The NFL's Top 25 Players - Under 25 Years Old

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NFL Top 25 Under 25: Ranking best players 24 years old or younger​

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Drafting young talent who can be immediate stars gives any NFL team a big advantage, and some of the best players in the league today are under the age of 25. We've seen a 23-year-old post back-to-back seasons with at least 12 sacks and another record three straight years of 1,200-plus receiving yards. A 24-year-old is currently in the top five for passing yardage for the second straight year, and another is leading the NFL in Total QBR. Players are coming right out of the gate and making big impacts in the pros.

So we asked NFL and NFL draft analysts Matt Bowen, Matt Miller and Jordan Reid to work together to compile a list of the top 25 players in the NFL currently under the age of 25. To qualify, players needed to be 24 years old or younger on Nov. 29, 2022. Who tops the list was easy -- a certain second-year defender was the unanimous No. 1 across all three lists -- but difficult decisions were made in the latter parts of the list.

Let's jump into our top 25, but we also took a quick look at 10 more players who just missed the list and allowed each of our three voters to make the case for a player they felt probably should have been recognized in our ranking.

1. Micah Parsons, DE/LB, Dallas Cowboys​

Age: 23

A strong argument could be made that Parsons is the top defensive player in the game, regardless of age. Parsons is a menace off of the edge, after converting from middle linebacker to defensive end for Dallas. His unique explosiveness, bend and ball pursuit have turned him into a franchise cornerstone for the Cowboys. He's only the third player since 1982 (when sacks became an official stat) to record at least 12 sacks in each of his first two seasons, joining Reggie White and Aldon Smith. And his 27.9% pass rush win rate leads all players since entering the league. -- Reid

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2. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings​

Age: 23

A true difference-maker in the Vikings' offense, Jefferson has the ability to take over games. We can look at the savvy route-running traits, the vertical juice or the ability to make contested catches. He wins at every level of the field. And with three straight seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving, Jefferson is already one of the league's best at the position. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he has made 23.5 receptions over expectation during his career, and his 4,248 receiving yards tops the NFL since 2020 by more than 300. -- Bowen

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3. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals​

Age: 22

Chase has been a go-to wideout since entering the NFL, as his chemistry with former college teammate Joe Burrow at quarterback propelled the Bengals to a Super Bowl berth in February. Chase has the power, speed and big-play ability to become the next Terrell Owens. He has 19 receiving touchdowns in 24 career games and posted 1,455 receiving yards as a rookie last year. His return to the field from a hip injury could be a big factor in a late season push from Cincinnati. -- Miller

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4. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers​

Age: 23

Wirfs was the fourth offensive tackle to hear his name called during the 2020 draft, but he has since leapt to the front of the pack. His nimbleness, hand strength and awareness all have translated after a record-setting combine performance. Wirfs' savviness and reliability have quickly turned him into one of the best offensive lineman in the NFL. He has been attributed just six sacks against in three seasons, and his 91.0% pass block win rate is among the top 15 tackles since entering the league. However, Wirfs will miss a few weeks after suffering an ankle/foot injury Sunday. -- Reid

5. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers​

Age: 24

A quarterback with elite physical tools, Herbert has quickly developed into a high-end pocket thrower with the movement ability to play outside of structure when necessary. He already has a 5,000-yard passing season and an 88-32 career touchdown-to-interception ratio. Herbert is getting close to being considered a scheme-transcendent passer, as his 65.7 career Total QBR ranks fifth overall since 2020. -- Bowen

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6. Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets​

Age: 24

Williams' game has exploded in coach Robert Saleh's defensive scheme, as he's living up to the billing as one of the top draft prospects at defensive tackle in recent years. His quickness and instincts are top-tier and allow him to make plays in the backfield consistently. The 24-year-old has a career-best eight sacks this season in 11 games, pushing his career total to 23.5. Williams will graduate from his list at the end of December when he turns 25, but for now, he's one of the top 10 players under 25 in the league. -- Miller

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7. Rashawn Slater, OT, Los Angeles Chargers​

Age: 23

Is he a guard or an offensive tackle? That was the big debate about Slater when he was entering the NFL in 2021. But through 19 games -- all at offensive tackle -- he has proven to be one of the best young bookend blockers in the game. Slater has shown balance, strength and a great understanding of the position. He has a stellar 91.1% pass block win rate, and after allowing five sacks as a rookie, he did not allow any in three 2022 games before going on injured reserve with a torn left biceps. -- Reid

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8. Pat Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos​

Age: 22

Surtain has an excellent physical profile and great speed, and he is already one of the top cover corners in the game. While his on-the-ball production has declined this season, Surtain grabbed four interceptions as a rookie and has 21 pass breakups in his young career. He's a rapidly ascending talent with true lock-down potential. -- Bowen

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9. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles​

Age: 24

Hurts is the picture of the modern quarterback, with an ability to beat defenses with his legs, intermediate timing passing and stretching the field vertically. He's efficient, instinctive and explosive. Hurts has risen from Day 2 draft prospect in 2020 to franchise quarterback in 2022, leading the Eagles to 10-1 atop the NFC. His 60 career touchdowns (39 passing, 21 rushing) tell the story of his dual-threat ability, and his completion percentage made a jump from 61.3% last year to 67.3% this year. -- Miller

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10. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins​

Age: 24

After a topsy-turvy first two seasons that included flashes of promise, Tagovailoa has put it all together during his third pro season under-center. Under coach Mike McDaniel, the lefty is in full command of the Dolphins' system. He routinely shows pinpoint accuracy and quick decision-making, and he is playing with more confidence this season. Tagovailoa is a firm contender in the MVP race and one of the best young throwers in the league. His 82.7 Total QBR leads the NFL, and his yards per attempt has jumped from 6.6 in his first two seasons to 9.0 in 2022. -- Reid

 

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11. Brian Burns, DE, Carolina Panthers​

Age: 24

Burns is electric off the edge, with the lower-body flex and short-area speed to create havoc. He's a disruptor who has produced 35.5 sacks, 152 pressures and 7 forced fumbles during his four-year career. And I still think he's actually underrated when discussing the top pass-rushers in the NFL. -- Bowen

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12. Andrew Thomas, OT, New York Giants​

Age: 23

Thomas struggled out of the gate, giving up 16 sacks as a rookie in 2020, but he has now emerged as one of the best left tackles in football in his third season. He plays with the type of poise, patience, balance and power rarely found in a young tackle, showing the strength to shut down power rushers and the agility to cut off the corner and play in space. And he's only getting better every week. His 91.9% pass block win rate is 16th in the league among tackles this season. -- Miller

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13. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks​

Age: 24

With elite speed and 6-foot-4 size, Metcalf is a vertical target who places a tremendous amount of stress on defenses. He already set Seattle's single-season record for receiving yards during his second season (2020) with 1,303, and he has a pair of double-digit TD seasons under his belt. Metcalf runs past defenders with ease but also has the catch radius to consistently win at the catch point and the traits to pile up yards after the catch. Metcalf turns 25 in a little over two weeks. -- Reid

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14. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins​

Age: 24

Waddle has a great ability to shift gears after the catch and run away from man coverage, and his numbers have jumped in his second pro season under new Miami coach Mike McDaniel. Averaging 17.2 yards per catch this season -- up from the 9.8 he registered as a rookie -- Waddle has game-changing ability and speed in the Dolphins' timing and rhythm pass game. His 963 receiving yards are currently fifth in the NFL. -- Bowen

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15. Trevon Diggs, CB, Dallas Cowboys​

Age: 24

Mr. Interception has been electric since entering the NFL in 2020. In 2½ seasons, he has already hauled in 17 picks. Consider that it took Deion Sanders four full seasons to hit that number. Diggs is a constant threat to flip the field with his hands and playmaking ability on the ball. He also has 48 pass breakups and a pair of defensive touchdowns on his résumé. -- Miller

16. Rashan Gary, DE, Green Bay Packers​

Age: 24

A bit of a late bloomer who began to hit his stride over the past two seasons, Gary is a powerful and explosive edge rusher. He recorded a career-high 9.5 sacks last season and was on pace to surpass that number this season before a torn ACL in his right knee ended his season. With his 6.0 sacks and 31 pressures in nine games, Gary shows the ability to win with both speed and power. He barely qualifies here, though; Gary turns 25 on Saturday. -- Reid

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17. A.J. Terrell, CB, Atlanta Falcons​

Age: 24

A long-framed corner with press-coverage ability and backfield vision, Terrell can line up in man coverage or find the ball as a zone defender. He missed some game time with a hamstring injury this season, but the third-year defender is one of the league's best matchup corners and has 28 pass breakups in his career. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he has allowed minus-7.6% completions over expectation and given up just 5.4 yards per attempt as the nearest defender over the past two seasons. -- Bowen

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18. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts​

Age: 23

Taylor is the epitome of a modern-day franchise running back, with a blend of power, patience, breakaway speed and soft hands that also make him a threat as a receiver. The league's leading rusher in 2021 (1,811 yards), Taylor has battled injuries in 2022 but is still the cog that makes the Colts' offense run. On 715 career carries, he has averaged 5.1 yards per tote and scored 32 times on the ground. -- Miller

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19. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys​

Age: 23

A lean but explosive wideout, Lamb has strong hands and the ability to contort his body to haul in catches. He's on pace for his second 1,000-yard receiving season after stepping into the No. 1 wide receiver role for the Cowboys and proving to be a consistent target no matter the quarterback. Lamb is also versatile, showing an ability to win outside and from the slot, and 44 of his 64 catches this season have gone for first downs. -- Reid

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20. Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets​

Age: 22

Competitive and confident in coverage, the Jets' rookie corner is tied for the NFL lead with 14 pass breakups. There's ball-hawking ability here (two interceptions) for a defender with transition speed and loose hips at 6-foot-3, which allow him to close quickly on the throw. He's a high-ceiling talent who can match in man or disrupt opponent passing games in the Jets' defined zone coverages. -- Bowen

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21. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears​

Age: 23

The hottest up-and-coming quarterback in the league this season, Fields has become a true dual-threat for the Bears. His 834 rushing yards leads the team and is one of the top marks in the entire league this season. Fields must continue to develop as a passer -- he is completing just 59.6% of his passes in Year 2 and has a career 14-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio -- but he's doing more with less around him than anyone in the game. He is currently out for Chicago with a shoulder injury. -- Miller

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22. Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions​

Age: 22

After playing primarily left tackle at Oregon, Sewell made the transition to right tackle seamlessly from the start once joining the Lions. He has a strong build that he uses to overwhelm defenders and plays with a lot of aggressiveness as a run blocker. Sewell also shows outstanding feet, with the balance and quickness to mirror and match the most talented edge rushers in the league. He has given up just three sacks in 2022. -- Reid

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23. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Minnesota Vikings​

Age: 23

Darrisaw has the traits to develop into one of the league's top players at the left tackle position. He's an easy mover who can smoothly climb to the second level in the run game, with the body control and lateral foot quickness to match pass-rushers. Darrisaw has registered a pass block win rate of 86% this season, up from 77.6% in his rookie year, and he has allowed just one sack in 2022. -- Bowen

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24. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons​

Age: 22

A matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators, the 6-foot-6, 246-pound Pitts is built like a tight end but plays like a wide receiver. He's a deadly jump ball who continues to stand out with elite speed and agility for his position. He had over 1,000 yards as a rookie and had 356 through 10 games this year, but he only has three career touchdowns. The stats will come as Pitts develops chemistry with a franchise quarterback, but the potential is through the roof. An MCL injury recently landed him on injured reserve. -- Miller

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25. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers​

Age: 24


One of the more versatile young defenders in the league, Winfield can play around the box and have an impact as a run defender, but his instincts in pass coverage also frequently pop on tape. He displays physicality and aggressiveness as a tackler, and he's as consistent as they come on the backend of Tampa Bay's defense. He has missed a little time this year with a concussion and ankle injury, but he still has 51 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble in nine games. -- Reid

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Honorable mentions​

Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Cleveland Browns: We can make a really strong case to have Wills in the top 25 given his skill set on the edge. The lateral foot speed pops here, as do his powerful hand usage and technique. And his pass block win rate of 94.1% ranks third among offensive tackles. -- Bowen

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Lawrence was billed as the safest quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck, and he has shown flashes of that. He just hasn't produced consistently yet. Hitting more big-time throws in the red zone and under pressure will push Lawrence up the list. His 54.2 QBR is 16th in the league this year. -- Miller

Jevon Holland, S, Miami Dolphins: Holland is a multiple-role player who can play on the roof of the defense or an impact around the line of scrimmage as a run defender and blitzer. He has 124 tackles, 4 interceptions, 4 sacks and 16 pass breakups over two seasons. -- Reid

Creed Humphrey, C, Kansas City Chiefs: Humphrey's pass block win rate of 97.6% ranks third overall in the NFL this year. He's a nuanced technician who brings key intangibles to the middle of the Chiefs' offensive front, and he hasn't allowed a sack yet this season. -- Bowen

Tariq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks: Woolen is on the cusp of becoming a household name and is one of the premier ballhawks in the NFL. A fifth-round pick in April, Woolen just needs more experience before he cracks the top 25 list. His five interceptions rank second in the league. -- Miller

Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: In the Bengals' up-tempo attack, Higgins is a high-flying target who can run any route in the tree and sky over defenders to bring down tough contested catches. Higgins would be a No. 1 wide receiver for multiple teams around the league. He's well on his way to a second straight 1,000-yard season. -- Reid

Devin White, ILB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: White's 2022 tape is down compared to his first three years in the league, but the off-ball linebacker has three-down ability and the second-level speed to create impact plays. For his career, White has logged 448 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 2 defensive scores. -- Bowen

Derrick Brown, DT, Carolina Panthers: It's hard to get love on the national level as a nose tackle, but Brown is making a name as one of the best in the game. He's dominant against the run and brings pressure on the pocket as a pass-rusher, too. Brown's lack of flashy stats (just six career sacks and zero forced fumbles over three seasons) keeps him just outside the top 25, though. -- Miller

Talanoa Hufanga, S, San Francisco 49ers: A fifth-round steal for the 49ers, Hufanga is a high-energy player who has an infectious playing style. It doesn't take long to notice him on defense, as he flies around with controlled aggression. He has 65 tackles, four interceptions and a forced fumble this year. Oh, and Hufanga is already one of the best special teams players in the league in his second season. -- Reid

Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, New York Jets: Vera-Tucker is on season-ending injured reserve (triceps), but the extremely versatile second-year pro was still close to making the cut here. With positional flexibility to play multiple spots along the offensive front, Vera-Tucker is an ascending talent with All-Pro ability. He had a 94.5% pass block win rate this season before his October injury. -- Bowen

Who should have gotten recognition here?​

Miller: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions. The do-it-all ability of St. Brown makes the Lions' offense one of the most difficult to shut down in the NFL. He is among the toughest players pound-for-pound in the NFL, an electric runner after the catch and a physical route runner. St. Brown has 716 receiving yards this season, and his time is coming for national attention.

Reid: Trey Smith, G, Kansas City Chiefs. Part of an offensive line rebuild for Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, Smith was a steal in the sixth round. His physicality and no-nonsense attitude have helped create one of the best units across the league. And only 23 years old, Smith is on a fast track to being one of the better interior blockers in the NFL. He has a 95.7% pass block win rate over two seasons.

Bowen: Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: I expected Etienne to make the cut based on the tape he has put together this year. After missing his rookie season with a foot injury, Etienne has shown he can handle No. 1 volume as a decisive runner with the short-area acceleration to slip through cracks of daylight. He is averaging 5.5 yards per carry this season, but Etienne can also affect the passing game with his receiving skills -- he has 202 receiving yards. He has a lot of upside.

 

[Wagerallsports]

Hard to argue the list, but I'd put LB Devin White ahead of Winfield at 25

 

[Over Under]

the top 5 list is accurate.

 

[Pimike]

Thanks for sharing.

lot of young studs

 

[JDS]

Thanks for posting this paid content Wags, that was a good read.