On Tuesday, NFL owners passed a resolution, 32-0, at the Spring League Meeting to allow league players to participate in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
“I think this news represents a great opportunity for the sport, for the NFL,” Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters. “It’s truly the next step in making NFL football and football a global sport for men and women of all ages and all opportunities across the globe. We think that’s the right thing to do, and this is a big step in accomplishing that.”
The NFL also revealed that they’ll begin working with the NFLPA in an effort to permit former and retired players to also try out for the Olympic flag football team.
The National Olympic Committee will select rosters of 10 and that begs the question, which New York Giants could potentially make the team?
Let’s explore that idea.
WR Malik Nabers
Perhaps the most obvious choice on the Giants’ roster, Malik Nabers is an elite athlete and seems perfectly built for a professional flag football team. He’s speedy, shifty, strong, and capable of beating defenders for 50-50 balls. His measurables set him aside from most, so don’t be surprised if he actually does make the Olympic roster.
RB Dante Miller
Dante Miller likely doesn’t come to mind when considering an Olympic flag football roster but the fact that he goes by the nickname “Turbo” is telling enough. The flag game is built on speed and his blazing fast 4.27 40-yard dash speed thrusts him to the top of most lists. Not everyone on the team has to be an NFL superstar to make sense for the international stage.
WR Jalin Hyatt
Similar to Miller, Jalin Hyatt is a name that doesn’t really leap to the forefront when thinking about Olympic talent. But with 4.40 40-yard dash speed, an open field, and limited defenders, Hyatt could be well-suited for success in that environment.
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
A wide receiver turned running back, Tyrone Tracy Jr. would be a versatile option for any flag football squad. His 4.48 40-yard dash speed also works to his advantage, as does his balance and shiftiness. Cam Skattebo was also considered for this spot since he can run, catch, and throw, but he may be a little too slow for the flag football team.
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
Once again, speed is the name of the game. Bryce Ford-Wheaton runs an impressive 4.38 40-yard dash but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. He’s incredibly athletic — one of the most athletic humans on the planet — and earned an RAS score of 9.96 at the 2023 NFL Combine. He may not be a household name but he’s built for Olympic flag football.
QB Tommy DeVito
Why Tommy DeVito? Why not? There’s just something about Tommy Cutlets that screams “Olympic flag football” even if the measurables don’t. Forget athletic testing and forget what he’s done at the NFL level — DeVito just seems built for this sort of environment and would likely have a Tim Tebow-ish feel. He just feels like a guy who would bring home the gold.
LB Abdul Carter
Defenders matter, too. Abdul Carter is a freak athlete and would excel as a pass rusher in one-on-one situations. His presence would create havoc for opposing offenses and take pressure off of his defense. He’s very similar to Micah Parsons and a bit younger, so you have to wonder if, like Malik Nabers, he actually finds his way onto the 2028 roster.
TE Theo Johnson
Freak athletes will always have the upper hand when trying out for a flag football team. Theo Johnson fits that bill and his RAS score of 9.99 at the 2024 NFL Combine was the second-best among tight ends since 1987. A slight slip-up during the three-cone drill kept him from a perfect 10.00 and the highest score of the RAS era. Don’t think for a second Johnson isn’t a realistic Olympic option.
CB Deonte Banks
Because of his sophomore slump, many have forgotten how well Deonte Banks tested at the 2024 NFL Combine. Like Johnson, he earned an RAS score of 9.99 and only failed to score a 10.00 because of his height (he also didn’t do agility testing). He also sports 4.35 40-yard dash speed and possesses solid hands. He could play both offense and defense.
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