2026 NFL Expansion Mock Draft if the League Added a New Team Today

Major League Baseball is getting serious about expansion. And NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated earlier this year that international expansion is not "off the table." The NBA is exploring bids for new teams in Las Vegas and Seattle. American professional sports leagues grow, period. And it's likely only a matter of time before the nation's biggest league adds a 33rd franchise. 

After all, it's been 24 years since the Houston Texans were added as part of a massive realignment in 2002. 

When the Texans joined the league back then, the expansion draft went down as follows: Each team had to leave five players unprotected. If the Texans chose a player, that team could pull one of its remaining four off the board. If Houston picked two players from one team, then the final three could be pulled back.

Obviously that process places a lot of marginal players in the draft pool, but you do wind up with some notable names as teams look to dump bloated contracts. 

So, let's mock one up as though the league were adding a new franchise for the 2026 season. 

*Teams could not leave kickers or punters unprotected, and they could leave only one player with more than 10 years' experience unprotected. And as this exercise was timed differently than a typical expansion draft, we ruled out players who finished the 2025 season on practice squads (even if they've since been signed to expanded rosters). 

Salary information courtesy of Spotrac

Welcome to Mock Draft Week, a special series exploring the draft from a range of unique angles. Catch up on our other installments below:

Final 3-Round B/R NFL Scouting Department Mock

Fan-Voted Mock Draft Reveals B/R Community's Picks for Every 1st-Rounder

Blind Resume Mock Draft Reveals Surprising 1st Round

Chaos Mock Draft with a Trade Idea for Every 1st-Round Pick

Ultimate Mock Draft with Every College Player Available

Consensus Mock Draft with Expert Picks for Every 1st-Rounder

Unprotected Players: AFC East

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Ed Oliver

Buffalo Bills
DL Ed Oliver
OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
TE Keleki Latu
LB Joe Andreessen
S Sam Franklin Jr.

Oliver will turn 29 this season and is coming off a campaign ruined by injury. He's slated to cost the team more than $28 million in 2027. 

Miami Dolphins
DL Zach Sieler
RB Ollie Gordon II
C Andrew Meyer
LB Jackson Woodard
CB Isaiah Johnson

Sieler is a solid starter but also a 30-year-old in decline slated to cost them more than $32 million over the course of the next two seasons. 

New England Patriots
WR Efton Chism III
TE CJ Dippre
DE Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
LB Chad Muma
S Brenden Schooler

Nobody particularly notable here. I don't imagine the Patriots would want to mess too much with what they have going. 

New York Jets
CB Brandon Stephens
WR Quentin Skinner
TE Jelani Woods
LB Kobe King
S Jarius Monroe

Stephens is slated to cost nearly $28 million over the course of the next two seasons. The 28-year-old surrendered 10 touchdowns and a 134.3 passer rating on throws into his coverage in 2025. 

Unprotected Players: AFC North 

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File

Deshaun Watson

Baltimore Ravens
DL Nnamdi Madubuike
LB Roquan Smith
RB Justice Hill
LB Carl Jones
LB Jay Higgins IV

Going out on a limb that they'd already have buyer's remorse on Madubuike, who peaked in 2023 before getting a bag. Smith, 29, is declining and awfully expensive.

Cincinnati Bengals
TE Mike Gesicki
DL B.J. Hill
DE Isaiah Foskey
LB Joe Giles-Harris
S PJ Jules

Gesicki and Hill are both 30 and not living up to their contracts, neither of which are easy to break free from. 

Cleveland Browns
QB Deshaun Watson
CB Denzel Ward
TE Brenden Bates
LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold
S Christopher Edmonds

Getting rid of Watson's contract without penalty would obviously be a dream come true for the Browns. Ward is still a good player but is due more than $30 million in his age-29 season. 

Pittsburgh Steelers
Edge Alex Highsmith
TE Pat Freiermuth
OL Jack Driscoll
DL Logan Lee
LB Carson Bruener

Highsmith hasn't turned into the player they'd hope he'd become, and he's due more than $20 million in each of the next two seasons. Freiermuth has lacked year-to-year consistency but has the seventh-highest cap hit at the tight end position. 

Unprotected Players: AFC South 

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File

Calvin Ridley

Houston Texans
WR Justin Watson
OL Jarrett Kingston
DL Kyonte Hamilton
LB Jamal Hill
CB Alijah Huzzie

The only notable consideration was the highly expensive Nico Collins, who has sort of plateaued the last couple of seasons. Ultimately, I don't think the Texans would want to risk that for C.J. Stroud and the offense.

Indianapolis Colts
CB Charvarius Ward
WR Laquon Treadwell
TE Will Mallory
LB Jaylon Carlies
CB Johnathan Edwards

The Colts would have to strongly consider risking it with Ward, who is now on the wrong side of 30 after an injury-marred debut season there and is on track to cost them more than $44 million between now and the end of 2027. 

Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Walker Little
CB Jourdan Lewis
RB LeQuint Allen Jr.
TE Hunter Long
LB Branson Combs

Little had a lousy 2025 campaign and is about to become very expensive. The Jags might regret his 2024 extension. Ditto for Lewis' three-year, $30 million free-agent contract from 2025 after he wasn't much of a factor last year.

Tennessee Titans
WR Calvin Ridley
OT Dan Moore Jr.
S Amani Hooker
G Garrett Dellinger
S Jerrick Reed II

A broken leg cost Ridley most of the 2025 season, but the fact is he'll turn 32 this season and his contract is brutally loaded with dead money. I'll bet they already regret giving big money to Moore, who has never been good and wasn't in 2025. They wouldn't give up all of these guys but could expose each. 

Unprotected Players: AFC West

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Maxx Crosby

Denver Broncos
TE Evan Engram
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey
TE Nate Adkins
DE Jordan Jackson
S JL Skinner

Engram didn't live up to a shiny new contract with the Broncos in 2025, scoring just one touchdown in 16 games. The Broncos might prefer to save $14.1 million and focus on tight end early in the draft. 

Kansas City Chiefs
TE Noah Gray
DE Tyreke Smith
DT Zacch Pickens
LB Cooper McDonald
CB Melvin Smith Jr.

Gray was a toss-up for me. He hasn't really delivered on that three-year, $18 million deal and will cost $7 million to play a limited role again in 2026. With Travis Kelce back, the Chiefs probably wouldn't mind dumping that salary.

Las Vegas Raiders
Edge Maxx Crosby
WR Shedrick Jackson
TE Carter Runyon
DL Brodric Martin
CB Chigozie Anusiem

Crosby is obvious based on the fact they tried and failed to trade him earlier this offseason. He isn't the player he once was but is still in the elite range. 

Los Angeles Chargers
RB Kimani Vidal
WR Derius Davis
LB Kyle Kennard
CB Deane Leonard
S Kendall Williamson

Couldn't find a contract dump that they couldn't have already executed with very limited dead money. That's good and bad for the Bolts, who expose more decent depth guys like Vidal and Davis. If I'm an expansion franchise, I'm considering all of these guys. 

Unprotected Players: NFC East 

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

A.J. Brown

Dallas Cowboys
CB DaRon Bland
RB Phil Mafah
TE Brevyn Spann-Ford
LB Marist Liufau
S Alijah Clark

Dak Prescott would actually make sense considering his age, injury history, overall track record and massive salary, but an expansion team wouldn't likely claim him anyway and the PR hit in Dallas would be killer. Bland would be irresistible though, considering his cap number and issues of late.

New York Giants
DL Dexter Lawrence
RB Eric Gray
TE Chris Manhertz
C Bryan Hudson
CB Art Green

The 28-year-old Lawrence and the Giants are locked in a contract squabble anyway, and they can save more than $53 million over the course of the next two years if this expansion team were to bite. 

Philadelphia Eagles
WR A.J. Brown
RB Will Shipley
TE Cameron Latu
OL Drew Kendall
CB Mac McWilliams

Brown's name has been embroiled in trade chatter for the better part of a year. He won't mind the Eagles attempting to get rid of his $32 million AAV. You also have three recent middle-round picks in there, which is a testament to Philly's depth. 

Washington Commanders
DL Daron Payne
TE Colson Yankoff
DE Drake Jackson
LB Ale Kaho
S Percy Butler

The Commanders might have moved on from a post-prime Payne this offseason if not for a $16.2 million dead cap charge. 

Unprotected Players: NFC North

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Aaron Jones

Chicago Bears
TE Cole Kmet
DT Grady Jarrett
CB Kyler Gordon
DE Daniel Hardy
CB Jaylon Jones

It says something that the Bears didn't just release or trade Kmet if they weren't thrilled with his contract, but that would have entailed a $4.2 million hit that they avoid this way. Jarrett's three-year, $42.8 million contract from last offseason already looks like a mistake, as does the three-year, $40 million deal they handed to Gordon.

Detroit Lions
DT Alim McNeill
RB Sione Vaki
WR Dominic Lovett
DT Mekhi Wingo
CB Khalil Dorsey

It's been an up-and-down five-year run for McNeill, who is still an asset with some room to grow but is slated to count more than $27 million against the cap in each of the next three seasons. 

Green Bay Packers
OL Donovan Jennings
TE Josh Whyle
DT Jonathan Ford
LB Collin Oliver
DB Jaylin Simpson

Was tempted to include guard Aaron Banks after he struggled mightily in the first year of a big-money deal, but the Packers need that offensive line continuity and will want to give that more time. Nobody else of major note. 

Minnesota Vikings
RB Aaron Jones
TE Josh Oliver
WR Myles Price
LB Chaz Chambliss
CB Zemaiah Vaughn

Jones is 31 now. They reworked his deal this offseason after he was outperformed by Jordan Mason in 2025, but he'll still carry a $10.2 million cap hit that I'm sure the Vikes would prefer to dodge entirely. 

Unprotected Players: NFC South

AP Photo/Rusty Jones

Alvin Kamara

Atlanta Falcons
RB Nathan Carter
WR Dylan Drummond
OT Michael Jerrell
LB JD Bertrand
CB Natrone Brooks

I do wonder if they'd like to see somebody push the relatively unreliable veteran cornerback Mike Hughes, but there isn't a lot of depth there and his contract isn't a killer. 

Carolina Panthers
G Robert Hunt
WR Brycen Tremayne
TE James Mitchell
LB Maema Njongmeta
LB Thomas Incoom

I think they'd also be tempted to expose Tershawn Wharton if they had any depth up front. Hunt would be a hard call too since he was a Pro Bowler in 2024, but his $24.3 million cap hit is wild for a guy who has always been good-not-great and is coming off a season ruined by injury. 

New Orleans Saints
RB Alvin Kamara
TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
DT Khristian Boyd
LB Jaylan Ford
CB Rejzohn Wright

The Saints probably would have already moved on from Kamara if not for guarantees. No use having him on board at $10.5 million when you've got Travis Etienne.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Kameron Johnson
TE Devin Culp
OL Elijah Klein
LB David Walker
S Rashad Wisdom

Thought about a bunch of vets here, including Chris Godwin and Zyon McCollum, but the Bucs have a closing window and no egregious contracts in terms of a delta between salary and production. A lot of depth is exposed here, however.

Unprotected Players: NFC West 

AP Photo/Doug Benc

Cooper Kupp

Arizona Cardinals
LB Baron Browning
RB Corey Kiner
WR Jalen Brooks
TE Rivaldo Fairweather
DE Zachary Carter

The only notable guy—Browning—isn't exactly sexy, but he's a 27-year-old vet with plenty of starts under his belt. But his $9.4 million cap hit for 2026 is pushing it when the team has several superior edges.

Los Angeles Rams
TE Colby Parkinson
RB Ronnie Rivers
TE Davis Allen
G Beaux Limmer
DT Larrell Murchison

Parkinson scored eight touchdowns last year but doesn't produce a ton for a guy making $9 million. The Rams also have young second-round pick Terrance Ferguson on the roster. 

San Francisco 49ers
WR Brandon Aiyuk
RB Patrick Taylor Jr.
LB Garret Wallow
CB Siran Neal
CB Tre Tomlinson

Considering all the drama, you get the sense Aiyuk would not be a member of this team if not for the fact his contract is loaded with dead money in the next couple of years. 

Seattle Seahawks
WR Cooper Kupp
TE Nick Kallerup
OL Mason Richman
LB Connor O'Toole
LB Chazz Surratt

Kupp has had a great career, but now that it's all about Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed, paying the post-prime slot guy $17.5 million is far from ideal. We considered Jarran Reed as well because he's really not a high-impact guy and makes decent bucks, but he's not fully breaking the bank and there isn't an obvious Plan B. 

The Draft Rules

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Colby Parkinson

The expansion team is required to claim either 30 players or $114.456 million in contracts (38 percent of the 2002 salary cap). In 2002, the Texans claimed 19 players but hit the financial threshold by committing $41.6 million (58 percent of the cap) to those 19 guys. 

That seems like a good balance, as the expansion team will also have a draft class to pay and can do its own separate work on the open market. 

In this exercise, we'll push it a little bit further but aim to cap this fictitious team at 65 percent of the 2026 cap, which works out to about $195 million. 

And while the order doesn't technically matter except for when the expansion team plans to land more than one player from a certain team, we'll go in order of priority because it's more fun that way. 

The Draft: Pricey Veterans

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Alex Highsmith

Pick 1: Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith

2026 Cap Hit: $32,718,750
Running Tally: $32,718,750

Here's your centerpiece, and the veteran who can set the vibe for an inevitably young team. Smith is by far the most expensive piece, but you're getting a perennial Pro Bowl in his prime at age 29. He's got gas left in the tank, and you have contractual control for a couple years—long enough to establish a connection and make an impact but not so long that you're handcuffed. 

Pick 2: Buffalo Bills DL Ed Oliver

2026 Cap Hit: $13,660,000
Running Tally: $46,378,750

It's fair to wonder if recent bad injury luck could be a sign that the 28-year-old longtime starter is fading, but the 2026 price is right for a guy who can set the tone in the trenches. He becomes a lot more expensive in 2027 but you can move on without penalty after that if things don't pan out. 

Pick 3: Carolina Panthers G Robert Hunt

2026 Cap Hit: $24,300,000
Running Tally: $70,678,750

Also just barely on the right side of 30, this is your trench tone-setter on offense. The 2024 Pro Bowler lost most of his 2025 season to a torn biceps but is healthy again now. I'd imagine Hunt has several quality years ahead of him, the next three of which are under contract. 

Pick 4: Jacksonville Jaguars OT Walker Little

2026 Cap Hit: $14,499,953
Running Tally: $85,178,703

The 2021 second-round pick has seemingly fallen out of favor in Jacksonville, where he never had much of a chance to establish himself over a long run. But he has the look and potential to be a pillar left tackle. And if it doesn't work out, the expansion team has the option to move on at a dead-cap cost of only $4.7 million in 2027. 

Pick 5: Pittsburgh Steelers edge Alex Highsmith

2026 Cap Hit: $20,102,000
Running Tally: $105,280,703

Highsmith is coming off a 9.5-sack campaign and has registered at least six quarterback takedowns in each of his last five seasons. In this case, our expansion team benefits from the Steelers opting to save cash with Nick Herbig at their disposal. Now you've got two years to see if the 28-year-old can take his game to the next level in a new environment. 

Pick 6: Seattle Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp

2026 Cap Hit: $17,470,000
Running Tally: $122,750,703

Kupp is to the offense what Smith is to the defense. A veteran leader who can bring along a young group of dudes who have never played together before. The 32-year-old doesn't come cheap but is a young quarterback's dream safety valve, and the team can move on after 2027 anyway. 

Pick 7: New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara

2026 Cap Hit: $10,509,741
Running Tally: $133,260,444

The 30-year-old may not have a ton left but you need some experience in the backfield and it's only a $10.5 million commitment before he hits free agency. This works as a nice bridge if you bring in some younger backs in this and the real-world draft. Kamara put up nearly 1,500 scrimmage yards just over a year ago. 

Pick 8: Los Angeles Rams TE Colby Parkinson

2026 Cap Hit: $9,083,334
Running Tally: $142,343,778

Despite only being a 60 percent snap guy, the 27-year-old scored eight touchdowns while posting a career-high 408 receiving yards for the Rams in 2025. There's also no obligation beyond $9.1 million in '26, so this is another nice bridge at the very least. 

Pick 9: New York Jets CB Brandon Stephens

2026 Cap Hit: $13,970,000
Running Tally: $156,313,778

The 28-year-old former third-round pick was a stellar starter in Baltimore in 2023 but has lacked consistency since. If the Jets are ready to give up on him now, Stephens is worth a shot. You can cut him at a cost of $6 million next offseason. He definitely has the size, strength and athleticism to excel as a No. 1 corner. 

Pick 10: Tennessee Titans S Amani Hooker

2026 Cap Hit: $11,957,500
Running Tally: $168,271,278

The 27-year-old is not a star, but he's been a solid starter in Tennessee for the last few years. He's a guy you can generally rely on, and he can take on the primary leadership role in this secondary. I get the feeling the Titans would expose him and then hope to pull him back if Moore or Ridley were selected. 

Pick 11: Arizona Cardinals edge Baron Browning

2026 Cap Hit: $9,415,000
Running Tally: $177,686,278

One more veteran to work in the front seven with Smith, Oliver and Highsmith. Browning has never been a big sack producer but he just turned 27 and could fit in well opposite Highsmith on the edge. It's just a one-year commitment at less than $10 million. 

The Draft: Bargain-Hunting Phase

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Kimani Vidal

Pick 12: Los Angeles Chargers RB Kimani Vidal

2026 Cap Hit: $1,075,000
Running Tally: $178,761,278

You complement Kamara with a compact, physical back who costs next to nothing but had some promising moments (three 100-yard rushing performances) as a sophomore in Los Angeles in 2025. Vidal could absolutely turn into a key cog. 

Pick 13: New England Patriots LB Chad Muma 

2026 Cap Hit: $1,240,000
Running Tally: $180,001,278

The 2022 third-round pick costs nothing beyond that $1.2 hit for 2026, but Muma has the size and athleticism to become a strong starter if given the chance. In a limited sample, the 26-year-old posted the seventh-best PFF run defense grade on the New England roster in 2025. He could take off with more reps in a new environment. 

Pick 14: Pittsburgh Steelers G Jack Driscoll

2026 Cap Hit: $1,262,500
Running Tally: $181,263,778

We're assuming the Steelers don't snatch Driscoll back after Highsmith is selected, likely because they'd then protect Freiermuth having freed up a bunch of cash. Regardless, we're looking at a former fourth-round pick who gained critical starting experience in Philadelphia earlier in his career and has the versatility to contribute inside and outside. 

Pick 15: Kansas City Chiefs DL Zacch Pickens

2026 Cap Hit: $1,145,000
Running Tally: $182,408,778

The 2023 third-round pick in Chicago had a few nice moments as a rookie but faded and never had much of a chance to make a sustained impression with the Bears. The B/R Scouting Dept. once noted that Pickens "has the potential to be a rock as a run defender." He just turned 26 and could get that chance in a new spot. 

Pick 16: Buffalo Bills OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger

2026 Cap Hit: $1,163,813
Running Tally: $183,572,591

The Bills could take Van Pran-Granger back after our expansion squad selects Oliver, but likely not. Unfortunately, the 2024 fifth-round pick is stuck in a crowded interior offensive line traffic jam in Buffalo. There's still a chance the athletic former Georgia standout takes off in the NFL. He's still only 24. 

Pick 17: Denver Broncos WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey

2026 Cap Hit: $1,221,323
Running Tally: $184,793,914

This is the type of depth guy our expansion team could land on the open market via the veteran minimum. In this case, they just poach one from an opponent. Humphrey is never going to be a star but I like the big-game experience he brings to the table despite the fact he is only now turning 28. He is a big body that can grind and do the dirty work. 

Pick 18: Houston Texans WR Justin Watson

2026 Cap Hit: $2,544,118
Running Tally: $187,338,032

The 30-year-old former fifth-round pick pushed the 500-yard mark a couple years ago with the Chiefs. He's a steady, inexpensive depth guy with a nice size-speed combination. 

Pick 19: Philadelphia Eagles RB Will Shipley

2026 Cap Hit: $1,254,241
Running Tally: $188,592,273

An active special-teamer who still has plenty of upside as a 23-year-old recent fourth-round pick, Shipley is a decisive runner who starred at Clemson. He and Vidal could become a fun long-term backfield duo beyond Kamara. We also continue an emphasis on bringing in vets from winning cultures elsewhere. 

Pick 20: Philadelphia Eagles TE Cameron Latu

2026 Cap Hit: $1,005,000
Running Tally: $189,597,273

The idea here is the Eagles take back McWilliams or Kendall following the loss of Shipley. There's a chance that doesn't happen, but those two are sophomore in-house middle-round draft picks so I'd bet they lean in those directions. Latu has bounced around as a 49ers third-rounder from '23 but is a reliable blocker with the pass-catching tools to become a regular. A platoon with Parkinson would make sense. 

Pick 21: Washington Commanders S Percy Butler

2026 Cap Hit: $2,800,000
Running Tally: $192,397,273

The 2022 fourth-round pick was a 13-game starter in 2023. He's sort of drifted off since then but he's still just 25 and he has the physicality to become a stellar NFL run defender. 

Pick 22: Green Bay Packers DB Jaylin Simpson

2026 Cap Hit: $1,005,000
Running Tally: $193,402,273

Here you've got a versatile chest piece who can play a major role on special teams but still has room to grow as a 26-year-old fifth-round pick from '24. No risk, plenty of upside with a versatile defensive back who can play deep or cover the slot. 

Pick 23: Los Angeles Chargers edge Kyle Kennard

2026 Cap Hit: $1,237,641
Running Tally: $194,639,914

If the Chargers don't take Kennard back following the loss of Vidal, this is a no-brainer way to wrap up the process for our expansion team. The 2025 fourth-round pick made limited impact as a rookie and has a lot of work to do in order to break through on that depth chart, but he's got the burst and versatility to become something in the right spot.

Notable Undrafted Players 

AP Photo/Lachlan Cunningham

Cole Kmet

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson: The 30-year-old is far too expensive ($45 million cap hit) and comes with far too much baggage for a franchise starting from scratch. 

Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones: He's declining at 31 and will count more than $10 million against the cap. Alvin Kamara edges Jones out. 

Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown: It's fair to wonder if Brown peaked in 2022 and 2023, and how he'd react to landing with an expansion team destined for growing pains.

San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk: I'd also be concerned about distractions and lack of delivery from a guy owed more than $80 million in 2027 and 2028 combined. 

Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley: Wrong side of 30 and owed over $45 million over the course of the next two years. 

Chicago Bears TE Cole Kmet: It was a toss-up between Kmet and Colby Parkinson. They're closely matched but Parkinson is a couple mil cheaper. 

Tennessee Titans OT Dan Moore Jr.: The mediocre 27-year-old isn't worth close to the $26.3 million he'll cost the Titans in '26. 

Las Vegas Raiders edge Maxx Crosby: His $35.8 million cap number for 2026 is the 15th-highest in the NFL. Not ideal considering Crosby also appeared to peak in 2022 and 2023. 

Baltimore Ravens DL Nnamdi Madubuike: The Ravens would have been able to pull Madubuike back after this team selected Roquan Smith. Smith is the ideal veteran leader to run this new defense.

Detroit Lions DL DT Alim McNeill: He's now missed 14 games the last three seasons and will cost the Lions almost $29 million this year. 

New York Giants DL Dexter Lawrence: A lot of interior defensive linemen were up for grabs here, and Ed Oliver won out due to a combination of remaining potential and cost. Lawrence's 2026 hit is nearly $27 million, compared to less than $14 million for Oliver. 

Washington Commanders DL Daron Payne: Payne is nearly $28 million and appears to be fading approaching his 29th birthday. 

Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward: Also on the verge of 29, a $30.1 million cap hit is too much to swallow. 

Dallas Cowboys CB DaRon Bland: It's becoming increasingly likely Bland is a one-year wonder from 2023, but he's being paid handsomely for that. 

Roster Overview 

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Taylor Decker

2026 Salary Cap: $301,200,000

Expansion Draft Class: $194,639,914 for 23 players (chosen above)

Rookie Class Estimate: $24,000,000 for 15 players (includes 12 draft picks, 3 UDFAs)

Targeted Free Agents: $74,100,000 for 8 players (based on market value assigned by Spotrac)
QB Jimmy Garoppolo ($2.3M)
WR Jauan Jennings ($22.6M)
OT Taylor Decker ($21.3M)
OL Ethan Pocic ($10.6M)
LB Kenneth Murray Jr. ($4.9M)
CB Trevon Diggs ($7.5M)
S Ifeatu Melifonwu ($3.7M)
S Taylor Rapp ($1.2M)

Specialists and veteran minimums: $8,460,086 for 7 players (kicker, punter, long-snapper and 4 vets to fill out the roster)

Total: $301,200,000* 

*The expansion team would undoubtedly backload some of the free-agent contracts and restructure some of the deals belonging to expansion draft selections in order to create wiggle room

53-Man Roster

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Amani Hooker

QB: Fernando Mendoza, Jimmy Garoppolo, TBD

RB: Alvin Kamara, Kimani Vidal, Will Shipley, TBD

FB: TBD

WR: Jauan Jennings, Cooper Kupp, Lil'jordan Humphrey, Justin Watson, TBD, TBD

TE: Colby Parkinson, Cameron Latu, TBD

OT: Taylor Decker, Walker Little, TBD, TBD

G: Robert Hunt, Jack Driscoll, TBD, TBD

C: Ethan Pocic, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger

Edge: Alex Highsmith, Baron Browning, Kyle Kennard, TBD, TBD

DL: Ed Oliver, Zacch Pickens, TBD, TBD

LB: Roquan Smith, Chad Muma, Kenneth Murray Jr., TBD

CB: Brandon Stephens, Trevon Diggs, Jaylin Simpson, TBD, TBD

S: Amani Hooker, Percy Butler, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Taylor Rapp, TBD

K: TBD

P: TBD

LS: TBD

* TBDs represent the rookie class (excluding presumed top pick Fernando Mendoza, who is listed) and veteran minimum signings