NFL Top 10: 10 best players under the age of 25

In the spirt of the NFL and the fact that NFL Network is currently revealing their "top 100 players in the NFL" list, we here at 412sportstalk.net have compiled a list of our own. Instead of doing the top 100 players in the NFL, we will be looking at younger players.


Today's list will be the top 10 players in the NFL under the age of 25.
These are the players that I believe are the best in the league under the age of twenty-five. I made these decisions based on statistics and importance to their team.



10) Ndamukong Suh - DET, Defensive Tackle, 24

The Lions number two overall pick from last year is an animal for this defense. This superhuman rookie had sixty-six tackles, a forced fumble for a touchdown, an interception, and ate four cheerleaders. This guy is the central player that the defense is going to be built around, reminding us of the classic Mean Joe Greene strategy. Watch out for this guy for the next ten years.



9) Hakeem Nicks - NYG, Wide Receiver, 23

This young G-Men star receiver has only played two years but already has amassed 1,842 yards and seventeen touchdowns. Just an all-around great receiver to catch Eli Manning passes for the next few years, as the Giants should remain in playoff contention.



8) Matt Stafford - DET, Quarterback, 23

Let’s go with another young Lions player and everyone’s favorite party animal, Matt Stafford! This guy has already gathered 2,802 yards with nineteen touchdowns and, unfortunately, twenty one interceptions. But he has only played forty percent of his games so far. Dude, stop picking up kegs and maybe you’ll stop getting hurt! Great cannon arm though; he’s going to be a great player if he can shake off the injury bug.



7) Percy Harvin - MIN, Wide Receiver, 23

Minnesota’s offensive yang to Adrian Peterson’s yin. Incredibly fast wide receiver with a headache problem. Great special teams player as well, returning kicks for 2,089 and three touchdowns over his career. He has caught for 1,658 yards and eleven touchdowns, although that was with Favre. Harvin also has 242 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground. He and Purple Jesus Peterson are going to have to save this team and hopefully make their new quarterback Christian, ponder a playoff appearance. Call me the Punisher.



6) Mike Wallace - PIT, Wide Receiver, 24

Our third year receiving star is Big Ben’s new go to guy. In only two seasons with the Steelers, Wallace has grabbed 2,013 yards worth of receiving yards, and a sinister sixteen touchdowns. Look for his production to increase this year as Ward is getting older, and Mike is in that mystical third season for a wide receiver. Wallace made everybody forget about Santonio Holmes leaving, and looks to be our number one guy for years to come. It helps that Big Ben is throwing it as well.





5) James Laurinaitis - STL, Linebacker, 24

James, you have Laurinaitis? I hope it’s not serious! Or, maybe it’s a disease that he can infect other people with so that he plays better. Either way, this dude rocks. 234 tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble, and three interceptions make him a solid prototypical middle linebacker. Like Suh, this is the man that you want to build the defense around. Should keep the up-and-coming Rams up-and-coming for awhile.



4) DeSean Jackson - PHI, Wide Receiver, 24

Besides the funny videos of him on YouTube where he prematurely gesticulates on a touchdown celebration, this guy can do anything with the ball. He’s rushed for 337 yards and three touchdowns. He’s returned punts for 1,112 yards with 4 touchdowns, and in only three years he’s snuggled down 3,124 yards receiving and seventeen touchdowns. Talk about all purpose. He has Sonic the Hedgehog’s quickness.



3) Rashard Mendenhall - PIT, Running Back, 23

Cancel out Rashard’s first year after only nineteen carries and that bad Ray Lewis injury that placed him on IR. So after his (pretty much) two years of play, Mendenhall has truck-sticked for over 2,439 yards and twenty touchdowns. 445 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown also shows that he has some hands for versatility. It kicks so much ass to be a Steeler fan.



2) Sam Bradford - STL, Quarterback, 23

Yes, Bradford is number two, this guy is seriously good. Got to love rookie QB’s that can impact immediately. Big Ben, Matty “Ice” Ryan, and Peyton freaking’ Manning comes to mind. This maniac can throw the ball with force, accuracy, and authority. Staggering number of yards for a rookie passer, 3,512! He also doinked eighteen touchdowns in. Fifteen interceptions, too, but that will lessen with time, and he did play every game as well. St. Louis has gotten themselves a franchise QB, the most important player on a football team. Now we just have to wait and see what they do around him.



1) Josh Freeman - TB, Quarterback, 23

The best player in the league under the age of twenty-five is Josh Freeman. As I stated before, I believe that statistics and what the player means to a team are the governing factors. Freeman started ten games in 2009 and all sixteen games last year. After the Buccaneers put Freeman in midway through his rookie year, there was no turning back. He’s already accumulated 5,306 yards to go along with thirty-five touchdowns and only twenty-four interceptions. Those are amazing statistics for playing not even two years. Freeman has also scrambled for 525 yards. Look for Freeman to be a top three quarterback in the league and for the Buccaneers to be Super Bowl contenders for years to come.



written by Dan Dolney