The expansion draft is nearly upon us and the list of players that will be off limits in said expansion draft has recently been made available. Using the TPE Tracker tool, I found the current TPE of each player and did some analysis to break down the TPE protected by positions and by team. Below is my summary. It is not entirely complete as there are three Free Agent passes out there, but it should give a good starting point.
There are 70 players and three FA passes protected from the expansion teams. 31 of those players are on offense, 38 play defense, and one kicker/punter got a nod. The number of players for each position that will be secure are:
QB: 8
RB: 10
WR: 11
TE: 2
DE: 4
DT: 5
LB: 10
CB: 11
S: 8
K: 1
Next, we get into something a bit more interesting. The average TPE of players at certain positions who are protected varied greatly. Here is that list:
QB: 1,066.3
RB: 844.8
WR: 778.8
TE: 715.5
DE: 698.3
DT: 814.8
LB: 749.1
CB: 807.3
S: 755.5
K: 318.0
The average TPE of all protected players was 808.1 with a median value of 793.
The eight QBs who will be protected are:
1. Armstrong (OCO, 1387 TPE)
2. Mcdummy (COL, 1230 TPE)
3. Cole (AUS, 1194 TPE)
4. Wright (SJS, 1073)
5. Jenkins (CHI, 1052 TPE)
6. Francisco (NOLA, 1026 TPE)
7. Cue (ARI, 913 TPE)
8. Phoenix (PHI, 655)
All but two of the QBs are over 1000 TPE and both those two are younger players. It should not be surprising that QBs alone make up six of the nineteen players over 1,000 TPE and that most teams chose to protect their QBs. It’s an incredibly valuable position and having someone who is a max or near max earner is critical.
Ten RBs were slotted for protection during expansion. Those ten are:
1. Gump (NOLA, 1336 TPE)
2. Torenson (PHI, 1165 TPE)
3. Mendoca (AUS, 1123 TPE)
4. Owens (COL, 848 TPE)
5. Toriki (NOLA, 823 TPE)
6. Reed (BAL, 806 TPE)
7. Hank (CHI, 768 TPE)
8. Hanyadi (YKW, 735)
9. Williams (BAL, 566 TPE)
10. Tyerucker (SJS, 278 TPE)
Baltimore and NOLA both opted to double-dip and use two precious protections on their one-two punch running backs. Given the effectiveness of NOLA’s offense, it’s not surprising they’re choosing to protect more pieces on that side of the ball. Baltimore does not have a QB being protected, so it should be no surprise that they’re looking to stay stocked in the run game. Tyerucker owns the lowest TPE total of any player protected with 278. San Jose has some very high hopes for him.
11 WRs get to stay safe from being plucked away to an expansion team. Those 11 are:
1. Varga (PHI, 1360 TPE)
2. Mongo (OCO, 1195 TPE)
3. Thomas-Fox (SJS, 941 TPE)
4. Virtanen (YKW, 918 TPE)
5. Donut (ARI, 889 TPE)
6. Gaines (AUS, 719 TPE)
7. O’Leary (CHI, 715 TPE)
8. Jackson (SJS, 630 TPE)
9. Quinn (BAL, 525 TPE)
10. Vuxta (PHI, 440 TPE)
11. Bur’Berry (ARI, 438 TPE)
The WRs obviously showed less TPE than the other two groups, falling about 70 TPE on average short of the RBs and over 200 short of the QB group. Two members find themselves in the elusive 1k TPE club, though. Philadelphia doubled up on wide receivers, looking to keep viable options on the field for the young Phoenix to throw to. San Jose and Arizona also moved to protect a pair of wideouts. Ultimately, receivers and their defensive counterparts were the two most protected groups, showing the commitment around the league to both the air attack and defending against it.
Only two tight ends were protected. They are:
1. McCormick (NOLA, 744 TPE)
2. Sauce (COL, 687 TPE)
On offense, Colorado chose to protect a QB, RB, and TE. McCormick is listed in the TPE tracker as a TE but appears as a fullback in the index. Despite mediocre yardage as a receiving FB, he picked up six touchdowns and racked up 16 pancakes as a blocker. Sauce’s numbers were generally not impressive as a ball-catcher, but he did pick up 30 pancakes. Ultimately, it seems most teams weren’t eager to protect their tight ends.
There were no players listed as fullbacks or o-line in the TPE Tracker tool protected in the draft.
Now we move to the defense, where 38 players were protected. Four of those were DEs. Those four are:
1. Alexander (YKW, 1426 TPE)
2. Gimmy (PHI, 541 TPE)
3. Idlewyld (AUS, 476 TPE)
4. Boucher (OCO, 350 TPE)
Alexander massively elevates the average TPE of this group, but even with his help it was still the lowest of any group outside of kicker. He picked up a sack and seven tackles for loss, in addition to knocking the ball out twice. He owns the highest TPE total of any player protected. The other protected players all fall into the lower TPE levels of the protected players…for now.
Up next is DT, of which five earned protected status. Those five are:
1. Thumper (CHI, 1041 TPE)
2. Kroustis (YKW, 949 TPE)
3. Ennis (SJS, 810 TPE)
4. Skarsgard (CHI, 768 TPE)
5. Masters (ARI, 506 TPE)
Thumper leads the group as another one of the 19 protected players with over 1k TPE. Ultimately, DT had the highest average TPE of any defensive position and was third overall, behind QB and RB. Chicago chose to double down on the d-line, protecting both Skarsgard and Thumper. Yellowknife also opted to protect two high-TPE men in their trenches with Kroustis and Alexander.
The ten linebackers that will be protected are:
1. Berry (COL, 1344 TPE)
2. Bode (NOLA, 1257 TPE)
3. Brackenridge (SJS, 963 TPE)
4. Virtanen (YKW, 918 TPE)
5. Edmond (AUS, 793 TPE)
6. Hockhert (CHI, 658 TPE)
7. Wilf (ARI, 539 TPE)
8. Stephens (PHI, 396 TPE)
9. Deck (SJS, 339 TPE)
10. Howyanow (PHI, 284 TPE)
Philly double dips in the linebacker pool, protecting both Stephens and Howyanow. Howyanow is a S18 player with only 284 TPE, though he is still active. This makes him one of the lowest TPE players protected. Despite the low TPE, he picked up 6 sacks and 17 PDs. San Jose also chose to secure a pair of LBs, protecting both Brackenridge and Deck. Both LB and RB had massive ranges between the lowest TPE player in the group and the highest.
Next, we move on to cornerbacks.
1. Lavelle Jr. (AUS, 1276 TPE)
2. Lattimer (OCO, 1101 TPE)
3. Snuggles (YKW, 1091 TPE)
4. Leonard (YKW, 927 TPE)
5. Rector (NOLA, 874 TPE)
6. Abernathy (OCO, 857 TPE)
7. Purchase (COL, 831 TPE and Best Name Award)
8. Dream (OCO, 741)
9. Ridley (CHI, 573)
10. Scarlett (ARI, 498 TPE)
11. Marston (BAL, 395 TPE)
Cornerback is a highly valued position and was tied with WR for the most players protected. Orange County goes all out in the pass defense category, protecting five players on defense. Three of those are cornerbacks. Yellowknife also doubled up on CBs. The CBs are another group with a large TPE spread between the vets and the youngsters. Three members of the 1k club belong in this grouping. Clearly it’s a coveted position.
Next, we move on to the eight protected safeties.
1. Green (BAL, 1355 TPE)
2. Biggums (OCO, 904 TPE)
3. Uchiha (BAL, 867 TPE)
4. Parker (COL, 740 TPE)
5. Blaylock (NOLA, 695 TPE)
6. Rambo (CHI, 660 TPE)
7. Sexjoke (AUS, 447 TPE)
8. Nkiah (ARI, 376 TPE)
Once again, we see OCO protecting a high TPE member of the secondary. We also see Baltimore double dip to protect two high earners in their secondary.
One kicker was protected. Brand (BAL, 318 TPE) got the nod and won’t be selected.
Baltimore and Yellowknife both own FA passes that will spice things up a little bit. I’m not sure how those will be used, though, so I did not include anything else about those in this article. Maybe someone smarter than me can fill those gaps.
There are 70 players and three FA passes protected from the expansion teams. 31 of those players are on offense, 38 play defense, and one kicker/punter got a nod. The number of players for each position that will be secure are:
QB: 8
RB: 10
WR: 11
TE: 2
DE: 4
DT: 5
LB: 10
CB: 11
S: 8
K: 1
Next, we get into something a bit more interesting. The average TPE of players at certain positions who are protected varied greatly. Here is that list:
QB: 1,066.3
RB: 844.8
WR: 778.8
TE: 715.5
DE: 698.3
DT: 814.8
LB: 749.1
CB: 807.3
S: 755.5
K: 318.0
The average TPE of all protected players was 808.1 with a median value of 793.
The eight QBs who will be protected are:
1. Armstrong (OCO, 1387 TPE)
2. Mcdummy (COL, 1230 TPE)
3. Cole (AUS, 1194 TPE)
4. Wright (SJS, 1073)
5. Jenkins (CHI, 1052 TPE)
6. Francisco (NOLA, 1026 TPE)
7. Cue (ARI, 913 TPE)
8. Phoenix (PHI, 655)
All but two of the QBs are over 1000 TPE and both those two are younger players. It should not be surprising that QBs alone make up six of the nineteen players over 1,000 TPE and that most teams chose to protect their QBs. It’s an incredibly valuable position and having someone who is a max or near max earner is critical.
Ten RBs were slotted for protection during expansion. Those ten are:
1. Gump (NOLA, 1336 TPE)
2. Torenson (PHI, 1165 TPE)
3. Mendoca (AUS, 1123 TPE)
4. Owens (COL, 848 TPE)
5. Toriki (NOLA, 823 TPE)
6. Reed (BAL, 806 TPE)
7. Hank (CHI, 768 TPE)
8. Hanyadi (YKW, 735)
9. Williams (BAL, 566 TPE)
10. Tyerucker (SJS, 278 TPE)
Baltimore and NOLA both opted to double-dip and use two precious protections on their one-two punch running backs. Given the effectiveness of NOLA’s offense, it’s not surprising they’re choosing to protect more pieces on that side of the ball. Baltimore does not have a QB being protected, so it should be no surprise that they’re looking to stay stocked in the run game. Tyerucker owns the lowest TPE total of any player protected with 278. San Jose has some very high hopes for him.
11 WRs get to stay safe from being plucked away to an expansion team. Those 11 are:
1. Varga (PHI, 1360 TPE)
2. Mongo (OCO, 1195 TPE)
3. Thomas-Fox (SJS, 941 TPE)
4. Virtanen (YKW, 918 TPE)
5. Donut (ARI, 889 TPE)
6. Gaines (AUS, 719 TPE)
7. O’Leary (CHI, 715 TPE)
8. Jackson (SJS, 630 TPE)
9. Quinn (BAL, 525 TPE)
10. Vuxta (PHI, 440 TPE)
11. Bur’Berry (ARI, 438 TPE)
The WRs obviously showed less TPE than the other two groups, falling about 70 TPE on average short of the RBs and over 200 short of the QB group. Two members find themselves in the elusive 1k TPE club, though. Philadelphia doubled up on wide receivers, looking to keep viable options on the field for the young Phoenix to throw to. San Jose and Arizona also moved to protect a pair of wideouts. Ultimately, receivers and their defensive counterparts were the two most protected groups, showing the commitment around the league to both the air attack and defending against it.
Only two tight ends were protected. They are:
1. McCormick (NOLA, 744 TPE)
2. Sauce (COL, 687 TPE)
On offense, Colorado chose to protect a QB, RB, and TE. McCormick is listed in the TPE tracker as a TE but appears as a fullback in the index. Despite mediocre yardage as a receiving FB, he picked up six touchdowns and racked up 16 pancakes as a blocker. Sauce’s numbers were generally not impressive as a ball-catcher, but he did pick up 30 pancakes. Ultimately, it seems most teams weren’t eager to protect their tight ends.
There were no players listed as fullbacks or o-line in the TPE Tracker tool protected in the draft.
Now we move to the defense, where 38 players were protected. Four of those were DEs. Those four are:
1. Alexander (YKW, 1426 TPE)
2. Gimmy (PHI, 541 TPE)
3. Idlewyld (AUS, 476 TPE)
4. Boucher (OCO, 350 TPE)
Alexander massively elevates the average TPE of this group, but even with his help it was still the lowest of any group outside of kicker. He picked up a sack and seven tackles for loss, in addition to knocking the ball out twice. He owns the highest TPE total of any player protected. The other protected players all fall into the lower TPE levels of the protected players…for now.
Up next is DT, of which five earned protected status. Those five are:
1. Thumper (CHI, 1041 TPE)
2. Kroustis (YKW, 949 TPE)
3. Ennis (SJS, 810 TPE)
4. Skarsgard (CHI, 768 TPE)
5. Masters (ARI, 506 TPE)
Thumper leads the group as another one of the 19 protected players with over 1k TPE. Ultimately, DT had the highest average TPE of any defensive position and was third overall, behind QB and RB. Chicago chose to double down on the d-line, protecting both Skarsgard and Thumper. Yellowknife also opted to protect two high-TPE men in their trenches with Kroustis and Alexander.
The ten linebackers that will be protected are:
1. Berry (COL, 1344 TPE)
2. Bode (NOLA, 1257 TPE)
3. Brackenridge (SJS, 963 TPE)
4. Virtanen (YKW, 918 TPE)
5. Edmond (AUS, 793 TPE)
6. Hockhert (CHI, 658 TPE)
7. Wilf (ARI, 539 TPE)
8. Stephens (PHI, 396 TPE)
9. Deck (SJS, 339 TPE)
10. Howyanow (PHI, 284 TPE)
Philly double dips in the linebacker pool, protecting both Stephens and Howyanow. Howyanow is a S18 player with only 284 TPE, though he is still active. This makes him one of the lowest TPE players protected. Despite the low TPE, he picked up 6 sacks and 17 PDs. San Jose also chose to secure a pair of LBs, protecting both Brackenridge and Deck. Both LB and RB had massive ranges between the lowest TPE player in the group and the highest.
Next, we move on to cornerbacks.
1. Lavelle Jr. (AUS, 1276 TPE)
2. Lattimer (OCO, 1101 TPE)
3. Snuggles (YKW, 1091 TPE)
4. Leonard (YKW, 927 TPE)
5. Rector (NOLA, 874 TPE)
6. Abernathy (OCO, 857 TPE)
7. Purchase (COL, 831 TPE and Best Name Award)
8. Dream (OCO, 741)
9. Ridley (CHI, 573)
10. Scarlett (ARI, 498 TPE)
11. Marston (BAL, 395 TPE)
Cornerback is a highly valued position and was tied with WR for the most players protected. Orange County goes all out in the pass defense category, protecting five players on defense. Three of those are cornerbacks. Yellowknife also doubled up on CBs. The CBs are another group with a large TPE spread between the vets and the youngsters. Three members of the 1k club belong in this grouping. Clearly it’s a coveted position.
Next, we move on to the eight protected safeties.
1. Green (BAL, 1355 TPE)
2. Biggums (OCO, 904 TPE)
3. Uchiha (BAL, 867 TPE)
4. Parker (COL, 740 TPE)
5. Blaylock (NOLA, 695 TPE)
6. Rambo (CHI, 660 TPE)
7. Sexjoke (AUS, 447 TPE)
8. Nkiah (ARI, 376 TPE)
Once again, we see OCO protecting a high TPE member of the secondary. We also see Baltimore double dip to protect two high earners in their secondary.
One kicker was protected. Brand (BAL, 318 TPE) got the nod and won’t be selected.
Baltimore and Yellowknife both own FA passes that will spice things up a little bit. I’m not sure how those will be used, though, so I did not include anything else about those in this article. Maybe someone smarter than me can fill those gaps.
