The NFL offseason is the perfect time for thought-provoking exercises, and my friend and colleague Wendell Ferreira has cooked up a doozy: a league-wide mock expansion draft to spice things up. If the NFL decided to add a 33rd team, each franchise would face an expansion draft, forcing tough decisions to protect key talent while leaving some players exposed. As the Dallas Cowboys’ acting GM, I’ve been tasked with selecting 12 players from the current 90-man roster to leave unprotected. The rules are clear, and the stakes are high—let’s dive into the details and reveal the names on the chopping block.
The Rules of the Expansion Draft
Before we get to the list, here’s how it works:
Each NFL team must leave 12 players unprotected.
Players with 0 or 1 accrued season are automatically protected and cannot be listed.
Players with no-trade clauses (like Dak Prescott) are off-limits.
If a player is selected, the expansion team absorbs their future salaries and signing bonus prorations, which could help teams shed costly veteran contracts.
The list is final—no take-backs after submission.
The expansion team can select a maximum of two players per NFL team and up to 40 players total.
With these rules in mind, I’ve carefully chosen 12 Cowboys players to leave unprotected. Most of these players aren’t franchise cornerstones, as the goal is to protect the core of the team while navigating a crowded roster and new coaching staff dynamics. Here’s who I’d risk losing to the expansion team.
The Unprotected Cowboys
1. QB Will Grier
The Cowboys acquired Joe Milton via trade, shifting the quarterback room dynamics. While offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer might prefer three QBs, Grier feels like the odd man out. Exposing him is a calculated risk, as he’s not a lock for the 53-man roster.
2. RB Miles Sanders
Signed in March, Sanders seemed like a solid addition, but the Cowboys also drafted rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. With Mafah automatically protected due to his rookie status, Sanders loses the tiebreaker. His veteran contract could make him an attractive pick for the expansion team.
3. LB Damone Clark
The linebacker position is a question mark. Clark started all 17 games in 2023 but was benched for much of 2024 under Mike Zimmer. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus added Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray, signaling a potential shift. Clark’s future in Dallas looks uncertain, making him a candidate for exposure.
4. DL Earnest Brown IV
The EDGE room is stacked, and Brown IV doesn’t seem likely to crack the final 53-man roster. With a new defensive staff, it’s hard to gauge his standing, but he’s a low-risk player to leave unprotected.
5. CB Troy Pride Jr.
Pride Jr. saw minimal action in 2024, with few defensive snaps and even less impact on special teams. The Cowboys’ front office likely wouldn’t prioritize protecting him in this scenario.
6. TE John Stephens
This was a tough call. Stephens, an undrafted free agent, was on track to make the 2023 roster before a season-ending injury derailed his progress. Since then, the Cowboys found another UDFA gem in Brevyn Spann-Ford and added more tight ends this offseason. Stephens is now a roster longshot, making him expendable.
7. OL Hakeem Adeniji
Adeniji’s recent signing doesn’t guarantee safety. The Cowboys drafted multiple offensive linemen, and with tough cuts looming, Adeniji’s spot on the 53-man roster is far from secure.
8. EDGE Tyrus Wheat
Like Brown IV, Wheat faces stiff competition in a crowded pass-rusher group. His one-year deal makes him an easy choice to leave unprotected, as he’s unlikely to be a core piece moving forward.
9. LB Buddy Johnson
The linebacker room is crowded, and Johnson is on the bubble. With the expansion team limited to two players per franchise, exposing Johnson alongside Clark ensures the Cowboys retain enough depth for training camp.
10. LB Darius Harris
Similar to Johnson, Harris is caught in a numbers game at linebacker. He’s a depth player who could be enticing to an expansion team but isn’t critical to Dallas’ plans.
11. CB Andrew Booth Jr.
A Mike Zimmer addition, Booth Jr. struggled in 2024 and didn’t live up to expectations. The Cowboys likely wouldn’t hesitate to leave him exposed, given his lackluster performance.
12. OT Matt Waletzko
The offensive line is another area of competition, and Waletzko doesn’t appear poised to crack the 53-man roster. While linemen are valuable in camp, the Cowboys might opt for other options, making Waletzko a reasonable risk.
Why These Choices?
This list reflects a balance between protecting the Cowboys’ core and navigating a 90-man roster with new additions and coaching changes. The expansion draft’s limit of two players per team means Dallas won’t lose their entire linebacker or EDGE depth, even if the new team targets these positions. Players like Sanders and Grier carry veteran contracts that could appeal to an expansion team looking to fill out their roster, while others, like Clark and Booth Jr., face uncertain futures in Dallas. By exposing these 12, the Cowboys can preserve their key stars while taking calculated risks on fringe players.