NFL Fans Have Spoken: Who Should Represent Team USA in Olympic Flag Football?
As Olympic Flag Football gears up for its exciting debut at the 2028 Games, NFL fans across the nation are eagerly imagining which American football stars should represent Team USA. A recent survey by RotoGrinders invited fans to build their ultimate fantasy Olympic lineup—choosing from current NFL standouts, promising 2025 draft prospects, and legendary players from the past.
Here is the detailed breakdown, showcasing who fans selected to proudly represent the USA.
Current NFL Stars: Fan Favorites
This section forms the heart of what fans envision as their ultimate fantasy Olympic lineup. From quarterbacks to defenders, voters built their dream team by selecting the top performers they’d most like to see competing on the world stage in 2028.
Patrick Mahomes led fan preferences with 56% of votes for quarterback, while Josh Allen (30%) and Lamar Jackson (28%) also emerged as significant favorites, highlighting their dynamic playmaking abilities. At running back, Saquon Barkley (45%) and Derrick Henry (36%) stood out, with Jahmyr Gibbs (23%) bringing additional explosiveness to the roster.
Wide receiver selections were dominated by speedster Tyreek Hill (36%), closely followed by A.J. Brown (32%) and Justin Jefferson (28%), each renowned for spectacular catches. On defense, fans selected powerful presences like T.J. Watt (45%), Jalen Carter (37%), and Micah Parsons (29%), showcasing their defensive prowess and playmaking potential.
*Respondents could select up to three players per position, with a maximum of 12 players total. Full results available here.
Top 3 Current NFL Fan Favorites at Each Position
Quarterbacks
| Name | Team | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | 56% |
| Josh Allen | Bills | 30% |
| Lamar Jackson | Ravens | 28% |
Running Backs
| Name | Team | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | Eagles | 45% |
| Derrick Henry | Ravens | 36% |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions | 23% |
Wide Receivers
| Name | Team | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Tyreek Hill | Dolphins | 36% |
| A.J. Brown | Eagles | 32% |
| Justin Jefferson | Vikings | 28% |
Defenders
| Name | Team | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| T.J. Watt | Steelers | 45% |
| Jalen Carter | Eagles | 37% |
| Micah Parsons | Cowboys | 29% |
Stars of Tomorrow: Draft Class Fan Picks
A fantasy roster wouldn’t be complete without future stars. In true fantasy football fashion, fans looked ahead to the next generation—college athletes from the 2025 draft class, who they believe will outpace NFL odds in time for the Olympics.
Fans have already identified their future heroes from the upcoming 2025 draft. Leading the quarterback picks was Cam Ward (47%), closely followed by Will Howard (35%) and Shedeur Sanders (31%), indicating strong anticipation for their NFL careers.
Running backs featured a close race between Quinshon Judkins (30%) and Ashton Jeanty (30%), closely trailed by Cam Skattebo (29%), all known for their exceptional power and agility. Wide receivers were led by Jeremiah Smith (30%), with Xavier Worthy (28%) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (27%) offering remarkable catching skills and route-running precision. Defensive standouts Xavier Watts (35%), Abdul Carter (33%), and Mason Graham (29%) emerged as top fan favorites for their anticipated impact at the professional level.
*Respondents could select up to three players per position, with a maximum of 12 players total. Full results available here.
Top 3 NFL Draft Prospects at Each Position
Quarterbacks
| Name | Former College Team | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Cam Ward | Miami Hurricanes | 47% |
| Will Howard | Ohio State Buckeyes | 35% |
| Shedeur Sanders | Colorado Buffaloes | 31% |
Running Backs
| Name | Former College Team | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Quinshon Judkins | Ohio State Buckeyes | 30% |
| Ashton Jeanty | Boise State Broncos | 30% |
| Cam Skattebo | Arizona State Sun Devils | 29% |
Wide Receivers
| Name | Former College Team | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State Buckeyes | 30% |
| Xavier Worthy | Texas Longhorns | 28% |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | Ohio State Buckeyes | 27% |
Defenders
| Name | Former College Team | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Xavier Watts | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 35% |
| Abdul Carter | Penn State Nittany Lions | 33% |
| Mason Graham | Michigan Wolverines | 29% |
NFL Legends Fans Want Back
With former NFL players officially eligible to represent Team USA in Olympic Flag Football, fans couldn’t resist imagining a world where iconic legends return to the field in 2028. From unforgettable quarterbacks to all-time great defenders, this lineup is filled with names that defined eras of American football and dominated best ball rankings.
Leading the charge was Tom Brady, earning 58% of fan votes, while fellow greats like Peyton Manning (45%) and Joe Montana (41%) followed closely behind.
At running back, Barry Sanders (43%) was the clear favorite, closely followed by legends Walter Payton (37%) and Emmitt Smith (34%), known for their legendary rushing styles. Wide receiver votes prominently favored Jerry Rice (50%), with Randy Moss (37%) and Terrell Owens (28%) also receiving significant support.
Defensively, fans selected Deion Sanders (42%) as their top pick, alongside Reggie White (36%) and Lawrence Taylor (33%), highlighting their lasting legacy and defensive dominance.
*Respondents could select up to three players per position, with a maximum of 12 players total. Full results available here.
Top 3 NFL Legends at Each Position
| Position | Player | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Tom Brady | 58% |
| Quarterback | Peyton Manning | 45% |
| Quarterback | Joe Montana | 41% |
| Running Back | Barry Sanders | 43% |
| Running Back | Walter Payton | 37% |
| Running Back | Emmitt Smith | 34% |
| Wide Receiver | Jerry Rice | 50% |
| Wide Receiver | Randy Moss | 37% |
| Wide Receiver | Terrell Owens | 28% |
| Defender | Deion Sanders | 42% |
| Defender | Reggie White | 36% |
| Defender | Lawrence Taylor | 33% |
Methodology
This survey was commissioned by RotoGrinders and conducted online between June 6th and June 9th, 2025, sampling 1,001 dedicated NFL fans across the United States. Participants selected their top picks from current NFL rosters, rising stars from the 2025 draft class who are expected to be in their professional prime by the time of the 2028 Olympics, and legendary players from the past. The results capture fan excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Olympic Flag Football competition.
This content is designed to entertain both fantasy sports fans and NFL enthusiasts, especially those curious to see how their favorite picks might perform in daily contests. Fans can build, optimize, and track their rosters with NFL LineupHQ, while those looking to add a twist can explore the Underdog Fantasy promo code for unique pick’em games that align with their fantasy insights.
All data collection adheres strictly to MRS Codes of Conduct (2023) and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines, ensuring trustworthy and compliant research.