NFL Coaches, Execs Identify Best Player Aged 25 or Under
Newsweek · C · trust 51/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. People around the NFL gave major recognition to an unheralded young star.
The Athletic's Mike Jones polled NFL coaches, scouts, and front-office members to determine the game's top-25 players aged 25 or younger to start the 2026 season. Their top choice may surprise some fans expecting a flashier name.
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Penei Sewell garnered the No. 1 spot. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie round out the top five.
Sewell has made four consecutive Pro Bowls and earned three straight All-Pro nods for the Lions, who have finished each of the last four seasons in the top five of total yards and points. Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL's top tackle last year after he allowed just two sacks and committed two penalties.
Turning 26 in October, Sewell narrowly maintained eligibility for this exercise. The former first-round pick will move to left tackle for his sixth season.
While polled participants love Sewell, Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyler Smith (12) and Chicago Bears guard Darnell Wright (23) were the only other offensive linemen to make the top-25 list. Los Angeles Chargers tackle Joe Alt received an honorable mention after an injury-marred second season.
Interestingly enough, no quarterback graced the top 10. Drake Maye, revealed at No. 11 on the NFL Top 100 list Friday, also ranks No. 11 in this 25-and-younger survey after guiding the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl at age 23. Jayden Daniels (13), C.J. Stroud (19), and Caleb Williams (21) followed under center.
Some other notable names missed the top 25 entirely. Patriots fans may especially take umbrage to these rankings, as star cornerback Christian Gonzalez didn't make the rankings despite placing No. 28 in the NFL Top 100.
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