Part I of the 2022 NFL Expansion Series was completed yesterday, with the creation of the Albuquerque Atoms. Now, it’s time for the 2022 NFL expansion draft. In many cases, determining the players that would be in this year’s player pool wasn’t too difficult—but there were several teams that would have had a hard time nominating their five players to be eligible for the expansion team to steal. I tried to predict strategy the 32 teams might use; for example, making available a high-salary player or a veteran player they might feel the expansion team might shy away from.
Rules
We are using the same rules used back in the 2002 expansion draft. Each NFL team must list five players from their current roster that can be selected among the player pool. However, they cannot be a kicker/punter, cannot be entering free agency after the season, and cannot have been placed on injured reserve during the summer. Also, only one player with more than ten years of NFL experience and only one player that was placed on injured reserve during the season can be on each team’s list.
Once a player is selected from an existing team, one player may be removed from the list. And if two players from one team are selected, all remaining players may be pulled.
As the Albuquerque Atoms, we must either select a) at least 30 players, or b) any number of players that have a combined contract value of at least $71.5 million for the 2022 season.
Available Players
Arizona Cardinals
LB Jordan Hicks
LB Devon Kennard
WR Andy Isabella
OL Joshua Miles
RB Eno Benjmain
Atlanta Falcons
DL Tyeler Davison
RB Mike Davis
DL John Cominsky
DB Kendall Sheffield
DB Luther Kirk
Baltimore Ravens
WR Miles Boykin
S Ar’Darius Washington
OLB Daelin Hayes
DL Broderick Washington
WR Tylan Wallace
Buffalo Bills
LB A.J. Klein
OL Jon Feliciano
OL Daryl Williams
WR Cole Beasley
DL Star Lotulelei
Carolina Panthers
CB A.J. Bouye
DL Morgan Fox
OL Pat Elfein
WR Robbie Anderson
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Chicago Bears
DL Eddie Goldman
LB Danny Trevathan
QB Nick Foles
OLB Jeremiah Attaochu
CB Duke Shelley
Cincinnati Bengals
RB Trayveon Williams
LB Joe Bachi
OL Trey Hill
OL Hakeem Adeniji
DE Khalid Kareem
Cleveland Browns
QB Baker Mayfield
WR Jarvis Landry
OL JC Tretter
TE Austin Hooper
LB Tony Fields
Dallas Cowboys
OT La’el Collins
WR Amari Cooper
WR Simi Fehoko
QB Will Grier
DL Quinton Bohanna
Denver Broncos
OL Graham Glasgow
OLB Aaron Patrick
OL Netane Muti
OLB Jonathon Cooper
S Jamar Johnson
Detroit Lions
OLB Trey Flowers
LB Curtis Bolton
S Brady Breeze
RB Jermar Jefferson
RB Craig Reynolds
Green Bay Packers
OLB Za’Darius Smith
OL Billy Turner
LB Ty Summers
WR Juwan Winfree
TE Josiah Deguara
Houston Texans
CB Terrance Mitchell
OL Marcus Cannon
CB Jimmy Moreland
OL Justin McCray
RB Scottie Phillips
Indianapolis Colts
LB Jordan Glasgow
QB Sam Ehlinger
WR Dezmon Patmon
WR Mike Strachan
OL Will Fries
Jacksonville Jaguars
TE Luke Farrell
RB Ryquell Armstead
LB Chappelle Russell
DL Jay Tufele
CB Brandon Rusnak
Kansas City Chiefs
LB Anthony Hitchens
OL Nick Allegretti
DL Khalen Saunders
DE Joshua Kaindoh
DL Tershawn Wharton
Las Vegas Raiders
LB Cory Littleton
LB Nick Kwiatkoski
DE Carl Nassib
OL Jackson Barton
DE Clelin Ferrell
Los Angeles Chargers
OL Bryan Bulaga
OL Brendan Jaimes
QB Easton Stick
RB Larry Rountree III
LB Nick Niemann
Los Angeles Rams
DB Grant Haley
LB Christan Rozeboom
OL Tremayne Ancrhum Jr.
OL Bobby Evans
WR Ben Skowronek
Miami Dolphins
OL Jesse Davis
OL Greg Little
OL Robert Jones
OLB Darius Hodge
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
Minnesota Vikings
DL Michael Pierce
FB C.J. Ham
TE Ben Ellefson
OL Blake Brandel
CB Harrison Hand
New England Patriots
LB Kyle Van Noy
WR N’Keal Harry
TE Devin Asiasi
CB Joejuan Williams
S Cody Davis
New Orleans Saints
LS Zach Wood
OL Landon Young
OL James Hurst
OL Calvin Throckmorton
WR Marquez Callaway
New York Giants
WR Kenny Golladay
RB Devontae Booker
TE Kyle Rudolph
DB Logan Ryan
CB James Bradberry
New York Jets
OL Greg Van Roten
TE Trevon Wesco
RB La’Mical Perine
RB Ty Johnson
DB Rachad Wildgoose
Philadelphia Eagles
OL Sua Opeta
OL Le’Raven Clark
DL Marlon Tuipulotu
DE Patrick Johnson
LS Rick Lovato
Pittsburgh Steelers
OL Zach Banner
LB Joe Schobert
OL Joe Haeg
RB Anthony McFarland
RB Benny Snell
San Francisco 49ers
DE Dee Ford
LS Taybor Pepper
TE Charlie Woerner
RB JaMycal Hasty
RB Trey Sermon
Seattle Seahawks
LB Bobby Wagner
DE Benson Mayowa
OL Stone Forsythe
QB Jacob Eason
TE Colby Parkinson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OL Nick Leverett
LB Grant Stuard
OLB Cam Gill
WR Scotty Miller
WR Tyler Johnson
Tennessee Titans
WR Julio Jones
RB Darrynton Evans
OL Kendall Lamm
OL Rodger Saffold
OL Aaron Brewer
Washington Commanders
OL Ereck Flowers Sr.
DL Matt Ioannidis
S Deshazor Everett
LS Camaron Cheeseman
WR Curtis Samuel
The Selections
It was very difficult to narrow down my picks for the expansion draft this year. There were a bunch of players that I wanted to select that I ended up not going through with it—in most cases, it had to do with the cap hit. For example, Bobby Wagner, Za’Darius Smith, Jarvis Landry, Kenny Golladay, Logan Ryan, Curtis Samuel, Anthony Hitchens, and some other players are simply at too high of a price for an expansion team. And in the expansion draft, teams can pull a player when you select one from their team; so in the case of a team like the Commanders, another player I select means they can pull Curtis Samuel, who is a good fit in their offense if he can stay healthy. These were the final selections after a cost-benefit analysis and taking many factors into account:
Pick 1: LB Jordan Hicks ($8,500,000)
I knew ahead of this exercise that Jordan Hicks would be someone available in the expansion draft, but it didn’t register to me until now that he was nicknamed “Simba” during his time with the Eagles—and now he’ll be playing for the “Mufasa” to his Simba in former teammate and Atoms head coach DeMeco Ryans. Coach Ryans can rely on Hicks to lead his defense this season. I’ve always been a fan of Hicks’ all-around game, and he’s racked up over 116 tackles in each of the past three seasons (and a career-high 4.0 sacks in 2021).
Pick 2: QB Baker Mayfield ($18,858,000)
This wasn’t a slam-dunk selection because it is a costly cap hit, but it’s difficult to pass on Baker Mayfield as a solid option at quarterback for at least this season. The former No. 1 overall pick has shown that he can help a team get to the playoffs, and there’s no doubt he has a chip on his shoulder after the Browns wanted to move on (both in real life and in this theoretical expansion where they made him available).
Pick 3: WR Julio Jones ($22,000,000)
This salary goes against what I wrote above about not wanting to spend too much. But, even at 33 years old, it’s Julio Jones—one of the best receivers of all-time—we’re talking about. We can run our passing game through Jones and ensure he gets enough targets every Sunday. Also, even if Julio doesn’t provide top production on the field, he’s an unselfish player that will be a tremendous leader and example for the younger players on the team. This is our only good shot at Jones, as he’d be looking elsewhere during free agency.
Pick 4: CB James Bradberry ($14,500,000)
All the options that the Giants put up for the expansion draft were in consideration, but cornerback is such an important position in today’s NFL that it’s a good idea to lock up someone that can be a No. 1 option. James Bradberry was one of my favorite signings of the real offseason when the Eagles got him late in the process. Bradberry will turn just 29 this summer, so he should at least have a couple of years left of top-ten upside at corner.
Pick 5: OL La’el Collins ($10,000,000)
La’el Collins was one of the most coveted free agents this offseason when he was released by Dallas for salary cap reasons, but we’re able to avoid competition and can add him in the expansion draft. Collins can also play guard, but we’ll likely slot him in as our starting right tackle.
Pick 6: RB Trey Sermon ($1,107,485)
For whatever reason, it seems the 49ers were not high on 2021 third-round pick Trey Sermon during his rookie campaign. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was made available for us to think about selecting. DeMeco Ryans got to see him up close on the practice field last season with the Niners, and I was high on his one-cut ability coming out of Ohio State. All the running backs available are intriguing, but Sermon is my clear top choice.
Pick 7: EDGE Dee Ford ($6,949,997)
There is a chance that the Niners would pull back Dee Ford after we take Sermon, but the former Chiefs pass rusher hasn’t been on the field much for San Francisco, so they might want to just move on at this point. We’ll take a shot on the Auburn product regaining his form while continuing to play in a Ryans-coached defense.
Pick 8: OL Ereck Flowers ($10,000,000)
Adding Ereck Flowers at guard gives us another tough, versatile piece that can help set the tone up front. I can stomach $10 million each for Collins and Flowers as we build up the offensive line.
Pick 9: EDGE Clelin Ferrell ($9,978,442)
One of the most surprising top-five picks in recent memory, Clelin Ferrell was selected at No. 4 by the Raiders in 2019 partly due to his leadership ability and helping set a culture. An expansion team could use that; and even if Ferrell doesn’t produce as a pass rusher, he should help set the edge and play the run well.
Pick 10: CB A.J. Bouye ($3,500,000)
We can take advantage of the two-year contract A.J. Bouye signed with the Panthers last offseason, as $3.5 million with one year remaining on the deal means little risk for a veteran corner with experience.
Pick 11: OL Billy Turner ($7,000,000)
It’s hard not to like Billy Turner’s versatility on the offensive line—he’s played well at right tackle, right guard, and left tackle for the Packers over the past three seasons. The Atoms can feel confident about him at left tackle if we don’t land anyone else during free agency or the draft.
Pick 12: WR Cole Beasley ($7,250,000)
Cole Beasley was released in real life (upon his request) and has yet to land with another team. The veteran receiver has 82 receptions in each of the past two seasons and profiles as a nice fit as an underneath target for Baker Mayfield.
Pick 13: QB Nick Foles ($8,000,000)
While Mayfield will enter camp as the favorite to be our starter, I still think Nick Foles can play at a high level if given time in the pocket. The former Super Bowl MVP will be a superb locker room presence for an expansion roster.
Pick 14: WR Tyler Johnson ($973,605)
Tyler Johnson has been a bit up and down early in his career with the Bucs as he looks to gain the long-term trust of Tom Brady, and we had a choice of him or Scotty Miller here. I’ll go with Johnson, who I liked coming out of Minnesota. Tampa Bay pulled Miller after this selection.
Pick 15: WR Marquez Callaway ($898,334)
The Saints had to make some tough decisions on which players to make available, and they couldn’t sneak Marquez Callaway past the Atoms. Callaway has big-play ability that should pair nicely with Julio, Beasley, and Tyler Johnson.
Pick 16: LB A.J. Klein ($6,000,000)
I seriously considered all five of the players the Bills made available to select for the expansion roster, but A.J. Klein’s past production and acceptable salary made him a strong pairing next to Jordan Hicks at linebacker.
Pick 17: DL Tershawn Wharton ($896,667)
The Chiefs were another team that had to make players available that they would have liked to keep, and we were able to add Tershawn Wharton on the interior defensive line. Wharton has two sacks in each of his first two NFL seasons.
Pick 18: DL Star Lotulelei ($6,200,000)
Buffalo parted ways with a handful of veterans in real life, so they wouldn’t be doing much pulling back during the expansion draft. We’ll add our third former Bill to the roster, beefing up the defensive line with Star Lotulelei.
Pick 19: OL Pat Elfein ($4,234,559)
Former Ohio State All-American Pat Elfein can play at either center or right guard (we already have Ereck Flowers set to man left guard), and he comes at a very reasonable price at just over $4 million.
Pick 20: OL Greg Little ($1,536,672)
Greg Little is a former second-round pick out of Ole Miss with upside. If he can put everything together as early as this summer, we could have a franchise left tackle at 24 years old (in which case Billy Turner can move over to right guard).
Pick 21: EDGE Benson Mayowa ($3,810,000)
Benson Mayowa has 27.0 sacks in his career, including six sacks a couple of seasons ago. Hopefully our coaching staff can unlock similar production this year.
Pick 22: CB Jimmy Moreland ($3,250,000)
Jimmy Moreland is a competitive player that can immediately slide in at nickelback, where he has experience. Coach Ryans’ defense is going to be aggressive, and our initial top three corners can challenge opposing wide receivers.
Pick 23: S Rudy Ford ($2,100,000)
Last season for a bad Jaguars team, Rudy Ford was able to get good playing experience (four starts in 15 games), making 53 tackles while intercepting one pass. Ford has been seen as a key special-teams contributor in the past, but he took advantage of his biggest opportunity on defense in 2021.
Pick 24: TE Kyle Rudolph ($6,000,000)
This is another selection that should help in the locker room, as Kyle Rudolph is highly regarded around the league. And it’s easy to envision the six-foot-six target emerging as a top red-zone threat for Mayfield.
Pick 25: OL Bobby Evans ($1,170,545)
Bobby Evans fits what we’ve been adding to the offensive line at this point, as he can play both tackle and guard. The former Oklahoma Sooner was the No. 97 pick by the Rams in 2019.
Pick 26: LB Chapelle Russell ($843,734)
In one start for the Jaguars last season, Chapelle Russell recorded eight tackles. He’ll at least be a core member of our special-teams unit, with the upside for more on defense.
Pick 27: WR Tylan Wallace ($996,341)
Determining the five guys the Ravens would make available might have been the most difficult. In an offense that runs more so in the middle of the field than out wide, 2021 fourth-round pick Tylan Wallace was an option for us as we continue to round out the early receiving group.
Pick 28: EDGE Joshua Kaindoh ($949,836)
Six-foot-seven, 265-pound defensive end Joshua Kaindoh has major upside off the edge, and this pick is with the assumption that the Chiefs did not pull him after we already made a pick from their five.
Pick 29: DL Jay Tufele ($1,031,422)
We need more depth on the defensive line, and former USC defensive tackle Jay Tufele is another 2021 fourth-round pick that the Atoms have an opportunity to add.
Pick 30: OL Tremayne Anchrum Jr. ($913,873)
The Rams pipeline is targeted again with Tremayne Anchrum Jr., who was a two-time national champion at Clemson and should at least provide solid depth on the offensive line.
Pick 31: OL Justin McCray ($2,589,705)
As an undrafted player in 2014, Justin McCray has done quite well and shown a lot of perseverance to remain in the league (while playing for a couple of teams in another league from 2016-2017). We could use that on the Atoms. McCray will likely have a shot to compete for a starting role.
Pick 32: S Cody Davis ($2,300,000)
Cody Davis gives us our second safety from the expansion draft, but the expectation is that he’ll be highly productive on special teams for us—with a chance to carve out a role on defense.
Pick 33: TE Devin Asiasi ($1,230,240)
The Patriots signed Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith at tight end last offseason, so Devin Asiasi is expendable and was made available. I like him coming out of UCLA, and the size and soft hands are something to work with at tight end.
Pick 34: LS Rick Lovato ($1,085,000)
The Eagles were among the teams that made their long-snapper available in what were tough decisions. The Atoms end the expansion draft by making sure we’re set at that position.
Current Roster
When mapping this all out, I knew we were going to be tighter to the cap than we might like to be—but the feeling was that we would not be going hard after top free agents, as they mostly don’t profile as ideal fits for an expansion club. And compared to last year, the cap made a considerable jump with COVID moving in the rearview. Overall, I think the Atoms will definitely need more juice on defense moving forward, but the offense is coming together nicely with veteran pieces including a potentially stout offensive line.
Salary cap: $208,200,000
Total payroll: $176,654,457
Cap space: $31,545,543
QB: Baker Mayfield // Nick Foles
RB: Trey Sermon
WR: Julio Jones // Tylan Wallace
WR: Marquez Callaway // Tyler Johnson
WR: Cole Beasley
TE: Kyle Rudolph // Devin Asiasi
OT: Billy Turner // Greg Little
OG: Ereck Flowers Sr. // Tremayne Anchrum Jr.
C:
OG: Pat Elfiein // Justin McCray
OT: La’el Collins // Bobby Evans
EDGE: Dee Ford // Joshua Kaindoh
DL: Star Lotulelei // Jay Tufele
DL: Tershawn Wharton
EDGE: Clelin Ferrell // Benson Mayowa
LB: Jordan Hicks // Chapelle Russell
LB: A.J. Klein
CB: James Bradberry
S: Rudy Ford
S: Cody Davis
CB: A.J. Bouye
NB: Jimmy Moreland
K:
P:
LS: Rick Lovato
Check back tomorrow for Part III of the 2022 NFL expansion series, with NFL free agency!