Julio Jones and the 9 Best NFL Receivers Under 25

As the passing game continues to grow in importance in the modern NFL, we have seen a swell of young, talented wide receivers enter the league and make an immediate impact. Ground zero for this new trend is the 2009 NFL draft, which was loaded with talent at the wide receiver position.

Wide receivers are notorious for being one of the riskiest and most bust-prone positions for team to use high draft picks on. However this group of guys shows that, under the right circumstances, young wide receivers can be a crucial piece on their new team right out of the box.

Click through the slideshow for the best nine NFL wide receivers under 25 years old.

Julio Jones

The Atlanta Falcons feel madly in love with Julio Jones prior to the 2010 NFL draft. While their trade with the Browns wasn't exactly the Ricky Williams deal the Saints made years ago, it was huge.  They gave up five picks, including next year's first-rounder, to get the talented receiver out of the University of Alabama.

Jones hasn't exactly exploded onto to the scene thus far this season, but he has shown the flashes that a team wants to see out of a young receiver. Today, albeit against the hapless Colts, Jones had a coming out party of sorts, logging two long touchdown catches, including one of 80 yards.

Jeremy Maclin

Jeremy Maclin has gotten off to a phenomenal start in the NFL playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. He followed up a strong rookie campaign with a just shy of 1,000-yard sophomore campaign that included 10 touchdowns.  

This season he is on pace to comfortably surpass 1,000 yards, despite the struggles his team has gone through. As one of Michael Vick's favorite targets, Maclin has cemented himself as half of the best 1-2 punch of young wide receivers in the league.

Dez Bryant

Dez Bryant came into to the league as a controversial and polarizing figure. He was forced out of the NCAA for lying about his seemingly innocuous relationship with Deion Sanders, sending him tumbling down drafts boards across the league until Dallas grabbed him late in the first round.

Bryant's rookie campaign was sabotaged by a pair of injuries, one to Tony Romo and the other to Bryant's ankle. Despite being sent to injured reserve, Bryant put up decent numbers as a receiver and made his presences know as a return man on special teams.  

Bryant is truly exceptional athlete who has a big future in the NFL if he can overcome the nonstop circus that is being a Dallas Cowboy.

Hakeem Nicks

Hakeem Nicks was part of a loaded 2009 wide receiver draft class which included the like of Kenny Britt, Percy Harvin and Michael Crabtree. Out of all those highly touted players, Nicks has arguably had the best career so far. 

Nicks has become one of Eli Manning's most reliable scoring targets. Last season was his breakout year, going over 1,000 yards receiving and 11 TDs. Though his TD numbers are down this season, his yards per catch are up, as he stretches the field for the Giants.

A.J. Green

A.J. Green was part of a duo of rookies this season that was supposed to give the Bengals a wholesale makeover on offense. Green has some huge (and loud) shoes to fill in Cincinnati, as he follows T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Terrell Owens, and Chad Ochocinco.

A.J. Green has come roaring out of the gates, along with rookie QB Andy Dalton, and is on pace for a monstrous season by rookie standards. If things keep going the way they are now, Cincinnati may have had the best first two rounds of the NFL draft in history. 

DeSean Jackson

DeSean Jackson will only be under 25 for less than a month, but as long as he is, he has to make any list of best young receivers.

Jackson only narrowly missed 1,000 yards receiving as a rookie, and has hit that mark each of the last two seasons. He is on pace to do the same this season.  

Jackson is the fastest player on the fastest offense in the league in Philadelphia. He can make defenses pay by getting behind them and catching bombs, or by catching it short and making them miss.  

Percy Harvin

Percy Harvin is a rare talent in the NFL. He has the chops to be a dangerous receiving threat, but also the vision and quickness to do damage running the ball.

Harvin came out of the University of Florida as a dual threat guy who didn't really fit into any of the NFL's positional molds. That didn't deter the Vikings from taking him, and they have been rewarded for taking the chance on Harvin.

Harvin's production has taken a hit as of late with all of the turmoil at the quarterback position in Minnesota. However, he remains a deadly weapon, just waiting for some competence in the backfield.

Kenny Britt

Kenny Britt is the ultimate video game receiver. He's big, he's fast and he has great hands. However, he has had significant problems with staying healthy and staying off of the police blotter.  

But when Britt is on the field, he's a difference maker. The Titans offense is simply not the same without him, which is bad for them, as he will have only played in 15 games total between this season and last.

Torrey Smith

Torrey Smith, in less than half of his rookie campaign, has stepped up and become one of the great young deep threats in the NFL. While his overall numbers aren't eye-popping, his 21.7 yards per reception average certainly is.

Smith obviously has the speed to burn defenses long. Now he just needs to work on getting more involved in the offense, as his 15 total receptions are just not enough for a guy of his skill level.