NFL Rankings: The Best 25 and Under Player at Each Position
Elite players under the age of 25 are a rare and highly sought after commodity. Most players never reach an elite status. Those that do usually approach their later 20s before they truly come into their own.
Players under 25 who perform at such a high level are exciting. They probably have their best football in front of them and are just tapping into their incredible potential.
Teams can build a franchise around players like this. Let's take a look at the most outstanding player under 25 at each position.
WR: Calvin Johnson: 25
1 of 19
It's hard to believe Calvin Johnson is only 25 years old. It seems like he is a 10-year veteran. Johnson is the standard for physical specimens in the NFL. He's 6'5", 236 pounds and he runs like a deer.
"Megatron" is the ultimate receiver. Now that Detroit is starting to build an offense around Johnson, expect his already phenomenal career to really take flight.
He's coming off of his first Pro Bowl season. Expect many more to follow.
TE: Jermichael Finley: 24
2 of 19
It's easy to forget the sort of impact Jermichael Finley had on the Green Bay offense. After all, they won a Super Bowl without his assistance.
The Packers are one of the deepest teams in the league, which explains their ability to win a Super Bowl with adversity smacking them in the face all season long.
While Finley suffered a season ending injury, it is unfair to discount him as unimportant. He's got elite speed for a tight end, and at 6'5", 247 pounds, he's virtually uncoverable.
LT: Ryan Clady: 24
3 of 19
Jake Long and Joe Thomas just missed the cut, as they are both 26. Let's skip down to another elite, franchise left tackle who fits the criteria.
Denver's Ryan Clady exploded onto the scene in his rookie year. Only Matt Ryan and Chris Johnson received more votes for Rookie of the Year.
While Denver's quarterback situation is uncertain, their left tackle spot is locked down. Clady is quick enough to handle the fastest right defensive ends in the league and strong enough to plow down defenders.
The Broncos can trust him to hold his own in one-on-one situations, regardless of who he's matched up against.
.jpg?w=256 "NFL Combine Football")
.jpg?w=256 "Bills Football")
LG: Mike Iupati: 24
4 of 19
Mike Iupati's draft stock soared as the draft drew nearer. He came from a smaller school, which caused him to go virtually unnoticed by the general public.
Iupati was a hidden gem in Idaho. While he didn't go to an elite football school, he displayed the type of mauling power that is ideal for the guard position. His surprising quickness and punishing style of play made him a first round selection by the 49ers.
Iupati excelled immediately. Critics questioned his dominance when he came out of college, as he faced "inferior" competition frequently. These people were probably the same critics who questioned Larry Allen when he came out of Sonoma State.
C: Maurkice Pouncey: 21
5 of 19
The leader of an offense is the quarterback. The leader of an offensive line is the center. Left tackle is the "glory" position on the line, but the on-goings of the offensive line are predicated off of calls the center makes.
Maurkice Pouncey is only 21 years old, but he takes charge like a 10-year veteran. He is active in blocking schemes and was a shining star on a lackluster Pittsburgh offensive line.
His presence was sorely missed in the Super Bowl. Pouncey is already an elite center in the NFL and should anchor the Steelers offensive line for the next decade. Pittsburgh is a place where great center play is greatly appreciated. Pouncey found the perfect match.
RG: Josh Sitton: 24
6 of 19
Josh Sitton is a premiere interior lineman. The move from playing tackle in college to moving inside at the next level can be a difficult. Sitton had the agility to pull it off, and he has the strength of a tackle.
Sitton wasn't heavily recruited coming out of college and he didn't get drafted until the fourth round. Leave it to Ted Thompson to strike gold on a tackle turned guard in the fourth round.
RT: Jason Smith: 25
7 of 19
Jason Smith was brought in by St. Louis with the second overall pick to be the franchise left tackle. He is currently on the right side, having lost a position battle to Rodger Saffold.
Teams usually put their second best tackle on the right side, which is why there isn't an elite tackle on the right side under 25.
The Rams have a great situation up front. Their offensive line is a major reason Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford maximize their potential. A few more weapons in St. Louis, and they could turn into an offensive juggernaut in a hurry.
FB: Jerome Felton: 25
8 of 19
Jerome Felton is the best player you have never heard of. Like most fullbacks, he slipped in the draft out of the first four rounds.
Felton is a terrific blocking back and can carry the ball as well if need be. The Lions have a wealth of young talent on their offense. With a promising back like Jahvid Best, it's great to have a guy like Felton in front of him.
RB: Chris Johnson: 25
9 of 19
Chris Johnson is the most electrifying player in football. He has sub-4.3 speed and it shows up on game day. He has the rare ability to completely outrun defenses at the highest level.
CJ2K is in a lackluster offense. Teams know he is going to get the ball, so they line up eight, and sometimes nine, players in the box.
Even so, Johnson manages to torch defenses. He's been named to the Pro Bowl every year he's been in the league and holds the record for yards from scrimmage in a season.
QB: Sam Bradford: 23
10 of 19
It turns out Sam Bradford was as advertised. He took over a miserable Rams franchise and started all 16 games. The results were astounding. The 2010 Rams surpassed the win totals of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Rams...combined.
Bradford had the worst wide receiver situation in the league and came through with flying colors. He has a rare arm and his leadership is infectious.
The offensive and defensive units improved drastically. Bradford is the catalyst behind the turn around. They missed the playoffs last season, but he's off to a great start. Josh Freeman is a close second here.
DE: Charles Johnson: 24
11 of 19
This designation will belong to a 2011 draftee next season, I promise. For the time being, Charles Johnson is a worthy candidate.
He racked up 11.5 sacks on an atrocious Carolina Panthers team. The defense as a whole was miserable. It's unclear how he will do in Ron Rivera's 3-4, but Johnson is a phenomenal edge rusher.
Football is a cycle. At the moment, there aren't any elite defensive ends under 25. This year happened to produce a slew of potential at that position. Can't wait to see them take the field.
DT: Ndamukong Suh: 24
12 of 19
Ndamukong Suh dominated the NFL in his first year, earning All-Pro honors and becoming one of the most feared defenders in football. His ability to pass rush as defensive tackle is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
He collapses the pocket constantly and delivers punishing blows to quarterbacks that can make you cringe. Most of the time, we have to look past the stat sheet when evaluating a defensive tackle. Such is not the case with Suh, who racked up double digit sacks in his first season.
OLB: Clay Matthews: 25
13 of 19
Clay Matthews' 2010 season was the product of being in an excellent Dom Capers system and being 6'3", 250 pounds of lunacy.
He's been a 10-plus sack guy in both seasons he's been in the NFL. Having come out of a linebacker corp with Rey Mauluga and Brian Cushing in college, many did not foresee him being the most decorated of all three first round linebackers.
Nobody has better hands off the line of scrimmage than Matthews. His burst and tenacity helped the Packers to a Super Bowl victory. It seems as though it won't be their last.
MLB: Lawrence Timmons: 25
14 of 19
Lawrence Timmons or Jerod Mayo? That's a scenario coaches in the NFL would love to have to make. I'm going with the unheralded Timmons here, and here is why:
Timmons was the leading tackler on the best defense in football. He doesn't get the recognition Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, Casey Hampton, James Farrior or Lamaar Woodley get, but he plays a huge role on their historic run defense.
Timmons diagnoses plays with the best in the NFL, which comes as somewhat of a surprise. He moved inside when he came into the NFL, which is a move very few players can make. He's way ahead of the curve.
Nothing against Mayo; this one was a coin flip.
CB: Darrelle Revis: 25
15 of 19
Darrelle Revis has a history of taking on the league's best targets in man coverage and shutting them down. "Revis Island" is a place where the NFL's elite pass catchers have to fight tooth and nail for a couple of catches for minimal yardage.
He's physical enough to handle the big receivers and fast enough to run with anyone. He and Nnamdi Asomugha are far and away the best corners in the NFL. He's an All-Pro already and continues to impress.
The Jets have the freedom to be as creative as Rex Ryan wants with their sets, in large part because Revis can play man on anyone. Teams don't throw at him, which makes him victorious in his matchups nearly every time.
FS: Earl Thomas: 22
16 of 19
Jairus Byrd destroyed his opponents in his rookie campaign, picking off nine passes. He fell off in a major way in 2010, with only one interception on the year. Quarterbacks were more reluctant to throw in his direction and no longer treated him as a rookie, but his lack of production bumps him to the number two spot.
Earl Thomas had five interceptions in his rookie outing. It's nothing compared to Byrd's rookie season, but impressive nonetheless. A forced fumble and a boat load of tackles helped command the Seahawks to two games deep into the playoffs.
Amongst the quarterbacks he's picked off? Try Phillip Rivers, Sam Bradford and Drew Brees. He's solid against the run and the pass. A true three down football player.
SS: Eric Berry: 22
17 of 19
Eric Berry made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. His four interceptions were only part of the impact he had during his first NFL season.
Berry is the ultimate safety. He has the fearlessness teams crave, but he's got an Ed Reed nose for the ball. Berry is an intimidating force in the middle and looks completely comfortable on the football field, despite his young age.
He's overtaking Laron Landry as the best young safety in football.
P: Tim Masthay: 25
18 of 19
Yes, punters get love on this list as well, as do kickers. You can't underestimate the value of a great punter. He plays arguably the most crucial role on the entire team in terms of field position.
A great punter can mask a miserable offense. With great hang time and a booming kick, the punter can be the defense's best friend, as he gives them a longer field to defend.
Green Bay's Tim Masthay didn't have to mask a poor offense or defense, but he certainly wasn't a liability. He was in the top 15 in punt average and fair catches forced. With only 71 punts, 25 of them ended up inside the 20.
K: Connor Barth: 25
19 of 19
Kickers kick until they are well into their 30s. For that reason, there isn't much competition for this spot, as there are only a handful of starting kickers who are under 25.
Connor Barth once kicked three field goals of at least 50 yards in a single game. Barth failed to obtain roster spots over fellow competitors Dan Carpenter and Ryan Succop, but he is thriving in Tampa Bay.
He's kicking over 80 percent and isn't shying away from distance kicks. He was perfect inside 40 yards.
.jpg?w=480 "NFL Combine Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Bills Football")
.jpg?w=480 "NFL Combine Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Notre Dame Pro Day Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Todd Mcshay Mock Draft 5.0 🔮")
.jpg?w=600 "Coach Questions Beck's Personality 🤔")
.jpg?w=600 "Steelers Owner Gives Rodgers Update")
