Patrick Mahomes tops all players on CBS Sports’ Top 25 Under 25

Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs only entry on CBS Sports’ Top 25 Under 25 list.

The Kansas City Chiefs are growing up.

There was a time not so long ago when the Kansas City Chiefs were flush with bright young talent and the annual lists of the NFL’s Top 25 players under 25 would reflect such low numbers. These days, it’s easy to tell the Chiefs are growing up and into their prime as Super Bowl champions since Patrick Mahomes, who is 24, is the team’s only entry on this year’s list at CBS Sports.

Sean Wagner-McGough put together this year’s list for CBS and says the only answer up top is, of course, Mahomes. Here’s part of his tribute:

"Mahomes might not ever throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns again, but he’s still getting better. That’s what so scary; at the age of 24, after only two full seasons as a starting quarterback, he’s the best player in football and he’s only getting going. It might be early, but Mahomes has a chance to become the best quarterback in NFL history."

In years past, Mahomes would be featured alongside several other players on the Chiefs roster. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is recognized as a top 10-20 talent overall in the NFL but he has now crossed the 25-year-old mark. Defensive end Frank Clark and wide receiver Tyreek Hill are both 26, as is fellow wideout Sammy Watkins.

The New Orleans Saints had the most players on this year’s list with three and four other teams had two players apiece. That means that some teams didn’t even have a single player on the list. The whole piece is worth a read because Wagner-McGough actually puts a lot of thought into the list and serves it up well.

As for Chiefs who could have potentially made the list, it’s tough to see young studs in the secondary not mentioned like Juan Thornhill, who had a helluva rookie season, and Charvarius Ward, who remains perhaps the NFL’s most underrated corner and a great story as a former UDFA find. Next season, it will be interesting to see if Clyde Edwards-Helaire makes the list as the team’s shiny new weapon. Wideout Mecole Hardman is only 22 as well and a breakout year could place him in the rankings.