The Best Players Under 25 Available in This Year's NFL Free-Agent Market

Youth, among many other traits, is always a major attribute NFL teams seek as they build a championship-winning squad.

While the pool of free agents under the age of 25 is relatively shallow this year, there's still some huge talent set to become available.

The best thing about younger players is that we as fans and many teams are still trying to figure out which talent can and cannot be developed and turned into the next big-ticket item.

All of the ages of the players in this column will be based off of what they are today, as opposed to the start of the season; they could have a birthday prior to or during the season.

For the purposes here, I've referred only to players tagged as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) or restricted free agent (RFA) and not exclusive rights free agents (ERFA).

Here's a brief description of each:

• Unrestricted Free Agents are players who are free to sign with any team.
• Restricted Free Agents are allowed to sign with other teams, but the player's original team has a chance to match the offer. If the player ultimately signs with a new team, the original team is entitled to draft-pick compensation.
• Exclusive Rights Free Agents are not really "free." Once the player is tendered as an ERFA, he can only negotiate a deal with his original team.

For more in-depth definitions, Over The Cap offers a fantastic, fluid rundown.

Here are the five best available free agents under 25 in no particular order.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos

Don Wright/Associated Press

Age: 24

Free-Agency Status: UFA

One of the better running backs available when it comes to the entire 2016 NFL free-agency market, Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman should have no issue finding a home this upcoming season.

During 2015, Hillman provided a boost to a Broncos running game that was plagued by the poor play of fellow running back C.J. Anderson at the beginning of the 2015 campaign.

Including the 2015 postseason, Hillman carried the ball 239 times for just over 900 yards and punched it in for a touchdown seven times.

However, Hillman wasn't his same self when it came to the postseason. Throughout that time, Hillman had over 30 carries and failed to reach 40 rushing yards in any game. Hillman failed to record a single yard in Super Bowl 50.

The Broncos should bring Hillman back, but if they don't, teams will have to look past his postseason blunders.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins

Rob Foldy/Getty Images

Age: 24

Free-Agency Status: UFA

I've written a lot about Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller this offseason, and by now, content pertaining to Miller likely cloys.

You know the story here—Miller was severely underused and deserves to be a featured back in 2016.

Miller agrees with this premise, per his interview with Joe Rose of Miami's 790 The Ticket (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). 

“I want to be a featured back,” Miller said. “… I want the recognition I deserve.”

A team that makes an immense amount of sense for Miller is the Dallas Cowboys. If running back Darren McFadden is able to rush for over 1,000 yards behind that incredible offensive line, Cowboys fans will salivate over the idea of Miller coming to Jerry World.

One could argue Miller is the best running back available in the 2016 free-agency class.

Rueben Randle, WR, New York Giants

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

Age: 24

Free-Agency Status: UFA

Waiting for the comment section to erupt in 3, 2, 1…

Say what you want about New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle—he had respectable numbers last season.

In 2015, Randle saw 87 targets, caught 57 balls for nearly 800 yards and had eight touchdowns.

Randle is the best wide receiver available in the under-25 group.

Whether the Giants decide to bring Randle back is one thing, but he should have no problem finding a home in 2016.

Due to the potential losses of their current wide receivers, maybe the Cincinnati Bengals consider Randle?

A.J. Bouye, CB, Houston Texans

Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images

Age: 24

Free-Agency Status: RFA

A bit of a reach here, but Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye showed in 2015 that he is a quality bench/spot-starter option at the cornerback position in the NFL.

Playing in significantly less time in 2015 than 2014, Bouye's two starts came in Weeks 5 and 7.

Although Bouye is a restricted free agent, there's a good chance the Texans just let him walk with fellow cornerback Kevin Johnson entering his second season in the NFL.

Bouye is nothing more than a backup, but he could provide some depth to a team in need of cornerback help.

Tony Jefferson, S, Arizona Cardinals

Norm Hall/Getty Images

Age: 24

Free-Agency Status: RFA

There is a not a scenario where I can imagine that the Arizona Cardinals let safety Tony Jefferson get away.

In 2015, Jefferson played in nearly 76 percent of the Cardinals' snaps. In addition, Jefferson received positive grades overall as well as in the run defense and coverage departments, according to Pro Football Focus.

Including the postseason, Jefferson ranked 21st, 14th and 29th in those categories, respectively.

Jefferson should be back with the Cardinals in 2016, though it is possible another team could try to swoop in and steal the young safety.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Free-agent information courtesy of Over The Cap.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.