb has proved to be a tough matchup. Lamb already plays for America’s Team, so why not Team USA, too?
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Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
He gets the call over other older receivers, including those who might have hyphenated names (see Amon-Ra St. Brown) for his youth and quickness to also help out well inside or outside. He’s the next great as the first receiver drafted in the 2023 class.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
Just in case there was doubt about not having enough LSU, Thomas also deserves the nod after his Nabers-like big-time rookie season. Travis Hunter might be the Jaguar of choice come 2028 if he can live up to delivering as a receiver and corner, but for now, his teammate has already earned a key spot.
Center (1)
George Kittle, 49ers
There’s no blocking in flag football, but there is room for an intimidating snapper who can get off quickly from the line to get open to stretch the middle of the field. Kittle can expand his repertoire well beyond the big-play tight end. Kittle can do for Jackson and Mayfield what he keeps doing for Brock Purdy, averaging more than 14 yards per reception.
Defensive backs (2)
Demario Davis, Saints
Davis is an outstanding cover linebacker and also has shown a knack for covering plenty of ground in flag during the Pro Bowl games. He is also a worthy, venerable leader to have for the defense. At age 36, he hasn’t slowed down as the ideal pass-defending player at his position. This would take him from underrated potential Hall of Famer to getting a lot more national (and global) credit for his modern greatness.
Cooper DeJean, Eagles
DeJean’s exceptional athleticism for inside coverage and natural ballhawking ability made him a simple selection over more traditional outside corner Quinyon Mitchell. His youth at age 22 and nickel back sensibilities would be a good complement to what Davis can do against back and tight end types from other nations.
Safeties (2)
Derwin James, Chargers
James is the ideal cleanup man with his ability to get everywhere fast on the back end. He has already proved his worth in the Pro Bowl Games, too, with his combination of intimidating and quick ground-closing ability in coverage.
Jessie Bates III, Falcons
Bates’ role in coverage would also translate well to be effective in containing big plays. Kyle Hamilton, Antoine Winfield, and Byron Murphy would also be some good candidates to cross over from their interior coverage roles. The safety talent the USA could have with NFL players would give them the biggest advantage over other nations.
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Rushers (2)
Andrew Van Ginkel, Vikings
Van Ginkel, 29, is a unique defensive player, able to rush the passer at a double-digit sack clip and also drop back and cover like a linebacker/safety hybrid. He needs a roster spot for that elite versatility. He just needs the opportunity to join Jefferson in trying out.
Nik Bonitto, Broncos
Bonitto is part of the rising young pass rush in Denver, coming off a breakout 13.5-sack season. Like Van Ginkel, he also flies around the field well in coverage when needed. Bonitto is just reaching his prime at age 25 and can dominate in the flag game.
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