The NFL is a titan of modern sports, but what would happen if the league expanded today? It’s a question football fans love to debate. Instead of just talking about it, we decided to do it.
We applied our independent, think-for-yourself philosophy to the ultimate team-building challenge: creating the NFL’s 33rd franchise from the ground up.
The result is the Austin Rogues, an expansion team built not to be a punching bag, but to compete from day one. You can see the entire process in our full video breakdown below.
For those who want a detailed look at the key decisions that shaped the roster, here is our complete breakdown.
The Foundation: City, Brand, & A Different Philosophy
Before a single player could be chosen, we had to establish an identity.
- The City: Austin, Texas. While several cities made a strong case, the football-obsessed culture of Texas—combined with Austin’s massive and growing market—made it the clear choice. Partnering with the nearby San Antonio market, we established a new powerhouse in the heart of football country.
- The Brand: Austin Rogues. The name captures the independent, trailblazing spirit of Texas and the Wild West. It’s a brand with an edge, designed for a team that does things its own way.
- The Staff & Philosophy: We hired a proven, hungry head coach in Jon Gruden and a brilliant young defensive mind in Jim Leonard. The Rogues are not hiring an expansive front office staff, taking a Belichick-esque approach.
The Expansion Draft: Hunting for Stars
Our strategy for the 2025 NFL Expansion Draft was simple: be aggressive. We leveraged our cap space to acquire proven, high-impact veterans that other teams left unprotected. The goal was to build a foundation of competitive talent immediately.
Key acquisitions included:
- WR Davante Adams: A true superstar and a perfect fit for a Gruden-led offense.
- CB Jaire Alexander: An elite, alpha cornerback to be the cornerstone of our defense.
- TE Evan Engram: A dynamic and versatile weapon over the middle.
- EDGE Leonard Floyd & DL Javon Hargrave: Proven veterans to anchor our defensive front.
- G Jonah Jackson & C Garrett Bradbury: Experienced starters to begin building our offensive line.
After the draft, we had star power, but also clear holes to address.
Free Agency & The Draft: Plugging Holes and Securing the Future
With over $111 million in cap space, we were targeted and strategic in free agency, signing players who fit our culture on flexible deals. We brought in a capable veteran quarterback with system familiarity in Marcus Mariota, bolstered the offensive line with Mekhi Becton and Cam Robinson, and added high-upside leaders like RB Nick Chubb and LB Devin White.
This set the stage for the NFL Draft, where we made our biggest splashes:
- The #1 Overall Pick: CB/WR Travis Hunter. We secured a generational “cheat code”—a player who immediately becomes an impact starter at two different positions.
- The QB Double-Dip: To secure our future, we took two shots at the most important position, drafting the dynamic Jalen Milroe in the second round and the polished Shedeur Sanders in the fourth.
The Final Roster
After a whirlwind construction process, here is the inaugural roster for the 2025 Austin Rogues, a team with a blend of star veterans and high-upside youth.
This is not a typical expansion team. With established stars at key positions and a fascinating quarterback competition ready to unfold, the Austin Rogues are built to challenge the status quo and push for a playoff spot in their very first season.
What do you think of the final roster? Feel free to let us know in the video comments, and be sure to watch the full video and subscribe to Wolf Sports on YouTube for more content like this.