50 Best NFL Athletes Under 25 Following the 2012 NFL Draft

Tim Tebow is a prime example of being one of the top athletes in the NFL today but still has a ton of critics due to his irregular style of play at quarterback. Quite frankly, many believe that he's best suited at another offensive position due to his extreme athleticism. 

Either way, Tim Tebow is one of the best athletes in the NFL and is most certainly an elite athlete among the players that are 25 and younger. 

In that spirit, let's take a look at the 50 best NFL athletes under 25 following the 2012 NFL draft. 

Rob Gronkowski

There is no question that Rob Gronkowski is a freak of nature.

He stands in at 6'6", weighs a massive 265 lbs and is the NFL's top tight end.

Gronk has the power to truck over just about anyone and is fast enough to hang with the cornerbacks—he has quite the skill set. 

Julio Jones

This video makes me speechless. 

Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul is an absolute sack machine. He is really a freak of nature.

Pierre-Paul is definitely one of the most athletic defensive ends in the NFL today and his stats certainly show it as he recorded 16.5 sacks during the New York Giants' Super Bowl run in 2011. 

Andrew Luck

We may think of Andrew Luck as a typical pocket passer, but he's more than that.

Even if Luck wasn't fast, he'd still be on this list. We have to give him a ton of credit as he clocked in at the same 40 time as Cam Newton did a year ago the NFL scouting combine. 

Aaron Hernandez

At just 22 years old, Aaron Hernandez could very well be the most athletic player in the NFL today. 

Hernandez may be listed as a tight end, but is as fast as a wide receiver. He runs in open space like a running back, but is built like a tight end.

You don't come across anyone quite as freakishly athletic as Hernandez. 

Bryan Bulaga

If you ask me, Bryan Bulaga is the NFL's top right tackle.

Bulaga is only 23 years old and for the Green Bay Packers, he has already established himself as an elite player. 

NaVorro Bowman

I truly believe that NaVorro Bowman is one of the elite inside linebackers in the NFL today and should establish himself as arguably the best by the end of 2012.

Bowman is a tackling machine for the San Francisco 49ers, as the 23-year-old racked up a whopping 143 tackles this past season. 

Lamar Miller

Lamar Miller could very well be the quickest running back in the 2012 NFL draft class.

Miller really burned opposing defenders while at Miami at the college level and certainly has the potential to be quite the scatback at the NFL level with the Miami Dolphins. 

Eugene Monroe

Eugene Monroe has emerge as one of the top left tackles over the past few seasons and quite frankly, I see him as a top-five left tackle in the NFL.

Monroe is one of the few players on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster that has a very bright future.

Luke Kuechly

You have to give Luke Kuechly a ton of credit. By looking him, he might not impress you, but trust me, this kid is going to be something special.

While at Boston College, Kuechly was a tackling machine and his game should translate very well to the NFL level. 

Ben Tate

If Ben Tate wasn't playing behind Arian Foster, he'd be one of the NFL's top running backs. There's no doubt in my mind.

With that being said, Tate has a nice combination of speed and power to make him one of the top athletes in the NFL today. 

Melvin Ingram

The San Diego Chargers really got themselves a gem with they drafted Melvin Ingram out of South Carolina.

Ingram is a freakish athlete that has a nice combination of speed and strength to dominate opposing tackles at the NFL level for many years to come. 

Joe Haden

Some will argue that Joe Haden is already an elite cornerback, but I say he's still getting there.

Either way, within a few seasons, the 23-year-old will be one of the most reliable shutdown corners that the NFL has to offer. 

Cam Newton

Cam Newton threw 21 touchdowns and punched in 14 touchdowns his rookie season—and to be honest with you, that's pretty amazing.

As a quarterback, Newton is built like a linebacker and runs like a running back. He's arguably the biggest freak of nature that the NFL has to offer. 

David DeCastro

David DeCastro is the most talented offensive guard prospect that I have ever seen.

DeCastro is a once-in-a-lifetime offensive guard and will fit in very nicely with the Pittsburgh Steelers—and there's no doubt that he'll succeed as he's so powerful and so athletic. 

Janoris Jenkins

Janoris Jenkins may have some character issues, but you can't take away his talent and versatility. 

Jenkins clocked in at a solid 4.44 40-yard dash at the NFL combine this year and is definitely one of the most athletic cornerbacks in the 2012 NFL draft class. 

Mike Iupati

For offensive guards, Mike Iupati is as good as it gets.

The Idaho product has really flourished at left guard for the San Francisco 49ers and is one of the league's most dominant blockers. 

Mike Wallace

We can all agree that Mike Wallace is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL today.

Wallace is Ben Roethlisberger's No. 1 target and not only is he a speedster, he's one of the most well-rounded wide receivers in the game with his combination of speed and great athleticism. 

Geno Atkins

In just his second year in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals' Geno Atkins really came on strong.

The 300-lb defensive tackle racked up 7.5 sacks and a total of 47 tackles a year ago for the Bengals and certainly has a very bright future ahead of him. 

Robert Griffin III

What do I even say about Robert Griffin III?

I guess the best way to put it is that we have never seen an athlete like RG3 play the quarterback position at the NFL level. 

That's how remarkable RG3 is. 

Ray Rice

Ray Rice is as good as it gets for running backs. 

At just 25 years old, Rice is one of the elite running backs in the NFL today, as he uses an incredible combination of power and speed despite being just 5'8" and 210 lbs. 

Aldon Smith

Many NFL experts questioned the San Francisco 49ers drafting Aldon Smith with the No. 7 overall pick in last year's draft, including myself, but it certainly ended up being the right decision.

Smith is a freak of nature coming off of the edge, as he racked up a whopping 14 sacks during his rookie season for the 49ers. 

Arian Foster

Arian Foster wont be 25 for long, as he's turning 26 this August, so he barely makes the cut.

However, Foster is arguably the NFL's top running back and is one of the most well-balanced running backs that I have ever seen. He is well worth the $43.5 million contract that he received back in March. 

Mario Manningham

Mario Manningham wont be 25 much longer, as he turns 26 this May 25.

Either way, Manningham is a very impressive athlete. He uses a nice combination of speed and strength to beat opposing cornerbacks and get open.

This past season with the New York Giants, Manningham caught 39 passes for 523 yards and four touchdowns. 

Kendall Wright

Kendall Wright has a very bright future in the NFL.

Coming into the 2012 NFL draft, Wright was by far the most impressive playmaking wide receiver that the draft class had to offer due to his extreme success with Robert Griffin III at Baylor. 

Morris Claiborne

I have no doubt about Morris Claiborne as an NFL prospect—he is going to have a very impressive NFL career.

Claiborne is arguably the most athletic cornerback in the NFL today and has all the potential in the world to be an elite shutdown corner for many years to come for the Dallas Cowboys. 

Matt Kalil

Out of USC, Matt Kalil is one of the most athletic left tackle prospects that we have seen in recent memory.

The Minnesota Vikings really found themselves a gem by drafting their left tackle of the future. He can compete with just about any defensive end or outside linebacker at the NFL level. 

Matthew Stafford

The first overall pick back in 2009 had a breakout year in 2011 as he tossed 41 touchdowns and racked up a whopping 5,038 passing yards.

There's no way around it: Matthew Stafford is quite the athlete and is a borderline elite quarterback. 

Hakeem Nicks

Hakeem Nicks is one of the most well-rounded wide receivers in the NFL.

Nicks uses a solid combination of speed, strength and athleticism to produce for the New York Giants.

In 2011, Nicks caught 76 passes for 1,192 yards while scoring seven touchdowns. 

Brian Orakpo

For a pass-rushing outside linebacker, you can't get much more athletic than Brian Orakpo.

The Washington Redskins' stud linebacker has racked up 29 career sacks over three seasons while using his powerful bull rush and his blazing speed to beat opposing tackles. 

Tyron Smith

Tyron Smith is one of the most athletic offensive tackles in the NFL entering 2012.

Smith spent his rookie season on the right side for the Dallas Cowboys and will be switching to the left side this upcoming season.

There's no question that he'll succeed there as he's so quick for a man that weighs 305 lbs. 

Justin Blackmon

Justin Blackmon might not be the fastest wide receiver, but the rookie out of Oklahoma State has the best body control that I have seen.

The way that he can jump up for passes and control his entire body is pretty freakish if you ask me. 

J.J. Watt

I really think that J.J. Watt is going to be something special years down the road.

The Houston Texans drafted him No. 11 overall in the 2011 NFL draft and he made quite the impact this past season. Watt tallied up 5.5 sacks while recording 56 total tackles for the Texans. 

Andy Levitre

Andy Levitre is a pretty versatile offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills due to his ability to play multiple positions.

However, Levitre wont qualify for this list much longer, as he turns 26 on May, 15. 

Doug Martin

In all honesty, I can definitely see Doug Martin emerging as an elite NFL running back by the end of his career.

Martin reminds me a lot of Matt Forte, as they share the same skill set and both players are unbelievable athletes.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers really found themselves a stud in this Boise State product. 

Tim Tebow

You might not think Tim Tebow is a great quarterback, but you can't deny his athleticism.

Tebow is freakishly strong and is pretty fast; maybe fast enough to be a tight end. He is certainly one of the better athletes in the game today. 

Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill clocked in a 4.30 for the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine this year and is without a doubt a freakish athlete.

All we have to see is if Hill can catch the ball on a regular basis and run crisp, clean routes for the New York Jets. 

Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson is a dying breed as he's an every-down running back.

Richardson's athleticism is so elite that he can run in between the tackles and truck over anyone in his way as well as run around just about any defender to the corner.

He's certainly a special player with a very bright future heading into 2012. 

Michael Floyd

I say this all the time: Michael Floyd is built like a tight end and moves like a wide receiver.

I absolutely love Floyd as a prospect due to his extreme athleticism. He should have a very impressive NFL career. 

LeSean McCoy

LeSean McCoy is simply one of the most explosive running backs in the NFL today.

McCoy is averaging 4.8 yards per carry, while averaging a stellar 7.3 yards per reception. He is certainly one of the most athletic running backs that the league has to offer. 

Quinton Coples

The only downfall to Quinton Coples' game is that we question his motor and desire—but other than that, he's pretty talented.

Coples' athleticism is unreal for the defensive end position and he should succeed as an outside linebacker with the New York Jets. 

Jimmy Graham

This past season, Jimmy Graham really proved himself worthy of being called a top-tier tight end.

Graham is one of those very athletic tight ends we see in the NFL today. He caught 99 passes for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2011 for the New Orleans Saints. 

Von Miller

Von Miller...the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Do I need to say anything else?

This guy is good and is primed to be an elite pass-rusher. 

A.J. Green

Being a Pro Bowl wide receiver in your rookie season, you have to be pretty damn effective.

For A.J. Green, he's not only effective but he's extremely athletic. He snagged 65 balls for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011 and averaged an impressive 70.5 yards per game for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dontari Poe

We might be calling Dontari Poe a combine freak right now, but he could very well end up being an incredible nose tackle at the NFL level for the Kansas City Chiefs.

At the NFL combine this year, Poe posted an amazing 4.87 40-yard dash while doing 44 reps on the bench press all while weighing a massive 350 lbs. 

Sean Weatherspoon

2011 was a breakout year for Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.

Weatherspoon is one of the most athletic linebackers in the NFL today. He racked up 115 tackles and an impressive four sacks a year ago and will continue to build on his success heading into 2012. 

Mark Barron

There is no doubt that Mark Barron is going to be a Pro Bowl safety. He has all the tools and skills to be a top-tier safety at the NFL level for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Barron plays with great athleticism and is not afraid to bring the lumber. 

Jamaal Charles

Jamaal Charles might have missed most of last season with a torn ACL, but he should be back and ready to go in 2012 with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Heading into this season, Charles is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and all of that is due to his incredible speed and his amazing athleticism. 

Dont'a Hightower

What makes Dont'a Hightower so athletic?

His versatility. He's so fast and powerful that he can play either inside or outside linebacker. I am sure that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick loves that. 

Victor Cruz

We all know how fast Victor Cruz is—I mean, he's averaging 18.7 yards per reception entering 2012.

Not to mention, Cruz is quite the salsa dancer.