NFL Network names top-10 players under 25
The NFL network is currently in the midst of its annual top-100 players in the league list. In light of this, former Pro Bowl running back turned analyst Maruice Jones-Drew has provided us with the list of the NFL’s top 10 players under 25 heading into the regular season. To qualify for this list a player simply has to be 25 or younger as of Sep. 9. That date is the official kick-off date for the 2021 season.
10) Chase Young, Defensive End, Washington Football Team
Young wowed coming off the edge in Washington, last season. He finished the year with 7.5 sacks, 12 hits on the quarterback, 10 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. Those numbers were good enough to earn him defensive rookie of the year honors in 2020.
9) Nick Chubb, Running Back, Cleveland Browns
Chubb has been important to the rising success of the Browns offense in both the run and passing games. Last year, Chubb had 1,217 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. One of his best abilities as a running back is making defenders miss. he has forced the second-most missed tackles in the NFL since entering the league in 2018.
8) DK Metcalf, Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf’s size and physical capabilities are almost kind to being created in an NFL lab. And since coming into the league in 2019, he is not let those capabilities go to waste. He’s recorded a total of 2518 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns in his first two seasons. Metcalf is becoming quite the dominating force in the NFL.
7) Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson has electrifying speed and talent akin to the Michael Vick days of the NFL. Since being drafted late in the first round of the 2018 draft, he has improved as a passer with each passing year. What makes his game dangerous is his dual-threat ability, rushing for 2,906 yards over his first three seasons — rushing for over 1000 yards in each of the last two.
6) Josh Allen, quarterback, Buffalo Bills
Alan is a unique blend of size, strength and athleticism at the quarterback position. His down-the-field passing has greatly improved since his rookie season. And he also has the ability to make plays with his feet. Allen has rushed for at least eight touchdowns in each of his first three seasons.
5) Quentin Nelson, guard, Indianapolis Colts
Nelson has been nothing short of dominant since being drafted by the Colts. In his first three seasons, he is allowed a grand total of three sacks according to Pro Football Focus. This type of production on the offensive line has awarded him three first-team All-Pro appearances.
4) Deshaun Watson, quarterback, Houston Texans
In 2020, Watson proved that he was an elite young talent in the NFL. After the team traded away his superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins, he led the league in passing yards with 4,823. Watson has also finished three seasons in the top-10 for passing accuracy.
3) Myles Garrett, defensive end, Cleveland Browns
Garrett is the highest-ranked defensive player on this list and for good reason. He has helped the Browns improve defensively over the past two seasons, going from 30th ranked in 2018 to 17th ranked in 2020. Last season Garrett racked up 12 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and four forced fumbles. This year could be even better now that he will be paired with former number one-overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.
2) Christian McCaffrey, running back, Carolina Panthers
McCaffrey has been something of a one-man band in Carolina since being drafted. In 2019 McCaffrey led all NFL running backs in touches and yards from scrimmage. His 2,392 yards from scrimmage was good for third-most in NFL history. McCaffrey has averaged 135.2 scrimmage yards per game since 2018, the most in the NFL during that time.
1) Patrick Mahomes, quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes it’s arguably the new face of the NFL. He has a 37-8 record since becoming a starter, three straight AFC championship game appearances, two straight Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl win accompanied by a Super Bowl MVP trophy, and a league MVP. With that start to his career, you can see why Mahomes tops this list of the NFL’s top-10 players under 25.
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)