Top Players In The NFL At Each Position Under The Age Of 27
So we all know that, as a young, rebuilding team, the Kansas City Chiefs have far more good days in front of them than behind them. So I thought it might be rewarding to look at all the amazing young talent we have on this team respective to all other teams. So here’s a comprehensive list of all studs at their respective positions, who are younger than the age of 27.
Quarterbacks listed here, everybody else after the jump. I’m also going to break this down by team after the jump. This will give us a look at which teams are building the best for the future (and therefore could be future formidable opponents for our future Super Bowl runs), and which teams are… not so good at looking ahead. (I’m looking at you, Denver.)
If I left somebody out (or included someone I shouldn’t have), please point that out in comments and I’ll modify the list.
OFFENSE
QB
1. Matt Ryan, Falcons
2. Joe Flacco, Ravens
3. Sam Bradford, Rams
4. Josh Freeman, Buccaneers
5. Mark Sanchez, Jets
RB
1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings
2. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
3. Chris Johnson, Titans
4. Peyton Hillis, Browns
5. Arian Foster, Texans
6. Ray Rice, Ravens
7. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
8. Darren McFadden, Raiders
9. Matt Forte, Bears
FB
1. LeRon McClain, Ravens
WR
1. Calvin Johnson, Lions
2. Sidney Rice, Vikings
3. Miles Austin, Cowboys
4. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
5. Dez Bryant, Cowboys
6. Percy Harvin, Vikings
7. DeSean Jackson, Eagles
8. Mike Williams, Buccaneers
9. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
10. Hakeem Nicks, Giants
TE
1. Jermichael Finley, Packers
2. Zach Miller, Raiders
3. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
4. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
5. Tony Moeaki, Chiefs
6. Aaron Hernandez, Patriots
LT
1. Joe Thomas, Browns
2. Jake Long, Dolphins
3. Ryan Clady, Broncos
4. Rodger Saffold, Rams
5. Russell Okung, Seahawks
LG
1. Carl Nicks, Saints
2. Andy Levitre, Bills
C
1. Alex Mack, Browns
2. Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers
3. Ryan Kalil, Panthers
4. Jeremy Zuttah, Buccaneers
RG
1. Josh Sitton, Packers
2. Eric Wood, Bills
3. Chilo Rachal, 49ers
RT
1. Tyson Clabo, Falcons
2. Bryan Bulaga, Packers
DEFENSE
Passrushers
1. Clay Matthews, Packers
2. Mario Williams, Texans
3. Lamarr Woodley, Steelers
4. Brian Orakpo, Redskins
5. Charles Johnson, Panthers
6. Carlos Dunlap, Bengals
7. Ray Edwards, Vikings
8. Chris Long, Rams
DT (undertackle)/3-4 DE
1. Ndamukong Suh, Lions
2. Tyson Alualu, Jaguars
3. Sedrick Ellis, Saints
4. Jason Jones, Titans
5. Glenn Dorsey, Chiefs
6. Kendall Langford, Dolphins
7. Calais Campbell, Cardinals
NT
1. BJ Raji, Packers
2. Kyle Williams, Bills
3. Terrance Knighton, Jaguars
4. Roy Miller, Buccaneers
ILB/MLB
1. Patrick Willis, 49ers
2. Jerod Mayo, Patriots
3. Jon Beason, Panthers
4. Paul Posluszny, Bills
5. Stephen Tulloch, Titans
6. James Laurinaitis, Rams
7. Lawrence Timmons, Steelers
8. AJ Hawk, Packers
9. Curtis Lofton, Falcons
4-3 OLB
1. Brian Cushing, Texans
2. David Hawthorne, Seahawks
CB
1. Darrelle Revis, Jets
2. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cardinals
3. Devin McCourty, Patriots
4. Brandon Flowers, Chiefs
5. Leon Hall, Bengals
S
1. Eric Berry, Chiefs
2. Louis Delmas, Lions
3. Jairus Byrd, Bills
4. Earl Thomas, Seahawks
5. Tyvon Branch, Raiders
6. TJ Ward, Browns
7. Patrick Chung, Patriots
BREAK DOWN BY TEAM
AFC East
Patriots – 5 (TE, TE, ILB, CB, S)
Jets – 2 (QB, CB)
Dolphins – 3 (LT, DE)
Bills – 5 (NT, RG, LG, MLB, S)
AFC North
Steelers – 4 (RB, C, OLB, ILB)
Ravens – 3 (QB, RB, FB)
Browns – 4 (RB, LT, C, S)
Bengals – 2 (DE, CB)
AFC South
Colts – 0
Texans – 3 (RB, DE, OLB)
Jaguars – 2 (DT, NT)
Titans – 3 (RB, DT, MLB)
AFC West
Chiefs – 5 (RB, WR, DE, CB, S)
Chargers – 0
Raiders – 3 (RB, TE, S)
Broncos – 1 (LT)
NFC East
Eagles – 2 (WR, WR)
Giants – 1 (WR)
Cowboys – 2 (WR, WR)
Redskins – 1 (OLB)
NFC North
Packers – 6 (TE, RG, RT, OLB, NT, ILB)
Bears – 1 (RB)
Vikings – 4 (RB, WR, WR, DE)
Lions – 4 (WR, TE, DT, S)
NFC South
Falcons – 3 (QB, RT, MLB)
Saints – 2 (LG, DT)
Buccaneers – 4 (QB, WR, C, NT)
Panthers – 3 (C, DE, MLB)
NFC West
Seahawks – 2 (OT, OLB, S)
Rams – 4 (QB, LT, DE, MLB)
49ers – 2 (MLB, RG)
Cardinals – 2 (DE, CB)
Now, of course, there are a dozen X-factors here. There are current players that are 27 and 28 who will also play for a long time. There are future draftees who can and will become game changers themselves. And several of the above players are free agents.
But what it does show is which teams are effectively preparing for the future the best, and the Chiefs are definitely one of them. As soon as Phillip Rivers and the Chargers eventually decline, the Chiefs could potentially rule the AFC West for a long, long time. Potentially.
(This also shows that the Packers are going to be really good for a long time.)