As the sun sets on the twilight of another NFL season, fans are eagerly anticipating the kickoff of a new era in American football. The youth movement in the league is in full swing, with a crop of young stars poised to take the NFL by storm. These players are not just the future of the league – they are the present, already among the NFL’s elite or on the cusp of stardom.
In a quest to determine the NFL’s top 25 players who are 25 and younger, we reached out to 12 league front-office members, coaches, and scouts for their input. These insiders were granted anonymity to speak freely about the players, providing valuable insight into the rising stars of the game. The participants were tasked with evaluating a list of 35 potential players for inclusion, considering factors such as All-Rookie, All-Pro, or Pro Bowl honors.
It was established that players had to be 25 or younger as of Week 1 of the 2024 NFL regular season to be eligible for consideration. This criterion unfortunately disqualified some talented young players, such as Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts, who both exceeded the age limit after turning 26 in recent months.
Leading the charge among the NFL’s top 25 players under 25 is none other than the electrifying Justin Jefferson. Despite missing seven games due to a hamstring injury last season, Jefferson still managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth time in his young career. His remarkable performance earned him a lucrative four-year, $140 million deal with the Vikings, solidifying his status as the highest-paid wide receiver in the league.
Hot on Jefferson’s heels is the unstoppable force that is Micah Parsons. The dynamic linebacker showcased his dominance by recording a career-high 14 sacks last season, bringing his total to an impressive 40 1/2 sacks in just three NFL seasons. Parsons now finds himself in rarefied air, joining the likes of Reggie White, Derrick Thomas, Aldon Smith, and Dwight Freeney as the only players in history to achieve this milestone. While Parsons ranked second on last year’s list, his impending aging out next year adds a sense of urgency to his quest for greatness.
In the realm of game-changing wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase stands tall alongside Jefferson as a member of an exclusive club. Despite Joe Burrow’s injury woes in 2023, Chase continued to shine with his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, cementing his place among the league’s top pass-catchers.
On the defensive side of the ball, Patrick Surtain II has established himself as a shutdown corner with three straight seasons of 10-plus passes defended and two Pro Bowl nods to his name. The young cornerback’s elite coverage skills make him a force to be reckoned with in the secondary.
Turning our attention to the All-25-and-Under Team, all eyes are on the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Bryce Young. The quarterback took the league by storm in 2023, setting rookie records and impressing with his passing prowess during a surprising playoff run.
Equally deserving of recognition is Amon-Ra St. Brown, who enjoyed a breakout season with career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns. The young wide receiver’s Pro Bowl honors and All-Pro status underscore his growing status as one of the game’s premier pass-catchers.
Last but certainly not least is Jordan Love, who turned heads with a strong finish to his first season as a starter. The Packers quarterback’s heroics propelled his team to the playoffs, where they made a splash with an upset victory over the Cowboys before falling to the 49ers. With impressive numbers and poised for further growth in 2024, Love is a player to watch in the coming season.
As the NFL landscape continues to evolve, these young stars are poised to shape the future of the game and leave a lasting impact on the league. With their talent, drive, and determination, the sky’s the limit for these rising phenoms as they continue their ascent to NFL superstardom.
