Assembling the NFL Under-25 Dream Team

With the wealth of young talent the NFL has to offer, I decided to create a dream team from the best players currently playing under the age of 25.

These players are the bright future of pro football. They are the new breed, and as the NFL continues to evolve they will lead the way.

I'm sure some of you will disagree with my selections, and I welcome you to let me know in the comments section below who you would pick instead.

This is all for fun, so let the fun begin.

Left Defensive End

Jason Pierre-Paul

After showing signs of being a player in his rookie year, Pierre-Paul busted out in 2011 to become one of the NFL's best pass-rushers.

He ended the regular season with 16.5 sacks, fourth in the NFL. 

A physical freak, Pierre-Paul possesses athletic abilities that allow him to blow past most offensive tackles. As he continues his development, he will grow more adept at learning how to use his long arms and strong hands to manipulate linemen like Jason Taylor learned to do later in his career.

He's going to be an elite pass-rusher for a long time as long as he stays healthy, and at 23 he still has a lot of room to grow.

Defensive Tackle

Geno Atkins

Atkins showed signs of becoming a good player in his rookie season for the Cincinnati Bengals. Then, last season, he busted out and vastly outplayed his draft classmate, Ndamukong Suh.

From his tackle position, Atkins collected 47 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. 

He is an extremely quick player off the snap, and at 6'1" and 300 pounds he really knows how to use his leverage to get under offensive linemen and move them off the line. He is one of the best penetrating tackles in the NFL, equally disruptive in both the passing game and the running game.

Atkins is going to be a special player for the Bengals for a long time. He is only 23.

Nose Tackle

Terrence "Mt." Cody

Every defense needs a guy in the middle that can occupy multiple blockers and plug up running lanes. Cody fits the bill.

Cody is massive at 6'4", tipping the scales at 349 pounds, and he plays big too. He is only 23 years old, and if he stays healthy he could become one of the best nose tackles in the NFL.

His presence in the Baltimore Ravens lineup has allowed Haloti Ngata to switch to defensive end, a trade that has worked out for all parties.

Cody won't get you many sacks, but there aren't many better at keeping blockers off linebackers in the NFL than him.

Right Defensive End

Aldon Smith

Smith was a terror last year in his rookie season for the San Francisco 49ers. He almost broke the NFL all-time rookie sack record but fell one-half a sack away from Javon Kearse's mark, pulling in 14 for the year (t-5th in the NFL).

The best part is that he played in less than half the 49ers snaps, making his production all the more remarkable.

Smith is only 22 years old. He is young and still raw. He is similar to Jason Pierre-Paul in that his athleticism is off the charts. He will be an outside linebacker in the 49ers 3-4 scheme in 2012, but he is just as deadly when his hand is in the dirt.

Imagine JPP and Smith on the same team rushing the passer. It would be magnificent.

Outside Linebacker

Von Miller

So far, this dream team has three big men on the defensive line that can get pressure on the quarterback all by themselves. Add Miller into the mix and you have yourself a sack festival.

Miller came out in his rookie season and proved he is one of the elite outside linebackers in the league, earning defensive rookie of the year honors and a trip to Hawaii.

He is extremely quick and fast, and Miller knows how to wrap up once he's tracked down the ball-carrier, quarterback or not.

Once he learns how to play more disciplined within the Broncos scheme Miller has the chance to become the best in the business, given the physical tools he possesses.

Middle Linebacker

NaVorro Bowman

Bowman reminds many San Francisco 49ers of Patrick Willis, and when you watch them play together side-by-side it can become confusing as to who is who.

He is at his best at or behind the line of scrimmage. Bowman is adept at knifing through a crack in the line to cut down running backs two or three yards behind the line, and he is learning to become a devastating blitzer.

Bowman isn't a slouch in pass protection. He is already one of the best in the NFL at stopping receivers immediately after they have caught the ball. His next step in development will be to understand passing lanes better so he starts coming up with interceptions.

He is the perfect fit in my under-25 dream team.

Outside Linebacker

Sean Weatherspoon

After playing a limited role for the Falcons in much of his rookie year, Weatherspoon was promoted and started five games at the end of the year. He started all 16 games and busted out in 2011 as one of the premier outside linebackers in the NFL.

His blend of quickness, strength and mobility allows him to excel in both coverage and run defenses, and his sure tackling finishes the job off nicely once he's caught up to his quarry.

Weatherspoon rounds out the front-seven of my under-25 dream team, and I would be nervous about facing this unit if I were an opposing quarterback or running back.

Cornerback

Joe Haden

Haden is already one of the best cover corners in the NFL, and once he learns how to get his hands on more interceptions he will vault into the top-five conversation for the entire league.

One of the interesting things you may not have known is that Haden showed up to Florida as a quarterback. He has a unique perspective most defensive backs don't have, and combined with his exceptional athleticism Haden has the entire package.

Haden is a physical defender who loves man coverage and enjoys jamming receivers right off the line. He has the tools to stick to his man like glue once in open space, and he has become someone opposing quarterbacks have learned to avoid.

With the pressure the front-seven is sure to apply, Haden would flourish on this dream team.

Strong Safety

Kam Chancellor

Boom!

That is what Chancellor brings to the table.

Not only that, though. Chancellor is a fantastic all-around safety for the Seattle Seahawks, and his skills are well-rounded enough that he could play as a free safety if needed.

In addition to being a devastating tackler, Chancellor possesses excellent range and soft hands. He hauled in 97 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and four interceptions in his second year, and he could end up being better in the long run than his teammate Earl Thomas.

He would be perfect to play behind the phenomenal young linebackers we've assembled for this dream team.

Free Safety

Eric Berry

Before The Kansas City Chiefs lost Berry for the season with a torn ACL he was quickly becoming one of the best free safeties in the entire NFL. The good news for him and the Chiefs is that he's expected to be fully recovered and ready to go in 2012.

Berry is an exceptionally skilled athlete. He is fast (4.47 40-yard dash), agile, strong (19 reps of 225), explosive (43" vertical and 130" broad jump) and has a high football I.Q. His rookie season was a thing of beauty: 92 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, one forced fumble and a touchdown.

The Chiefs will be glad to have him back on their roster next season, and I'm happy to add Berry to my under-25 dream team lineup.

Cornerback

Patrick Peterson

Peterson may not be the best cover corner in the game, but he is one of the best playmakers in the NFL. Any lapse in coverage he might incur would be more than made up for by Peterson's abilities in special teams.

Not to say he's a terrible defender. Peterson is an elite athlete with ok corner skills at this point in his career. He is going to get much better. The upside is still unlimited for him, and that is the kind of player you dream of having on your roster.

Peterson had a decent year for the Arizona Cardinals in 2011. He hauled in 64 tackles, one sack and two interceptions while contributing four touchdowns as a return man on special teams.

He rounds out my under-25 dream team's defensive squad, so now it is time to check out who's on offense.

Left Tackle

Eugene Monroe

B/R's own Matt Miller has Monroe as his fifth-best left tackle in the NFL.

Since I'm not as good at breaking down offensive linemen as Miller, here is what he had to say:

"One of the best young tackles in the league, Monroe has a very bright future. Many don't recognize his play outside of Jacksonville, but he played at an All-Pro level this season."

Whoever ends up as the quarterback of this dream team is going to need solid protection on the blind side, and Monroe is the best pass-protecting left tackle under 25 in the NFL today.

Left Guard

Mike Iupati

Iupati is a massive dude. At 6'5" and 331 pounds, there isn't an ounce of flab on his frame. He is extremely quick and agile for such a big man, which allows him to be one of the best pulling guards in the NFL.

Iupati's weakness is in the passing game where he struggles with elite quickness, but he will be more than adequate when he's sandwiched between a couple of excellent pass-protectors.

He will pave plenty of well-lit highways for the lucky running back that makes this list.

Center

Maurkice Pouncey

Before getting bit by the injury bug late last season, Pouncey was establishing himself as one of the best centers in the NFL. Matt Miller has him ranked No. 14 overall in his latest rankings.

According to Miller:

"Pouncey has as much potential as any player at any position in the NFL. But he has to stay healthy and to date he hasn't been able to string together a complete season in his two NFL years."

While what Matt says is correct, I don't think you could say Pouncey is injury-prone quite yet. 

Pouncey is still only 22 years old. He's a pup. If he does stay healthy he has the chance to become one of the all-time greats.

Right Guard

Louis Vasquez

San Diego Chargers right guard Vasquez is one of only two starting right guards under 25 in the NFL, Jon Asamoah of the Kansas City Chiefs being the other.

Vasquez is a much better overall lineman than Asamoah, and he beats him out on the eyeball test, too. At 6'5" and 335 pounds Vasquez is a big man with a big motor, and he has the kind of mentality and attitude you look for in an offensive lineman.

He's nasty.

Only 24, Vasquez is just getting started and he fits in nicely with the group of grunts I'm collecting for my under-25 dream team.

Right Tackle

Bryan Bulaga

I love this kid. So does Matt Miller, who has Bulaga as his second-rated right tackle in the NFL right behind Houston Texans center Eric Winston.

Bulaga is still only 22 years old, and should be good for the Green Bay Packers for a long time.

According to Miller:

"There is a lot to like about this second-year tackle. Bulaga may eventually move to left tackle based on his athleticism and blocking ability."

And that is exactly what I need to round out the offensive line for my under-25 dream team.

Tight End

Rob Gronkowski

Like there is any other choice, here.

Gronkowski may benefit from having Tom Brady throw him the ball, but regardless he is still the best tight end in the league.

His incredible blend of size, strength, speed, athleticism and soft hands makes him the new template for what NFL scouts will be looking to find for the next decade or more.

Fullback

Bruce Miller

Miller is a great story. He was a terrific defensive end in college before the San Francisco 49ers drafted him to convert to a fullback.

Matt Miller has Bruce Miller ranked as his No. 9 overall fullback in his latest rankings, saying:

"Miller is a good overall athlete and dual threat in the San Francisco offense, but I'd like to see fewer penalties in his second season before giving him a higher grade."

There are better options for guys that can carry the ball, but I chose Miller due to his bone-crunching blocks in the running game and for his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, which is what I envision the fullback doing in my offense.

Running Back

LeSean McCoy

There aren't many backs in the NFL better than Shady, and he's only 23 years old.

McCoy has already put together three seasons, which is why I originally forgot about him and originally had chosen Ryan Matthews for this position.

Between the passing game and the running game, McCoy scored 20 touchdowns in 2011. He is exceptionally quick, and when given even the tiniest crease McCoy can bust through the line and take it to the house.

He is the perfect player for this team

Wide Receiver

A.J. Green

Honestly, who else did you expect?

Green is the best wide receiver prospect to come out of college since Calvin Johnson. The future is bright for the Cincinnati Bengals and their offense as long as Green stays healthy.

Blessed with elite skills, Green is a guy that can go up and get just about any ball thrown his way. He excels at catching the ball at its highest point, taking away any opportunity a defender might have to make a play.

In his rookie season, Green went over the 1,000-yard mark and caught seven touchdowns. There are sure to be more coming his way in the near future.

He'll be catching a lot of them on this squad, too.

Wide Receiver

Antonio Brown

Brown was extremely productive in 2011 playing second fiddle to Mike Wallace within the framework or the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. 

He hauled in 69 catches for 1,108 yards (16.1 yard average) and two touchdowns last year, and at 23 the best is yet to come.

The best thing about putting him on my dream team is that if anything ever happened to Patrick Peterson Brown could handle taking over the return duties in special teams. 

Quarterback

Cam Newton

Newton shattered NFL records in his first season as a pro. 

He is a freakish athlete for the quarterback position. At 6'5" and 248 pounds, Newton throws like Peyton Manning while having the wheels of Michael Vick. 

He can do it all on the football field, and Newton will end up altering the landscape of the NFL forever if he stays healthy long enough to do it. 

There isn't another young quarterback currently in the league I'd rather have leading my under-25 dream team onto the field.

I hope you have enjoyed yourself while reading this list. Thank you and have a great day.

Follow @JesseReed78