Full Breakdown
NFL Coaches and Executives Rank Top Players Under 25 for 2026 Season
8/21/2026, 9:29:03 PM
Top Young Talent Ranked for 2026
The Athletic’s Mike Jones conducted a poll of NFL coaches, scouts, and front-office personnel to identify the league’s best players aged 25 or younger heading into the 2026 season. Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell earned the No. 1 spot, followed by 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 in the top five.
Poll Methodology and Eligibility
The survey considered players who will be 25 or younger at the start of the 2026 season. Sewell, who turns 26 in October, “narrowly maintained eligibility” for inclusion. The poll excluded quarterbacks from the top ten, reflecting the participants’ emphasis on positions other than the passing game.
Standout Performers
- Penei Sewell – The Lions’ left tackle has logged four consecutive Pro Bowl selections and three straight All-Pro honors. Pro Football Focus graded him the NFL’s top tackle last year after allowing just two sacks and committing two penalties.
- Other Linemen – Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyler Smith (age 12) and Chicago Bears guard Darnell Wright (age 23) were the only additional offensive linemen to appear in the top-25. Los Angeles Chargers tackle Joe Alt received an honorable mention despite an injury-marred second season.
- Quarterbacks – Although no quarterback reached the top ten, Drake Maye placed No. 11 in the NFL Top 100 list and also ranked No. 11 in this younger-player survey after leading the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl at age 23. Jayden Daniels (13), C.J. Stroud (19), and Caleb Williams (21) followed in the rankings.
Implications and Notable Trends
The poll highlights the growing recognition of offensive linemen and defensive playmakers among the league’s emerging talent pool, while underscoring a relative scarcity of highly-rated young quarterbacks in the upper tier of the list. The emphasis on players who have already earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections suggests that coaches and executives value proven consistency when projecting future impact.
