We are now just a few days away from the NFL regular season. One of the most exciting things to see each year is the league’s young players developing into the game’s elite. Some of the names on this list are already there, whilst others aren’t too far off. Here are my top 25 players who will be under 25 when the season kicks off on 9th September.
1. Jaire Alexander | CB, Green Bay Packers
Alexander is easily the best young cornerback in the NFL and may well be the best player at his position regardless of age. After impressing in his first two seasons, he took the next step in 2020 and was voted as an All-Pro for the first time in his career. He allowed just 353 yards on 634 coverage snaps and allowed fewer than 20 yards in 11 of his 17 games. He ranked third amongst all cornerbacks in both passer rating allowed (54.3) and forced incompletions (17). Alexander gave up just four receptions for 20+ yards across his 76 targets.
2. Fred Warner | LB, San Francisco 49ers
Warner is another player who is in the conversation as the best player at his position. What separates him from most other linebackers is his ability in coverage. Last season he allowed a passer rating of just 81.9, whilst giving up just 329 yards on his 61 targets. He also contributed six forced incompletions, the second most by a linebacker. Warner is good against the run too, with 25 run stops and a missed tackle rate of just 7.5 per cent. He can even be employed as a blitzer, logging 31 pressures and four sacks on just 145 pass rushing snaps over the last two years.
3. Lamar Jackson | QB, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson is just a season removed from being crowned MVP, becoming the youngest player to win the award since 1958. He is one of the league’s best young quarterbacks and is a generational talent with the ball in his hands. He already has two 1,000+ yard seasons as a runner, making him one of just two quarterbacks to hit that mark and the only one to do so twice. Over the past two seasons he has combined for 76 total touchdowns, ranked fifth in the NFL. What makes all of this all the more impressive is that he only just turned 24 years old.
4. A.J. Brown | WR, Tennessee Titans
Much of the focus around the Titans is centred on Derrick Henry, but Brown deserves far more credit than he receives. Despite Tennessee’s run-heavy offense he has managed to put together back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons. He is also the only player to rank inside the top three in yards per route run over the last two seasons. Brown is already one of the league’s best contested catch receivers and combines this with incredible YAC ability. Since entering the league he has averaged 7.3 yards after the catch and has forced 0.27 missed tackles per reception. For context, Derrick Henry has averaged 0.19 per carry over the same period.
5. Nick Bosa | EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
Bosa was one of the best edge rushers in recent college history and he transferred that form straight over to the NFL. He racked up 80 pressures in 2019, the most by a rookie in NFL history. This ranked sixth in the NFL, ahead of players like Von Miller and Khalil Mack. He also delivered one of the most dominant Super Bowl displays in recent memory, racking up 12 pressures on his 40 pass rushing snaps. He started the 2020 season in a similar fashion against the Cardinals, before a torn ACL robbed him of his sophomore season. Bosa looks set to be a prime comeback candidate in 2021.
6. Tristan Wirfs | OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It is rare for a rookie to hit the ground running in their debut campaign and even rarer when they are an offensive lineman. Whilst Justin Herbert and Justin Jefferson made the headlines as the best rookie performers, Wirfs is already in the conversation to be the best right tackle in the entire NFL. He started every game in Bucs’ Super Bowl run and seemingly improved every single week. After allowing 12 pressures through his first five games, Wirfs gave up just 10 in the remaining 11 regular season games. He was almost unbeatable in the playoffs, not allowing a single sack and surrendering just one hit through four games.
7. Minkah Fitzpatrick | S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fitzpatrick was good out of the gate with the Dolphins, but his move to the Steelers helped to take his game to the next level. Since his move he has allowed a completion rate of just 47 per cent on his 34 targets. Through 30 games he has allowed just 204 yards in coverage. He has also logged a staggering 58.8 per cent forced incompletion rate and has nine interceptions already in Pittsburgh. Fitzpatrick has allowed a QBR of just 34.0 since his switch to the Steelers. For context, the passer rating for throwing the ball away on every play is 39.6. He is in conversation to be the best safety in the NFL right now.
8. Justin Jefferson | WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson hit the ground running in Minnesota, breaking Randy Moss’ franchise rookie records for receptions and yards. His 1,400 yards also saw him break the NFL’s rookie receiving record, set by Anquan Boldin back in 2003. He finished with the third most receiving yards at the position in 2020, behind only Stefon Diggs (1,535) and DeAndre Hopkins (1,407). He did so on just 88 catches, 27 fewer than Hopkins and 39 fewer than Diggs. His 2.66 yards per route run also ranked second in the NFL and was the highest total by a rookie since Odell Beckham in 2014. At just 22 years old, Jefferson already looks like a top ten receiver in the NFL.
9. Jessie Bates | S, Cincinnati Bengals
There hasn’t been much cause for optimism in Cincinnati over recent years, but Bates is one of the few shining lights on the Bengals’ defense. After encouraging play in his first two seasons, he staked his claim as one of the NFL’s best safeties last season. His 0.29 yards allowed per coverage snap ranked 11th out of over 1000 defensive backs last season. He also posted 12 pass breakups, the most of any safety. His combined 15 forced incompletions also led the position and ranked fourth in the entire NFL. His 42.7 QBR allowed also ranked third. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract and you can expect him to earn a big money deal in the very near future.
10. DK Metcalf | WR, Seattle Seahawks
Looking back on the 2019 Draft it seems incredible that Metcalf was the ninth receiver drafted, behind the likes of Mecole Hardman and Andy Isabella. In two short years he has already established himself as Seattle’s leading receiver and is coming off an excellent 2020 campaign. He finished the season with 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking sixth amongst all wide receivers in both categories. Metcalf is an elite deep threat, with the size and speed to be a true mismatch weapon on the boundary. He has averaged over 15 yards per reception in each of his two seasons in the league. Expect big things from him again in 2021.
11. Chase Young | EDGE, Washington Football Team
Young was widely regarded as a ‘can’t miss’ prospect when he came out last summer and he lived up to that billing as a rookie. He finished the year with 40 total pressures and added five forced fumbles too, the second most of any defensive lineman in 2020. He rounded out the season by winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Young helped to lead Washington’s transformation into one of the NFL’s most dominant defenses and they enter 2021 with arguably the best defensive line in football. It will be exciting to see how he builds on this impressive start in his second year.
12. Brian Burns | EDGE, Carolina Panthers
Burns impressed in a rotational role as a rookie in 2019, but took his game to the next level last season. He already looks like one of the league’s best speed rushers and finished the year with 57 total pressures. This ranked seventh amongst at the position and was ten more than any other under-25 player. Burns produced well on true pass sets too, and his 25 per cent win rate ranked 12th at the position. With another year like this under his belt he could easily find himself mentioned as one of the league’s very best.
13. Justin Herbert | QB, Los Angeles Chargers
I have to admit I was one of the many people who were sceptical about Justin Herbert coming out of Oregon. Just a year on he has seemingly proved all of his doubters wrong and looks like one of the game’s most promising young quarterbacks. He was forced into action in Week 2 against the Chiefs but never once looked out of place. He finished the year with 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. In doing so he set the NFL rookie record for both passing touchdowns and completions and was just 39 yards shy of breaking Andrew Luck’s passing yards record. It will be interesting to see how he continues to develop under a brand new coaching staff in L.A. this season.
14. Denzel Ward | CB, Cleveland Browns
Ward has been the picture of consistency since his arrival in Cleveland. He has never given up more than 500 yards in a single season and has allowed a QBR when targeted of just 71.7 so far in his NFL career. For context, Jalen Ramsey’s career QBR when targeted sits at 76.3. Ward has also developed into one of the league’s best ball hawks and has had at least nine forced incompletions in each of his three seasons in the NFL. He rarely gets beaten deep either and he has not allowed a play of 30+ since way back in Week 13 of the 2019 season.
15. Quinnen Williams | IDL, New York Jets
Williams started slow as a rookie in 2019 but turned things around last season. He ended up being one of a few positives in a terrible season for the Jets. Williams was known for his pass rushing prowess in college and he finally saw that translate to the NFL last season. After just 19 pressures as a rookie he more than doubled that number in 2020. He finished the year with 39 pressures and eight sacks on just 379 pass rushing snaps. He also improved as a run defender and his 28 run stops ranked seventh amongst all NFL defensive linemen. With one of the brightest defensive minds now coaching him in New York, Williams could do even better in 2021.
16. Roquan Smith | LB, Chicago Bears
Smith has improved in each of his three seasons in the NFL. Whilst his run defense still leaves something to be desired, the rest of his game is exceptional. He has been one of the league’s most reliable tacklers and has logged just 16 misses on 247 attempts over the last two seasons. He improved substantially in coverage last season too. Smith allowed just 7.1 yards per reception on his 85 targets, ranking third at the position. He also contributed two interceptions and four pass breakups, giving up a QBR of 75.8 which once again ranked third. Combine all of this with his blitzing prowess and you have one of the most promising young defenders in the NFL.
17. D.J. Moore | WR, Carolina Panthers
Moore seems to be one of the most underrated players in the entire NFL. He has put up back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in Carolina, despite consistently poor quarterback play over the past two seasons. He developed into a genuine big play threat in 2020 and averaged 18.1 yards per reception. What makes Moore such a great young receiver is how well rounded his game is. He is effective in contested catch situations, but can also create as a YAC weapon in the open field. He has forced 45 missed tackles on his 207 career receptions, which are the kind of numbers you would expect from a running back.
18. Michael Onwenu | IOL, New England Patriots
It is still early days, but Onwenu looks like the biggest steal of the entire 2020 draft class. The Patriots picked him up in the sixth round and he already looks to be one of the best linemen in the entire NFL. His versatility was on show last season as he played left guard, right guard, and right tackle. Through his 16 games he allowed just 14 total pressures, the fewest of any rookie with at least 300 pass blocking snaps. He also made a name for himself as one of the league’s most dominant run blockers. His 84.9 PFF run blocking grade ranked seventh amongst tackles.
19. Darnell Savage | S, Green Bay Packers
The Packers started Savage out of the gate as a rookie in 2019 and he has more than held his own. He has allowed a completion rate of just 56.1 per cent so far in his career has never allowed more than 280 yards in a single season. His ball skills may be his best trait and he has contributed a very impressive 15 forced incompletions on his 57 career targets. With a career QBR allowed of 67.5, Savage ranks amongst the best young players at the position and helps to give the Packers one of the NFL’s most talented safety duos.
20. Kyler Murray | QB, Arizona Cardinals
Murray is developing into a good NFL quarterback. He showed some improvement as a passer in 2020, finishing the year with 3,971 yards and a 67.2 per cent completion rate. His 37 total touchdowns also put him seventh in the NFL. Where he separates himself from most other quarterbacks is his ability as a runner. Murray racked up 822 yards in 2020 at an average of 6.2 per carry. He tied with Lamar Jackson for the most explosive runs (32) at the position and this ranked fifth across the entire NFL. If he can improve his accuracy as a passer, he could rise much further up this list.
21. Josh Jacobs | RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Jacobs’ production took a hit in 2020, but don’t let that distract you from his talent. He has been one of the toughest backs to bring down since entering the NFL in 2019. As a rookie he led the league with 69 forced missed tackles, breaking Kareem Hunt’s rookie record in the process. He logged 51 in 2020, which ranked fifth at the position. Jacobs has also averaged a very impressive 3.13 yards after contact throughout his NFL career. It will be interesting to see how he produces behind a remodelled Raiders offensive line in 2021.
22. CeeDee Lamb | WR, Dallas Cowboys
It came as a surprise when CeeDee Lamb fell all the way to No. 17 in last year’s draft and the Cowboys certainly reaped the rewards. He was great from the outset and averaged 86 yards per game through his five games with Dak Prescott under center. Perhaps the most encouraging thing was that his production continued throughout the rest of the season, despite poor quarterback play. Lamb finished the year with 74 catches for 935 yards, the second most amongst rookies in each category.
23. Jonathan Taylor | RB, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor was incredibly productive during his college career and he carried that straight through into the NFL. He led all rookies in rushing yards and forced missed tackles and was one of the NFL’s most dominant running backs down the stretch. From Week 11 onwards he averaged 6.2 yards per carry and forced 0.28 missed tackles per attempt. His 15.1 per cent explosive run rate was also the second highest in the NFL, behind only Nick Chubb. He should dominate again in 2021 behind a strong offensive line as the Colts’ undisputed RB1.
24. Jeffery Simmons | IDL, Tennessee Titans
Simmons’ appearances were limited as a rookie in 2019 as he battled to return from a torn ACL. Last season we got to see him fully healthy for the first time since his college days and he didn’t disappoint. He finished the year with 41 total pressures on his 540 pass rushing snaps, including three sacks. This was the second most on Tennessee’s defense and ranked 16th at the position. He was also one of the Titans’ better run defenders and logged an impressive 20 run stops. Expect more of the same in 2021.
25. Mekhi Becton | OT, New York Jets
The 2020 tackle class was exceptional and the Jets look to have secured a real talent at the position in Becton. He lived up to his reputation as a mauler in the run game and his combination of strength and athletic ability make him a nightmare for opponents to contain. He also showed substantial improvement as a pass protector and allowed just 23 pressures through his 13 games. This all came in a season where he struggled with a number of different injuries. It makes you wonder what he can do in 2021 if he stays healthy.
