Mike Jones of The Athletic recently polled NFL coaches and executives to find the top 25 NFL players age 25 and under. Unsurprisingly, Wisconsin legend Jonathan Taylor made the list.
Taylor is in the middle of a very public contract saga in Indianapolis, though a recent report said he’d be reporting to practice later this week. Aside from the ongoing off-the-field situation and his rehab from offseason ankle surgery, his talent and production on the field are undeniable.
The Wisconsin legend burst onto the scene in 2020 and 2021, rushing for a combined 2980 yards and 29 touchdowns and earning First-Team All-Pro honors in 2021. While the aforementioned ankle injury hampered his 2022 production, Taylor is easily one of the best running backs in the NFL and arguably the best under the age of 26.
Who are the NFL’s top players 25 and under? League coaches, execs rank Herbert, Parsons and others
via @TheAthletic https://t.co/Pe8bCncVs1
— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) August 14, 2023
Jones’ list has the 24-year-old in at No. 23, the second-highest running back with Las Vegas’ Josh Jacobs in at No. 17.
If Taylor returns to the field this season and is fully healthy, that ranking should only rise in next year’s list.