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25 best NFL players under 25 years old

By Rucker Haringey

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates a touchdown scored by Austin Ekeler #30 (not pictured) during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on October 04, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates a touchdown scored by Austin Ekeler #30 (not pictured) during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on October 04, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 11: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts scores a touchdown during the first quarter in a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

22. Jonathan Taylor

The Colts landed Taylor with a second-round pick back in 2019 and he responded by seizing their starting running back job right away. He’s an explosive rusher behind Indianapolis’ powerful offensive line who can also help Carson Wentz by being a nice receiver out of the backfield.

Taylor came into the NFL with a lot of miles on his figurative tires after a prolific collegiate career at Wisconsin. That might come back to haunt him in later years, but he’s shown zero signs of wear and tear to date. Frank Reich and his coaching staff don’t saddle him with 25 carries per game, and Taylor responds by making efficient uses of his touches.

Smart front offices can find good running backs via late draft picks or on the free agent scrap heap, but that doesn’t mean Taylor isn’t one of the best young players in the league. He’s an offensive difference-maker who can grind out yards between the tackles and hit home runs on the perimeter.

Taylor may never ascend to the level of being an All-Pro, but he’ll be a key cog of the Colts’ offense for the better part of the next decade. His high level of production easily qualifies him for the No. 22 spot on this list.

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