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NFL: Best 10 players 25 or younger

By Phil Watson

Nov 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defuse during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defuse during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers used the first overall pick in 2011 to take Heisman Trophy winner and national champion quarterback Cam Newton out of Auburn.

He’s started every game for the Panthers since.

Newton started his career with a splash, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 400 yards in his first two games, and threw for 4,051 yards and ran for another 706 in 2011.

His yardage totals have declined each season since, but his efficiency has increased, and last season he threw for a career-high 24 touchdowns and led Carolina to the postseason, guiding the Panthers to 12 wins and an NFC South title.

Newton’s 11,299 passing yards are the fourth-most for a quarterback in his first three seasons, behind only Peyton Manning, Dan Marino and Andy Dalton, and in just three years, he’s 25th all-time in rushing yards by a quarterback with 2,032.

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