Becoming an NFL star before hitting the age of 25 sets up any player for long-term success. The league is seeing more young talents have quicker impacts on team fortunes than ever before.
Not including unproven rookies, here’s looking at the ultimate, all-around roster by position comprised of 25 players who will be 24 or younger for the start of the 2024 season.
Not surprisingly, the NFC runner-up Lions make up 24 percent of the list with six selections, and the Super Bowl champion Chiefs get three nods.
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Sporting News’ NFL All-Under-25 Team
Quarterback
Brock Purdy, 49ers (age: 24)
Purdy is coming off a top-flight second season with his terrific downfield passing matching uncanny efficiency. He led the league with 9.6 yards per attempt and a 113.0 rating. There’s nothing fluky or game manager-like about his play, as he’s the ideal pocket fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He will get paid among the best QBs after turning in another great season in 2024.
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Running backs
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (age: 22)
Gibbs turned on his jets in the second half of last season with explosive running and adept receiving. He is used well playing off veteran David Montgomery to keep him fresh, and he can do plenty of big-play and scoring damage on around 250 touches again.
Bijan Robinson, Falcons (age: 22)
Robinson and Gibbs have similar complete games. Gibbs benefited from the balance of a reliable passing game on top of a sturdy offensive line. Robinson will get much more QB support from Kirk Cousins to keep tapping into his great receiving and also open up more running lanes for him.
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Wide receivers
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (age: 24)
Chase, taken No. 5 overall in 2021, won’t turn 25 until next March ahead of what should be the latest record-breaking contract for a wide receiver. Until then, he will go back to putting up prolific numbers with college QB Joe Burrow back healthy for 2024.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (age: 24)
It’s difficult to believe that St. Brown won’t turn 25 until October, as he’s already secured his lucrative second deal on the strength of three huge initial seasons. He’s established himself as the league’s top slot option and is locked with Jared Goff. Another high-volume, productive season is coming after an All-Pro breakout.
Puka Nacua, Rams (age: 23)
Nacua just put up the best rookie receiving season ever for someone not named Randy Moss. He maintained his field-stretching momentum even when Cooper Kupp returned healthy. The torch is being passed in the most ideal way for Sean McVay.
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Tight end
Sam LaPorta, Lions (age: 23)
The Lions and GM Brad Holmes have hit on most draft picks since 2021. LaPorta delivered faster than expected with 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 TDs as a rookie. He follows the proud Iowa tradition at the position and also is a league-wide heir apparent to Travis Kelce.
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Offensive tackles
Penei Sewell, Lions (age: 23)
Gibbs, St. Brown, and LaPorta owe plenty to the dominant right tackle play of Sewell. He also broke the bank like St. Brown this offseason. Sewell is the ideal physical and athletic complement to long-time left tackle Taylor Decker.
Charles Cross, Seahawks (age: 23)
Cross, taken No. 9 overall in 2022, had some sophomore struggles related to an early injury before settling again in the second half. But with a new offense, Cross should tap into more of his athletic upside at left tackle.
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Guards
Tyler Smith, Cowboys (age: 23)
As Dallas has parted ways with Tyron Smith and Zack Martin is nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, Tyler Smith, their 2022 first-rounder, has succeeded them as the young centerpiece with his exceptional run blocking and key interior support for the new left tackle and center.
Peter Skoronski, Titans (age: 22)
Skoronski flashed as a rookie and will be helped by his team upgrading left tackle (rookie J.C. Latham) and center (Lloyd Cushenberry) and flipping toward a pass-heavier offense under Brian Callahan. He’ll live up to high expectations as the No. 11 overall pick from 2023.
Center
Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens (age: 24)
With the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey about to break 25, this 2022 first-rounder takes over the spot. Linderbaum has delivered as advertised while anchoring the line for Lamar Jackson and now opening up running lanes for Derrick Henry.
Edge rushers
Will Anderson Jr., Texans (age: 22)
Anderson had “only” seven sacks as a rookie, but he was a dominant all-around force for DeMeco Ryans’ defense, as expected. The reigning DROY can be massive in 2024 playing off Danielle Hunter.
Aidan Hutchinson, Lions (age: 23)
Hutchinson has kept up his pass-rushing prowess and relentlessness in going from Ann Arbor to Detroit, but his versatility in being able to hold up vs. the run and make plays in coverage is what has stamped his early career.
Defensive tackles
Jalen Carter, Eagles (age: 23)
Carter is a big, nasty disruptor who had six sacks as a part-time rookie in the Eagles’ rotation. He should bump up as a full-time starter under Vic Fangio after finishing second to Anderson in the DROY race.
Alim McNeill, Lions (age 24)
One more Leo makes the cut, as this 2021 third-rounder has been outstanding with balanced strong play vs. the run and pass inside, posting five sacks in only 13 games last season.
Linebackers
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Browns (age: 24)
The 2021 second-rounder from Notre Dame has emerged as a rangy playmaker. He made the Pro Bowl last season thanks to 3.5 sacks and 101 tackles as a part of his well-rounded, stat-stuffing season.
Leo Chenal, Chiefs (age: 23)
Chenal is a terrific upfield linebacker who’s ready to start full-time after posting three sacks and 65 tackles, padded by eight tackles for loss and seven QB hits. He should develop better in coverage, too.
Ivan Pace Jr., Vikings (age: 23)
The undrafted gem from Miami (Ohio) was on the field everywhere making big plays for Brian Flores as a rookie in 2023. He can become more prolific out of the gate this season.
Cornerbacks
Sauce Gardner, Jets (age: 23)
Gardner took home all the rookie defensive accolades in 2022, including Sporting News’ top annual honor. He quieted down with his on-ball playmaking last season, but that was more tied to teams taking fewer chances vs. his shutdown stylings.
Trent McDuffie, Chiefs (age: 23)
The 2022 No. 21 overall first-rounder made L’Jarius Sneed expendable with his all-around play, earning an AP First-Team All-Pro spot with three sacks, 80 tackles, and more atypical cleanup skills.
Safeties
Kyle Hamilton, Ravens (age: 23)
The No. 14 overall pick in 2022 has become an absolute steal as a hybrid safety and nickel back in Baltimore’s aggressive defense. This other first-team All-Pro was really dominant, either playing like an ace smaller cover man or as a bigger linebacker.
Jevon Holland, Dolphins (age: 24)
Holland covers a ton of ground in every capacity, whether it’s being called upon to support the run, tackle, cover, or blitz. He can be a much more active full-season contributor with better health this season.
Kicker
Cameron Dicker, Chargers (age: 24)
Believe it or not, but with most of the established punters being older than 25 and Brandon Aubrey being a late bloomer, there’s room for only one youthful leg on this team. Dicker the kicker will come through big-time for the new-look Chargers under Jim Harbaugh.
Return specialist
Marvin Mims, Broncos (age: 22)
He should probably get more big-play chances either stretching the field or working after the catch as a receiver for rookie Bo Nix in 2024, but there’s no doubt Mims is an explosive asset with every chance he gets off kickoffs and punts.