Football is a young man’s game. The players who enjoy extended careers are far and few between, and truly special for a good reason.
That’s why the NFL stars who shine at a young age stick out so much. They demonstrate they can be the rare, long-term building blocks all 32 teams covet while building out their rosters. And if we take a closer look at who the league’s best young players are in a given year, it even gives us not-so-subtle hints about pro football’s future.
We’re examining the finest youthful NFL players aged 25 and under with training camps on the horizon. This list aims to set the table for some of the players we think are household names or will be recognizable as such soon enough. It’s a scientific way of gauging the league’s overall health with its essential asset — its players.
We cut off our benchmark for this list at 25 because that is when most second contracts are earned/signed. Unofficially, that age is when players begin to graduate to vested veteran status. Our criteria and respective thought processes considered everything from postseason awards, Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections and even advanced statistics.
Needless to say, the NFL is in great hands with its next wave of young stars.