What a 2025 NFL expansion draft would mean for the Packers and which players would likely be left off the protected list

This is offseason time, so it's the perfect moment for us to make some hypothetical exercises and roster-building discussions. Next week, A to Z Sports will have a series of articles predicting what an NFL expansion franchise would look like—front office, coaching staff, expansion draft, everything.The expansion draft is the part that would affect the […]

Wendell Ferreira NFL News Writer
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton (80) runs for the five yards during the second quarter of their game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This is offseason time, so it's the perfect moment for us to make some hypothetical exercises and roster-building discussions. Next week, A to Z Sports will have a series of articles predicting what an NFL expansion franchise would look like—front office, coaching staff, expansion draft, everything.

The expansion draft is the part that would affect the rest of the league as well.

Back in 1995, the Green Bay Packers lost three players. Linebacker Mark Williams, running backs Marcus Wilson and Reggie Cobb went to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The last time it happened was in 2002, but the Houston Texans didn't select any of the Packers players—Green Bay exposed center Rob Davis, defensive tackle Santana Dotson, linebacker Bernardo Harris, defensive end John Thierry, and linebacker K.D. Williams.

Since we're already past free agency and the draft, the A to Z Sports expansion draft will have some different rules. Each team will be forced to leave 12 players unprotected from the current 90-man roster, but players with zero or one accrued NFL season are automatically protected. Moreover, players with no-trade clauses can't be on the list.

Under this set of rules, which players would the Packers expose to the fictional St. Louis Arches?

QB Sean Clifford

With Jordan Love, Malik Willis, and Taylor Elgersma protected, there's little reason to keep a fourth quarterback. Clifford would possibly not be picked anyway, but he's the name to leave unprotected.

RB Chris Brooks

Brooks is a solid running back, but he's slated to be a restricted free agent next offseason. The Packers have better options, and Brooks will have a hard time making the 53-man roster anyway.

WR Mecole Hardman

It's hard to expose a recent free agent addition, but Hardman lost space after the draft.

WR Bo Melton

Melton is also slated to be an RFA next offseason, and it's hard to see a path for him to make the roster.

TE John FitzPatrick

FitzPatrick is a useful special teamer, and that's why the Packers brought him back, but it's relatively easy to replace what he brings.

T Kadeem Telfort

The Packers would probably prefer to give up Travis Glover, but he only has one accrued season. And if they can only keep one anyway after the additions of the offseason, Telfort becomes available.

C Trey Hill

He's a bottom of the roster piece, so no big worries.


DT Nesta Jade Silvera

Signed after last season, he brings some experience to the 90-man roster but would have a hard time making the team.

LB Kristian Welch

The Packers allowed Welch to walk last year after a strong preseason, but brought him back this year. Good player, but primarily a special teamer.

CB Isaiah Dunn

CB Gregory Junior

Dunn and Junior are both cornerback depth pieces with some NFL experience, but not much production.

LS Matt Orzech

This is probably a little bit riskier, since Orzech is the only starter on the list. However, long snapper is not the biggest example of a valuable position, and hopefully other teams would expose their long snappers as well.