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Ranking Every NFL Team's Young Core After 2026 Draft
The ultimate challenge for NFL franchises is to build a roster that can compete in the present while also planning for the future.
The ideal goal with this two-pronged approach is to build a contender filled with young talent that will have a lengthy championship window. There's certainly nothing wrong with going all-in on one Super Bowl run, but teams that build around youth tend to be playoff-relevant for multiple years.
The Kansas City Chiefs, whose run of consecutive conference title game appearances ended at seven, stand as the best recent example.
With the 2026 draft complete, now's the perfect time to examine how each franchise is faring in the building-for-the-future department—for a look at how we view each team's 2026 roster, check out Bleacher Report's post-draft power rankings.
Here, we'll examine and rank every NFL team's young core based on factors like the age, upside, and production of key players, the positional value of young stars, roster construction, results, and franchise trajectory. Since the term "young" is subjective, we'll place a particular emphasis on players aged 27 or younger and/or those on rookie contracts.
Rookies were considered for this exercise, with value based on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's final 2026 draft board. However, they weren't weighted as heavily as veterans who have already proven themselves at the pro level.
32. Miami Dolphins
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Notable Young Stars: RB De'Von Achane, Edge Chop Robinson
After jettisoning veterans like Tua Tagovialoa, Jaylen Waddle, and Tyreek Hill, and drafting a league-high 13 players, the Miami Dolphins are undoubtedly a young team. However, it's too early in the rebuilding process to say that Miami has a good young core.
The reality is that we don't know what sort of core the Dolphins actually have, and neither do they. Returning standouts like De'Von Achane and Chop Robinson aside, Miami's roster is one big question mark.
The Dolphins did add 26-year-old quarterback Malik Willis in free agency, but with only six starts on his resume, he, too, represents an unknown.
However, Dolphins fans shouldn't fret. If rookies like Kadyn Proctor and Chris Johnson develop into solid starters, and Willis proves to be a franchise-caliber QB, Miami's young core could look like one of the league's best within a year or two.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Notable Young Stars: CB Joey Porter Jr., RB Jaylen Warren
The Pittsburgh Steelers are clearly pushing in their chips for the 2026 season. They're still banking on an Aaron Rodgers return—even if they don't know where he currently is—and didn't exactly make youth a priority in the early offseason.
Additions like Michael Pittman Jr. (28) and Jamel Dean (29) aren't exactly ancient, even by football standards, but they may not be on the roster in a year or two either.
Centerpiece players like T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Chris Boswell are getting to be on the older side, which could necessitate a rebuild in the not-too-distant future. And, at some point, Pittsburgh's Plan A at quarterback can't be a 42-year-old Rodgers.
None of this means that the Steelers don't have some good, young players, but it's becoming hard to view them as multi-year contenders.
30. Washington Commanders
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Notable Young Stars: QB Jayden Daniels, Edge Odafe Oweh
The Washington Commanders appear to have the most important piece in place with quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year has played like an elite signal-caller when healthy, and he gives Washington a very strong centerpiece.
However, the Commanders have largely looked to build around Daniels with veteran talent over the past two seasons. The supporting cast was largely filled by older vets like Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, Marshon Lattimore, and Von Miller. There simply isn't much proven young talent on the roster aside from Daniels.
Believe it or not, wide receiver Terry McLaurin will turn 31 in September.
The good news is that the Commanders' building philosophy shifted a bit this offseason. Additions like Odafe Oweh, Rachaad White, Sonny Styles, and Antonio Williams have the potential to join Daniels as legitimate long-term building blocks.
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29. Tennessee Titans
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Notable Young Stars: QB Cam Ward, Edge Jermaine Johnson II, WR Wan'Dale Robinson
We're projecting a bit here because Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward hasn't proven nearly as much as Jayden Daniels. However, the Miami product showed glimpses of a high ceiling while playing with one of the league's worst supporting casts in 2025.
Ward posted an 80.2 quarterback rating and made frequent highlight-reel throws despite having tight end Chigoziem Okonwko as his leading receiver and despite taking a league-high (tied) 55 sacks.
Ideally, the additions of players like Wan'Dale Robinson, Jermaine Johnson II, Alontae Taylor,Carnell Tate, and Keldric Faulk will help Ward play up to his potential in the coming years.
If Ward, the first overall pick in the 2025 draft, can consistently play up to his draft status, Tennessee should quickly become one of the league's more exciting young teams.
28. San Francisco 49ers
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Notable Young Stars: QB Brock Purdy, S Ji'Ayir Brown, G Dominick Puni
Like the Steelers, the San Francisco 49ers have a roster that has been built with the 2026 season in mind. However, they do have a long-term plan at quarterback in 26-year-old Brock Purdy.
Many of San Francisco's other standouts are getting up there in football years. Players such as Trent Williams, George Kittle, Fred Warner, Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Jusczyk, Colton McKivitz, and Mike Evans are either in their 30s or will turn 30 during the 2026 season.
Star pass-rusher Nick Bosa will turn 29 in October.
Of course, the 49ers have tried to add young building blocks to their roster. However, players like Ricky Pearsall and Mykel Williams haven't become centerpiece players yet.
Perhaps incoming rookies like De'Zhaun Stribling and Romello Height will inject some much-needed youth to San Francisco's core.
27. Minnesota Vikings
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Notable Young Stars: WR Justin Jefferson, WR Jordan Addison, Edge Dallas Turner
The Minnesota Vikings would rank much higher if quarterback J.J. McCarthy had established himself as a reliable starter in 2025. However, that didn't happen. Minnesota failed to make the playoffs, and the Vikings cut several veterans in a salary-cap purge this offseason.
McCarthy isn't totally out of the picture yet, but Minnesota is planning an "open" competition between him and Kyler Murray, who will turn 29 in August.
"They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy," NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero told The Rich Eisen Show (beginning at the 1:22 mark).
While the Vikings have several older players at key positions, they have a handful of young, franchise-caliber players, too. Believe it or not, but star receiver Justin Jefferson won't even turn 27 until next month.
26. Kansas City Chiefs
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Notable Young Stars: WR Rashee Rice, G Trey Smith, Edge George Karlaftis III, RB Kenneth Walker III
The Chiefs' Super Bowl window may be closer to the end than the beginning. However, it's impossible to dismiss a bounce-back season because Kansas City has done a respectable job of regularly injecting youth into the roster.
At 30, Patrick Mahomes is no longer a young quarterback. Longtime stars Travis Kelce and Chris Jones are likely in the final stages of their careers. However, the Chiefs have balanced their roster through smart drafting and solid player development.
Even after trading former All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs still boast emerging talents like Rashee Rice, George Karlaftis III, and free-agent pickup Kenneth Walker III.
If incoming rookies like Mansoor Delane, Peter Woods, and R Mason Thomas develop into high-level starters, Kansas City could be right back in the Super Bowl conversation sooner rather than later.
25. Cleveland Browns
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Notable Young Stars: DT Mason Graham, RB Quinshon Judkins, TE Harold Fannin Jr., LB Carson Schwesinger, G Zion Johnson
The Cleveland Browns don't have a great young core yet, but they have a promising one. Cleveland got a strong contribution from its rookie class last season, with players like Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins, Carson Schwesinger, Harold Fannin Jr., and Shedeur Sanders all playing prominent roles.
If Cleveland's 2026 rookie class, which is headlined by top-60 picks Spencer Fano, Kevin Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, proves to be as good as last year's group, the Browns could have one of the best young cores in the league.
However, we're still talking about a team that won just five games in 2025 and has several aging stars on the roster, including Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.
Cleveland's young core would rank much higher if Sanders had established himself as a reliable starter this past season. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, however, Deshaun Watson appears to be the front-runner for QB1.
24. Buffalo Bills
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Notable Young Stars: RB James Cook, CB Christian Benford, TE Dalton Kincaid, WR Khalil Shakir
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will turn 30 later this month. While that certainly isn't old for the position, Allen and the Bills no longer stand out as a young, up-and-coming team.
Like Allen, many key contributors—including Dawson Knox, Dion Dawkins, Bradley Chubb, and Mitch Wishnowsky—are in their 30s or will turn 30 during the 2026 season. Prized trade acquisition D.J. Moore turned 29 last month.
That said, the Bills do have some strong contributors in their core, even if recent draft picks like Keon Coleman and Maxwell Hairston haven't played up to expectations just yet.
Budding stars like James Cook, Dalton Kincaid, and Khalil Shakir are exactly why Allen will remain an MVP candidate and why Buffalo's playoff window should remain open for the foreseeable future.
23. Baltimore Ravens
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Notable Young Stars: CB Nate Wiggins, S Kyle Hamilton, DT Travis Jones, WR Zay Flowers
Like the Bills, the Baltimore Ravens have a terrific mix of older vets and younger players that should allow them to contend in 2026 and beyond.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was taken in the same 2018 draft as Josh Allen, turned 29 in January, and Baltimore has several seasoned veterans at key positions. Players like Ronnie Stanley, Trey Hendrickson, Marlon Humphrey, and Mark Andrews are probably closer to the end than the beginning. However, the Ravens have traditionally done a great job of plugging holes in the draft as they emerge.
This offseason, for example, Baltimore lost Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency but grabbed interior lineman Olaivavega Ioane in Round 1.
Nate Wiggins, Kyle Hamilton, and Zay Flowers are just a few recent draft selections who were picked to fill voids and who rapidly became big-time contributors.
22. Arizona Cardinals
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Notable Young Stars: TE Trey McBride, WR Michael Wilson, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., OT Paris Johnson Jr.
The Arizona Cardinals dumped Kyler Murray early in the offseason, reigniting their quest for a true franchise quarterback. While rookie third-round pick Carson Beck has some intriguing NFL potential, there's a very real chance that Arizona's quarterback of the future isn't on the current roster.
The good news is that whenever the Cardinals identify their long-term QB, they'll be able to pair him with a strong supporting cast.
Arizona has added several talented young pieces to its offensive core in recent years, including pass-catchers Trey McBride, Michael Wilson, and Marvin Harrison Jr. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love has yet to take an NFL snap, but he has all the tools to be a special talent.
"[Love] combines home-run top-end speed with route-running and pass-catching ability to impact the offense in multiple ways," Dame Parson of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.
The Cardinals' future could be remarkably bright, if they can get it right at quarterback.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
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Notable Young Stars: WR Ja'Marr Chase, WR Tee Higgins, RB Chase Brown, DB Dax Hill
The Cincinnati Bengals aren't an old team just yet, but if they don't start hitting on more draft picks, that could rapidly change. Joe Burrow will turn 30 later this year, and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins won't stay in their primes forever.
That said, Chase and Higgins just turned 26 and 27, respectively, earlier this year and still qualify as young. While they form Cincinnati's core trio, alongside Burrow, the Bengals have some other emerging stars, like running back Chase Brown and defensive back Dax Hill.
The problem in Cincinnati is that recent draft picks like Jackson Carman, Cam Taylor-Britt, Zachary Carter, Myles Murphy, Jermaine Burton, and Shemar Stewart have either flamed out quickly, developed slowly, or flopped altogether.
This might be why the Bengals eschewed the first round entirely this year and traded for Dexter Lawrence instead.
20. Carolina Panthers
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Notable Young Stars: QB Bryce Young, CB Jaycee Horn, WR Tetairoa McMillan, RB Chuba Hubbard
The Carolina Panthers still don't know exactly what they have in 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young. However, the Alabama product was an above-average starter in 2025 and appears to be worth building around—though, that doesn't mean that Carolina is ready to extend the 24-year-old.
"In terms of long-term contract, that's something that we're talking about here internally, and we'll do it at the right time," Panthers general manager Dan Morgan told Mad Dog Sports Radio (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra).
Still, the Panthers are reigning NFC South champions and appear to have their quarterback in Young. They also have other young contributors, like Jaycee Horn and Tetairoa McMillan, who helped Carolina come within a few plays of reaching the divisional round.
If Carolina gets early contributions from rookies like Monroe Freeling and Chris Brazzell II, it'll have a real chance of defending its division title in 2026.
19. Indianapolis Colts
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Notable Young Stars: TE Tyler Warren, WR Alec Pierce, RB Jonathan Taylor, CB Sauce Gardner
The Indianapolis Colts were almost the darlings of the 2025 season. Led by resurgent quarterback Daniel Jones, Indy jumped out to an 8-2 record before going winless for the rest of the season.
Along the way, Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear that could potentially impact his 2026 campaign.
However, Indianapolis' future is still quite bright. Assuming Jones' early 2025 play wasn't a fluke, the soon-to-be 29-year-old should provide some long-term stability at quarterback. He has several long-term contributors around him, too, like Alec Pierce, Tyler Warren, and Jonathan Taylor.
And while the Colts traded away a pair of first-round picks to add a veteran cornerback at last year's deadline, they at least did so with the future in mind. Sauce Gardner will only turn 26 in August.
18. Atlanta Falcons
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Notable Young Stars: RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, CB A.J. Terrell, Edge Jalon Walker
The Atlanta Falcons would probably rank higher on this list if it were made a year ago.
By the end of the 2024 season, then-rookie Michael Penix Jr. had taken the QB1 role from Kirk Cousins and appeared ready to run with it. However, Penix regressed significantly in 2026 before having his season ended prematurely by a torn ACL.
Now, Penix and former Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa are expected to battle for the starting job. Tagovailoa is only 28, but he's also on a one-year deal and far from guaranteed to be part of Atlanta's long-term core.
Fortunately, the Falcons do have some young superstar talent. Just on offense, they boast Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, three of the league's most physically gifted players at their respective positions.
17. Denver Broncos
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Notable Young Stars: QB Bo Nix, CB Patrick Surtain II, Edge Nik Bonitto, WR Jaylen Waddle, WR Troy Franklin
The Denver Broncos had the NFL's seventh-oldest roster at the start of last season. While Denver's young core might not be vast, though, it features several proven and promising players.
The list starts with quarterback Bo Nix, who, despite being an older prospect when he was drafted, is still only 26 years old. Nix hasn't quite cracked the ranks of the elite just yet, but he's been well above average.
Nix wasn't the only ascending player on a 2025 roster that earned the AFC's No. 1 seed either. Players like Patrick Surtain II, Nick Bonitto, and Troy Franklin figure to be Broncos centerpieces for years to come.
Denver made a win-now move shortly before the draft by trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. However, at only 27 years old, Waddle should also be a long-term Broncos building block.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Notable Young Stars: OT Tristan Wirfs, C Graham Barton, RB Bucky Irving, WR Emeka Egbuka, S Antoine Winfield Jr., OT Luke Goedeke
Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Jason Licht probably doesn't get enough credit for the work he's done during the post-Tom Brady era. Tampa loaded up for its 2020 Super Bowl run with Brady, but has done an excellent job of mixing youth with veteran talent in the years since.
The Bucs entered the 2025 season with only the league's 16th-oldest roster, despite having longtime starters like Mike Evans, Lavonte David, and Jamel Dean in the lineup.
Injuries largely prevented the Buccaneers from winning their fifth-straight division title in 2025, but the drop-off post-Brady hasn't been as dramatic as many might have expected. The resurgent play of Baker Mayfield, who turned 31 last month, has had plenty to do with that.
And the Bucs have surrounded Mayfield with great young players like Tristan Wirfs, Bucky Irving, and Antoine Winfield Jr. Promising rookies like Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter have the potential to become pieces of Tampa's core sooner rather than later.
15. Dallas Cowboys
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Notable Young Stars: WR CeeDee Lamb, WR George Pickens, OL Tyler Smith, TE Jake Ferguson, RB Javonte Williams
The Dallas Cowboys probably don't feel like a young team. That's likely because they've made five playoff appearances in 10 seasons with Dak Prescott as the starting quarterback.
Prescott will turn 33 in July.
However, Dallas has actually done a pretty solid job of reloading the roster through the draft and with younger contributors over the years. Franchise owner and general manager Jerry Jones hasn't always taken the wisest approach to keeping his best players, but he's built a team littered with young stars and brimming with potential.
The Cowboys had the league's third-youngest roster at the start of last season, and likely rookie standouts like Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence will only continue to boost Dallas' young core.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
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Notable Young Stars: QB Trevor Lawrence, WR Brian Thomas Jr., WR/CB Travis Hunter, OT Anton Harrison
The Jacksonville Jaguars' long-term outlook looks a whole lot better now than it did a year ago. At that point, it was still unclear if Trevor Lawrence would ever become the elite signal-caller he was expected to be when Jacksonville drafted him first overall in 2021.
And, to be fair, Lawrence wasn't as consistently great as the Jags might have liked in 2025. Yet, he had a career-best season under first-year head coach Liam Coen and helped lead Jacksonville to a 13-win season and an AFC South title.
Lawrence, by the way, won't even turn 27 until October.
While Jacksonville did lose emerging stars Travis Etienne Jr. and Devin Lloyd in free agency, they have plenty of promising pieces in their young core aside from Lawrence. That core will look even better if 2025 second overall pick Travis Hunter manages to stay healthy and meet expectations moving forward.
13. New York Jets
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Notable Young Stars: WR Garrett Wilson, RB Breece Hall, Edge Will McDonald IV, OT Armand Membou, TE Mason Taylor
We aren't valuing rookies as highly as proven players, but we can't simply ignore a New York Jets draft class that included three first-round picks, either.
Edge-rusher David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., and second-round corner D'Angelo Ponds all have the potential to be instant contributors and long-term standouts.
And it's not as if the Jets lacked good young players before last month's draft. While New York did trade arguably its biggest star, Sauce Gardner, at last year's deadline, it still had difference-makers like Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and Will McDonald IV.
We're projecting a bit here with New York's rookie class, but if even one or two of its members become legitimate standouts, the Jets will have a very promising overall roster. Whichever quarterback the Jets draft in 2027—they already have three first-round picks—will join a surprisingly stable foundation.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
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Notable Young Stars: TE Brock Bowers, WR Tre Tucker, C Tyler Linderbaum, RB Ashton Jeanty, OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, LB Quay Walker
We're also projecting a bit with the Las Vegas Raiders because rookie quarterback and first overall pick Fernando Mendoza has yet to take an NFL snap. However, he has all the tools and intangibles a team could want in a franchise signal-caller.
"Mendoza has the build of a traditional pocket passer and a polished passing skill set that translates well to the NFL," Dame Parson of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "...He is an intelligent player with an excellent mind for the game of football."
Mendoza isn't inheriting an empty cupboard, either, despite what last season's record might indicate. Las Vegas has several talented young stars, including Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, who might already be the best pass-catching tight end in the NFL.
Las Vegas didn't make Mendoza its only marquee 2026 addition either. It added long-term contributors like Tyler Linderbaum and Quay Walker while smoothing things over with Maxx Crosby after his trade to the Ravens fell through.
Crosby, by the way, won't turn 29 until August.
11. Detroit Lions
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Notable Young Stars: OT Penei Sewell, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Edge Aidan Hutchinson, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, TE Sam LaPorta, LB Jack Campbell, S Brian Branch, CB Terrion Arnold
This is shaping up to be a pivotal season for the Detroit Lions. Just three years ago, Detroit was within a few plays of reaching the Super Bowl. Two years ago, it claimed the NFC's No. 1 seed but fell in the divisional round. Last season, the Lions failed to even qualify for the playoffs.
It's now fair to wonder whether A.) if the Lions have reached their ceiling with 31-year-old quarterback Jared Goff and B.) if their contention window has closed. Those two questions could very well be related.
What shouldn't be questioned, however, is the talented young core Detroit has assembled over the past few years. Whatever the future holds for the current incarnation of the Lions, players like Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs should be franchise staples for the next half-decade or more.
If rookies like Blake Miller and Derrick Moore can fill pivotal roles right away, a return to the postseason may be in Detroit's immediate future.
10. Houston Texans
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Notable Young Stars: Edge Will Anderson Jr., QB C.J. Stroud, WR Nico Collins, CB Derek Stingley Jr., CB Kamari Lassiter, LB Henry To'oTo'o
Will C.J. Stroud ever regain the Pro Bowl form he regularly flashed during his impressive 2023 rookie campaign? That's a question that will hover over the Houston Texans' 2026 season until/unless Stroud provides a definitive answer.
While it would be accurate to say that Stroud regressed over the past two seasons, even as an average starter, he's become part of an impressive young Texans core—one that has delivered a playoff win in each of the past three seasons.
Will Anderson Jr., who was drafted one spot after Stroud in 2023, has already become one of the league's best defenders. He's arguably the biggest star on Houston's roster now—and he recently became the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history—but he isn't the only young standout.
With players like Nico Collins, Derek Stingley Jr., and Henry To'oTo'o on the roster—along with potential impact rookies like Keylan Rutledge and Marlin Klein—the Texans aren't about to suddenly disappear from the playoff picture.
9. New Orleans Saints
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Notable Young Stars: QB Tyler Shough, WR Chris Olave, Edge Chase Young, OT Taliese Fuaga, RB Travis Etienne Jr.
We got a good glimpse of just how bright the New Orleans Saints' future can be in 2025. Though it began the season just 1-8, the New Orleans won four of its final five games and looked like arguably the best team in the NFC South during that stretch.
Naturally, the midseason emergence of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough played a big role in the turnaround. However, Shough isn't the only budding standout giving Saints fans real reasons for excitement in 2026.
Chris Olave, Taliese Fuaga, free-agent addition Travis Etienne Jr., and even 2019 first-round pick Chase Young—who joined New Orleans two years ago—are all 27 or younger.
If the Saints hit on rookies like receiver Jordyn Tyson and defensive lineman Christen Miller, they should become perennial contenders within their division.
8. Green Bay Packers
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Notable Young Stars: QB Jordan Love, Edge Micah Parsons, TE Tucker Kraft, OL Zach Tom, DL Devonte Wyatt
The Green Bay Packers have won just one playoff game and haven't gotten past the divisional round with Jordan Love as their starting quarterback. However, the 27-year-old has shown plenty of glimpses of being a truly special franchise signal-caller.
And while Green Bay may only have two bona fide young superstars in Love and 2025 trade acquisition Micah Parsons, they have arguably the biggest young core in the entire NFL.
The Packers have begun each of the last three seasons with the NFL's youngest roster, and they've followed that group to the postseason.
The unknown now is whether the Packers can get over the proverbial hump, win the NFC North, and make a deep postseason run. If Parsons (torn ACL) returns to form quickly, and rookies like Brandon Cisse and Chris McClellan, it just might happen this season.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
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Notable Young Stars: QB Jalen Hurts, DT Jalen Carter, CB Quinyon Mitchell, DB Cooper DeJean, CB Riq Woolen, WR DeVonta Smith
After winning the Super Bowl in 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles took a step back in 2025. However, they still won the NFC East, and they did it with one of the league's youngest rosters.
Only the Packers had a younger team at the start of the 2025 season.
It might not feel like the Eagles have a particularly young core, considering they've been to two of the last four Super Bowls. However, it's easy to forget that stars like Jalen Hurts (27), Jalen Carter (25), and DeVonta Smith (27) are still young, even by NFL standards.
General manager Howie Roseman has done an excellent job of preparing for future needs in the draft, which has allowed Philly to remain consistently competitive without aging out of its playoff window. Expect rookies like Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers to be future stars if not immediate contributors.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
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Notable Young Stars: OT Rashawn Slater, OT Joe Alt, WR Ladd McConkey, WR Quinton Johnston, TE Orande Gadsden, RB Omarion Hampton, CB Tarheeb Still
It's hard not to love what the Los Angeles Chargers have managed to build over the last couple of seasons under Jim Harbaugh—and really, even before that.
The Chargers have built their offense around quarterback Justin Herbert, who just turned 28 in March, and tackle Rashawn Slater. They've added young skill players to the core such as Ladd McConkey, Quinton Johnston and Omarion Hampton, who have the potential to be special.
Los Angeles opened last season as the seventh-youngest team in the NFL. They experienced multiple injuries along the offensive line, and yet, they still finished with their second straight playoff berth.
Simply put, the Chargers have done an excellent job of identifying, drafting, and developing talent. Hopefully, that trend will continue with rookies like Akheem Mesidor and Jake Slaughter.
5. Los Angeles Rams
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Notable Young Stars: WR Puka Nacua, Edge Jared Verse, DL Braden Fiske, DL Kobie Turner, RB Kyren Williams, CB Trent McDuffie, S Kamren Kinchens, OT Alaric Jackson, G Steve Avila
Los Angeles Rams GM Les Snead deserves a ton of credit for turning an older 2021 championship roster into a revitalized unit littered with youthful stars in only a few years.
The Rams employ one of the league's older quarterbacks in reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. However, they also feature young centerpieces at almost every other position group. That's because Los Angeles has managed to hit on both high draft picks like Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, and late-round gems like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams.
This offseason, L.A. added another young staple by trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie.
The Rams might have the NFL's most complete roster with Stafford behind center, but they're unlikely to completely fall off if this proves to be the 38-year-old's final season. If rookie first-round pick Ty Simpson proves to be a suitable heir to Stafford, L.A. has the supporting talent to just keep on contending.
4. New York Giants
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Notable Young Stars: QB Jaxson Dart, WR Malik Nabers, RB Cam Skattebo, RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge Abdul Carter, OT Andrew Thomas, TE Isaiah Likely, CB Paulson Adebo
As is the case with a few teams on this list, the New York Giants' young core looks better on paper than it has shown on the field.
Jaxson Dart looked like a future franchise quarterback as a rookie, but he has plenty left to prove. Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo, meanwhile, both suffered season-ending injuries as part of a four-win roster.
Still, it's hard not to be impressed with the collection of young talent that New York has managed to compile. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Andrew Thomas, and even free-agent addition Isaiah Likely are all still on the under side of 28.
If Dart proves to be a steady starter, Nabers returns to full health and Pro Bowl form, and rookies like Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa, and Colton Hood contribute early, New York should be in the playoff conversation this season and for years to come.
3. New England Patriots
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Notable Young Stars: QB Drake Maye, CB Christian Gonzalez, RB TreVeyon Henderson, DL Milton Williams, WR Romeo Doubs, DT Christian Barmore, OT Will Campbell
The New England Patriots were the surprise team of 2025, thanks in no small part to the emergence of second-year quarterback Drake Maye. The 23-year-old was the MVP runner-up, and there's a very real chance that he hasn't yet reached his ceiling.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton recently named Maye as one of his top first-time MVP candidates for 2026.
While Maye was the heart of New England's 2025 revival, he isn't the only ascending young star on the roster. Christian Gonzalez, TreVeyon Henderson, Milton Williams, and Romeo Doubs are just a few young standouts the Patriots have drafted or signed during their latest rebuild.
Could the Patriots regress while facing a tougher schedule in 2026? Of course, but if incoming rookies like Caleb Lomu and Gabe Jacas meet expectations, they should also remain playoff-relevant for the foreseeable future.
2. Chicago Bears
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Notable Young Stars: QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze, TE Colston Loveland, OT Darnell Wright, RB D'Andre Swift, CB Jaylon Johnson, CB Tyrique Stevenson, S Coby Bryant, WR Luther Burden III
The Chicago Bears didn't go as far in the postseason as the Patriots, but one could easily argue that their future is just as bright. Yes, Caleb Williams' sophomore emergence has a lot to do with that.
Williams, who led seven fourth-quarter comebacks in 2025, easily matched the hype he generated in the previous year as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
The Bears have several other young stars who look to be core players for the foreseeable future. The list includes former stars on both sides of the ball, like wideout Rome Odunze, tackle Darnell Wright, and cornerback Jaylen Johnson.
After parting with veterans like Kevin Byard and Tremaine Edmunds this offseason, Chicago is poised to field an even younger core. If rookies like Dillon Thieneman and Sam Roush contribute early, the Bears could soon become perennial title contenders.
1. Seattle Seahawks
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Notable Young Stars: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, CB Devon Witherspoon, OT Charles Cross, G Grey Zabel, OT Abraham Lucas, WR/KR Rashid Shaheed, RB Zach Charbonnet, DL Byron Murphy II, DB Nick Emmanwori, LB Ernest Jones IV
For other teams hoping to reach the Super Bowl through the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks are a problem. They entered last season with the fifth-youngest roster in the NFL, and it finished the season with the Lombardi Trophy.
The Seahawks didn't get substantially older this offseason, either. While key players like Kenneth Walker III, Riq Woolen, and Coby Bryant departed in free agency, Seattle drafted Jadarian Price, Julian Neal, and Bud Clark to replace them.
Seattle's roster is loaded with young talent, including stars who could soon reset their positional markets in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon. And while quarterback Sam Darnold is no longer in the 27-and-under club, he'll only turn 29 next month.
The Seahawks had the league's best team in 2025, and they're poised to be very good for a very long time.
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