Arian Foster and 20 NFL Players Just Entering Their Prime Years

Arian Foster is helping to usher in a new generation of NFL stars. This new generation is set to take over the league, breaking plenty of records along the way. These players just entering their prime are similar to Foster in that they are gaining more and more experience while steadily improving.

A player being in their “prime” is a hard thing to define. Many players hit their prime after a few years in the league, while others take even longer. Some players' prime is short and sweet, while others have primes that stretch almost the entirety of their career, climaxing in a Hall of Fame bid.

While the jury is still out on whether the players on this list will be Hall of Fame-bound in the next decade, it is certain that these players are changing the NFL forever. Each one brings something special to the position they play, and the franchises they hoist on their back every game.

These 20 players are just entering their prime years, and the rest of the NFL better be ready:

Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

Arian Foster went from undrafted rookie to carrying a franchise to its first ever playoff game in three years. Foster is now a top five running back in the league and carries a chip on his shoulder that will make him a force for years to come.

Foster posted 1,224 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, a slight decrease from his 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns the year before, due to missing three games. In the postseason is where Foster really shined, with 285 yards and three touchdowns in two games.

It’s debatable that with a healthy quarterback Foster would be winning a ring in a few weeks. With Foster just hitting his prime, he is sure to be in contention not only for a Super Bowl, but an MVP for years to come.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch has only been in the league five years and has already recorded one of the greatest runs in NFL playoff history. He has transformed into a franchise player that can carry a team on his own.

Lynch had 1,204 yards on the ground and scored 12 times in 2011. Both are career-highs for Lynch. He spent his first four years with the Buffalo Bills, but found a real home in Seattle.

Lynch is quietly hitting his prime and will continue to receive more and more recognition as his career progresses. Soon “Beast Mode” will be a major name in every American household, along with a steady supply of Skittles.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

Calvin Johnson is far and away the best wide receiver in the NFL. The scary part is he is only 26 years old, and just entering his prime.

“Megatron” caught 96 passes for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2011, all career highs for Johnson. In the playoffs, Johnson had an incredible 211 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort. He was the main thing New Orleans was trying to stop, and still couldn’t.

There isn’t a defensive back in the league that can cover Johnson. If Johnson stays healthy, he will likely end up with Hall of Fame numbers and a ring or two. Unfortunately for defensive backs everywhere, this is just the beginning.

Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers

Patrick Willis is the best middle linebacker in the NFL, and has been since he entered the league five seasons ago. Willis will only continue to get better, and that’s bad news for what is becoming an offensive league.

Willis posted a career-low 74 tackles in 2011 and also had two sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception. His lesser numbers were a combination of missing games because of injury and finally having other playmakers on defense with him.

Willis is in the prime of his career and doesn’t appear to be at his peak yet. The sky is the limit for Willis, and the Hall of Fame will surely be calling his name sooner rather than later.

Lawrence Timmons, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Lawrence Timmons happens to play for a team that is known for only putting elite linebackers on the field. Timmons fits in perfectly in that mold, despite only being 25 years old.

Last season, Timmons had 68 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Timmons' production dropped slightly, but he improved overall in his play.

Timmons’ best is yet to come, and that’s scary. He is being molded by the defensive gurus in Pittsburgh to be the best in the league, and he may be just that before it is all said and done.

Curtis Lofton, LB, Atlanta Falcons

Curtis Lofton isn’t a household name just yet, but he will be very soon. Lofton is a criminally underrated linebacker that is the heart of an Atlanta defensive unit.

Lofton had 87 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two interceptions last season. He’s broken the 100 tackle mark once in his four year career, but improved vastly in all areas this past season.

Lofton’s development into a leader is something Atlanta has desperately needed for a long time. At only 25 years old, it appears as if the best is yet to come from Lofton. He is helping usher in a new era of linebackers in the NFL.

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

Matt Forte’s 2011 campaign was cut four games short thanks to injury, but Forte still posted great numbers. Forte has steadily improved his yards per carry average during his four years in the league, and finally has the number at an elite level.

Forte rushed for 997 yards and three touchdowns with a remarkable 4.9 average in 2011. What are even more impressive are his 52 receptions for 490 yards and a score.

Forte is a threat in both the passing and running game, and one defenses truly don’t have an answer for. At 26 years old, Forte is looking to play better than ever next season, and on into the future.

Stevie Johnson, WR, Buffalo Bills

Despite the immaturity Stevie Johnson displays on a regular basis, he is quietly becoming one of the best receivers in the league. He is only 25 years old and has defensive coordinators scheming to stop him on every down.

Johnson caught 76 passes in 2011 for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns. His 13.2 yards per catch average made him a nightmare for opposing defenses all season. Johnson was the main target in the passing game, and teams still failed to contain him consistently.

Johnson may have attitude and maturity issues, but he is worth the headache. A player with Johnson’s ability doesn’t come around often, and NFL fans are only beginning to witness what he is capable of doing.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice is probably the smallest player NFL fans will ever get to see have the biggest impact on every game he plays. 5’8” is considered to be too small for the NFL, but tell that to the most dynamic running back in the league.

Rice had another absolutely insane season, rushing for 1,364 yards and 12 touchdowns for Baltimore in 2011. It’s also important to point out he caught 76 passes for 704 yards and added three touchdowns. Rice was the focal point of the offense and simply decimated anything opposing defense threw at him all season.

Rice is just beginning his takeover of the NFL at only 24 years old. He has the unique ability to win games on his own, and will be doing so for a long time.

Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Wallace emerged in Pittsburgh last year as the primary threat on an offense becoming more and more reliant on the passing game. Wallace could be to blame for the switch.

Wallace had 1,193 receiving yards last season, along with eight touchdowns. He is the fastest receiver in the league, and a solid route runner as well. Wallace has shown that he can compete with the best defensive players in the league and win.

Wallace is only 25 and three seasons deep in his NFL career, but is improving dramatically each season. Wallace is entering his prime at an unprecedented rate, and will remain there for years.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford is a rare talent and NFL fans are blessed to have the opportunity to watch him play. Stafford’s development has been mind-boggling, and he is now among the elite at the quarterback position.

At 23 years old, 2011 was Stafford’s first full season as an NFL quarterback. He proceeded to throw for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns. Not bad for having only played 13 games in two seasons before 2011.

There isn’t much else to say about Stafford. He is entering his peak and will be an elite quarterback in the NFL for a decade or more. If Stafford can stay healthy, his future is packed with potential MVP awards and Super Bowl appearances.

Brian Orakpo, LB, Washington Redskins

It’s hard to tell when Brian Orakpo entered his prime, because he has been in the league three years and his numbers have been among the elite each season.

Orakpo had 34 tackles, three forced fumbles and nine sacks last season. These numbers were eerily similar to the numbers he posted the past two seasons. His numbers would be even higher if he wasn’t the only elite pass-rusher on a bad defense.

For Orakpo, the sky is the limit. He is an elite defender already, and looks to have a ridiculously long prime. No matter who Orakpo faces, he is sure to be the main thing opposing offenses avoid for the next decade.

Brian Cushing, LB, Houston Texans

Brian Cushing has been a major contributor to one of the elite defenses this year. Since Cushing entered the league three years ago, he has been a dominant force.

Last season, Cushing had 76 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. These numbers are great for a player surrounded by elite talent. Cushing is the heart of a Texans’ defense that prides itself on shutting down the opposition.

Cushing is rapidly approaching his prime and won’t look back. His tenacity and amazing instincts allow him to be one of the better well-rounded linebackers in the NFL. At only 24 years old, Cushing is a name that will be called out a lot in years to come.

Hakeem Nicks , WR, New York Giants

Hakeem Nicks is one of those receivers every quarterback wishes they had. Nicks is known for crisp routes, great hands, deceptive speed and great leaping ability—Nicks has it all.

In 2011, Nicks caught 76 passes for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns despite not appearing to be the main target on offense thanks to the emergence of Victor Cruz. Nicks is the perfect target for Eli Manning on almost every down, even if Nicks is covered.

At 24, Nicks is set to take the league by storm. His prime is something that will put defensive backs out of jobs for the foreseeable future.

LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

LeSean McCoy is right in the conversation with Ray Rice as the most dynamic player in football. McCoy, better known as “Shady”, has turned heads from the minute he entered the league.

McCoy ran for 1,309 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2011, despite being the main thing defenses planned against. He added 315 yards receiving with three touchdowns to make him one of the most valuable players in the league. McCoy has great size and elusiveness that allows him to dominate any defense.

At only 23 years old, McCoy is set to dominate the NFL for some time. He may not be the very best just yet, but in a few years McCoy is set to be the face of the league.

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions

Ndamukong Suh is becoming a controversial figure around the NFL for his incidents on and off the field. Regardless of his antics, Suh is evolving into one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

Suh had a down season in 2011, with 26 tackles and four sacks, but the best is yet to come. His numbers decreased from his rookie season partially because of the dominant players surrounding him.

If Suh can keep his head on straight, he has a fruitful career ahead of him. Suh is a player that opposing quarterbacks dread having to face weeks in advance, and offensive lines have to change entire game plans to account for Suh’s game-breaking ability.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew has been in the league six years and only continues to get better. The best player on a horrendous team, Jones-Drew has stood out as one of the best in the league despite lack of talent around him.

MJD rushed for an astonishing 1,606 yards in 2011 and scored eight times. He has a small frame that allows him to be shifty but also powerful. MJD has proven to be a work-horse back that can carry a team to a win on his own.

It appears as if the best is yet to come for MJD, who is only 26 years old. He joins a young staple of running backs that are changing the NFL forever.

Reggie Bush, RB, Miami Dolphins

Reggie Bush had an inordinate amount of hype surrounding him as he left USC to play in the NFL six years ago. 2011 marked the first year Bush lived up to that hype, and he did so in a big way.

Bush carried the ball 216 times in 2011 for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns, both career highs. Bush isn’t the most powerful back, but his all-around speed makes him able to get around defenders with ease.

2011 was far and away Bush’s best season yet, and it’s starting to look like Bush finally understands the NFL. He still isn’t extremely effective running in between the tackles, but the way his overall game is improving shows that his prime is just beginning.

Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers

Jordy Nelson had what some might call a breakout year in 2011. After four years in the NFL, Nelson has transformed into a complete receiver, and one of the better receivers in the league.

In 2011, Nelson caught 68 passes for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns. Before 2011, Nelson’s best was 582 yards and two touchdowns—quite the improvement. Nelson’s dramatic rise to the top can be attributed to his great speed and route running.

Nelson is only 26 and appears to be ready to dominate the NFL for years to come, along with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Nelson will only continue to improve, and that’s a bad thing for the rest of the league.

Tamba Hali, LB, Kansas City Chiefs

Tamba Hali has quietly become one of the better defensive players in the league in Kansas City. Six years into his NFL career, and Hali is the heart and soul of the Chiefs’ defense.

2011 saw Hali record 48 tackles, four forced fumbles and 12 sacks. Hali has elevated his game as a linebacker and adapted well to a new defensive scheme. He is now a great all-around player that can be counted on in crunch time.

Hali is 28, but it appears his best football is yet to come. He is the type of player teams build elite defenses around, and that won’t change anytime soon.