Who should represent the Battle Red in LA for the 2028 Olympics?
The NFL just approved players for the 2028 LA Olympics in an honestly shocking unanimous vote by the owners. While the USA are unshockingly first in the world flag football rankings, the inclusion of the NFL’s best talent can’t hurt in the inaguagural season of the sport on the world stage.
The rules are fairly simple for the sport and highly encourage two-way players with short-area speed over the behemoths on the offensive and defensive line. Here are the official rules.
Olympic Flag Football Rules:
- Field is 70-by-25 yards
- 10-man roster
- Possessions start at team’s 5-yard line
- Centers can become a receiver
- 5-on-5; includes one QB and one defensive pass rusher
- Pass rusher starts 7 yards from line of scrimmage
- Cannot rush within 5 yards of end zone
- 40-minute games: Two 20-minute halves (including 2-minute warning)
- Four downs to reach midfield and four downs to score touchdown
- No run plays within 5 yards of end zone
- QBs can’t run unless lateraled the ball
- 6 points for a touchdown, 1 point conversion from 5-yard line, and 2 point conversion from 10-yard line
- Overtime if score is tied with each team getting equal chance to win
Here was a recent quarterfinals featuring the USA vs Italy in Flag Football.
Tank Dell
Dell gets the nod over Nico Collins due to his unique athleticism, agility, and shiftiness. He will surely be recovered from his current knee injury by 2028 and back in the saddle by then. I assume Justin Jefferson and Jamarr Chase would be selected over Collins, but Dell brings an elite level of dynamic slot receiver play that compliments the bigger targets of Jefferson and Chase. With such a small field, having Dell who can sneak into tight windows would be an undeniable asset on the journey to a gold medal.
Derek Stingley Jr.
Secondary players need to have legitimate coverage skills. Stingley Jr. is primarily zone cover cover, but with such a short field he will excel in man coverage. What separates him a part is he’s only 23 and will be in the prime of his career come the Olympics. His five interceptions in each of the last two seasons will be invaluable in a high-octane game such as flag football. It also means he can substitute in as a receiver if needed. Stingley was also chosen in CBS Sports’ Best Possible NFL Flag Football team post.
Calen Bullock
Bullock standing at 6’3 would be an imposing figure on the backend of the USA defense and would only be 25 during the Olympics. The second-year safety had an outstanding rookie campaign where he also notched five interceptions in 2024. Bullock’s range will make it impossible for opposing offenses to go deep. He can cover a 53-yard field from side to side, so a 25 yard field wouldn’t; be an issue.
Tremon Smith
A much lesser-known name, but Smith is the best utility player on the Texans by far. Smith played QB, safety, and kick return in high school Have a versatile, two-way player is extremely important to a successful 10-man team. Especially if you’re going to bring two QBs (which is the norm), you need at least one player who can go both ways.
Jalen Pitre
Pitre can provide value in every aspect for a flag football defense. If you need him in man coverage, the six-foot defensive back has you covered. If a robber-esque safety that’s uber-popular in flag football is needed, he can excel in that role. Then, the all important pass rusher has to have downhill speed who isn’t going to let the opposing QB scramble and make plays. I can’t imagine a better player for the Texans to showcase than Pitre on defense.
Brevin Jordan
Jordan is an NFL-mismatch, but would be an even bigger advantage at the flag football level. I’m selecting Jordan to actually play the center role, This position occupied the middle of the field, doesn’t participate in blocking (because he can’t), and usually posts up in the middle of the field. Jordan is great at boxing out and using his size to dominate opponents. The USA feature a big power-forward type player who dismantled Italy in the above game with his size in the red zone and Jordan can play that role for the USA.
Jaylin Noel
The final option is Noel who would feature extremely well. Noel’s slants and acceleration would break a part any defense in a short area. Noel also threw the ball multiple times at Iowa State and can be featured in the extremely powerful double pass game. Noel’s phone booth shiftiness will be hard to stop and could prove to be a difference maker in three years.
Non-Honorable Mentions:
C.J. Stroud doesn’t get the honor or representing the USA due to his proclivity to hold onto the ball. Flag football is predicated on either scrambling or getting the ball out immediately, and there are better QBs at both of those qualities right now. While Will Anderson Jr. or Danielle Hunter are elite defensive ends, they have extremely limited service outside of rushing the passer. Plus, no one is blocking them in flag football, which means a more agile player would be a better fit than these muscled-up ends.