Pro Football Focus ranks the top 25 NFL players under 25
Despite what 44-year-old Tom Brady would have you believe, the NFL is still a young man’s league. Based on 2021 rosters, the average age of players in the NFL is just slightly above 26 years old. This week, Pro Football Focus released its list of the top 25 NFL players under the age of 25.
Some of the NFL’s top youngsters, like A.J. Brown and Kyler Murray, turn 25 before the start of the season, so they are not included in the list. PFF also clarifies that the list “is not in order of who you’d take in a re-draft, and though positional value does factor into the ranking some due to role requirements, it’s not the main component.” The list is ordered based on overall talent and production.
The 2021 NFL rookies of the year, Micah Parsons and Ja’Marr Chase debut high on the top 25 list after exceptional first seasons with the Cowboys and Bengals, respectively. However, coming in at No. 1, is former Ohio State Buckeye Nick Bosa. The former No. 2-overall pick in the draft turns 25 in October. Coming off of an injury in 2020, Bosa posted 52 tackles with 15.5 sacks and four forced fumbles for the 49ers last season.
These are PFF’s top 25 under 25 ahead of the 2022 season.
NFL Top 25 Under 25
- Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers EDGE, Ohio State
- Justin Herbert, Las Angeles Chargers QB, Oregon
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts RB, Wisconsin
- Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT, Iowa
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings WR, LSU
- Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys LB, Penn State
- Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals WR, LSU
- Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans DL, Mississippi State
- A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons CB, Clemson
- D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks WR, Ole Miss
- Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers EDGE, Michigan
- Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders EDGE, Eastern Michigan
- Chase Young, Washington Commanders EDGE, Ohio State
- Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers OT, Northwestern
- Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers EDGE, Florida State
- Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs C, Oklahoma
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys WR, Oklahoma
- Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers S, Minnesota
- Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals WR, Clemson
- Patrick Surtain, Denver Broncos CB, Alabama
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars QB, Clemson
- Quinnen Williams, New York Jets DL, Alabama
- Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB, LSU
- Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons TE, Florida
- Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys CB, Alabama