Having young stars on rookie contracts is crucial for success in the NFL. It gives teams financial flexibility for building their rosters, and if done right, can lead to Super Bowl wins. Let’s look at the best young players in the NFL under 25 years old. The only rule: these players must be under 25 years old as of the first full week of September 2023. Here are our NFL Offensive All-Under-25 First and Second Teams.
Quarterback
Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers): Purdy isn’t Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson, but he’s the best quarterback the 49ers have had in a while. He reached the Super Bowl in his first full season as a starter. In 2023, Purdy set a record with 9.6 yards per attempt and 4,280 passing yards. He also ranked second in air yards per completion (7.3) and led the league in completion percentage on throws of 20+ air yards (55%). The 49ers scored on 11 of 17 second-half drives in the playoffs last year. Purdy is expected to improve as he gains more experience.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons): Robinson set a Falcons rookie record with 1,463 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns. He avoided 71 tackles in 2023, ranking fifth in the NFL. At just 22 years old, his best football is ahead of him. It will be interesting to see how new Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson uses him in the new scheme.
Wide Receivers
Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals): Chase had a stellar rookie season with 1,455 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. While he hasn’t matched those numbers in the past two seasons, he’s still crossed 1,000 receiving yards each year. In 2023, he caught a career-high 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns, despite Joe Burrow missing seven games due to injury. Another big year could make Chase the highest-paid wide receiver in history next offseason.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions): Once underrated, St. Brown had a career year in 2023 despite injuries. His 119 receptions tied for second in the NFL, his 1,515 receiving yards ranked third, and his 10 touchdowns tied for fourth. He recorded nine 100-yard games last season and is one of only five players to have 100 receptions in each of the past two seasons.
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Garrett Wilson (New York Jets): Wilson became the first Jets player to cross 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons, despite playing with six different quarterbacks. If Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, Wilson is set to have a breakout year in 2024.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions): LaPorta set a rookie tight end record with 86 catches, turning them into 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading all tight ends. It was one of the best rookie seasons ever for a tight end. LaPorta quickly became a trusted target for Jared Goff in a team full of weapons.
Offensive Line
Charles Cross (Seattle Seahawks): Selected with a pick from the Russell Wilson trade, Cross has started all 31 games in his first two seasons. He has looked great in training camp and is expected to reach an All-Pro level in 2024. At 23 years old, he’s only getting better.
Tyler Smith (Dallas Cowboys): Smith earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods in 2023 playing at left guard. He had a 74.4 overall grade and an 80.7 run-blocking grade from PFF. At 23, the former first-round pick will be a key player on the Cowboys’ offensive line for years.
Tyler Linderbaum (Baltimore Ravens): Linderbaum made the Pro Bowl last year and was on the Pro Football Writers Association NFL All-Rookie Team in 2022. PFF ranked him as the No. 3 center in the NFL for 2023, noting his improved pass blocking. He allowed zero sacks last season.
