Five defensive players who should be on 2028 U.S. Olympic flag football 'Dream Team'

Flag football won't be part of the 2024 Paris Olympics (July 26-Aug. 11), but it will debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow wants in on the action.

"I really want to play for the Olympic flag football team. Like me, Ja'Marr (Chase), Justin (Jefferson), me and my friends out there playing football," Burrow said recently about his former LSU teammates on the "Pardon My Take" podcast. "I think it'd be really cool."

Check out the list for the "Dream Team” offense, but here’s who should represent Team USA on the defensive side of the ball.

Micah Parsons | Edge-Rusher | Dallas Cowboys

One of the biggest defensive game-wreckers in the league, Parsons has the chance to be one of the greatest edge-rushers. Parsons is averaging 13.5 sacks a season for his first three years. He is a powerhouse but also one of the fastest edge-rushers in the league. This roster features plenty of young talent, Parsons included, as he’ll be 29 in 2028.  

Sauce Gardner | Cornerback | New York Jets

Entering his third year, Gardner is already a two-time All-Pro cornerback and one of the most impactful defensive players in the league. When looking at his stats, it may seem that he’s not productive in terms of picking off opposing QBs (two career interceptions), but that’s because no one wants to throw at him. He’s held opposing QBs to a completion percentage of 55 through his first two years. Although only two years into his NFL career, Gardner will be 27 in 2028.

Patrick Surtain II | Cornerback | Denver Broncos

With Surtain on the opposite side of the field of Gardner, opposing offenses won't be completing a lot of passes. Surtain is similar to Gardner in the way that neither are ball hawks, but instead lockdown backs. Surtain held opposing QBs to a completion percentage of just under 60, but where he truly strives is near the goal line, as he only allowed three touchdowns last season. In 2028, Surtain will be 28, providing a more veteran presence to the team. 

Fred Warner | Safety (Linebacker) | San Francisco 49ers

Initially, the roster said two safeties, but this roster would benefit greatly from adding Warner. Warner is a tremendous coverage linebacker and would be the perfect player to contain opposing running backs. Each year, Warner is near the top in tackles as he averaged 82 tackles and grabbed four interceptions last season. By 2028, Warner will provide a much-needed veteran presence to this roster at 31.   

Antoine Winfield Jr. | Safety | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winfield may be last on the list, but certainly not the least. He will hold down the back end of the defense as the team's only safety. This team will strive with Warner covering the middle of the field while Winfield covers the second level. Winfield has a knack for causing turnovers as he had three interceptions last season to go along with six forced fumbles. Without worrying about making tackles, Winfield can focus on punching the ball loose. In the 2028 Olympics, Winfield will only be 29.